If you can’t find information on the style guide you should be following, talk to your instructor after class to discuss the assignment or send them a quick email with your questions. If your instructor lets you pick the format of your essay, opt for the style that matches your course or degree best: MLA is best for English and humanities; APA is typically for education, psychology, and sciences; Chicago Style is common for business, history, and fine arts.
Most word processors default to 1 inch (2. 5 cm) margins.
Do not change the font size, style, or color throughout your essay.
Change the spacing on Google Docs by clicking on Format, and then selecting “Line spacing. ” Click on Layout in Microsoft Word, and then click the arrow at the bottom left of the “paragraph” section.
Using the page number function will create consecutive numbering. When using Chicago Style, don’t include a page number on your title page. The first page after the title page should be numbered starting at 2. [4] X Research source In APA format, a running heading may be required in the left-hand header. This is a maximum of 50 characters that’s the full or abbreviated version of your essay’s title. [5] X Research source
For APA formatting, place the title in bold at the center of the page 3 to 4 lines down from the top. Insert one double-spaced line under the title and type your name. Under your name, in separate centered lines, type out the name of your school, course, instructor, and assignment due date. [6] X Research source For Chicago Style, set your cursor ⅓ of the way down the page, then type your title. In the very center of your page, put your name. Move your cursor ⅔ down the page, then write your course number, followed by your instructor’s name and paper due date on separate, double-spaced lines. [7] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
Double-space the heading like the rest of your paper.
Use standard capitalization rules for your title. Do not underline, italicize, or put quotation marks around your title, unless you include other titles of referred texts.
A good hook might include a quote, statistic, or rhetorical question. For example, you might write, “Every day in the United States, accidents caused by distracted drivers kill 9 people and injure more than 1,000 others. ”
“Action must be taken to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving, including enacting laws against texting while driving, educating the public about the risks, and giving strong punishments to offenders. " “Although passing and enforcing new laws can be challenging, the best way to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving is to enact a law against texting, educate the public about the new law, and levy strong penalties. "
Use transitions between paragraphs so your paper flows well. For example, say, “In addition to,” “Similarly,” or “On the other hand. ”[12] X Research source
A statement of impact might be, “Every day that distracted driving goes unaddressed, another 9 families must plan a funeral. " A call to action might read, “Fewer distracted driving accidents are possible, but only if every driver keeps their focus on the road. ”
In MLA format, citations should include the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information. If the author’s name appears in the sentence, use just the page number. [14] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source For APA format, include the author’s last name and the publication year. If the author’s name appears in the sentence, use just the year. [15] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source If you don’t use parenthetical or internal citations, your instructor may accuse you of plagiarizing.
At the bottom of the page, include the source’s information from your bibliography page next to the footnote number. [16] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source Each footnote should be numbered consecutively.
If you’re using MLA format, this page will be titled “Works Cited. ” In APA and Chicago Style, title the page “References. ”
If you have more than one work from the same author, list alphabetically following the title name for MLA and by earliest to latest publication year for APA and Chicago Style. Double-space the references page like the rest of your paper. Use a hanging indent of 0. 5 inches (1. 3 cm) if your citations are longer than one line. Press Tab to indent any lines after the first. [17] X Research source Citations should include (when applicable) the author(s)’s name(s), title of the work, publication date and/or year, and page numbers. Sites like Grammarly, EasyBib, and MyBib can help generate citations if you get stuck.
