La recherche indépendante La mise en page MLA Source:

 1. Document Settings  Your word processor comes with default settings (margin, line height, paragraph spacing, and typeface) that will likely need adjustment. For MLA style, you need:  1-inch margins all around  2.0 line height (double-spaced)  no extra spacing after paragraphs  12-point typeface (usually Times New Roman)  papers/ Document settings (1 inch margins; double spaced; 12-point)

 In the top right of every page, use your word processor’s “Page Header” function add an automatic page number and your surname.  2.1 Adding the Page Header in MS-Word (Windows)  Insert -> Page Number -> Top of Page -> (choose the right-justified “Plain Number” option)  The cursor will jump automatically to the right place for you to type your surname.  Click anywhere in the body of the paper to exit the header area.  2.2 Adding the Page Header in MS-Word (Mac)  Insert (in the top menu) -> Page Numbers… -> (Set “Position” to “Top of Page (header)” and “Alignment” to “Right”)  Click just to the left of the new page number, and type your surname.  On my test document, my name was too far over to the left; grab the triangular tab adjuster just above your name, and drag it a notch to the right.. Page Header ( name and page number, upper right of every page)

 In the upper left corner, type your name, your instructor’s name, the course number and section, and today’s date. Centered on the next line, type an informative title that actually informs the reader of your main point (not just “English Paper” or “A Comparison between Hamlet and Macbeth”).  Like all the other text in an MLA style paper, the title block is double- spaced.  The title is in the same font as the rest of the paper — it is not boldface, or enlarged.  There is no extra space above or below the title.  A truly informative title will include the general topic, and your precise opinion on that topic. (So, if you pan to compare Hamlet and Macbeth, your title should state the unique point you want to make about Hamlet and Macbeth. Reuse part of your thesis statement.) Title Block (assignment info and an informative title)

Example

Citations (avoid plagarism) I will check ! Block text: 3 or more lines of text Place the parenthetical citation (the author’s name and the page number) after the period. (This is different from inline quotes. There is no comma between the author’s name and the page number. If the quotation runs across more than one page: (Wordsworth-Fuller 20-21) or (Wordsworth-Fuller ).

 The parenthetical citation appears outside the quoted material.  The period that ends the sentence comes after the close parenthesis. (This is different from block quotes, above.) In line quotes

Citing a paraphrase Use paraphrasing for variety, or to make a passing reference without taking up much space. If we use an author’s idea, rephrased in our own words, we must still cite the idea.

Author's name in text Dover has expressed this concern ( ). Author's name in reference This concern has been expressed (Dover ). Multiple authors of a work This hypothesis (Bradley and Rogers 7) suggested this theory (Sumner, Reichl, and Waugh 23). Two locations Williams alludes to this premise ( , 145). Two works cited (Burns 54; Thomas 327) Exemples

 Easybib.com  Citationmachine.com  Works Cited List  A research paper isn’t a research paper unless you end with full bibliographical details on every source you cited. This part can be tedious and tricky; leave yourself plenty of time to do it.  Title your new page: Works Cited MLA style calls for no extra spaces above or below the page title; no special formatting.  Websites – always include date of retrieval. Works Cited List alphabetical order

 Works Cited List  References cited in the text of a research paper must appear at the end of the paper in a Works Cited list or bibliography. This list provides the information necessary to identify and retrieve each source that specifically supports your research.  Arrange entries in alphabetical order by authors' last names (surnames), or by title for sources without authors.  Capitalize the first word and all other principal words of the titles and subtitles of cited works listed. (Do not capitalize articles, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, or the "to" in infinitives.)  Shorten the publisher's name; for example, omit articles, business abbreviations (Co., Inc.), and descriptive words (Press, Publisher).  When multiple publishers are listed, include all of them, placing a semicolon between each. 

 When more than one city is listed for the same publisher, use only the first city.  Use the conjunction "and," not an ampersand [&], when listing multiple authors of a single work.  Pagination: Do not use the abbreviations p. or pp. to designate page numbers.  Indentation: Align the first line of the entry flush with the left margin, and indent all subsequent lines (5 to 7 spaces) to form a "hanging indent."  Italics: Choose a font in which the italic style contrasts clearly with the regular style.