The EASIEST way to open up a new Google Document, format, name it, create an MLA heading and create a running header (follow exactly from the beginning!):
Opening and formatting a Google doc:
- Log into your EGCSD Google account
- In the top right hand corner, you will see a little square that looks almost like a waffle-- click it. This will bring up a menu of Google applications -- Click "Docs"
- On the top of the page it will say "Start a New Document" and beneath that will be a variety of options. Click on the option that is called: "Report MLA" -- this will open up what looks to be a document that is already started. The great thing is, all of the formatting (font type, font size, double spacing, etc.) for your paper is done for you!
Creating an MLA heading and typing your essay:
- Simply erase what's in the provided MLA heading (top left of document) and fill it in with your own information. Then erase the provided paper and get started! If your essay requires a Works Cited page, you will find one already started and formatted for you at the end of your document. If you do not need this, simply delete it.
To create a running header:
- On the top righthand corner of each page of your document, you will see that page numbers are already there. On the first page, all you have to do is click directly in front of the number "1", type your last name, and hit the space bar. There! You have a running header that will carry throughout the document!
To name your document:
- To name the document, simply click where it says "Report" in the top left hand corner and rename the document. It is prudent to rename the document with the course title and the details of the assignment. For example: English 10R: Julius Caesar Central Idea Essay
The OTHER way to open up a new Google Document, format, name it, create an MLA heading and create a running header:
Opening and naming a Google doc:
- Log into your EGCSD Google account
- In the top right hand corner, you will see a little square that looks almost like a waffle-- click it. This will bring up a menu of Google applications -- Click "Docs"
- On the top of the page it will say "Start a New Document" and beneath that will be a variety of options. Choose "blank". Unlike this above option, this document will be completely unformatted.
- To name the document, simply click where it says "Untitled Document" in the top left hand corner and rename the document. It is prudent to rename the document with the course title and the details of the assignment. For example: English 10R: Julius Caesar Central Idea Essay
To double-space the text of your paper and use Times New Roman, 12 point font:
- To double space, click “format” then click “line spacing” and choose “double"
- Using the tool bar on the top of the page, click on “12” point font and choose “Times New Roman"
- Remember: the paper should be uniformly double spaced- no extra spaces between paragraphs
- Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor).
Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin.
- Use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times.
To create a ‘running header’
- Click “insert"
- Click “page number”
- Choose the first option (top left option in the square that pops up with 4 options)
- Place the cursor before the number and type your last name, then hit the space bar once
- Double click on the other part of the paper to get out of the header
To create a formal MLA heading:
- In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, type your full name (then click enter), your instructor's name (then click enter), the course name (then click enter), and the date (written like this: 17 March 2016)
- Click enter again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
- ONE Double space between the title and the first line of the text.