To MLA format a Google Doc, you can follow these steps:
- Set up your Google Doc with the proper margins and spacing. The default settings should be sufficient, but you can adjust them if needed. MLA format requires 1-inch margins on all sides and double-spacing throughout the document.
- Create a header with your last name and page number. Click on “Insert” from the menu bar and select “Header & Page Number” > “Header.” Type your last name in the header and then click on the “Page Number” drop-down menu and select “Current page.”
- Add your title. Your title should be centered and in title case (capitalize the first letter of each major word). Type your title at the top of the first page.
- Format your font and font size. MLA format requires Times New Roman, size 12 font throughout the document.
- Create a Works Cited page. This page should be titled “Works Cited” and should include a list of all sources used in your paper. Each source should be listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
- Format your in-text citations. MLA format requires that you use parenthetical citations in the body of your paper. These should include the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information was found. For example: (Smith 45).
- Add hanging indents to your Works Cited page. In MLA format, each entry in your Works Cited page should be formatted with a hanging indent. To do this, select all the text on your Works Cited page, right-click, and select “Paragraph.” Under “Indentation,” select “Hanging” from the drop-down menu.
- Double-check your formatting. Make sure your document follows all the guidelines for MLA format. Check for proper spacing, font, citation formatting, and Works Cited page formatting.
These steps should help you properly MLA format your Google Doc.