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

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

3. Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank (new) document.
Click on the point dropdown box and select 12.
MLA Select Point Size

4. Click on Page Layout. Click on Margins. Click on Normal.
MLA
Set up Margins

5. Click on the Insert tab, and then click on Header.
MLA Set up a Header

6. MLA Set up a Header
Click on Edit Header.

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

8. You will see a flashing cursor and a page number in the top right of your page.
MLA Set up a Header
Type in your last name followed by a single space.

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

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

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

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

16. Open Microsoft Word and open up a blank (new) document.
Click on the point dropdown box and select 12.
APA Select Point Size

17. Click on Page Layout. Click on Margins. Click on Normal.
APA Set up Margins

18. 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 Cover Page. Start with a Running Head.

19. APA Set up a Header
Click on Edit Header.

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

21. You will see a flashing cursor and a page number in the top right of your page.
APA Set up a Header
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.

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

23. 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

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

25. 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.
APA Set up the Cover Page
Now you can go to the next page. While holding down the CTRL key, hit Enter. You will be starting the next page.

26. 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

27. 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

28. APA Create the Header for the Remaining Pages
Click on Edit Header.
APA Create the Header for the Remaining Pages

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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 the Header for the Remaining Pages

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

33. The End