If writing a paper wasn't complicated plenty, you often take to argue with specific formatting requirements. Have yous been told that your paper must apply the MLA format? Do you have any idea what that means or how to apply it? Don't worry, we're here to assistance.

Nosotros're going to explain what the MLA format is and how to apply it to your documents in Google Docs, both through a template and manual fix-up.

What Is the MLA Format?

MLA stands for Modern Language Clan. According to the MLA website, it's a group that established itself in 1883 with the aim to "strengthen the written report and teaching of linguistic communication and literature". Equally part of the group's work, it publishes a style guide that many educational establishments and businesses adhere to.

If you're asked to utilise the MLA format, you should analyze the specific expectations. Though MLA sell a handbook, your school or organization may have slightly dissimilar requirements.

When information technology comes to setting up a Google Docs document to use the MLA format, these are the cardinal formatting points to business relationship for, as taken from the MLA Handbook:

  • A ane-inch margin on all sides of the text.
  • A readable typeface, between 11 and 13 points in size, where the regular mode contrasts clearly with the italic. Times New Roman is a expert selection, though non a requirement.
  • Double-space the entire document.
  • Indent the first line of every paragraph one-half an inch from the left margin.
  • On the right side of the header, enter your surname, followed past a space, and then sequent page numbers. This should be half an inch from the top and affluent with the right margin.
  • On the first page, identify your proper name, your instructor's name, the class details, and the date ane inch from the height and flush with the left margin. This should too exist double-spaced.
    • Also on the first folio, beneath the details above, place and center your title. It doesn't need any formatting, similar assuming or underline.
  • Cite your works at the end of the paper on a new page. Title it "Works Cited", centered and an inch from the pinnacle of the page. Each entry should be flush with the left margin, with boosted lines indented half an inch from the left margin.

How to Apply the MLA Format in Google Docs With a Template

Google Docs offers a range of templates so that y'all don't have to manually gear up common formatting rules. Handily, i such template is for the MLA format. Here's how to use it:

google docs template gallery
  1. With a Google Md document open, go to File > New > From template.
  2. This opens the template gallery. Scroll downwards and look for the Education header.
  3. Click Report MLA. This opens a document in the MLA format, with dummy text for y'all to replace.
  4. On the right-hand sidebar, yous'll see information nigh the EasyBib addition, which is an automatic bibliography citation generator compatible with the template. Click Add to Docs if you desire to apply it, otherwise dismiss the sidebar with the X in the acme-right.
google docs mla template

Remember, you lot may need to follow slightly unlike MLA rules than what the template provides, so double-check everything is in order before submitting your certificate.

How to Apply the MLA Format in Google Docs Manually

Alternatively, you can apply the MLA formatting yourself. This is a good option if you lot have slightly different requirements from what the template offers, or if you want to be completely certain that you've applied all necessary formatting rules.

ane. One-Inch Page Margin

Google Docs uses a ane-inch margin on all sides of the document by default. However, you can double-bank check this:

google docs page setup
  1. From the elevation menu, click File.
  2. Select Page setup.
  3. Within Margins, ensure everything is set up to 1. If Google Docs is using centimeters, information technology should exist 2.54.
  4. Click OK.

2. Readable Typeface

By default, Google Docs uses Arial at size 11. Remember, MLA requires a readable type face up, not necessarily Times New Roman at size 12, just many people prefer this. As such, to alter the font in Google Docs:

google docs changing font size
  1. Click the Font dropdown in the acme toolbar and select Times New Roman.
  2. Click the Font size dropdown in the top toolbar and select 12.

iii. Double-Spacing

To utilize double-spacing to all your text:

googe docs double spacing
  1. Click the Line & paragraph spacing button in the height toolbar. It'due south to the right of the alignment buttons and to the left of the list buttons.
  2. Select Double.

4. Folio Numbers

You need your surname and page numbers in the right of the header:

google docs page numbers
  1. Double-click at the top of the document to edit the header.
  2. Your header is split up from the rest of your document, so y'all volition need to utilise your font face and size again.
  3. In the top toolbar, click Correct marshal or press Ctrl + Shift + R.
  4. Blazon your surname followed past a space.
  5. From the top carte du jour, go to Insert > Folio numbers and select the diagram that shows the folio numbers in the acme-correct.

v. Course Information and Title

The information nearly yourself, your course, and the championship of your certificate should announced on page ane:

google docs header and title
  1. In the body of the document, select Left align from the top toolbar or press Ctrl + Shift + L.
  2. Type the necessary course details, pressing Enter later each to insert a new line.
  3. Press Enter subsequently the final particular (usually the engagement) to insert a line break, and then enable Center marshal from the top toolbar (or press Ctrl + Shift + E).
  4. Type your title using title case, remembering to apply no actress formatting.

6. Indent Paragraphs

The first line of every paragraph needs to exist indented by one-half an inch:

google docs first line indent
  1. Printing Enter to place a line break after your title, if you lot oasis't already, and return to Left align (Ctrl + Shift + 50).
  2. From the meridian toolbar, select Format > Align and indent > Indentation options.
  3. Use the Special indent dropdown and select First line.
  4. Input 0.5 inches or 1.27cm.

7. Works Cited

Finally, your list of cited works must be on a new page, with a half-inch indent for overflow lines:

google docs indent options
  1. From the top toolbar, go to Insert > Break > Page break or press Ctrl + Enter.
  2. Enable Center align from the top toolbar (or press Ctrl + Shift + E) and type the header Works Cited.
  3. Return to Left align (Ctrl + Shift + L) and enter all your citations.
  4. Highlight all the citations and, from the acme toolbar, select Format > Align and indent > Indentation options.
  5. Use the Special indent dropdown and select Hanging.
  6. Input 0.5 inches or 1.27cm.

Turn In Your MLA Formatted Paper With Conviction

Now that you've applied all the necessary formatting, the only thing left to do is write. Google Docs saves automatically, so you don't need to worry virtually losing your work. Just call up to go along track of everything that you want to cite at the terminate. Adept luck on your newspaper!