Basic MLA format

[Sanctuary]

Most schools ask for the students to use MLA formatting when writing a paper. Whilst proof reading multiple peer papers, I noticed many of them failed to grasp the basic format required. This guide will show you the correct MLA format needed to write your papers. This is extremely simple, but nonetheless I've really taken it apart for those still struggling to understand.

Note: Everything will be referenced from this photo (Microsoft Word 2007 was used)

First off, we need to set our margins. MLA format requires 1" margins. I was shocked to find out that quite a few people have no idea how to set them, especially considering how simple it is.

1. Click the "Page Layout" tab
2. Click "Margins"
3. A drop down box should appear
4. Click "Normal", or whichever has the top, bottom, right, and left all set to 1"

Second, we need everything to be double spaced.

1. Click the "Home" tab
2. Go to the box with the veritcal arrows, right between the "References" and "Mailings" tabs
3. Click the box, then scroll down and select the "2.0" option

Note: Be sure to reference the first photo for the next six steps!
Note 2: Make sure everything is aligned to the left for steps 1-4!
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1. After making sure our spacing and margins are correct, we need our name on the paper. For the example, my name will be Bob Saget.

2. Next, we need to add in the teachers name. Make sure to use either Mr, Mrs, or Miss when addressing them. Simply press enter to go down a line, then type the name. For this example, I'll pretend Michelle Obama is my teacher.

3. Next up is the class name and period number. Quite a few people forget to add the period number, and this can make things extremely hectic for your teacher. Remember to add the comma after the class name!

4. Next is the date. This part is a little confusing, as you don't type it out like you say it. Normally we say it month, day, year. For MLA format, it's day, month, then year. I'll just put today's date as the example.

5. Now it's time to add your header. Seconded only to adding the period number, this is the most commonly forgotten thing. A properly formatted header will include not only the page number, but the individuals last name as well. To do this, simply:

1. Click the "Insert" tab
2. Click "Page Number", NOT "header"!
3. A drop down box should appear, and scroll over "Top of Page"
4. Another drop down box will appear, and click the third one (or whichever has the number on the far right)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. After selecting the third option, you'll see a box at the top of your paper with the number on the right. Insert your last name with a space before the number.
6. Once finished, click the "Close header and footer" option.

6. Lastly, it's time to add your title. In my opinion, it's never smart to have your title identical to your topic. So if your topic is happiness, don't have your title "Happiness", but I digress. To set your title, simply:

1. Press enter to go a line down.
2. Center your text!

Side note: For your thesis paragraph, remember to align the text left and indent your first sentence!

Congratulations! Your paper is now in MLA format!​

All constructive criticism welcome. ​

 

[FishFishy]

Good work sanctuary. This should possibly prove useful to some users on the site who aren't as nifty with computers as others. There are a lot of useful tips in there that people can use when it comes to writing papers, and also everything is explained well.

I noticed that the pictures used in the guide are a pretty good perk to this guide. The way that you labeled them is very nice, and definitely makes the guide a lot more easier to understand. It looks like you actually put some effort into making the photos look good, and I like that. As for your formatting and grammar it all looks good as usual, and the way that you labeled the different parts of the guide stand out pretty well making it easier to follow along and possibly go back to a certain step if needed.

As for the content, I believe that it's pretty good for a short/quick guide. I feel that the guide as a whole is kind of short, granted the topic isn't something that you can expand to well on. Possible you can turn it into a series of guides that help people do things such as this in Microsoft word. I also believe that this is somewhat of a pretty basic guide, as it will still come in handy to a few but most already know how to do this. Possibly in the future you can make a guide on something that most people aren't aware of, and that everyone can learn something from.

Overall I thought the guide was pretty good, and keep up the good work Sanctuary!