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MLA 9: Formatting a Paper

Learn how to format your papers and cite sources in MLA 9th edition..

Guidance from MLA & Purdue OWL

Basic Paper Formatting Guidelines

  • Use a legible typeface, such as Times New Roman
  • Use size 12
  • Double-space the entire paper
  • Use 1 inch margins
  • Use one space after periods and other punctuation marks
  • Indent paragraphs with the tab key on your computer keyboard

Format an Office 365 Document in MLA

"This video walks you through setting up a blank Office 365 document in MLA format (lsccyfairlibrary, 4:58)." The video also shares how to create a page break for a Works Cited page. Although this video is from 2020, paper formatting is the same between the 8th (2016) and 9th (2021) editions.

MLA Set Up on Google Docs

"A quick video on the basics of setting up your MLA format paper on Google Docs. Does not include citations, only headers and formatting rules (Alyssa Dykes, 3:48)." Although this video is from 2017, paper formatting is the same between the 8th (2016) and 9th (2021) editions.