A Guide to Using Google Docs for Proper MLA Formatting

MLA, which stands for Modern Language Association format, may be used for various forms of writing. Since texts are increasingly digitized, and the same material may be accessed from several sources, strict standards no longer work.

The present system is founded on guiding concepts. It is arranged by documenting method, not sources. This strategy is adaptable and almost ubiquitous.

Once you know the procedure, you may use it for any source, paper, or field.

Checklist

Here are the most important rules of MLA style that you need to keep in mind, according to Make Tech Easier:

• Space or margin by one inch
• Times New Roman, 12 pt.
• Double space
• Centered title
• Name, instructor, and due date on the first page, left-aligned
• A half-inch indent after the first word of each paragraph
• One-inch space before each block quotation
• Last name and page number aligned on every page
• "Works Cited" page in hanging indention

Although Microsoft Word Office is often used, you may save a lot of time using Google Docs. It can be accessed online and has a wider range of convenient and user-friendly formatting choices than Word.

Basic Format

Google Docs requires that you adjust your margins to one inch on all four sides before you begin typing. Start by doing the following:

1. Make your way to "File" in the menu bar.
2. The "Page setup" option will appear in the drop-down menu; click it.
3. The top, bottom, left, and right margins should all be set to 1 and applied to the "Whole document."
4. To confirm these details once you have added them, click "OK."

Contrary to popular belief, MLA style does not require the use of Times New Roman. In fact, it allows any legible font. Despite this, many authors continue to choose the serif Times New Roman.

Serif-clad fonts, or those having thin lines or strokes connected to the extremities of each letter, have been shown to improve readability, especially in longer periods of text.

To start your draft, click on the font drop-down and choose your desired font style. Times New Roman is usually from the very last part of the list.

You may increase or decrease the point size by using the -/+ buttons to the right of the font style tool.

All of the body content should be double-spaced when using MLA style.

If the thought of manually double-spacing your text by pressing the space bar so many times that your thumbs cramp, well, fear not! Google Docs makes it possible to do so with only a few clicks.

In the menu bar, click "Format." Pick "Line & paragraph spacing" from the options, and then click "Double."

More Details

After adding headers and a title, writing will be a breeze.

MLA-formatted documents must contain your last name before each page number. Google Docs may auto-number and initialize pages. Add your surname, page number, and other information using the directions provided.

1. Click "Insert" in the menu bar.
2. Click on "Page numbers" and choose the upper-left corner option.
3. On the first page, include your name before the page number. Once done, Google Docs will automatically add a label to each succeeding page.

Remember, your main header must be your complete name, the instructor's name, the name of the class, and the date.

The title of your article may be centered by using the text alignment option.

If you press the tab key at the beginning of each paragraph, including the first one, your paper will be indented by half an inch, as necessary.

An important part of the MLA style is a Works Cited page that lists the sources you referenced in your paper. In addition to alphabetical arrangement, the MLA Works Cited Page: Basic Format by Purdue defines how to format citations depending on origin, source, and medium type.

The rule of thumb is to put the Works Cited header in the middle of a separate page. Create dangling indents by marking each text line after each entry's first line.

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