How do I set up MLA formatting in Word?

Instructions for formatting an MLA paper in Word:

• To begin, open a new document in Word and make sure the Home tab is selected. In the Font Group, select Times New Roman, size 12 pt. 

• Next, while in the Home tab, look for the Paragraph group, and click on the bottom right hand arrow. 

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• In the Spacing section, change the Line Spacing to Double and be sure to set the before and after spacing to 0pt. Close the window.

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• On the Layout tab, click Margins and select Normal (1" on all sides).

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• Click on the Insert tab. In the Header & Footer group, click on Page Number. Choose Top of Page and then Plain Number 3.

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• Click before the page number. Type your last name and hit the space bar once. Highlight the text, click the Home tab, and change font to Times New Roman, size 12. Then double click below dotted line to begin typing your paper.

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• Type the following, each on a separate line: Your name, instructor's name, the course name/number, and the date (Day Month Year).

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• Hit Enter key to move down to a new line. To center your title, click the Center icon in the Paragraph section and type the title of your paper.
• To begin your paper, hit Enter key to move down to a new line. Click the Left icon in the Paragraph section. Hit Tab key to indent and start typing. *Remember to hit the Tab key each time you begin a new paragraph.

See the MLA Citation Guide for more information on MLA format.