Creating a perfectly formatted MLA paper can feel daunting, but Google Docs makes the process significantly easier. This guide will walk you through formatting your paper in MLA style within Google Docs, ensuring your work meets academic standards. We'll cover everything from margins and fonts to headers and citations, helping you submit a polished and professional document.
Understanding MLA Formatting Basics
Before diving into the Google Docs specifics, let's review the fundamental elements of MLA style:
- Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
- Margins: 1-inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the entire document.
- Header: Your last name and page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
- Heading: Your name, instructor's name, course name, and date (typically on the first page only).
- In-text citations: Used to credit sources within the body of your paper.
- Works Cited page: A separate page at the end listing all sources cited in your paper.
Formatting Your Google Doc in MLA Style
Here's a step-by-step guide to formatting your Google Doc for MLA compliance:
1. Setting Margins and Font:
- Margins: Go to File > Page setup. Ensure all margins are set to 1 inch.
- Font: Select Times New Roman, 12 pt from the font dropdown menu in the toolbar.
2. Setting Double Spacing:
- Click the Format menu.
- Select Line spacing, then choose Double.
3. Adding Headers:
- Insert Header: Click Insert > Header.
- Page Number: Click the page number option in the header toolbar and choose the desired style.
- Last Name: Manually type your last name before the page number. This should appear on every page.
4. Creating the MLA Heading:
- Placement: This typically appears on the first page only, aligned to the left.
- Information: Include your name, your instructor's name, the course name, and the date (Day Month Year). Keep each element on a separate line.
5. In-text Citations:
- Parenthetical Citations: Use author's last name and page number (Author's Last Name, Page Number). For multiple authors, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." (Author's Last Name et al., Page Number).
- Consistency: Maintain consistency throughout your paper.
6. Creating the Works Cited Page:
- New Page: After your last paragraph, insert a page break (Insert > Break > Page break).
- Heading: Center the title "Works Cited" at the top of the new page.
- Entries: Create an entry for each source cited in your paper, following MLA guidelines for each source type (books, websites, articles, etc.). Remember, the Works Cited page should be double-spaced like the rest of your paper, with hanging indents. Google Docs usually handles hanging indents automatically when you press enter after the first line of a citation.
7. Using Google Docs' Built-in Features (Optional):
While not directly MLA-formatting tools, some features can help streamline your workflow:
- Spelling and Grammar Check: Google Docs offers a built-in spell and grammar checker. Utilize it to catch potential errors.
- Research Tools: Google Docs may integrate with research tools, potentially aiding in citation management.
Beyond the Basics: Addressing Common Challenges
- Hanging Indents on the Works Cited Page: If you're having trouble with hanging indents on your Works Cited page, you may need to manually adjust the indent using the ruler at the top of the Google Doc.
- Complex Citations: For complex citations (e.g., multiple authors, edited works), consult an MLA style guide for precise formatting instructions.
- Citation Management Tools: Consider using a citation management tool (like Zotero or Mendeley) to assist with creating your Works Cited page and managing your sources.
Following these steps will help you create an MLA-formatted paper in Google Docs effectively. Remember to always double-check your formatting against the official MLA guidelines to ensure accuracy and avoid potential formatting issues. Good luck!
