Hello, this is Terri from the Writing Center. Today I'm going to show you how to set-up your paper using MLA manuscript conventions, 9th edition. I will be using Microsoft Word 2007. The same features apply in earlier or more recent versions of Microsoft Word as well. But, please note, your screen may look slightly different. MLA, 9th edition, focuses on margins, spaces, font, header, and identifying information. In order to change your margins, you should select the Page Layout tab at the top of your screen. You can click on the Margins and then make sure that the Normal tab is highlighted, which has 1-inch margins all around. MLA also requires that your papers be double-spaced. You can change the line spacing by returning to the Home tab and then go to the Paragraph section, and click on the down arrow. Under Line Spacing, make sure you select Double for double spacing. Also, check the box next to the line, "Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style." Once you've successfully change your line spacing, select or press OK. MLA also recommends that you use Times New Roman font. You can change the default font setting in the Font section underneath the Home tab. Using the arrow tool, select Times New Roman. You will also want to change the font size from 11 to 12 point font. The next thing you need to do is to create a header. MLA requires you to have your last name and the page number. You can do that by going to the Insert tab. Under the Header and Footer section, select Page Number. You will want to ensure you select Top of Page and that the page number is right justified, which tends to be the third selection down from the Page Number menu. You will notice that your cursor is placed before the page number, which means that you can go ahead and type your last name, being careful to include a space between the name and page number. You will also want to make sure that this header is also in Times New Roman font style. You can select the entire header, go back to the Home tab, and make sure you have selected Times New Roman, 12 point font. Once you've formatted the header, click off the header section by clicking on the main page. MLA does not require a title page or cover page. But your individual instructor may require it, so you'll want to check with your professor. MLA does require you to have some identifying factors, so that way readers can identify your paper. One of the things you should include is your name. Also include your instructor's title and name. Include the course title (for instance CM220). Last but not least, include the date (in European format: Day Month Year). The next piece of your MLA-formatted paper includes your title. You can include your title by centering it in the Paragraph section. Go ahead and type your title, and you will want to use titlecase (such as, The Great Gatsby). Once you've typed your title, push or select Enter. Go back to the Paragraph section; select left justify for the introduction and body paragraphs. Push your tab to indent your first paragraph, and then begin typing your paper. I hope you found this tutorial helpful! For more information about the Writing Center, please email us at: kuwc@kaplan.edu