Changing the Paper Margins
Word sets default margins at one inch for the left and right and 1.25 inches on the top and bottom. MLA guidelines require that all page margins should be set to one inch on each side.
1. Choose File > Page Setup and click the Margins tab.
2. Replace the current numbers in the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right fields with the number one. This sets the margin to one inch on all sides.
3. Then click OK.
Formatting Font Size, Style and Type
Word gives many options for formatting front type, style, and size. However, MLA Guidelines require the font to be Times New Roman.
1. Select an appropriate MLA font (Times New Roman) from the font drop-down menu at the top of the screen.
2. Select 12 as the font size.
Line Spacing and Alignment
All text in an MLA document must be double-spaced and all text should be lined up flush with the left margin. There are exceptions such as long quotes, but MLA Guidelines will specify this.
1. Select Format > Paragraph and click the Indents and Spacing tab.
2. Click the drop-down arrow under Line Spacing and select Double.
3. Click OK.
4. Make sure Align Left is highlighted on the formatting toolbar. If it is not highlighted, click once to do so.
NOTE: If the formatting toolbar is not in view, select View > Toolbar > Formatting Toolbar.
Page Numbers and Headers
MLA formatted papers include a header that contains your last name and page number on every page.
1. Choose Insert > Header. Select (Blank) header.
2. In the Header portion type your last name. Then press the space bar one time.
3. Leave everything where it is and click Page Number from the menu. Click "from current postion" and "plain number."
4. Click Insert > Alignment Tab Position. Align right. The entire header should now line up with the right margin. Click Menu and save the file. Title the document MLA Template.
Creating the First Page
MLA style does not require a title; however, it does require the title or identification block to be on the first page.
1. Move the cursor to Line 1 (the first line under the header), type your First and Last Name and press Enter.
2. On Line 2, type your teacher's name (make sure you spell the name correctly): Mr. Pruyne. Press Enter.
3. On Line 3, type: English 9R (or whatever course you are writing a paper). Press Enter.
4. On Line 4, type: Date (ex: 10 September 2007) and press Enter.
5. Make sure all four lines from Steps 1-4 are aligned with the left margin.
6. On the line below the date, type MLA Template (or whatever your paper title will be). Click Align Center.
7. Press Enter and click Align Left to set the insertion bar on a new line at the left margin. Press the Tab key once and type: Begin typing my paper here.
8. Click Save. Make sure you save often when you are writing a paper.
Terry Pruyne - I wrote for my high school and college newspapers on my way to teaching degrees in English and History. Later, I received a Masters Degree ...
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