MLA Format NotesMLA Format Notes

Must Haves!!Must Haves!!

1” margins (i.e. don’t fuss with the 1” margins (i.e. don’t fuss with the settings in Microsoft Word as they settings in Microsoft Word as they automatically set to this)automatically set to this)

Double SpacedDouble Spaced Header (top right corner of EACH Header (top right corner of EACH

page that contains last name and page that contains last name and page number)page number)

Must Haves (con’t)Must Haves (con’t)

Heading (top left corner of FIRST Heading (top left corner of FIRST PAGE ONLY) that contains, IN THIS PAGE ONLY) that contains, IN THIS ORDER, your name, my name, ORDER, your name, my name, subject, date (in day month year subject, date (in day month year format)format)

Title of paper is centered (and is also Title of paper is centered (and is also something other than “My Paper”)something other than “My Paper”)

Example #1

Example #2

Example #3: Block quotes

Example #1

Auto Format: Double Auto Format: Double SpacingSpacing

Using Microsoft Word 2003:Using Microsoft Word 2003: Format (menu bar, top left)Format (menu bar, top left) ParagraphParagraph In the window that pops up:In the window that pops up: Spacing Spacing Line Spacing Line Spacing Double Double

Creating a HeaderCreating a Header

Using MW 2003:Using MW 2003: View View Header and Footer Header and Footer Type in Type in

your last name, hit the spacebar once, your last name, hit the spacebar once, and the hit the icon that has the # on and the hit the icon that has the # on it, finally tab everything to the far it, finally tab everything to the far right corner. right corner.

Your last name and page number will Your last name and page number will now appear on every page (and the now appear on every page (and the page number will automatically page number will automatically change). change).

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

Last sentence of introductory Last sentence of introductory paragraphparagraph

Is the guiding principle for the Is the guiding principle for the remainder of your paperremainder of your paper

Example of introductory paragraph Example of introductory paragraph

CitationsCitations

Once you have your thesis, find Once you have your thesis, find textual support textual support

Author’s last name and page number Author’s last name and page number (in-text citations)(in-text citations)

ExampleExample The quotes taken from your sources The quotes taken from your sources

will be vital to the meat of your will be vital to the meat of your paper.paper.

Citations con’tCitations con’t

Each source that you use in your Each source that you use in your paper must be cited on your Works paper must be cited on your Works Cited page.Cited page.

ExampleExample

More citations…More citations…

In-text citations ought to make sense In-text citations ought to make sense (meaning they should be haphazardly (meaning they should be haphazardly placed but rather read like a sentence)placed but rather read like a sentence)– Wordsworth states that Romantic poetry Wordsworth states that Romantic poetry

was marked by a “spontaneous overflow was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263) .of powerful feelings” (263) .

– Romantic poetry is characterized by the Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263) .feelings” (Wordsworth 263) .

Citations…Citations…

Wordsworth extensively explored the role Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).of emotion in the creative process (263).

Works Cited PageWorks Cited Page

The order in which information appears is The order in which information appears is dependant upon the type of source.dependant upon the type of source.

Example: Journal, Book, WebExample: Journal, Book, Web

OWL at PurdueOWL at Purdue

Sample Works CitedSample Works Cited

Sample #2Sample #2