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  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  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): © Karen Conerly 2013

The Body of the Paper  Type your paper, remembering to add in- text 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: 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: A few days before the paper is due © Karen Conerly 2013