Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting - The Basics

OWLPurdue

31 Jan 201203:01

Summary

TLDRThis video tutorial guides users through formatting a paper according to MLA style, referencing the MLA Handbook, Seventh Edition. It covers key formatting steps such as selecting a legible font like Times New Roman, setting 12-point font size, double-spacing, and creating 1-inch margins. The video also explains how to set up headers with your last name and page number, properly format the title and first page, and print on standard paper. The tutorial emphasizes following instructor-specific guidelines and offers additional resources like the Purdue OWL for more information.

Takeaways

📝 Follow MLA guidelines from the MLA Handbook, 7th Edition, unless your instructor provides different guidelines.
📄 Choose a legible font like Times New Roman with 12-point size and ensure regular and italics are distinguishable.
📏 Set line spacing to double and change paragraph settings to remove extra spacing after paragraphs.
✍️ Leave only one space after periods and punctuation unless instructed otherwise.
📐 Ensure the margins of the document are set to one inch on all sides.
🔑 Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch using the tab key, not the space bar.
📇 Add a header with your last name and page number, half an inch from the top, aligned to the right.
📝 In the upper left corner of the first page, include your name, instructor's name, course, and date in MLA format (day, month, year).
🔤 Center the title of your paper without underlining, italicizing, or putting it in quotes. Use standard title case capitalization.
📄 Print the final document on white 8.5 x 11 inch paper, and look for MLA formatting tutorials for other word processors if needed.

Q & A

What font and size should be used when formatting a paper in MLA style?
-MLA recommends using a legible font such as Times New Roman with a 12-point size.
How should line spacing be set in MLA format?
-Line spacing should be set to double-space throughout the entire document.
How do you adjust line spacing in Microsoft Word 2007 for MLA formatting?
-Open the Paragraph menu, change the default line spacing setting from 'After 10 point' to '0 point,' and change line spacing from 'Multiple' to 'Double.'
What is the margin size requirement for MLA format?
-The margins should be set to one inch on all sides.
How should paragraphs be indented in MLA format?
-Indent the first line of every paragraph by one-half inch from the left margin. Use the Tab key instead of pressing the space bar five times.
Where should the page number be placed in an MLA formatted paper?
-Place the page number in the upper right corner, half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin. It should be part of the header and include your last name before the page number.
How should the title of the paper be formatted in MLA style?
-The title should be centered, in title case (standard capitalization), and double-spaced. It should not be underlined, italicized, or placed in quotation marks.
What details should be included on the first page in the upper left corner?
-List your name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date. The date should be written in the format day, month, year.
What should you do if your instructor has specific formatting guidelines that differ from MLA?
-Always follow your instructor's specific guidelines, even if they differ from MLA recommendations.
Where can you find more detailed instructions on MLA formatting if you are not using Microsoft Word 2007?
-You can search for MLA formatting guides for your specific word processor on YouTube or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) at owl.english.purdue.edu/owl.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Introduction to MLA Formatting Basics

This paragraph introduces the video, which covers how to format a paper according to MLA guidelines from the MLA Handbook (Seventh Edition). It highlights that the instructions provided may differ from what an instructor requires and emphasizes that the instructor's guidelines should be followed first. The demonstration will use Microsoft Word 2007 to explain the formatting process.

📄 Font and Line Spacing Settings

This section explains how to choose an appropriate font, such as Times New Roman, and ensure that the font size is 12-point. It also advises that regular and italics type styles should be distinct. The paragraph highlights the need for double spacing throughout the document, and demonstrates how to change line spacing settings in Microsoft Word 2007 by adjusting the paragraph menu.

🔠 Margins, Indentation, and Spacing after Punctuation

This paragraph instructs how to set document margins to one inch on all sides and to indent the first line of each paragraph by one-half inch using the tab key. It also reminds users to leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks unless told otherwise by the instructor.

📑 Creating a Header with Page Numbers

This section guides on adding a header that includes the last name and page number, positioned in the upper right corner, half an inch from the top. The instructions involve using Microsoft Word's 'Insert' menu to create the header and ensuring that the font size is consistent with the body text (12-point). Additionally, it notes that some instructors may request omission of the page number on the first page.

👨‍🏫 Formatting the First Page

Here, the focus is on formatting the first page according to MLA style. Users should list their name, instructor's name, course, and date in the upper left corner of the first page. The date should be written in day-month-year format. The title should be centered, double-spaced from the body text, and written in title case without italics, underlining, or quotation marks.

📚 Final Notes and Alternative Word Processors

This paragraph provides additional recommendations such as printing the document on standard white paper (8 ½ x 11 inches). It also advises users of other word processors to search YouTube for MLA formatting tutorials specific to their software. Finally, it mentions the Purdue Online Writing Lab as an additional resource for MLA formatting.

🎬 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

The video concludes by acknowledging the creators, Beth Jones and Gina Hurley, and notes that the presentation was produced in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab. It restates the title of the vidcast, 'MLA Formatting: The Basics,' summarizing the focus of the tutorial.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡MLA Format

MLA format refers to the guidelines established by the Modern Language Association for writing academic papers. In the video, it is the central focus, where instructions on how to format a paper according to the MLA Handbook, Seventh Edition, are provided. Key elements include font choice, spacing, margins, and proper citation practices.

💡Times New Roman

Times New Roman is a commonly used, legible serif font recommended for academic writing. In the video, it is suggested as the ideal font for MLA format due to its clarity, especially when distinguishing between regular and italic text. The font size should be set to 12-point.

💡Double-spacing

Double-spacing refers to the formatting style where there is a full blank line between each line of text. In the video, viewers are instructed to set their document's line spacing to double, which is a key requirement of MLA formatting. It improves readability and allows room for annotations or comments.

💡Margins

Margins are the space between the edge of the page and the text. According to MLA guidelines, as described in the video, the margins should be set to one inch on all sides of the document. This provides a uniform and professional look to the document.

💡Header

A header is the section of the document that appears at the top of each page. In MLA format, the video explains that the header should contain the author's last name and page number, aligned with the right margin and positioned half an inch from the top of the page. This helps in organizing multi-page documents.

💡Indentation

Indentation refers to the space inserted at the beginning of each paragraph. The video instructs users to indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch. This can be done using the tab key, a practice recommended by MLA format to enhance the paper's readability.

💡Title Case

Title case is a capitalization style where the first letter of most words in a title is capitalized. The video highlights that the title of the paper should be in title case and centered on the first page, without underlining, italicizing, or enclosing it in quotation marks.

💡Instructor’s Guidelines

Instructor's guidelines refer to any specific instructions that a teacher may provide for formatting or structuring the paper. Throughout the video, it is emphasized that students should prioritize their instructor's preferences if they differ from MLA recommendations.

💡Punctuation Spacing

Punctuation spacing refers to the spacing that follows punctuation marks, particularly periods. In the video, the advice is to leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks, unless otherwise instructed by the teacher, aligning with MLA formatting practices.

💡Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is an online resource for writing, grammar, and citation guidelines. The video mentions that viewers can visit this resource for more information on MLA formatting and other writing tips, emphasizing its role as a support tool for academic writing.

Highlights

Introduction to MLA formatting guidelines from the MLA Handbook, Seventh Edition.

Instructors may have different guidelines; always follow your instructor's preferences.

Start by opening your word processor, demonstrated with Microsoft Word 2007.

Select a legible font such as Times New Roman, with regular and italic styles that contrast.

Font size should be 12-point for the entire document.

Set line spacing to double-space by adjusting the Paragraph menu settings in Microsoft Word.

Change the default spacing from 10 points after paragraphs to zero points.

Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks unless otherwise instructed.

Set document margins to one inch on all sides.

Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch using the Tab key.

Insert a header with your last name and page number, aligned right, half an inch from the top.

In the upper-left corner of the first page, list your name, instructor's name, course, and date.

Write the date in the order: day, month, year.

Center the title, written in title case, with no underlining, italics, or quotation marks.

Ensure the document is printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch white paper.