MLA Format Notes

Must Haves!! 1” margins (i.e. don’t fuss with the settings in Microsoft Word as they automatically set to this) 1” margins (i.e. don’t fuss with the settings in Microsoft Word as they automatically set to this) Double Spaced Double Spaced Header (top right corner of EACH page that contains last name and page number) Header (top right corner of EACH page that contains last name and page number)

Must Haves (con’t) Heading (top left corner of FIRST PAGE ONLY) that contains, IN THIS ORDER, your name, my name, subject, date (in day month year format) Heading (top left corner of FIRST PAGE ONLY) that contains, IN THIS ORDER, your name, my name, subject, date (in day month year format) Title of paper is centered (and is also something other than “My Paper”) Title of paper is centered (and is also something other than “My Paper”)

Example #1 Example #2 Example #3: Block quotes Example #1

Auto Format: Double Spacing Using Microsoft Word 2003: Using Microsoft Word 2003: Format (menu bar, top left) Format (menu bar, top left) Paragraph Paragraph In the window that pops up: In the window that pops up: Spacing  Line Spacing  Double Spacing  Line Spacing  Double

Creating a Header Using MW 2003: Using MW 2003: View  Header and Footer  Type in your last name, hit the spacebar once, and the hit the icon that has the # on it, finally tab everything to the far right corner. View  Header and Footer  Type in your last name, hit the spacebar once, and the hit the icon that has the # on it, finally tab everything to the far right corner. Your last name and page number will now appear on every page (and the page number will automatically change). Your last name and page number will now appear on every page (and the page number will automatically change).

Thesis Statement Last sentence of introductory paragraph Last sentence of introductory paragraph Is the guiding principle for the remainder of your paper Is the guiding principle for the remainder of your paper Example of introductory paragraph Example of introductory paragraph Example of introductory paragraph Example of introductory paragraph

Citations Once you have your thesis, find textual support Once you have your thesis, find textual support Author’s last name and page number (in- text citations) Author’s last name and page number (in- text citations) Example Example Example The quotes taken from your sources will be vital to the meat of your paper. The quotes taken from your sources will be vital to the meat of your paper.

Citations con’t Each source that you use in your paper must be cited on your Works Cited page. Each source that you use in your paper must be cited on your Works Cited page. Example Example Example

More citations… In-text citations ought to make sense (meaning they should be haphazardly placed but rather read like a sentence) In-text citations ought to make sense (meaning they should be haphazardly placed but rather read like a sentence) –Wordsworth states 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).

Citations… Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263). Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).

Works Cited Page The order in which information appears is dependant upon the type of source. Example: Journal, Book, Web Example: Journal, Book, Web OWL at Purdue OWL at Purdue Sample Works Cited Sample Works Cited Sample #2 Sample #2