• Save this Word Document and use it to ensure that you have the correct MLA format on papers:
     
     
     
     
     
    ML 
    You can check for all Modern Language Association guidelines at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/. All formal papers must be typed in MLA format (Modern Language Association). Follow this guideline to make sure you are formatting correctly:
     
    Bob Smith

    Mrs. Headman

    English 10 - Period 1

    24 August 2022

    Title of the Paper

                Your introduction begins here. Indent every paragraph. Make sure to read the following guides for writing your paper in the correct MLA format. It begins with margin, line spacing, and font settings. You will then learn about the first page heading. This heading must be used for your paper to be in proper format. Under the first page heading is the title. The title is never underlined, in bold, or changed from the standard 12 point, Times New Roman font. Lastly, you will include a header with your last name and the page number.

    MLA STYLE MARGIN, LINE SPACING, AND FONT SETTINGS

    MLA style requires you to have one-inch margins on every side of your paper. That means that there is one inch of space between the text and the edge of the paper. You will probably want to set one-inch margins as the default on your computer; most computers are set at 1.25" or 1.50" as the default. You can check your settings by going to "Page Set Up" (on your File menu), which displays margin information.

    MLA style also requires all papers to be double-spaced. To set spacing, look in the "Paragraph" section of your "Format" menu. All spacing should be double-spaced, including the space between your first page heading items, between the title and the first paragraph, and between paragraphs.

    Use a readable, 12-point font, Times New Roman. Do not use fonts that look like fanciful styles. Present your work seriously if you want to be taken seriously.

    FIRST PAGE HEADING

    A title page is not necessary unless the teacher specifically asks for one. Your first page should have a heading in the upper left-hand corner that provides the following identifying information in this order:

    Your full name.

    Your teacher’s name.

    The class title.

    The date that the paper is due.

    TITLE

    Your title should be in 12-point type Times New Roman, NOT in a larger font. DO

    NOT use boldface, italics, underlining, or other effects for your title.

    HEADER

    A header is a line of text that appears on every page. In MLA format, a header with your last name and the page number should appear at the top of every page. To create a header, pull down the "View" menu and choose "Header and Footer." Insert your last name in the autotext, and then repeat the procedure and choose the page number icon. If you are careful to insert your last name first and then the page number, your header will be properly formatted with your name to the left of the page number. Be sure to set the header in the upper right hand corner. This way, every page will be identified, even if one gets misplaced in the shuffle of papers.