Google Docs MLA Format Tool: A Comprehensive Guide

Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not intend to substitute financial, educational, health, nutritional, medical, legal, etc advice provided by a professional.

Are you a student or researcher struggling to format your MLA papers? Look no further! In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to use the Google Docs MLA Format Tool effectively. With this tool, you can easily create properly formatted MLA papers without the hassle of manual formatting.

What is MLA or Modern Language Association?

Before we dive into the MLA Format Tool, let's understand what MLA is. The Modern Language Association (MLA) is a renowned organization that develops standards for academic writing in the humanities. MLA provides guidelines for citing sources, formatting papers, and creating works cited pages.

Guidelines for MLA Formatting on Google Docs

When it comes to formatting your MLA papers using Google Docs, here are some essential guidelines to follow:

  1. Step 1: Open Google Docs
    Begin by opening Google Docs on your computer or mobile device.
  2. Step 2: Click on Template Gallery
    In Google Docs, navigate to the Template Gallery by clicking on the Template Gallery option.
  3. Step 3: Select Report Template
    From the Template Gallery, select the Report Template that suits your requirements.
  4. Step 4: Type your Last Name and Replace Other Information
    Replace the placeholder text with your last name and other required information.
  5. Step 5: Replace the Text
    Start replacing the template's text with your own content. Make sure to follow MLA guidelines for font size, spacing, and indentation.
  6. Step 6: Make Changes in Work Cited
    Edit the Works Cited section to include the sources you have referenced in your paper.

MLA Formatting on Google Docs Without Templates

If you prefer not to use templates, you can still format your MLA papers manually on Google Docs. Here are the steps:

  1. Step 1: Open New Document
    Start a new Google Docs document by clicking on New Document.
  2. Step 2: Select Font Type and Size
    Choose the appropriate font type and size specified by MLA guidelines.
  3. Step 3: Go to Insert, Click on Headers & Footers and Select Header
    Navigate to the Insert tab, click on Headers & Footers, and select Header.
  4. Step 4: Select Alignment
    Select the desired alignment for your header (left, center, or right).
  5. Step 5: Click on Page Numbers and Select the desired Page
    Click on Page Numbers in the Header & Footer menu and select the page number format you want.
  6. Step 6: Set the margin
    Adjust the margin of your document as per MLA guidelines.
  7. Step 7: Go to Line & Paragraph Spacing and Select Double
    Set the line and paragraph spacing to double to meet MLA requirements.
  8. Step 8: Enter the Details of the Report
    Enter the necessary details for your MLA report, such as your name, instructor's name, class name, and date.
  9. Step 9: Change Alignment and Indentation
    Ensure that your text is aligned properly and the paragraphs are indented according to MLA guidelines.
  10. Step 10: Go to Insert, Click on Break, and Select Page Break
    Add page breaks where necessary using the Insert tab and selecting Page Break.

How do you cite in MLA Format?

When citing sources in MLA format, it is important to follow the guidelines provided by the Modern Language Association. Here are some general rules to keep in mind:

  • Include in-text citations whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize someone else's work.
  • Include the author's last name and the page number in parentheses.
  • For online sources, include the author's name (if available) or the title of the work in the in-text citation.
  • Include a complete citation in the Works Cited page at the end of your paper.

Takeaways

Using the Google Docs MLA Format Tool, you can easily format your MLA papers and focus more on your content. Whether you choose to use templates or format manually, following the MLA guidelines is crucial to ensure academic integrity and proper citation. With this comprehensive guide, you are now equipped to create MLA papers with ease.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not intend to substitute financial, educational, health, nutritional, medical, legal, etc advice provided by a professional.