Writing Essays in MLA Format

Here is a blog with helpful information about how to use Microsoft Word 2010 to write a paper in MLA format:

MLA Format in Word

Here is a sample paper written in MLA format. The paper is not excellent, and has errors, but the formatting is correct:

Sample MLA Paper

(Google docs wouldn't let me use a header for the pager number, so it is just typed in).

And here are the main rules again.

1. You need 1 inch margins (format - document - change the ones with 1.25 to 1)
2. Double Space (format - paragraph - line spacing: double)
3. Use Times New Roman 12 pt. font (format - font - Times New Roman - 12 pt.)
4. Add a header/page number (insert - page numbers - Uncheck "Show number on first page" - Top of Page (Header) - Then click OK. It will add the numbers. Click on the number and type your last name in with one space between your name and the number).
5. If you have a title, center it (select the title - format - paragraph - alignment: centered). There is probably an easy button for this in the toolbar, though.
5. When starting a new paragraph, don't forget to hit "tab" on the keyboard to indent.

It sometimes helps if you type first before you begin step 2 or 3.







And here is some information about the SAT essay:

Here is the link to the six sample essays we went over in class:

Six Sample SAT Essays

And here is more information about how the essays are scored (with more sample essays, too):

How the SAT Essay is Scored