1. MLA Format This is going to follow you for the rest of your academic life, so why not learn it now =)

2. Double Space Before you begin typing your essay, set your paper to double spacing. To do this go to Format, Paragraph, and set the line spacing to Double. This includes the name, date, etc. in the upper left-hand corner.

3. Name, date, class,… The following information is placed in the upper left-hand corner of the FIRST PAGE of your paper ONLY. What needs to be included: -Your name -Your teacher’s name (Ms. Tran) -Class name -The date the paper is due -Period

4. Name, date, class,… Ex: Donald Carson Ms. Tran English 1H 26 October 2011 Period 1

5. Margins Your margins need to be set at 1 inch all the way around ( left, right, top, and bottom ) Microsoft Word has the top and bottom margins set to 1 inch in its default mode, so you do not have to worry about setting them yourself. The left and right margins set to 1.25 inches, so you have to set them yourself.

6. Margins To set the left and right margins, go to FORMAT and then DOCUMENT. From here you can set your margins and your Header

7. Header Every page needs to be numbered This includes the first page The header is placed in the upper right-hand corner of every page The header needs to be ½ inch from the top of the page and 1 inch form the right of the page

8. Header The header is simply your last name and the page number. To set a header go to View and then select Header Type your last name and the page # Ex: Cartmen 1 This would be the header on the first page.

9. Title Every paper written in MLA format needs to have a title. This can be anything, but try to write a title that aligns with the thesis, theme, or feel of your paper. You do not UNDERLINE, BOLDFACE, OR ITALLISCIZE THE TITLE OF THE PAPER.

10. Font Only use the default font for Microsoft Word when typing your paper. No fancy or artistic fonts!!! Black ink only!!!!

11. Paragraph Spacing There is only 1 double space between paragraphs. This means you only press the return (enter) button once when beginning a new paragraph

12. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!