MLA Format Checklist

By JPUncategorized

MLA Format Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure your paper is in correct MLA format before you submit.

  • Set 1-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)
  • Apply Times New Roman font, size 12 throughout the entire document.
    • Do this by hitting ctrl-a (cmd-a for Apple) to select the entire text, then select your font.
  • Set double-spacing for the entire document (no single-spaced sections)
    • Do this by hitting ctrl-a (cmd-a for Apple) to select the entire text, then select your double spacing.
  • Create your identification block in the top-left corner with these four lines:
      • Your full name
      • Instructor’s name
      • Course name and section
      • Date in day-month-year format (e.g., 24 January 2025)
      • NOTE: Your ID block lines should be left-aligned, with no indent.
  • Add your header in the top-right corner: Last Name + space + page number
    • Double-click at the top of your document and the header function will appear.
    • For MS Word, the main text of your document should gray out. Click Insert > Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3 (or a choice that right aligns the page number, without additional elements like underlining).
    • For Google Docs, when you double click, the Header ribbon should appear. Click Insert > Page Elements > Page Numbers then select the top left tile. This will insert the page number, but it will be aligned right. Use the text align function to align it left.
    • Once you’ve inserted the page number, type your last name and a space.
    • Make sure your header info is Times New Roman, 12 pt.
  • Center your title on the line after your heading (no bold, italics, underline, or enlarged font)
    • NOTE: There should be no additional line spacing before or after the title.
    • Make sure your body paragraphs remain left-aligned.
  • Left-align all body text (never center or justify body paragraphs)
  • Indent the first line of each body paragraph exactly 0.5 inches.
    • For MS Word, you can find this under the paragraph menu, where it says special. Click the special drop down and choose First Line. It should usually automatically at 0.5″. Change it to 0.5 if it’s not.
    • For Google Docs, look under Format > Align & Indent > Indentation Options. Click the Special Indent drop down and choose First line. Type in 0.5 and hit Apply.
  • Remove extra space between paragraphs. This extra space is in addition to the double line spacing.
    • For MS Word, In the “Paragraph” section, click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner to open the Paragraph dialog box. Under Spacing, insert “0” for Before and After, and click the small box next to the line “Don’t add space between paragraphs of the same style”. When you click the box, make sure it’s a check mark and not a blank or dash.
    • For Google Docs, look under Format > Line & Paragraph Spacing > Custom Spacing. Line spacing should read “2”, and Paragraph spacing should read “0” for Before and After.
  • Verify your header appears on every page, and the page numbers increase (Last Name + page number, right-aligned, proper font).
  • Confirm consistent formatting throughout the text – no random font changes, spacing issues, or alignment problems. NOTE: No words should be bolded or use a larger or smaller font.
  • Works Cited page – if you have a Works Cited page, check formatting here.
  • Profit!

And that’s it! The MLA potion is brewed, and your paper is formatted correctly. Now go forth and conquer the world one adjective at a time! 📝💻🎉