Proper MLA Format on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Proper MLA Format on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of losing points for silly formatting mistakes in your papers, assignments, or essays? It's frustrating to think that a minor formatting error could cost you valuable marks. But the truth is, even the strictest graders pay attention to proper MLA format. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of formatting your Google Docs document in MLA style, step-by-step. Whether you're an established academic or a student, it's always helpful to brush up on your MLA skills. Let's dive in!

What Is MLA Format?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of formatting your Google Docs document, let's quickly review what MLA format is. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used citation and formatting style for academic papers in the humanities. It provides guidelines for how to structure your paper, cite sources, and format various elements such as margins, font, line spacing, and more.

Step 1: Apply One-Inch Margins

The first step in formatting your Google Docs document in MLA style is to set the margins to one inch on all sides. Here's how you can do it:

Open your Google Docs document
Click on 'File' in the top menu
Select 'Page Setup'
In the 'Page Setup' dialog box, set the margins to one inch for all sides
Click 'OK' to apply the changes

Step 2: Change the Font and Size

Next, you need to change the font and size to adhere to MLA guidelines. The recommended font for MLA format is Times New Roman, and the recommended font size is 12pt. Follow these steps to make the necessary changes:

Select the text in your document
Click on the 'Font' dropdown menu in the top toolbar
Choose 'Times New Roman' from the list of fonts
Click on the 'Font size' dropdown menu next to the font dropdown
Select '12' from the list of font sizes
Your text should now be in the correct font and size

Step 3: Insert a Header

In MLA format, you need to include a header with your last name and page number on each page of your document. Here's how you can insert a header in Google Docs:

Click on 'Insert' in the top menu
Select 'Header & page number' from the dropdown menu
Choose the 'Header' option
Type your last name and insert a space
Click on the 'Page number' option and choose the desired position for the page number
Your header should now be inserted

Step 4: Change the Line Spacing

MLA format requires double spacing throughout the entire document. To change the line spacing in Google Docs, follow these steps:

Select the text in your document
Click on the 'Line spacing' dropdown menu in the top toolbar
Select 'Double' from the list of options
Your text should now be double spaced

Step 5: Enter Your Details and the Title on the First Page

On the first page of your MLA-formatted document, you need to include your personal information and the title of your paper. Here's what you should include:

Your name
Your instructor's name
The course name and number
The due date of the paper

After your personal information, center align the title of your paper. Make sure to use proper capitalization and avoid underlining or italicizing the title.

Step 6: Add Indentations

MLA format requires indentations for paragraphs and block quotations. Here's how you can add indentations in Google Docs:

Select the text you want to indent
Click on the 'Increase indent' button in the top toolbar
Your text should now be indented

Step 7: Add the Works Cited Page

Finally, you need to include a Works Cited page at the end of your MLA-formatted document. This page lists all the sources you cited in your paper. Follow these guidelines to create a Works Cited page:

Start a new page after the end of your paper
Center align the title 'Works Cited' at the top of the page
List your sources in alphabetical order by the author's last name
Include the author's name, the title of the source, the publication information, and the medium of publication

How Do You Cite in Google Docs?

Citing sources in MLA format is essential to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors. Here's how you can cite sources in Google Docs:

Select the text you want to cite
Click on the 'Format' dropdown menu in the top toolbar
Select 'Citations' from the list of options
Choose the appropriate citation style (e.g., MLA)
Enter the required information for the citation (e.g., author, title, publication date, etc.)
Google Docs will generate the citation for you and add it to your document

How to Use the MLA Template in Google Docs

If you prefer to use a pre-formatted MLA template in Google Docs, follow these steps:

Open Google Docs
Click on 'Template Gallery' in the top right corner
Search for 'MLA' in the search bar
Choose the MLA template that best suits your needs
Click on the template to open it
Start editing the template with your own content

More Essay Writing Tips for Google Docs

In addition to formatting your document in MLA style, there are several other tips and tricks you can use to enhance your essay writing experience in Google Docs:

Try Voice Typing: Use the built-in voice typing feature in Google Docs to dictate your essay instead of typing it manually.
Speed Up Editing: Utilize the editing features in Google Docs, such as the 'Suggesting' mode and the 'Comments' feature, to collaborate and receive feedback on your essay.
Make Your Doc Available Offline: Enable offline access to your Google Docs documents so you can work on your essay even without an internet connection.
Use Bookmarks: Use bookmarks to mark important sections or references in your essay for easy navigation.
Consider Add-Ons: Explore the wide range of add-ons available for Google Docs to enhance your writing process, such as grammar checkers, citation generators, and more.
Share or Save Your Doc in the Right Format: When you're ready to submit your essay, make sure to share or save it in a compatible format, such as PDF, to preserve the formatting.

Summing Up

In conclusion, proper MLA format is crucial for academic writing, and Google Docs provides all the necessary tools and features to help you format your papers correctly. By following the step-by-step guide in this blog post, you can ensure that your Google Docs documents adhere to the MLA guidelines. Remember to include one-inch margins, change the font and size, insert a header, adjust the line spacing, enter your personal details and title, add indentations, and include a Works Cited page. Additionally, make use of the various essay writing tips for Google Docs to enhance your writing process. Happy writing!