As a student or a researcher, you must have come across the requirement to write an essay, research paper, or thesis in the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. MLA format refers to the style of writing chosen by the Modern Language Association for its academic writing publications. This format includes set guidelines for punctuation, formatting, citing sources, and creating a reference list. In this article, we will guide you on how to do MLA format on Google Docs.

Step 1: Open Google Docs

First things first, you need to open a new Google Docs document. This can be done by going to the Google Docs homepage or by clicking on the Google Drive button on your Google account.

Step 2: Set up your document

Before you begin writing your document, you need to set up the MLA format. To do that, go to the “File” menu and then click on “Page Setup.” Here, select “Page Setup” and choose “Margins” from the options. Change the margins to 1 inch on all sides.

Step 3: Insert a Header

Next, you need to insert a header on the top right corner of the page. To do that, go to the “Insert” menu and click “Header.” Select “Header” and then click “Edit” Header. Here, add your last name and the page number. This will create a running head on each page of your document.

Step 4: Create a Title

After setting up the headers and margins, it’s time to create your document’s title. To do that, place it in the center of the page, and capitalize only the first letter of each word. Remember to use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial size 12, and double space.

Step 5: Type Your Essay’s Content

Now that you’ve set up your document structure, it’s time to start typing the content of your paper. To format your work, you should begin by inserting a new paragraph using the “return” key at the end of each idea you want to represent.

Step 6: Format Your In-Text Citations

When using quotes or ideas from outside sources, ensure you use in-text citations appropriately. To do that, include the author’s name and page number in parentheses at the end of the quotes. For example, (Golding 33).

Step 7: Create a “Works Cited” Section

Finally, you need to create a “Works Cited” section, where all references used in your paper are listed. To create this section, go to the end of your document, and begin a new page. Type “Works Cited” in the center, and list your references in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Ensure that each citation is double-spaced and formatted correctly.

Conclusion

Formatting your work in MLA format may seem intimidating at first, but with these steps, you will be able to do it easily on Google Docs. Remember, consistency is key, so ensure that your paper is formatted consistently throughout, including your header, body, and references. With this, you should be able to submit a well-structured, properly formatted academic paper.