This document provides instructions for formatting an essay using MLA style. It recommends using Times New Roman 12 point font, double spacing, and 1 inch margins on all sides. Videos are linked for setting these formatting options using Mac and PC. The header should include the author's last name and page number. The first page should also include the author's name, professor, class, date, and word count before the title, which is centered. Paragraphs are indented using the tab key.

1. Formatting your essay
using MLA style

2. Note that in my videos, I use Microsoft Word on
a Mac. The process is slightly different on a PC
but very similar.
I also include videos for each process using a
PC

3. Use Times New Roman font,
and make sure your font size is set at 12 point.
Watch this video for instructions using a Mac:
http://screencast.com/t/Q6tD4yV0GEJZ
Watch this video for instructions using a PC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMGo_RGN_F4

4. Double space your paper and set the margins at one
inch all around.
Also, make sure to get rid of the extra spacing after
paragraphs. Otherwise, Word will add in extra spaces
that look terrible and drive instructors crazy!
Watch this video for instructions using a Mac:
http://screencast.com/t/up1t1O9eRm
Watch these videos for instructions using a PC:
Set margins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpx6s6dUzUc
Paragraph spacing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftjuYtJWIBI

5. The margins are
set at 1 inch all
around.
The paragraphs
are double
spaced.
The font style is
Times New Roman
12 point font.
The tab
key is
used to
indent.
There is no
extra spacing
between my
paragraphs..

6. In the header for your first page, include your last
name and the page number.
Watch this video for instructions using a Mac:
http://screencast.com/t/HpNSzYGo71
Watch this video for instructions using a PC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKK-
yKiFyUg

7. Outside of your page header, on the first page,
include your first and last name, your professor’s
name, your class name, and the date. For this class,
I would also like you to include the word count for
your paper.
Warning: Don’t type this information in with your
page number in the header or it will be repeated on
every page of your document.
FirstName LastName
Professor SmartyPants
English 1302
Datetember 1, 2020
Word Count: 1201

8. Under your header, include your title centered.
Under the title, begin typing your paper.
See the next slide for an example.

9. One blank line between the first page
header and the title. Hit “Enter” once.
The title is centered,
and all the major
words are capitalized..
Indent paragraphs by hitting
the “Tab” key on the
keyboard.
One
blank
line
between
the title
and
body of
the
paper.