Setting Up an MLA or APA Style Paper in Microsoft Word Common Places: Integrated Reading and Writing

MLA Select Font Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank (new) document. Click on the font dropdown box and select Times New Roman.

MLA Select Point Size Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank (new) document. 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.

MLA Set up a Header Click on Page Number. Click on Top of Page, and then select Plain Number 3.

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.

MLA Set up a Header You have now set up your header, including your page numbering. Click on Close Header and Footer.

MLA Set up Double Spacing Click on the Home tab. Look for the Paragraph section, and click on the expansion arrow.

MLA Set up Double Spacing In the Line Spacing dropdown box, select Double. Click OK.

MLA Create Your First Page 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. To center your title, click anywhere on your title and then click the “center” icon.

MLA Create Your First Page After writing and centering the title, hit Enter. Hit Tab, and then begin your paper.

APA Select Font Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank (new) document. Click on the font dropdown box and select Times New Roman.

APA Select Point Size Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank (new) document. 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.

APA Set up a Header Click on Page Number. Click on Top of Page, and then select Plain Number 3.

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.

APA Set up a Header You have now set up your header, including your page numbering. Click on Close Header and Footer.

APA Set up Double Spacing Click on the Home tab. Look for the Paragraph section, and click on the expansion arrow.

APA Set up Double Spacing In the Line Spacing dropdown box, select Double. Click OK.

APA Set up the Cover Page Now you can enter the information needed on your cover page. First, click the Center icon so that the line is centered. 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.

APA Create the Header for the Remaining Pages Click on Page Number. Click on Top of Page, and then select Plain Number 3.

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.

APA Create Your First Page After the date line, hit enter once. Type in your title. To center your title, click anywhere on your title and then click the “center” icon.

The End