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How to Do MLA Format on Microsoft Word 2007

MLA format is popular for academic writing, especially in humanities. If you use Word 2007, you may be wondering how to format your paper properly. This article will help you do that.

Formatting in MLA style ensures consistency and professionalism. It gives guidelines for citing sources, structuring your paper, and organizing your info. So, your work meets high standards set by institutions.

To begin formatting your paper on Word 2007, first adjust the margins. In MLA style, margins should be one inch on all sides. To do this, go to “Page Layout” and click “Margins”. Select “Normal” or adjust size manually.

Next, set up a header with your last name and page number. In MLA style, this should appear at the top of each page (not the title page). To create the header in Word 2007, go to the “Insert” tab and click “Header”. Select “Edit Header” and enter your last name followed by a space. Then, click “Page Number”. Choose where you want it. Close the header when finished.

Now, format your title page or first page. In MLA style, there is no separate title page. Add your name, instructor’s name, course title, and due date at the top left corner. Double-space this info and center-align it.

For citing sources and creating a Works Cited page, Word 2007 has useful tools. Go to the “References” tab and choose “Insert Citation” or “Bibliography”. Follow the prompts to insert your citations and create a Works Cited page.

Understanding MLA Format

MLA format is used for citing sources in the field of humanities. To format your document in Microsoft Word 2007 correctly, follow these steps:

  1. Set page margins to one inch.
  2. Indent the first line of each paragraph with the ‘Tab’ key or Paragraph settings.
  3. Use Times New Roman font and size 12 throughout.
  4. Create a right-aligned header with your last name and page number. Go to Insert > Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3. Type your last name before the page number.
  5. Include in-text citations. When referencing a source, put the author’s last name and page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example, (Smith 22).
  6. For a works cited page, start on a new page at the end.
  7. Center the title “Works Cited” at the top.
  8. List sources alphabetically by authors’ last names.
  9. Include publication details for each.

Pro Tip: Use Microsoft Word’s citation feature to generate MLA citations.

Setting Up Microsoft Word 2007 for MLA Format

Make your academic and professional writings effortlessly integrate MLA style with these instructions. Microsoft Word 2007 revolutionized how writers approach document formatting in 2007. It included built-in templates and formatting options, simplifying the once time-consuming task of manual formatting.

Here’s a 4-step guide to help you out:

  1. Go to the “Page Layout” tab and click on the “Margins” button. Select “Normal” from the drop-down menu. This sets the document margins to 1 inch on all sides.
  2. Go to the “Home” tab and click the small arrow at the bottom-right corner of the “Paragraph” section. In the pop-up window, enter 0.5 in both fields under “Special” to set the paragraph indentation to 0.5 inches.
  3. Change the font style to Times New Roman and the size to 12 points.
  4. Use headers or footers that include your last name followed by page numbers.

Also, use parenthetical citations (in-text citations) for any borrowed information or quotes from external sources. With these steps, you can easily create bibliographies and citations according to MLA guidelines.

Formatting the Title Page

To get the MLA format for the title page on Microsoft Word 2007, just follow these 3 steps:

  1. Adjust Font and Alignment:
    • Pick a readable font, e.g. Times New Roman or Arial, and set the size to 12pt.
    • Align the text to the center.
  2. Insert:
    • Type your title at the top, centered.
    • Capitalize the first letter of each major word, except articles, prepositions & conjunctions.
  3. Include Author Info:
    • Align your name with the center of the page.
    • Below that, add the course name or number.
    • Under that, put your instructor’s name.

Refer to reliable online sources for more information on MLA style in MS Word 2007. If you take these steps, you’ll have a perfectly formatted title page.

Remember, the title page sets the tone for the whole paper, so make sure it looks professional! Follow these guidelines to make a good first impression on your readers.

Don’t miss out on impressing your professors and peers with a stunning title page. Spend some time mastering MLA formatting in MS Word 2007, and give yourself a head start in your academic journey.

Formatting the Body of the Paper

Adhere to MLA guidelines to effectively format your paper in Microsoft Word 2007. Set the font to Times New Roman, size 12. Align text to the left and create double-spacing between lines. Insert a header on each page with your last name and page number. Utilize headings and subheadings for organization.

When referencing sources, employ in-text citations in parentheses at the end of sentences or quotes. Include the author’s last name and page number without punctuation. For two authors, cite them together using ‘&’. If no page number is available, use ‘N.p.’

Create a Works Cited page at the end of your paper. Center-align the title ‘Works Cited’ at the top. List sources alphabetically based on first author’s surname. Include complete publication details following MLA format guidelines – such as author(s), title of work, date, publisher, and medium.

Accurate formatting is essential in academic writing. It improves readability and indicates professionalism. Ensure every aspect of the paper follows MLA guidelines for an organized presentation of ideas.

Fun Fact: MLA is commonly used for citing sources in humanities fields (The Purdue Owl website).

Finalizing and Reviewing the Document

Before you can call your document finished, you need to make sure it’s polished and error-free. Here are some steps to take:

  1. Proofread. Carefully read through the document, to spot any spelling or grammar mistakes.
  2. Formatting. Check that your document follows MLA format guidelines, like font style, size, margins, and page numbers.
  3. Citations. Make sure all sources are properly cited in MLA format, for accuracy and consistency.
  4. Content. Read over the content to make sure it logically communicates your ideas.

To take it up a notch, try these tips:

  • Table of Contents. Create a table of contents for longer documents, to make navigation easier.
  • Acknowledgments. Include acknowledgments for any external help or resources.
  • Page Layout. Make sure each page has a consistent layout, with headings aligned and section breaks in place.
  • Print Preview. Before printing or sharing electronically, use the print preview to make sure it looks as expected.

Remember – a well-finalized and reviewed document shows professionalism and attention to detail. Taking the time to review it carefully can make a big difference in quality and impact.

Fun Fact: Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) says Microsoft Word has tools to help with formatting documents in MLA style.

Conclusion

Make your documents look professional with Microsoft Word 2007’s MLA format! Follow the steps above and you’ll be able to cite and format your work correctly. Don’t forget to proofread your document before you finish it. This prevents any typos or formatting mistakes. Additionally, it’s important to double-check that your citations are accurate and formatted in the right MLA style.

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