Setting Up an MLA or APA
Style Paper in Microsoft Word
Common Places: Integrated Reading and Writing
Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank
(new) document.
Click on the font dropdown box and select
Times New Roman.
MLA
Select Font
Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank
(new) document.
MLA
Select Point
Size
Click on the point dropdown box and select 12.
Click on Page Layout. Click on Margins. Click
on Normal.
MLA
Set up
Margins
MLA
Set up a
Header
Click on the Insert tab, and then click on
Header.
MLA
Set up a
Header
Click on Edit
Header.
Click on Page Number. Click on Top of Page,
and then select Plain Number 3.
MLA
Set up a
Header
MLA
Set up a
Header
You will see a
flashing cursor
and a page
number in the
top right of your
page.
Type in your
last name
followed by a
single space.
You have now set up your header, including
your page numbering. Click on Close Header
and Footer.
MLA
Set up a
Header
Click on the Home tab.
Look for the Paragraph section, and
click on the expansion arrow.
MLA
Set up Double
Spacing
MLA
Set up
Double
Spacing
In the Line
Spacing
dropdown
box, select
Double.
Click OK.
Start with a heading that includes this information: your
name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date.
Use the date format you see here.
MLA
Create Your
First Page
After the date line, hit enter once. Type in your title.
MLA
Create Your
First Page
To center your title, click anywhere on your title and
then click the “center” icon.
After writing and centering the title, hit Enter. Hit Tab,
and then begin your paper.
MLA
Create Your
First Page
Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank
(new) document.
Click on the font dropdown box and select
Times New Roman.
APA
Select Font
Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank
(new) document.
APA
Select Point
Size
Click on the point dropdown box and select 12.
Click on Page Layout. Click on Margins. Click
on Normal.
APA Set
up
Margins
APA
Set up a
Cover Page.
Start with a
Running
Head.
Click on the Insert tab, and then click on
Header.
APA
Set up a
Header
Click on Edit
Header.
Click on Page Number. Click on Top of Page,
and then select Plain Number 3.
APA
Set up a
Header
APA
Set up a
Header
You will see a
flashing cursor and
a page number in
the top right of
your page.
Type in the words “Running Head” followed by a colon, and then
type your title in all caps. Hit the Tab key once or twice until the
page number goes to the right side of the page.
You have now set up your header, including
your page numbering. Click on Close Header
and Footer.
APA
Set up a
Header
Click on the Home tab.
Look for the Paragraph section, and
click on the expansion arrow.
APA
Set up Double
Spacing
APA
Set up
Double
Spacing
In the Line
Spacing
dropdown
box, select
Double.
Click OK.
Now you can enter the information needed on
your cover page. First, click the Center icon so
that the line is centered.
APA
Set up the
Cover Page
Enter your title on the first line, your name on
the second, and your college or university on
the third.
Now you can go to the next page. While holding down the CTRL
key, hit Enter. You will be starting the next page.
APA
Create the
Header for
the
Remaining
Pages
Start with a heading that includes this information: your
name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date.
Use the date format you see here.
APA
Create the
Header for
the
Remaining
Pages
Click on the Insert tab, and then click on
Header.
APA
Create the
Header for
the
Remaining
Pages
Click on Edit
Header.
Click on Page Number. Click on Top of Page,
and then select Plain Number 3.
APA
Create the
Header for
the
Remaining
Pages
APA
Create the
Header for
the
Remaining
Pages
You will see a
flashing cursor and
a page number in
the top right of
your page.
Type in your title in all caps. Hit the Tab key once or twice until the
page number goes to the right side of the page.
APA
Create the
Header for
the
Remaining
Pages
You have now set up your header for page 2
and beyond. Click on Close Header and
Footer.
After the date line, hit enter once. Type in your title.
APA
Create Your
First Page
To center your title, click anywhere on your title and
then click the “center” icon.
The End