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Writing (McEntegart Library): Formatting Papers

McEntegart Library Guide

General Resources

Word 2007

Word processing programs make it easy to format your paper. These programs will automatically determine your margins, spacing, where to being a new line and indent new paragraphs.

Please use the formatting capabilities of your word processing program.

Word processing programs will wrap text on to a new line when your typing reaches the set margin. Do not use the "Enter" key when you reach the end of a line. It is very difficult to correct the alignment of your paper if you override these formatting capabilities by using tab and enter keys to format your paragraphs.

Formatting the Research Paper

The formats for you paper will depend on which style you are required to use. Always verify with your professor which style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc) is used in that class.

There are standard conventions to bear in mind when preparing your report.

  • Use only good quality white paper (8 1/2 X 11 inches)

  • Use 1 inch margins all around

  • Double space throughout the paper including quotations

    • For APA and MLA double space everything including notes, and lists of Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA). 

    • For Chicago double space between bibliography entries but single space within each one

  • Use and easy, readable font and size (Times Roman, point size 12 is recommended)

  • Use page numbers in the upper right-hand corner

  • Indent the first line of each paragraph

  • Citation Lists

    • Begin lists ofWorks Cited (MLA), References (APA) and Bibliography (Chicago) on a new page

    • Center the heading

    • Alphabetize entries by author's last name.

    • Each entry for MLA and APA should begin with a hanging indent


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