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Mastering MLA: A Definitive Guide to Formatting Google Docs

So, you’re wrestling with MLA format in Google Docs? Fear not! Achieving that pristine, academically sound look is entirely within your grasp. The key lies in understanding the core elements: proper margins, double spacing, a consistent header, a meticulously crafted heading, in-text citations, and a flawless Works Cited page. Let’s break down each of these components to transform your Google Doc from a rough draft into a polished piece of scholarly work.

Essential MLA Formatting Steps in Google Docs

1. Setting Up Your Document Foundation: Margins and Spacing

MLA demands consistency. That begins with your document’s architecture.

Margins: Ensure all margins are set to 1 inch. In Google Docs, navigate to File > Page Setup. Verify that the top, bottom, left, and right margins are all set to 1 inch. This uniform spacing is crucial for visual appeal and adherence to MLA guidelines.
Spacing: Double spacing is non-negotiable. Select the entire document (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), then go to Format > Line & Paragraph Spacing > Double. This ensures readability and provides ample space for annotations, should they be needed.
Font: Stick to Times New Roman, 12-point font. While other readable fonts might be acceptable, Times New Roman is the gold standard and the safest bet to avoid any points off. Again, select the entire document and apply the correct font and size.

2. Crafting the Header: Name and Page Number

Every page needs a header, but MLA keeps it simple.

Insert Page Number: Go to Insert > Header & Page Number > Page Number. Choose the option that places the page number in the upper right corner.
Add Your Last Name: Immediately before the page number, type your last name, followed by a single space.
Alignment: Ensure the header is right-aligned. Google Docs usually does this automatically, but double-check to be sure.

3. The Heading: Your Identification at the Top

The first page requires a specific heading.

Placement: Start at the top of the first page, one inch from the top edge.
Information: On separate lines, type the following:
- Your full name
- Your instructor’s name
- The course name and section number (e.g., English 101-003)
- The date (in the format: Day Month Year, e.g., 26 October 2023)
Double Spacing: Remember, everything should be double-spaced, including the heading.

4. The Title: Center Stage

Your title deserves attention.

Placement: After the heading, skip one double-spaced line.
Centering: Center your title using the center alignment option in Google Docs.
Capitalization: Use title case – capitalize the first letter of all principal words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and some conjunctions). Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), prepositions (of, to, in, for), or coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) unless they are the first or last word of the title.
No Bold, Underlining, or Italics: Unless your title refers to a work that would normally be italicized (e.g., a novel title), do not format your title in any special way.

5. The Body: Clear, Concise, and Properly Cited

The heart of your essay needs to be well-written and accurately documented.

Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch (0.5 inches). The easiest way to do this is by pressing the Tab key at the beginning of each paragraph.
In-Text Citations: This is where you give credit where it’s due. Use parenthetical citations to reference your sources. The basic format is (Author’s Last Name Page Number). For example: (Smith 42).
- If you mention the author’s name in your sentence, you only need to include the page number in the citation: As Smith argues, “…” (42).
- For sources without page numbers (e.g., websites), use the author’s last name or a shortened title if no author is available.
Quotations: Short quotations (fewer than four lines) should be incorporated directly into your text and enclosed in double quotation marks. Long quotations (four or more lines) should be set off in a block quotation:
- Block Quotations: Indent the entire quotation half an inch from the left margin. Do not use quotation marks. Introduce the quotation with a colon.

6. The Works Cited Page: The Grand Finale

Your Works Cited page is a comprehensive list of all the sources you used in your essay.

New Page: Start your Works Cited page on a new page at the end of your document. Go to Insert > Break > Page Break.
Title: Center the title “Works Cited” at the top of the page. Do not bold, italicize, or underline it.
Alphabetical Order: List your sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If there is no author, alphabetize by the title of the work (ignoring “A,” “An,” and “The”).
Hanging Indent: This is crucial. For each entry, the first line should be flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines should be indented half an inch. Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in hanging indent feature, so you’ll need to create one manually:
- Type the entire citation.
- Select the citation.
- Go to Format > Align & Indent > Indentation Options.
- Under “Special indent,” choose “Hanging” and set the “By” value to 0.5 inches.
- Click “Apply.”
Citation Formats: The specifics of each citation depend on the type of source. Here are a few common examples:
- Book: Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
- Journal Article: Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Year, Page Numbers.
- Website: Last Name, First Name (if available). “Title of Page.” Website Name, Publication Date (if available), URL. Accessed Day Month Year. (MLA 9th Edition recommends including the access date because website content can change).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About MLA Formatting in Google Docs

1. How do I create a hanging indent in Google Docs for my Works Cited page if the automatic feature isn’t working?

As detailed above, Google Docs doesn’t have a dedicated “Hanging Indent” button. Use Format > Align & Indent > Indentation Options. Select “Hanging” under “Special indent” and set it to 0.5 inches.

2. What if a source doesn’t have an author listed?

If there’s no author, start the citation with the title of the work (in quotation marks for articles and web pages, italicized for books and journals). Alphabetize the entry in your Works Cited page according to the first significant word of the title.

3. How do I cite a source with multiple authors?

For two authors, list both names in the order they appear on the source, separated by “and”: Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last Name. For three or more authors, list only the first author’s name followed by “et al.” (which means “and others”): Last Name, First Name, et al.

4. Do I need to include the URL for every website I cite?

Yes, MLA 9th edition requires you to include the URL for all website citations. Be sure to copy the full and stable URL.

5. How should I handle long URLs that break awkwardly across lines in my Works Cited page?

Google Docs usually handles this automatically, but you can manually insert a soft hyphen (Ctrl + – or Cmd + -) where you want the URL to break, especially before or after a slash.

6. What if I can’t find the publication date for a website?

If you can’t find a publication date, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (for “no date”) in place of the date in your citation. It is always preferable to find a date, however, so look carefully.

7. How do I cite a video from YouTube or another video streaming platform?

Use the following format: Last Name, First Name (or Account Name). “Title of Video.” Platform Name, Upload Date, URL.

8. Is it okay to use a different font than Times New Roman if it’s easier to read?

While readability is important, stick to Times New Roman, 12-point font unless your instructor specifically allows a different font. It’s the safest and most universally accepted choice for MLA format.

9. How do I cite an entire website in MLA format?

It’s usually better to cite specific pages or content from a website. However, if you need to cite the entire website as a whole, use the following format: Website Name. Publisher or Sponsoring Organization (if different from the website name), URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

10. What’s the difference between MLA 8th edition and MLA 9th edition, and which should I use?

Always follow your instructor’s guidelines. MLA 9th edition provides more explicit guidance on citing electronic sources, including the requirement to include URLs. If your instructor doesn’t specify, MLA 9th edition is the most current and generally preferred version.

11. Can I use footnotes or endnotes in MLA format?

MLA generally prefers in-text citations. However, you can use footnotes or endnotes for supplementary information that doesn’t directly contribute to your argument but might be helpful for readers. Number them consecutively throughout the essay.

12. How do I cite an interview that I conducted myself?

Use the following format: Last Name, First Name of interviewee. Personal interview. Day Month Year.