Typing an Essay in Word 97

FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY AS WRITTEN OR YOUR PAPER WILL NOT BE FORMATTED CORRECTLY!!!

Typing an Essay in Word MLA Format (2010 Version)

A. To set font 1. Click on Home 2. In the Font area at the top of the screen where it says “Calibri.” 3. Click the small “down” arrow. 4. Select Tahoma or Times New Roman 5. In the small box to the right, you’ll see the number “11”; click the “down” arrow 6. Choose 12 pt. for font size

B. To set up your page numbering: 1. Click on Insert 2. Click Page Number at the top of screen (about the middle of the bar across the top) 3. Choose Top of Page 4. Choose Plain Number 3 5. A dotted line box should show up across the top of the page. You should see a blinking cursor and a gray boxed “1”. Do NOT DELETE THE PAGE NUMBER!!!! 6. Type in your last name….capitalize the first letter!!! Be sure to put one space at the end of your last name between it and the page number!! 7. Highlight your last name and the page number by dragging the mouse over it while holding down the left mouse button. 8. Click Home at the top of the screen and select the same font you chose earlier (TNR or Tahoma 12 pt.) 9. Click on the Header and Footer Tools tab (green shaded) at the top of screen 10. Click Close Header/Footer (Red X on top right side of screen)!!!!!! You MUST do this!!!! 11. Your name and page number should appear in the upper right hand corner in gray.

C. To set margins: 1. Click on Page Layout at the top of screen 2. Click on Margins 3. Click on Normal (1 inch margins on all four sides)

D. To set spacing: 1. Click on Home 2. In the Paragraph area at top of screen, click on the button with two blue arrows pointing up and down. 3. Click on 2.0.

E. Type your paper heading:

Your name (first and last) (Press Enter after you type this line) Teacher’s Name (Press Enter after you type this line) 9th Literature/Composition (Press Enter after you type this line) Date Month Year (Press Enter after you type this line)

F. To center your title: 1. Click on Home. 2. In the Paragraph area at top of screen Click on the second row of lines (they look centered) 3. Type your title 4. Press Enter 5. Look back at top under Paragraph 6. Click the first row of lines (left justified) 7. Press the “Tab” key one time to indent your first paragraph. You will do this for EVERY paragraph.

You are now ready to begin typing your paper. Do NOT add extra lines between the class name and the title or between the title and the first paragraph. Keep the ENTIRE paper double spaced.