BICU
MLA “How To” Packet
Modern Language Association (MLA) recommends the following format style to be used when
keying the outline and research paper.
Margins: All set at 1”*
*If it is a 1-page report, it will be unbound.
*If the paper is multi-page, it will be bound—simply staple at top left corner.
Line Spacing: Set to double space (Format → Paragraph → Line Spacing) DS will be used
throughout the entire document. There is NO quadruple spacing!
Page Numbers: Your last name followed by the page number should appear on the top right
corner of each page. This should be flushed right, 1/2 inch from the top. (See page 2 for
directions on how to do). Some computer programs will require you to set up a header, key
your last name, space and have page numbers inserted automatically. For example:
Smith 1
Heading and Title: Should only be typed on the first page of the outline and research paper
and should begin at the left margin, 1 inch from the top edge of the paper. There are no
commas in the dateline. The first letters of most of the words in the title are capitalized (Title
Case). For example:
Debbie Smith
Mrs. Harshberger
Business Investigation and Computer Usage, Day/Block
14 May 2006
The New Office Job
The outline page numbers DO NOT fall in sequence with the actual paper's page numbers.
When the research paper is actually handed in, the outline is placed first (on top).
Follow all word division rules when typing the outline and research paper. Remember, do not
hyphenate a word from one page to another.
BICU, MLA “How To” Packet, 1
Setting Up a MLA Outline/Report
Word Commands for setting up outline or report using Microsoft Word 2000.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Select View from the menu bar, go down to Header and Footer.
When the Header and Footer window appears on your screen, use your mouse and select
from the format toolbar right align. Key your last name and space one time.
Select with the your mouse the first icon in the Header and Footer menu bar (looks like a
tiny sheet of paper, upper left corner folded over with one # on it) then close.
Go to the menu bar and select File, go to Page Set Up and select margins.
Menu bar, Format, Paragraph and spacing to double spacing, or Control 2.
The following is an example of how the first page of the actual paper would appear.
Smith 1
Debbie Smith
Mrs. Harshberger
Business Investigation and Computer Usage, Day/Block
14 May 2006
The New Office Job
There are many problems facing the graduate who is ready to begin a new office job. In the first
place, a transition must be made from a school class schedule to a quite different office schedule.
In school, a great deal of the work was routine and did not change much from day to day. In
business, most of the work calls for decisions to be made by the worker and for the ability to
meet new work situations.
In addition, a beginning office worker meets a social environment in the office which
differs from that which he has known most of his school life. In school, the student worked
BICU, MLA “How To” Packet, 2
MLA Works Cited Page
An alphabetical list of the references used in preparing the report is called the works-cited page
(Works Cited). Sometimes this page is called the bibliography or reference page. When using
the MLA format, here are some guidelines for preparing the works-cited page.
Use the same header (your last name followed by a space and the page number) used for the
other pages of the report.

Center the title, Works Cited, 1 inch from the top of a separate page. Double space after the
title.

Double space throughout.

Begin each entry at the left margin. Indent carryover lines ½” from the left margin. If your
software has an indent feature, you may use it here to do a hanging indent. The line must end
with a hard return, then to indent the second line use hold down the Control key and strike
the tab key to indent ½”.

List the entries alphabetically by the author’s last name. How entries are punctuated varies
from one style manual to another. If unsure about punctuation, ask your teacher or consult an
English composition handbook.
Smith 5
Works Cited
Bartlett, John. Civil War Battlegrounds. New York: Lester Publishing Company,
1990.
Hughes, Carol E. President Abe. Chicago: Amber Light Publishers, 1991.
Miller, Donald E., and Brett Nelson. Slavery Revisited. Boston: Minegar
Publishing Company, 1988.
Turk, Grace. The Blue Versus the Gray. St. Paul: West Publishing Company,
1988.
BICU, MLA “How To” Packet, 3
MLA Outline
o
A topic outline uses short phrases to organize your ideas and research into a logical and
effective order.
o
A thesis statement must be included in a research paper outline. This is a single
sentence that formulates both your topic and your point of view. When preparing the
thesis statement, keep in mind your purpose in writing and the audience you are writing
for.
o
An outline must be labeled in the following order:
Roman Numerals
Alphabetical (capitalized)
Numeral
Alphabetical (lowercase)
Be sure to that all items are indented ½” at a time, double spaced and end with a period.
Example MLA style outline:
Smith 1
Debbie Smith
Mrs. Harshberger
Business Investigation and Computer Usage, Day/Block
14 May 2006
The Recycling Controversy
Thesis: By examining both sides in the controversy, we can understand how recycling fits
into our environmental policy.
I.
II.
Critics contend that recycling has become expensive.
A.
Recycling plants are not cost efficient.
B.
Recycling collection strains budgets.
C.
Recycling technology does not repay investment.
Critics argue that recycling in inefficient.
BICU, MLA “How To” Packet, 4
Smith 2
A.
Some materials are in over supply.
B.
Other materials are in short supply.
BICU, MLA “How To” Packet, 5