Automating the process of MLA formatting using MSWord
© Karen Conerly 2013
Why Must I Follow a Format?

When editors or instructors need to read
numerous papers, it is easier if they are in
a standard format
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Documentation allows others to see the
path you have taken in researching and
writing your paper

Formatting increases your credibility as a
researcher and writer
© Karen Conerly 2013
What Format to Use

Whatever format is specified by instructor

Modern Language Association (MLA)
Often used for English, Literature, Humanities

American Psychological Association (APA)


Often used by Social Sciences:
Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology
Other formats may be specified or modifications
to these may be made by instructor
© Karen Conerly 2013
Basic Format and Layout
MLA or APA

1-inch margins

10-12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial)

Double-spaced

Paragraph indentation is ½ inch, using the
Tab key, not the space key

All primary headings within the paper are
bold, in Title Case, and Centered.
© Karen Conerly 2013
Why use MS Word to Format?

Easier than memorizing the format rules

Faster in creating your “Works Cited” or “Bibliography”
page. More accurate

While there are several ways to create your Works Cited or
Reference page, stick with ONLY one !

Allows you to concentrate on content, not formatting
© Karen Conerly 2013
What is MLA Format?

Modern Language Associates has developed
this widely used version of the author – page
number style

English, Literature, Humanities instructors
and others prefer a style that emphasizes
author and page of publication

MLA style makes it easier to find the exact
area of the cited source document
© Karen Conerly 2013
Sample of First Page - MLA
© Karen Conerly 2013
First Page of MLA Paper


Double space between each of the entries below:
In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your
instructor's name, the course, and the date.

Center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in
quotation marks; write the title in Title Case, not all capital letters.

Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last
name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages
consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from
the top and flush with the right margin.

Your instructor may ask that you omit last name/page number header
on your first page. Always follow instructor guidelines

This entire slide is taken from MLA Format - Purdue Owl
© Karen Conerly 2013
MLA Format

All you ever wanted to know about MLA
format as well as examples and tutorials
from Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL):
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
© Karen Conerly 2013
The Body of the Paper

Type your paper, remembering to add intext citations where needed

Do NOT use contractions (such as don’t,
can’t, etc.) Indent new paragraphs. Use
correct punctuation, grammar, and
quotation marks

In a quotation, if there is a misspelled
word or grammar error, use [sic] next to it
to show you know the correct spelling or
grammar
© Karen Conerly 2013
In-Text Citations (MLA)

When using ideas, information, or words
from a source, MLA in-text citation
format requires you to identify:
Author of the source
 Page number in the publication
 (Robertson, 48) for example

© Karen Conerly 2013
MLA Citations: In-text
Parenthetical Citation

Author's name may be used either in the sentence itself or
in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase

The page number(s) should always appear in the
parentheses, not in the text of your sentence.
Examples:
 Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a
"spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).

Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous
overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth, 263).

Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in
the creative process (263).
© Karen Conerly 2013
Placing In-Text MLA Citations

While in MS Word:

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


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Click on References
Click on Insert Citation
Click on Add New Source
Choose the type of source from the list
Fill in all the information you can
Use na for information you cannot find
For reusing the same source multiple times,
click on the author’s name in the list MS
Word provides
© Karen Conerly 2013
Editing the MLA In-Text Citation

MSWord puts only the author name into
the MLA parenthetical in-text citation.

To add the specific page number:
 Click on the author’s name till you get a box
 Click on the arrow to the right of the box
 Click on “convert citation to static text”
 Place your cursor after the name, add a
comma and then the page number(s)
© Karen Conerly 2013
Works Cited or Bibliography

After you have written all of your paper,
create a new blank page

This page will hold the detailed information
required for each source you used and cited

Make sure you inserted an in-text citation for
each of your sources listed in Works Cited or
Bibliography and each in-text citation has an
entry in the Works Cited or Bibliography list
© Karen Conerly 2013
Placing the Works Cited

Place your cursor on a new blank page

Click on References – Bibliography

Double-click on Works Cited

Word will insert your sources in
alphabetical order with correct
punctuation
© Karen Conerly 2013
Have Others Read It

Ask other people to review your paper
 Find out if they understand it
 Ask them to notice any errors

Take it to the Writing Lab in Holt 201
 Get an appointment: 954-5586
 A few days before the paper is due
© Karen Conerly 2013