As an expert in academic writing, I'm often asked about setting up documents in MLA format. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities, particularly in the fields of literature and languages. Here's a comprehensive guide to setting up your document in MLA format:


1. Document Setup: Begin by setting your document to have 1-inch margins on all sides. This includes the top, bottom, left, and right margins.


2. Font and Spacing: Use a legible font such as Times New Roman. The font size should be 12-point. Double-space the entire document, including your entries in the Works Cited list.


3. Alignment: Align the text to the left. This is the default setting in most word processors, but you can confirm it by clicking the Align Left icon or, from the menu bar, selecting Format and then Paragraph. In the Paragraph settings, ensure that the Alignment is set to left.


4. Indentation: Use the 'first line indent' setting to indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch. This creates a visual separation between paragraphs.


5. Line Spacing: As mentioned, double-space the entire document. This includes the text of your paper and the Works Cited list.


6. Page Numbers: Place page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of each page, half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin.

7.
Headings: While MLA does not require headings for papers less than 3 pages, for longer papers, you may include a header with your last name and the page number, one-half inch from the top and aligned to the right.

8.
Works Cited: At the end of your paper, include a Works Cited page that lists all the sources you cited in your paper. The Works Cited page should follow the same formatting rules as the rest of your paper: alphabetized by the author's last name or by title if no author is available, double-spaced, and with the first line of each entry indented.

9.
In-Text Citations: For in-text citations, MLA uses the author-page style. Provide the author's last name and the page number(s) where the information can be found, like this: (Smith 22).

10.
Quotations: If you are quoting directly from a source, enclose the quoted material in quotation marks. For quotations that are four lines or fewer, incorporate them into your text. For longer quotations, block quote them by indenting the entire quote one inch from the left margin.

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1. Punctuation: Use MLA's punctuation guidelines, which include placing a period at the end of the sentence before the closing parenthesis of the citation.

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2. Electronic Sources: For online sources, include as much information as possible about the source, including the author, title, website name, access date, and URL.

Setting up your document in MLA format is crucial for presenting your work in a standardized and professional manner. It helps ensure that your academic paper is consistent and easy to read, making it accessible to your readers.

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Click the Align Left icon or, from the menu bar, select Format and Paragraph, select the Indents and Spacing tab, and change Alignment to left. Select Format from the menu bar and Paragraph. In the Indents and Spacing section, click Special and then click Hanging. Type your first works cited entry in the MLA format.read more >>