MLA Citations Guide: Formatting your paper

Adjusting the margins

Your margins should be 1" all the way around: top, left, right, and bottom of your paper. This is usually the default margin on a new document in both Microsoft Word and Google Documents. However, if you need to change them, do the following:

• Microsoft Word: go to your top toolbar and click Layout > Margins and adjust margins
• Google Docs: click on File > Page setup and adjust the margins

Formatting the text: font, size, spacing

For MLA text formatting requirements, you will need to:

• Use a standard-sized, legible font (10 pt to 12pt; Times New Roman, Arial, etc.)
   
• Double-space all of your text 
         How do I do that? MS Word | Google Doc
   
• Indent the first line of each paragraph at 0.5"
         How do I do that? MS Word | Google Doc
   
• Create a 0.5" hanging indent for your works cited page
         How do I do that? MS Word | Google Doc
   
• Create a running header with your last name and the page number
         How do I do that? MS Word | Google Doc

Heading and title

Do not confuse your heading with your header, which is where your page number goes. The heading of your paper is where you include your name, your professor, your class, and the date (D Month YYYY), respectively. This information should be left-aligned at the top of your first page. DO NOT put it in the header of the document.

The title is the name of your research paper. It should be centered on the first page of your paper. DO NOT put it in the header of the document.