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What is double-spacing, option 1: configure document to automatically double space, option 2: double space with a keyboard shortcut, option 3: double-space by editing the text properties.

If you need to add some line spacing to your Word document or write an APA style piece, double spacing is a useful feature. You can quickly double space your documents with just a few clicks or a keyboard shortcut.

Virtually every college student eventually has to double space a document in Microsoft Word. It provides plenty of margins to make notes or suggestions in a document. It's also a great way to make it easier to read---I can't read anything on a Kindle without changing the view to double-spaced, for instance---and can be more visually appealing for certain types of writing.

If you use Google's apps,  double spacing on Google Docs  is a common task as well. Fortunately, there are several ways to use double spacing in Microsoft Word. You can set your document up ahead of time with double-spaced formatting, or apply double spacing to the document after finishing it instead.

Related: How to Double-Space on Google Docs

If you don't have anything written yet, you can  use a cool trick  from the 2007 version of Microsoft Word (that still exists in the current version of the software) to create some random text to edit. Simply open up a new document, click anywhere in the field, and type

to create some fancy Lorem Ipsum text . Do this as many times as you like to create additional paragraphs.

Once you've generated your text or finished writing your document, it's time to set your line spacing.

Related: Undocumented Microsoft Word Feature: Insert Lorem Ipsum Text

If you want to configure your document to automatically double space as you write, there are two ways to do it.

The first method uses the "Line Spacing" icon under the "Home" tab. In the "Home" tab, navigate to the "Line Spacing" icon.

Select "2.0" from the drop-down menu. Your text will now be double spaced. You can do this to quickly double spacing at any point in the writing process, but it works best for setting up the document.

You can accomplish the same goal using the Design tab. Start by clicking the "Design" tab in the ribbon.

In the "Design" tab, navigate over to the "Paragraph Spacing" option. Select it to bring up a menu.

In the drop-down menu, select "Double :"

And that's it! Your document will now automatically set each line to double spaced as you write:

Another easy way to double space your documents is to use our old friend, the please note this method works as both a way to configure the document before writing and to double space while writing.

To double space with a keyboard shortcut, first highlight your desired text, or select everything using the Ctrl+A command.

With the desired text selected, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+2 to quickly apply double space formatting to your text.

A third method for double spacing your text is to edit the paragraph settings of specific passages. First, highlight the text you want or use Ctrl+A to select all:

Right-click your mouse to bring up a menu and select "Paragraph: "

In the "Paragraph" menu, select the drop-down menu located beneath "Line Spacing:"

Select "Double" and click "OK :"

Using these methods to quickly double space text in Microsoft Word will help you get past those formatting roadblocks with ease. Happy writing!

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Generate accurate APA citations for free

• Knowledge Base
• APA Style 7th edition
• APA format for academic papers and essays

APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples

Published on November 6, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on September 5, 2024.

The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual provides guidelines for clear communication , citing sources , and formatting documents. This article focuses on paper formatting.

Generate accurate APA citations with Scribbr

Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines:

• Set page margins to 1 inch on all sides.
• Double-space all text, including headings.
• Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches.
• Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.).
• Include a page number on every page.

Let an expert format your paper

Our APA formatting experts can help you to format your paper according to APA guidelines. They can help you with:

• Margins, line spacing, and indentation
• Font and headings
• Running head and page numbering

Table of contents

How to set up apa format (with template), apa alphabetization guidelines, apa format template [free download], page header, headings and subheadings, reference page, tables and figures, frequently asked questions about apa format.

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The AI-powered Citation Checker helps you avoid common mistakes such as:

• Missing commas and periods
• Incorrect usage of “et al.”
• Ampersands (&) in narrative citations
• Missing reference entries

References are ordered alphabetically by the first author’s last name. If the author is unknown, order the reference entry by the first meaningful word of the title (ignoring articles: “the”, “a”, or “an”).

Why set up APA format from scratch if you can download Scribbr’s template for free?

Student papers and professional papers have slightly different guidelines regarding the title page, abstract, and running head. Our template is available in Word and Google Docs format for both versions.

• Student paper: Word | Google Docs
• Professional paper: Word | Google Docs

In an APA Style paper, every page has a page header. For student papers, the page header usually consists of just a page number in the page’s top-right corner. For professional papers intended for publication, it also includes a running head .

A running head is simply the paper’s title in all capital letters. It is left-aligned and can be up to 50 characters in length. Longer titles are abbreviated .

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APA headings have five possible levels. Heading level 1 is used for main sections such as “ Methods ” or “ Results ”. Heading levels 2 to 5 are used for subheadings. Each heading level is formatted differently.

Want to know how many heading levels you should use, when to use which heading level, and how to set up heading styles in Word or Google Docs? Then check out our in-depth article on APA headings .

The title page is the first page of an APA Style paper. There are different guidelines for student and professional papers.

Both versions include the paper title and author’s name and affiliation. The student version includes the course number and name, instructor name, and due date of the assignment. The professional version includes an author note and running head .

For more information on writing a striking title, crediting multiple authors (with different affiliations), and writing the author note, check out our in-depth article on the APA title page .

The abstract is a 150–250 word summary of your paper. An abstract is usually required in professional papers, but it’s rare to include one in student papers (except for longer texts like theses and dissertations).

The abstract is placed on a separate page after the title page . At the top of the page, write the section label “Abstract” (bold and centered). The contents of the abstract appear directly under the label. Unlike regular paragraphs, the first line is not indented. Abstracts are usually written as a single paragraph without headings or blank lines.

Directly below the abstract, you may list three to five relevant keywords . On a new line, write the label “Keywords:” (italicized and indented), followed by the keywords in lowercase letters, separated by commas.

APA Style does not provide guidelines for formatting the table of contents . It’s also not a required paper element in either professional or student papers. If your instructor wants you to include a table of contents, it’s best to follow the general guidelines.

Place the table of contents on a separate page between the abstract and introduction. Write the section label “Contents” at the top (bold and centered), press “Enter” once, and list the important headings with corresponding page numbers.

The APA reference page is placed after the main body of your paper but before any appendices . Here you list all sources that you’ve cited in your paper (through APA in-text citations ). APA provides guidelines for formatting the references as well as the page itself.

Creating APA Style references

Play around with the Scribbr Citation Example Generator below to learn about the APA reference format of the most common source types or generate APA citations for free with Scribbr’s APA Citation Generator .

Formatting the reference page

Write the section label “References” at the top of a new page (bold and centered). Place the reference entries directly under the label in alphabetical order.

Finally, apply a hanging indent , meaning the first line of each reference is left-aligned, and all subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

Tables and figures are presented in a similar format. They’re preceded by a number and title and followed by explanatory notes (if necessary).

Use bold styling for the word “Table” or “Figure” and the number, and place the title on a separate line directly below it (in italics and title case). Try to keep tables clean; don’t use any vertical lines, use as few horizontal lines as possible, and keep row and column labels concise.

Keep the design of figures as simple as possible. Include labels and a legend if needed, and only use color when necessary (not to make it look more appealing).

Check out our in-depth article about table and figure notes to learn when to use notes and how to format them.

The easiest way to set up APA format in Word is to download Scribbr’s free APA format template for student papers or professional papers.

Alternatively, you can watch Scribbr’s 5-minute step-by-step tutorial or check out our APA format guide with examples.

APA Style papers should be written in a font that is legible and widely accessible. For example:

• Times New Roman (12pt.)
• Arial (11pt.)
• Calibri (11pt.)
• Georgia (11pt.)

The same font and font size is used throughout the document, including the running head , page numbers, headings , and the reference page . Text in footnotes and figure images may be smaller and use single line spacing.

You need an APA in-text citation and reference entry . Each source type has its own format; for example, a webpage citation is different from a book citation .

Use Scribbr’s free APA Citation Generator to generate flawless citations in seconds or take a look at our APA citation examples .

Yes, page numbers are included on all pages, including the title page , table of contents , and reference page . Page numbers should be right-aligned in the page header.

To insert page numbers in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, click ‘Insert’ and then ‘Page number’.

APA format is widely used by professionals, researchers, and students in the social and behavioral sciences, including fields like education, psychology, and business.

Be sure to check the guidelines of your university or the journal you want to be published in to double-check which style you should be using.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2024, September 05). APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/format/

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• Writing Tips

MS Word Tips: How to Use Double Spacing

• 3-minute read
• 7th November 2023

Double spacing in Microsoft Word is a formatting technique that can enhance the readability and presentation of your documents. Whether you’re a student working on an essay, a professional drafting a report, or a writer formatting a manuscript, understanding how to use double spacing effectively is essential.

In this blog post, we’ll break down what double spacing is, and how to apply it to your text. We’ll also share some handy keyboard shortcuts to help make the process even more efficient.

What Is Double Spacing?

Double spacing refers to the practice of inserting a blank line between each line of text in a document, effectively making it appear as though there’s an empty line between each line of text. This spacing style is particularly useful for a variety of document types and scenarios.

When Is Double Spacing Commonly Used?

Most academic institutions require essays, research papers, and dissertations to be double-spaced. This format makes it easier for professors to provide feedback and annotations. Additionally, many style guides (such as MLA ) use double spacing.

If you’re a writer or author, you’ll often find publishers and literary agents prefer double-spaced manuscripts. This format allows for easier editing and readability. Business documents, such as reports and proposals, and legal documents often benefit from double spacing as well.

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How to Apply Double Spacing in Microsoft Word

Let’s go through the steps to apply double spacing to your text in Microsoft Word.

Method 1: Using the Ribbon

• Open your Microsoft Word document.
• Highlight the text you want to double space or press Ctrl + A to select the entire document.
• Go to the Home tab on the Ribbon.
• In the Paragraph group, locate the Line Spacing option. It usually looks like three lines with an arrow next to it.
• Click on the arrow to open the Line Spacing menu.
• Select 2.0 from the menu, which represents double spacing. Alternatively, you can click on the arrow at the bottom right-hand corner of the Paragraph group and select 2.0 under Line Spacing .

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

• Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 2 to quickly apply double spacing.

Mastering the art of double spacing in Microsoft Word is a valuable skill for anyone who deals with Word documents regularly. Whether you’re a student, writer, or professional, knowing when and how to use double spacing can greatly improve the readability and presentation of your work.

And once you’ve finished writing your document, be sure to send it to one of our expert editors! We’ll ensure your grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, referencing, and more are perfect. You can try out our proofreading service for free today.

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How to Write a Double-Spaced Essay and Score an A for it

Published by Boni on November 11, 2022 November 11, 2022

What Does Double-Spaced Mean

In writing, formatting is essential to improving readability and successfully communicating ideas. Double spacing is a frequent formatting strategy. Whether you are a student, a professional writer, or someone who interacts with written materials frequently, it is essential to comprehend double spacing. You should also assess how it might affect the display and readability of your work.

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Double spacing is simply adding an extra line of space between each line of text. This gives the page a more open appearance and simplifies reading and editing. You can modify the line spacing in word processing systems through settings. For instance, the “Line Spacing” option in a Word document allows users to choose between single, 1.5, and double line spacing. In the majority of word processing programs, double-spacing is usually the default setting.

There are several reasons why writers utilize double spacing. Long passages of text may become easier to read, and it aids in maintaining the reader’s attention on the key ideas. Double spacing can also be used to divide lengthy passages into smaller, easier-to-read portions. Most essays, reports, articles, letters, and more, use this formatting style.

What is a Double-Spaced Essay?

A double-spaced essay is an essay where you separate the lines by one inch around the article with no extra space between the paragraphs. A double-spaced essay should be on a standard-sized (8.5”x 11”) paper with an inch margin around the document.

A double-spaced paper has 275 or 300 words per page, depending on the typeface. Here is a 2 paragraph double spaced essay example .

Double-Spaced Essay Format

It is essential to know how to format your document after writing. No matter the size of the paper, it is always possible to double space, but you should know how the program you have written your documents works. The most common programs students use are Word (Mac version) and Microsoft word.

For the Microsoft word

• You need to highlight the text.
• Open the page layout function at the top.
• In the paragraph section, find a small black arrow on the lower left side
• Click on the arrow to open a new window
• Then open the “intervals and indents” function; if not opened.
• Select the “line spacing,” which is on the double list section
• Click “Ok” to effect and save the changes

For Word (Mac Version), the instructions are as follows:

• Highlight all text or selected lines
• Click the inspector on the upper right corner (blue button)
• A new window will open
• Find a section called “Text” (labeled with a big “T”)
• Click on the interval section
• Enter 2 for double spacing on the right side of the selection bar
• Click “Ok” to save the changes

How to Set Double-Spacing on Your Computer

You can double-space all or part of a word document. Alternatively, some prefer to edit the document to spacing and format after writing, while others prefer keeping everything organized from the beginning, which means you write with double spacing from the start.

The following are double spacing steps on Word (Mac version) or MS Word Processor.

Documents on Mac Version

Use the following steps to double-space your document if you use the word mac version to process your pages.

• To double-space a specific text, highlight the text.
• Then click a blue button (inspector) on the right of your window.
• Select the “T” or Text tab in the new window that pops up
• Go to the section named spacing and write 2 into the box of the slide bar to the right.

On MS Word Processor

Follow the following space to double-space if you use a word document to write your essay.

1. Highlight the text you want to double space

2. Go to the paragraph section under the home tab, and on the bottom left corner, click the small arrow.

3. There will pop up a new window with different settings, including; spacing, identification, and general .

4. Click on the drop-down arrow on the line spacing

5. From the list, choose “double.”

6. Click on the box “ Don’t add space between paragraphs of the same style .”

7. Press OK to save and effect the changes.

All Microsoft word processing versions use more or less the same steps when double spacing.

If you want to use the double spacing from the beginning when writing, you can adjust the line spacing on your Microsoft word processor toolbar.

• Go to the paragraph section on the home tab and find the line and paragraph spacing button.
• Click on the button to find more options

• Select 2.0 for double spacing
• Click OK to save the changes and double-space your document.

How to Write a Double-spaced Essay

You do not have to struggle when writing a double-spaced essay. The trick is to curate an interesting essay, just like you would for any other essay. Then, follow the right formatting style. By following the instructions below, you can ensure that your essay complies with the double-spacing standard and presents your thoughts concisely, readably, and expertly.

• Read the essay prompt

When asked to write a double-spaced essay, you must always start by carefully reading the assignment prompt. It enables you to analyze the question, generate ideas for a healthy subject, and select the top subject for your essay. Furthermore, you learn your article’s spacing, font type, size, and word count. It is a crucial phase of essay writing.

• Choose an essay topic

You must read the guidelines, then paraphrase the query in your own terms, do some research, assess the potential essay ideas, and select a good topic. Choose a good and narrow topic based on your field of study. Choose a subject where you can easily get resources and genuinely want to write a paper. Select a topic that is relevant to the study area if you are free to choose your own topic.

• Use appropriate materials

In an essay, you must cite all of your sources. First, forgetting to cite evidences in an essay can be viewed as plagiarism, which is prohibited in learning institutions and employment. To achieve scholarly rigor, you must keep track of your reference list and in-citations. Facts from sources that have been rephrased, cited, or summarized make essay paragraphs stronger. It improves the paper’s logic, flow, and thesis statement support.

• Present your facts well

You should have considered the scaffolding of your article when creating or composing an outline or framework. An essay scaffold arranges readings, arguments, and ideas. Put your essay in order. Writers should back up their claims.

Instead of putting up a theory you do not agree with, support your claim with empirical data. Only make snap judgments or conclusions with sufficient evidence. If so, provide proof to back up your claim. Focus on what fascinates them because your article must speak to the reader. Engage readers from the title through the bibliography.

• Have a good essay outline and structure

In addition to choosing the sequence of your arguments, ensure your essay is appropriately organized. A thorough article with a clear framework captures the interest of the reader. The writing process is also made simpler because everything is properly located.

An essay that is well structured will allow you to focus more intently than one that is hastily written. Such an essay (with poor planning) will likely overlook a few things. However, your chances of captivating your audience enhance when you have an essay framework. Thus, a well-structured essay is easy to read.

Why not begin with the body sections instead of the introductory like everyone else does? Your body paragraphs can be produced without the introduction because you have a working thesis. The writing process can be finished by developing the initial thesis into a final thesis depending on the justifications in the body sections, and then writing a captivating introduction. Once you have written your introduction, you may finish your essay by constructing a compelling conclusion that will leave your audience wanting to read more about it.

• Use simple vocabulary

Examining vocabulary is different from the purpose of essays. It is an opportunity to present evidence that backs up your viewpoints. To win your teacher over, use straightforward language. Simplicity is necessary for writing essays. Write clearly.

Make your instructor’s job easier by using clear language. They have no time to use a dictionary; and once they use one, you would annoy them and reduce their grades. Use simple language to communicate. The best writing is written in simple terms. Simple papers will do well when the proofs are given, organized, and flow smoothly.

• Use short and long sentences

Your audience should be impressed by every assignment you write. An essay is more readable when it combines both short and large sentences. Simple, understandable, and concise sentences make it simpler to navigate.

Although it can be tempting to utilize complex sentences occasionally, they are run-on or unclear sentences and should be avoided. You should not be concerned about this when writing. However, cut long sentences with sparse yet intricate vocabulary when editing the document. Once more, it becomes straightforward.

Understanding how to employ short sentences effectively is the key to brevity, coherence, accuracy, composition, and clarity. So, practice frequently and employ this strategy to succeed in your essays. With such skill, you may persuade even the most difficult professor to give you the finest grades.

• Balance your paragraphs

A perfect paragraph in an essay is equivalent to receiving an A+. Although majority of individuals struggle with it, it is not difficult.

Verify the coherence and cohesiveness of your topic sentences. When something is coherent, it has a good flow and a sense of unity. The transitions between your paragraphs should be smooth. A single order-related idea should be discussed in every paragraph.

Finally, the word count in each paragraph needs to be balanced. Remember that 80% of the word count comprises body paragraphs. Accordingly, the three body paragraphs should be spaced out to cover the same material if you are writing an essay of six paragraphs.

• Edit and format your essay correctly.

It is challenging to write. You could feel worn out once you are done because it demands reading, research, and critical thinking. If you format and revise the paper quickly, you will make mistakes. Planning an essay is crucial to allow time for editing and polishing.

Take a break, and then spend some time reading, editing, and formatting your essay objectively. Concentrate on punctuation, grammatical, stylistic, and organizational errors. Ensure that the fonts and font type are appropriate, as well as the spacing. Our essay editing service is available if you find the process time-consuming and exhausting. Once everything is in order, ensure your paper is original, and submit it before the due date.

Double spacing vs. Other Types of Spacing for Essays

You can space your school assignment using three types of spacing: single, 1.5, and double spacing. You should know the spacing type required when writing your school dissertation, research paper, annotated bibliography, report, or essay.

• Double Spaced Document or Paper

It is the most common type of spacing which involves selecting 2.0 spaces between paragraph lines without any other spaces between paragraphs. Most college assignments, theses, and dissertations are double-spaced.

• 1.5 Spaced Document or Essay

A 1.5-spaced paper has sentences or lines in a paragraph spaced from each other using 1.5 mm space and has no spaces between paragraphs.

• Single Spaced Document

Single spacing is typing that does not leave lines blank. A single-spaced document has a space of 1.0 between the lines in a paragraph, which creates little room for feedback, remarks, and comments. You should use single spacing only when the requirement says so.

However, whether your essay is on Mac or a word document, you can change the spacing of your paper to different spacing styles any time you need.

Pages vs. Spacing Chart

Below is a table that compares the number of pages and words to different spacing styles.

500 Word Example of a Double-Spaced Essay

There are many samples of double-spaced essays on the internet that will enable you to understand these essay types. Most of these samples have picture evidence, a format that helps your understanding. The double-spacing form is used mainly by book authors when sending a text to the publisher to allow enough spacing for error correction by the editors. The extra space allows the editor to make comments or remarks.

Also, students can use double spacing when writing their draft essays as it gives spaces for supervisors or teachers to comment and make remarks before a student can draft the final copy. For example, a student can use a double-spacing format for scientific text, which gives extra space to highlight any grammatical errors or minor flaws that need to be corrected.

Get a quality plagiarism free 500 words essay by using our AI powered essay generator .

Benefits of Double Spacing in Essays

The following are the advantages of using double spaces in your thesis.

• Creates space for crucial notes

Sometimes you may want to include important notes when taking an exam or writing an essay, but the notes cannot fit in your document body without making it look unprofessional. But with a double-spaced essay, there is enough space at the end of each paragraph where you can write end notes or footnotes without disturbing the flow of the reading.

• It makes your essay easy to read

A double-spaced essay means there are few words in a line. This makes it easy to read since you will not have to often move your eyes from one end of the page to the other. There are no line breaks in double-spaced lines to distract you from the flow of ideas, and it is easy to skim through the sentences.

• Help emphasize important points

It may be challenging to notice when you have repeated a phrase or word using single spacing, making the content look repetitive. However, double spacing creates more spaces between repeated texts and phrases such that they stand out more prominently.

• Reduces typos

Double-spaced punction marks such as commas and full stops are more visible than when single-spaced. It lets the reader know where a sentence starts or ends without rereading previous phrases or sentences. It is more crucial, especially if the reader is learning English, as they will see where there are commas and where sentences end, and also easy for proofreaders.

• It makes your writing look professional

Most readers want a document that is convenient and easy to read within a short period. Your writing skills should look professional and impress the reader at first glance. You can achieve this by double spacing, as it makes the document easy to read and creates an impression of professionalism.

Explore an example of a double spaced essay about how to tame a Wild Tongue – summary and response.

Need Help with Double-Spaced Essay Writing?

Students often face time constraints in balancing academic and life activities. If you are in this category, you can seek assistance from Gudwriter, and you will have your double-spaced essay written within the shortest time possible. We have a team of seasoned writers experienced in different subjects to craft your essay.

Your work quality is our top priority, and that’s why we have professionals with the necessary education to handle our client’s questions. Whether it is an admission essay term papers, scientific projects, or any double-sapced essay, we will craft your essay from the beginning to the end. Simply reach out to our admission essay service and submit your essay requirements and expect a quality paper.

Our expert writer will handle your projects as you focus on other vital things. We customize your essay and make any edits required until you are satisfied. Our prices are reasonable, and we never compromise on the quality and deadlines of your work.

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How to Double Space

Last Updated: April 17, 2024

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 178,808 times. Learn more...

Whether you are writing an essay for school or a narrative report for work, you have to choose line spacing for any written work. Most people prefer to write with a double space between lines, because it makes it easier for the reader to follow the flow of the text. How you format your spacing depends on the word processing program you are using. Double space your work by setting up the right parameters for either an entire document or a selected amount of text.

Double Spacing in Microsoft Word

• Look in the Styles group on the toolbar. On the home tab, right-click on Normal. Once a menu pops up, click on Modify.
• Look for the Formatting prompt and click the Double Space button.
• Click OK. This will set your entire document in a double space format.

• Highlight the text you want to double space.
• Click on Line and Paragraph Spacing, which can be found in the Paragraph group of the Home tab.
• Click on the 2.0 option. This will double space the area of the document you have highlighted.

Double Spacing in WordPerfect Programs

• Place your cursor on the very top of the page if you want the entire document to be double spaced. Everything will be double spaced until you reset it to something else, such as 1.0 for single spacing.

Double Spacing in Google Docs

• Click on Create New if you are starting a new document and you want to use double spacing.

• Choose the last option, or 2.0. This is the value for double spacing.

Community Q&A

• Read instructions on double spacing for other word processing programs that are not in the Word, Wordperfect or Google families. Searching within the Help menu of most programs will provide instructions. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/double-space-the-lines-in-a-document-HP010016550.aspx
• http://wptoolbox.com/tips/DoubleSpacing.html

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College essays are an entirely new type of writing for high school seniors. For that reason, many students are confused about proper formatting and essay structure. Should you double-space or single-space? Do you need a title? What kind of narrative style is best-suited for your topic?

In this post, we’ll be going over proper college essay format, traditional and unconventional essay structures (plus sample essays!), and which structure might work best for you. 

General College Essay Formatting Guidelines

How you format your essay will depend on whether you’re submitting in a text box, or attaching a document. We’ll go over the different best practices for both, but regardless of how you’re submitting, here are some general formatting tips:

• There’s no need for a title; it takes up unnecessary space and eats into your word count
• Stay within the word count as much as possible (+/- 10% of the upper limit). For further discussion on college essay length, see our post How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
• Indent or double space to separate paragraphs clearly

If you’re submitting in a text box:

• Avoid italics and bold, since formatting often doesn’t transfer over in text boxes
• Be careful with essays meant to be a certain shape (like a balloon); text boxes will likely not respect that formatting. Beyond that, this technique can also seem gimmicky, so proceed with caution
• Make sure that paragraphs are clearly separated, as text boxes can also undo indents and double spacing

If you’re attaching a document:

• Use a standard font and size like Times New Roman, 12 point
• Make your lines 1.5-spaced or double-spaced
• Use 1-inch margins
• Save as a PDF since it can’t be edited. This also prevents any formatting issues that come with Microsoft Word, since older versions are sometimes incompatible with the newer formatting
• Number each page with your last name in the header or footer (like “Smith 1”)
• Pay extra attention to any word limits, as you won’t be cut off automatically, unlike with most text boxes

Conventional College Essay Structures

Now that we’ve gone over the logistical aspects of your essay, let’s talk about how you should structure your writing. There are three traditional college essay structures. They are:

• In-the-moment narrative
• Narrative told over an extended period of time
• Series of anecdotes, or montage

Let’s go over what each one is exactly, and take a look at some real essays using these structures.

1. In-the-moment narrative

This is where you tell the story one moment at a time, sharing the events as they occur. In the moment narrative is a powerful essay format, as your reader experiences the events, your thoughts, and your emotions with you . This structure is ideal for a specific experience involving extensive internal dialogue, emotions, and reflections.

Here’s an example:

The morning of the Model United Nation conference, I walked into Committee feeling confident about my research. We were simulating the Nuremberg Trials – a series of post-World War II proceedings for war crimes – and my portfolio was of the Soviet Judge Major General Iona Nikitchenko. Until that day, the infamous Nazi regime had only been a chapter in my history textbook; however, the conference’s unveiling of each defendant’s crimes brought those horrors to life. The previous night, I had organized my research, proofread my position paper and gone over Judge Nikitchenko’s pertinent statements. I aimed to find the perfect balance between his stance and my own.

As I walked into committee anticipating a battle of wits, my director abruptly called out to me. “I’m afraid we’ve received a late confirmation from another delegate who will be representing Judge Nikitchenko. You, on the other hand, are now the defense attorney, Otto Stahmer.” Everyone around me buzzed around the room in excitement, coordinating with their allies and developing strategies against their enemies, oblivious to the bomb that had just dropped on me. I felt frozen in my tracks, and it seemed that only rage against the careless delegate who had confirmed her presence so late could pull me out of my trance. After having spent a month painstakingly crafting my verdicts and gathering evidence against the Nazis, I now needed to reverse my stance only three hours before the first session.

Gradually, anger gave way to utter panic. My research was fundamental to my performance, and without it, I knew I could add little to the Trials. But confident in my ability, my director optimistically recommended constructing an impromptu defense. Nervously, I began my research anew. Despite feeling hopeless, as I read through the prosecution’s arguments, I uncovered substantial loopholes. I noticed a lack of conclusive evidence against the defendants and certain inconsistencies in testimonies. My discovery energized me, inspiring me to revisit the historical overview in my conference “Background Guide” and to search the web for other relevant articles. Some Nazi prisoners had been treated as “guilty” before their court dates. While I had brushed this information under the carpet while developing my position as a judge, it now became the focus of my defense. I began scratching out a new argument, centered on the premise that the allied countries had violated the fundamental rule that, a defendant was “not guilty” until proven otherwise.

At the end of the three hours, I felt better prepared. The first session began, and with bravado, I raised my placard to speak. Microphone in hand, I turned to face my audience. “Greetings delegates. I, Otto Stahmer would like to…….” I suddenly blanked. Utter dread permeated my body as I tried to recall my thoughts in vain. “Defence Attorney, Stahmer we’ll come back to you,” my Committee Director broke the silence as I tottered back to my seat, flushed with embarrassment. Despite my shame, I was undeterred. I needed to vindicate my director’s faith in me. I pulled out my notes, refocused, and began outlining my arguments in a more clear and direct manner. Thereafter, I spoke articulately, confidently putting forth my points. I was overjoyed when Secretariat members congratulated me on my fine performance.

Going into the conference, I believed that preparation was the key to success. I wouldn’t say I disagree with that statement now, but I believe adaptability is equally important. My ability to problem-solve in the face of an unforeseen challenge proved advantageous in the art of diplomacy. Not only did this experience transform me into a confident and eloquent delegate at that conference, but it also helped me become a more flexible and creative thinker in a variety of other capacities. Now that I know I can adapt under pressure, I look forward to engaging in activities that will push me to be even quicker on my feet.

This essay is an excellent example of in-the-moment narration. The student openly shares their internal state with us — we feel their anger and panic upon the reversal of roles. We empathize with their emotions of “utter dread” and embarrassment when they’re unable to speak. 

For in-the-moment essays, overloading on descriptions is a common mistake students make. This writer provides just the right amount of background and details to help us understand the situation, however, and balances out the actual event with reflection on the significance of this experience. 

One main area of improvement is that the writer sometimes makes explicit statements that could be better illustrated through their thoughts, actions, and feelings. For instance, they say they “spoke articulately” after recovering from their initial inability to speak, and they also claim that adaptability has helped them in other situations. This is not as engaging as actual examples that convey the same meaning. Still, this essay overall is a strong example of in-the-moment narration, and gives us a relatable look into the writer’s life and personality.

2. Narrative told over an extended period of time

In this essay structure, you share a story that takes place across several different experiences. This narrative style is well-suited for any story arc with multiple parts. If you want to highlight your development over time, you might consider this structure. 

When I was younger, I was adamant that no two foods on my plate touch. As a result, I often used a second plate to prevent such an atrocity. In many ways, I learned to separate different things this way from my older brothers, Nate and Rob. Growing up, I idolized both of them. Nate was a performer, and I insisted on arriving early to his shows to secure front row seats, refusing to budge during intermission for fear of missing anything. Rob was a three-sport athlete, and I attended his games religiously, waving worn-out foam cougar paws and cheering until my voice was hoarse. My brothers were my role models. However, while each was talented, neither was interested in the other’s passion. To me, they represented two contrasting ideals of what I could become: artist or athlete. I believed I had to choose.

And for a long time, I chose athlete. I played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse and viewed myself exclusively as an athlete, believing the arts were not for me. I conveniently overlooked that since the age of five, I had been composing stories for my family for Christmas, gifts that were as much for me as them, as I loved writing. So when in tenth grade, I had the option of taking a creative writing class, I was faced with a question: could I be an athlete and a writer? After much debate, I enrolled in the class, feeling both apprehensive and excited. When I arrived on the first day of school, my teacher, Ms. Jenkins, asked us to write down our expectations for the class. After a few minutes, eraser shavings stubbornly sunbathing on my now-smudged paper, I finally wrote, “I do not expect to become a published writer from this class. I just want this to be a place where I can write freely.”

Although the purpose of the class never changed for me, on the third “submission day,” – our time to submit writing to upcoming contests and literary magazines – I faced a predicament. For the first two submission days, I had passed the time editing earlier pieces, eventually (pretty quickly) resorting to screen snake when hopelessness made the words look like hieroglyphics. I must not have been as subtle as I thought, as on the third of these days, Ms. Jenkins approached me. After shifting from excuse to excuse as to why I did not submit my writing, I finally recognized the real reason I had withheld my work: I was scared. I did not want to be different, and I did not want to challenge not only others’ perceptions of me, but also my own. I yielded to Ms. Jenkin’s pleas and sent one of my pieces to an upcoming contest.

By the time the letter came, I had already forgotten about the contest. When the flimsy white envelope arrived in the mail, I was shocked and ecstatic to learn that I had received 2nd place in a nationwide writing competition. The next morning, however, I discovered Ms. Jenkins would make an announcement to the whole school exposing me as a poet. I decided to own this identity and embrace my friends’ jokes and playful digs, and over time, they have learned to accept and respect this part of me. I have since seen more boys at my school identifying themselves as writers or artists.

I no longer see myself as an athlete and a poet independently, but rather I see these two aspects forming a single inseparable identity – me. Despite their apparent differences, these two disciplines are quite similar, as each requires creativity and devotion. I am still a poet when I am lacing up my cleats for soccer practice and still an athlete when I am building metaphors in the back of my mind – and I have realized ice cream and gummy bears taste pretty good together.

The timeline of this essay spans from the writer’s childhood all the way to sophomore year, but we only see key moments along this journey. First, we get context for why the writer thought he had to choose one identity: his older brothers had very distinct interests. Then, we learn about the student’s 10th grade creative writing class, writing contest, and results of the contest. Finally, the essay covers the writers’ embarrassment of his identity as a poet, to gradual acceptance and pride in that identity. 

This essay is a great example of a narrative told over an extended period of time. It’s highly personal and reflective, as the piece shares the writer’s conflicting feelings, and takes care to get to the root of those feelings. Furthermore, the overarching story is that of a personal transformation and development, so it’s well-suited to this essay structure.

3. Series of anecdotes, or montage

This essay structure allows you to focus on the most important experiences of a single storyline, or it lets you feature multiple (not necessarily related) stories that highlight your personality. Montage is a structure where you piece together separate scenes to form a whole story. This technique is most commonly associated with film. Just envision your favorite movie—it likely is a montage of various scenes that may not even be chronological. 

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée , while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “ Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

This essay takes a few different anecdotes and weaves them into a coherent narrative about the writer’s penchant for novel experiences. We’re plunged into her universe, in the middle of her Taekwondo spar, three years before the present day. She then transitions into a scene in a ballet studio, present day. By switching from past tense to present tense, the writer clearly demarcates this shift in time. 

The parallel use of the spoken phrase “Point” in the essay ties these two experiences together. The writer also employs a flashback to Master Pollard’s remark about “grabbing a tutu” and her habit of dorsiflexing her toes, which further cements the connection between these anecdotes. 

While some of the descriptions are a little wordy, the piece is well-executed overall, and is a stellar example of the montage structure. The two anecdotes are seamlessly intertwined, and they both clearly illustrate the student’s determination, dedication, reflectiveness, and adaptability. The writer also concludes the essay with a larger reflection on her life, many moves, and multiple languages. 

Unconventional College Essay Structures

Unconventional essay structures are any that don’t fit into the categories above. These tend to be higher risk, as it’s easier to turn off the admissions officer, but they’re also higher reward if executed correctly. 

There are endless possibilities for unconventional structures, but most fall under one of two categories:

1. Playing with essay format

Instead of choosing a traditional narrative format, you might take a more creative route to showcase your interests, writing your essay:

• As a movie script
• With a creative visual format (such as creating a visual pattern with the spaces between your sentences forming a picture)
• As a two-sided Lincoln-Douglas debate
• As a legal brief
• Using song lyrics

2. Linguistic techniques

You could also play with the actual language and sentence structure of your essay, writing it:

• In iambic pentameter
• Partially in your mother tongue
• In code or a programming language

These linguistic techniques are often hybrid, where you write some of the essay with the linguistic variation, then write more of an explanation in English.

Under no circumstances should you feel pressured to use an unconventional structure. Trying to force something unconventional will only hurt your chances. That being said, if a creative structure comes naturally to you, suits your personality, and works with the content of your essay — go for that structure!

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English Composition 1

The proper format for essays.

Below are guidelines for the formatting of essays based on recommendations from the MLA (the Modern Language Association).

• Fonts : Your essay should be word processed in 12-point Times New Roman fonts.
• Double space : Your entire essay should be double spaced, with no single spacing anywhere and no extra spacing anywhere. There should not be extra spaces between paragraphs.
• Heading : In the upper left corner of the first page of your essay, you should type your name, the instructor's name, your class, and the date, as follows: Your Name Mr. Rambo ENG 1001-100 18 January 2022
• Margins : According to the MLA, your essay should have a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, left, and right.
• Page Numbers : Your last name and the page number should appear in the upper right corner of each page of your essay, including the first page, as in Jones 3 . Insert your name and the page number as a "header." Do not type this information where the text of your essay should be.
• Title : Your essay should include a title. The title should be centered and should appear under the heading information on the first page and above the first line of your essay. The title should be in the same fonts as the rest of your essay, with no quotation marks, no underlining, no italics, and no bold.
• Indentation : The first line of each paragraph should be indented. According to the MLA, this indentation should be 1/2 inch or five spaces, but pressing [Tab] once should give you the correct indentation.

Putting all of the above together, you should have a first page that looks like the following:

Copyright Randy Rambo , 2022.

Jerz's Literacy Weblog (est. 1999)

Mla format papers: step-by-step tips for formatting research essays in mla style.

Jerz >  Writing > Academic     [ Argument | Title  |  Thesis  |  Blueprint  | Pro/Con | Quoting | MLA Format ]

(View a Google Doc template for an MLA Style paper .)

0.1) If you’ve been asked to submit a paper in MLA style, your instructor is asking you to format the page and present the content in a specific way. Just as football referees dress a certain way, and Japanese chefs cook a certain way, writers in certain disciplines follow a certain set of conventions. This document will show you how to format an essay in MLA style.

0.2) If, instead of questions about putting the final formatting touches on your essay, you have questions about what to write, see instead my handouts on writing a short research paper , coming up with a good thesis statement , and using quotations in the body of your paper .

• Document Settings (1 inch margins; double spaced; 12-point)
• Page Header (name and page number, upper right of every page)
• Title Block (assignment info and an informative title)
• Citations (no comma between the author and page number; commas and periods go outside of inline quotes)
• Works Cited List (lots of tricky details! sort alphabetically by author, not by the order the quotes appear in your paper)

For the most complete information, check your campus library or writing center for the  MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers , 8th ed.

MLA Style Format (First Page)

How to format the Works Cited page of an MLA style paper.

1. Document Settings

Your word processor comes with default settings (margin, line height, paragraph spacing, and typeface) that will likely need adjustment. For MLA style, you need:

1.1 Adjusting Document Settings in MS-Word (Windows)

My copy of Microsoft Word for Windows defaults to

• 1-inch margins all around
• 1.15 line height
• 10pt spacing between paragraphs
• Calibri 11-point  typeface.

Changing to MLA Style (Windows)

• The default margins in my test run were fine, but if you need to change them: Page Layout -> Margins -> Normal (1-inch all around)
• The default line height is too low. Change it to 2.0. Home -> Line Spacing -> 2.0. (You could try fudging it to 1.9 or 2.1 to meet a page count, but any more than that and your instructor may notice.)
• The MS-Word default adds extra space after paragraphs.(MLA Style instead requires you to  signal paragraph breaks by indenting the first line.) CTRL-A (select all your text) Home -> Line Spacing -> Remove Space After Paragraph
• Change the typeface to Times New Roman 12-point. Home -> Font Face Selector (change to Times New Roman) Home -> Font Size Selector (change to 12)

1.2 Adjusting Document Settings in MS-Word (Mac)

My copy of  microsoft word for mac defaults to.

• 1.25 inch left and right margins, 1 inch top and bottom
• 1.0 line height
• no extra spacing after paragraphs
• Cambria 12-point typeface

Changing to MLA style (Mac)

• In my test run, the left and right margins are too big. To change them: Layout -> Margins -> Normal (1-inch all around)
• The default line height is too low. Change it to 2.0. Home -> Line Spacing  -> 2.0
• My Mac copy of MS-Word does not add extra spaces after paragraphs. If yours does: Home -> Line Spacing  -> Line Spacing Options… (a new window will pop up) Don’t add space between paragraphs of the same style (check this box) -> OK
• The 12-point Cambria will probably be fine, but to change the typeface: Home -> Font Face Selector (change to Times New Roman) Home -> Font Size Selector (change to 12)

2. Page Header

In the top right of every page, use your word processor’s “Page Header” function add an automatic page number and your surname.

2.1 Adding the Page Header in MS-Word (Windows)

• Insert -> Page Number -> Top of Page -> (choose the right-justified “Plain Number” option)
• The cursor will jump automatically to the right place for you to t ype your surname .
• Click anywhere in the body of the paper to exit the header area.

2.2 Adding the Page Header in MS-Word (Mac)

• Insert (in the top menu) -> Page Numbers…  -> (Set “Position” to “Top of Page (header)” and “Alignment” to “Right”)
• Click just to the left of the new page number, and type your surname .
• On my test document, my name was too far over to the left; grab the triangular tab adjuster just above your name, and drag it a notch to the right .

3. Title Block

In the upper left corner, type your name, your instructor’s name, the course number and section, and today’s date. Centered on the next line, type an informative title that actually informs the reader of your main point (not just “English Paper” or “A Comparison between Hamlet and Macbeth”).

• Like all the other text in an MLA style paper, the title block is double-spaced .
• The title is in the same font as the rest of the paper — it is not boldface, or enlarged.
• There is  no extra space above or below the title.
• A truly informative title will include the general topic, and your precise opinion on that topic.  (So, if you pan to compare Hamlet and Macbeth, your title should state the unique point you want to make about Hamlet and Macbeth. Reuse part of your thesis statement.)

4. Citations

This handout presumes you already know why you should cite your sources (to establish your authority, to introduce persuasive evidence, to avoid plagiarism , etc.). 

To fully cite a source requires two stages.  The first happens in the body of your paper (the “in-text citation”) and the second happens on a separate page at the end of your paper (see “Works Cited List,” below.)

4.1 Citing a Block Quote (more than three lines)

• Long quotes can start to look like filler. Only use a block quote if you have a very good reason to include the whole passage. (You can usually make your point with a shorter quote.)

• Place the parenthetical citation (the author’s name and the page number) after the period . (This is different from inline quotes, below.)
• There is no comma between the author’s name and the page number.
• If the quotation runs across more than one page: (Wordsworth-Fuller 20-21) or (Wordsworth-Fuller 420-21).
• Skip wordy introductions such as, “In his informative guide The Amazing Writing Book , published by Elizabeth Mount College in 2010, the noted composition expert Maxwell Wordsworth-Fuller describes the importance of citations in MLA style papers.” Cutting the filler leaves more room to develop your own original ideas. (See “ Integrating Quotations .”)

4.2 Citing an Inline Quotation

When the passage you want to quote is less than three lines long, use inline style.  Here we have two brief passages, taken from the same page of the same source, so we can handle both with a single parenthetical citation.

• The parenthetical citation appears outside the quoted material.
• The period that ends the sentence comes after the close parenthesis . (This is different from block quotes, above.)
• In this example, we have changed the first word a little, lowercasing it in order to fit it into our own sentence. To let the reader know what we changed, we put [] around it.
• Again, note the absence of a full sentence that explains who Wordsworth-Fuller is and where the quote comes from. All that info will be in the Works Cited list, so we leave it out of the body of the paper.

4.3 Citing a Paraphrase

Let’s imagine we want to reference Wordsworth-Fuller’s general idea about citation as a way to establish credibility, but we don’t need to include any of the technical details. We can save space, and make it much easier on our reader, if we paraphrase:

• Use paraphrasing for variety, or to make a passing reference without taking up much space.
• If we use an author’s idea, rephrased in our own words, we must still cite the idea.

Tips for avoiding common errors in MLA citations.

5. Works Cited List

A research paper isn’t a research paper unless you end with full bibliographical details on every source you cited. This part can be tedious and tricky; leave yourself plenty of time to do it.

How to format the “Works Cited” list of an MLA style paper.

• MS-Word Wind: Insert -> Page Break -> New Page.
• MS-Word Mac: Document Elements -> Break -> Page.
• Title your new page: Works Cited MLA style calls for no extra spaces above or below the page title; no special formatting.

5.1.  How to Create an Individual Works Cited Entry

Exactly what goes into each item in your bibliography depends on what kind of item it is. The general format is as follows:

Author. Title of Source. Container, contributors, version, volume and issue, publisher, date, location.

Exactly how that basic format gets turned into a Works Cited entry depends on the source.

Here’s the basic format for any book:

• Gibaldi, Joseph, and George Spelvin.
• Gibaldi, Joseph, Alan Smithee, and George Spelvin.
• GIbaldi, Joseph et al.
• The italicized phrase “ et al. ” is an abbreviation for the Latin “et alia,” meaning “and others.”
• The “ al. ” is short for a longer word, so we mark the abbreviation with a period.
• The “ et” is not an abbreviation, so it doesn’t get a period.
• Place periods after the author’s name, after the title of the book, and at the end of the entry.
• The title of the book is italicized .
• The publisher is the name of the organization responsible for publishing the book. In this example it’s the Modern Language Association. It might instead be Project Gutenberg, the US Department of Agriculture, or the World Health Organization,

Basic Format for Any Academic Article

Author. “Title of Article in Quotation Marks.” Title of Journal in Italics, volume #, issue #, YEAR, pp. [pages of article]. Italicized Name of Database.

Let’s break that example down.

The author Margaret Kantz wrote the article “Helping Students Use Textual Sources Persuasively.” That article doesn’t exist on its own floating in space; it was published by a journal called College English,  in the 52nd year of publication, in the first issue of its 52nd volume, in the year 1990, the article started on page 74 and ran through page 91. The student found this article while searching the database Academic Search Elite .

Every academic article has a specific title, and is published in a journal with a different title. (Online citation generators often get this wrong, and will often repeat the same title twice.)

What is this “volume 52, number 1”?

If  College English were a TV series, then “volume” would be which season, and “number” would be the episode number. The title of the article would be the equivalent of a scene within that episode.

The title of the database, Academic Search Elite , is like the title of the streaming service you’d need to sign into. If you were talking about your favorite TV show and you told me it was on Netflix, or Disney+, I could find it. But if you told me “It’s on my MacBook” or “It’s on my Samsung phone,” that wouldn’t help me to find it.

Basic Format for Any Web Page

In the above example, reporter Camila Domonoske filed a news story called “Students Have ‘Dismaying’ Inability To Tell Fake News From Real, Study Finds,” that aired on a news program called The Two-Way , which is published by National Public Radio, and the story aired Nov 23, 2016.

In MLS Style, the full URL is optional. Really long URLs with long strings of numbers in them are often generated for specific users, so someone else who visits that same URL will often get an error message.

You might shorten the URL to “npr.org,” because it would be a simple matter to use a search engine to find the actual story.

Other Citation Examples

What if your source doesn’t fit any of my examples?

You might be trying to cite something that doesn’t fit the above pattern, like a social media post, a video game, a work of art, an email from a relative, a billboard, or something else. It’s just not practical for me to try to include an example of every single thing it’s possible to cite.

The MLA citation format is designed to be flexible, so that it works for forms of media that haven’t been invented yet.

See Purdue OWL’s handouts for how to create a bibliography entry for a book , an article in a  periodical (such as a journal or newspaper), or an  electronic source (such as an email, web page or a YouTube clip). See also this list of  other common sources  (such as a personal interview or a movie).

5.2.  How to Organize Your Works Cited list

Sort the entries alphabetically by the author ‘s last name.

• If the author is an organization (such as a government agency or non-profit foundation), alphabetize according to the name of the organization .
• If you are citing a painting, or a composer, then obviously “author” has to be interpreted a little loosely.
• Unless your instructor ask you to organize your Works Cited list differently,  everything should be alphabetized together, in a single list. MLA does not require that you separate works of different kinds, or that you cite works in the order that they appeared in your paper, or that you write annotations to go along with each item.
• Use double-spaced line height. (in my copy of Word, I select the text and choose Format -> Paragraph ->  Line spacing -> Double -> OK.)
• Use hanging indent paragraph format. (In my copy of word, I select the text then choose Format -> Paragraph -> Indentation -> Special -> Hanging Indent.)

29 May 2011 — new document posted, replacing outdated handout written in 1999. 06 Jun 2011 — expanded section on organizing the Works Cited list, since several readers asked for clarification. 07 Jun 2011 — reorganized for emphasis 19 Apr 2012 — added numbers to more subheads 24 Mar 2014 — added details on Works Cited paragraph formatting. 02 Oct 2016 — updated with MLA 8th Edition details. 30 Nov 2016 — added annotated Works Cited sample image. 07 Sep 2020 — updated section 5.1

572 thoughts on “ MLA Format Papers: Step-by-step Tips for Formatting Research Essays in MLA Style ”

I really appreciate this page. It was clear and easy to follow, and it greatly assisted me in writing my research paper. Thank you!

This guide to formatting MLA style papers is incredibly detailed and helpful! It’s great to have step-by-step instructions for setting up everything from margins to citations correctly. Thanks for sharing—this will definitely make writing research papers in MLA format much easier!

The information was very helpful

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Thanks for sharing such an informative post with us.

fantastic information

Thanks for info!

hello i am nate sedmack i am here to kill all the furries for what they did to gavin born

I’m learning more writing a paper

it was very informational and helped me a lot

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Curious how you would Cite this webpage? haha…

awesome reminders

what about if when your using a quote and there is no name just anonomus

Honestly, I’d say find another way to make your point. An anonymous saying like “A stitch in time saves nine” won’t help you demonstrate your ability to write the kind of scholarly paper that MLA is designed for. Certainly investigate the quote to find out whether it maybe comes from Shakespeare or some other source that you can quote. I might identify the example I used as “English proverb,” but since I won’t be marking your paper, you really should check with your instructor.

This article..thing is the only reason I am passing my online college class. Especially the citation builder. Thank you!

I would Like You To Give Simple Instructions Not Complicated Ones , and Include also how much Papers Should be worked on.

Khalid, if there is any particular detail you are confused about, please let me know what question you have and perhaps I can help. There is no specific answer to how much a paper should be worked on. It depends on what grade you want to earn, how much time you have, whether your instructor is willing to meet with you before the due date, whether your instructor will give you the chance to revise your work, and many other factors.

hahahah xD me too same

How do I cite a photo that I found online?

Is it a historical photograph or a photograph published in a book that someone scanned and posted on line, is it a photograph of something like a sculpture? Is your paper focused on the work of the photographer, the makeup artist who prepared the model, the digital image enhancer who altered the image, the model? There is no single correct way to cite a photograph, because there are many different reasons to cite a photograph. Your instructor would be able to give you more specific advice. In general, though, the 8th edition of the MLA guide would say something like this:

Olsen, Jimmy. “Superman Rescues Boy Scouts from Lava Pit.” Photograph. The Daily Planet . July 22, 1956.

If you found the picture on a blog or a Flickr gallery, adjust the citation accordingly. If you found the image as the result of a Google search for something, you might very well end up finding a page that re-uses someone else’s picture without appropriately giving credit. There are many variables. Talk to your instructor, who will be the one grading your work, and will therefore be the right person to advise you on what to do.

is the text or what you wrote supposed to be centered in the page or to the left margin

Left margin.

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cool it was helpful

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I think you should include online resource citation instructions

Click on “Citing” at the top of the page. One of the options on the other end of that link is how to cite a web page.

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which writing style (MLA, APA) have more importance for students of social sciences, media sciences and business?

It depends on the instructor or editor who’s calling the shots. http://subjectguides.library.american.edu/c.php?g=175008&p=1154150

Very informative. It helped introduce my tired old mind to the MLA format. So, I can better help coach and prepare my wife for her English course. Thank you very much.

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I’m using a book title and author as my paper heading. How is that formatted?

I would tell my own students that a book title and the name of an author is not a good paper title, and I would ask them to write a title that catches the reader’s attention, identifies the topic, and identifies what position the paper is going to take on the topic. But if you are not my student, then I’m not the person who will be evaluating your paper. MLA style puts the book title in italics. Other than that, I really don’t have any advice for you.

Thank you very much for this useful information. As a freshman in highschool, my biology teacher asked for me to write an essay in mLA format about evolution. I had no clue what mLA format was,so I searched it up and it brought me here. In middle school I never wrote an essay in this format before,but I feel very confident to type my first mLA essay and I’m excited to do so! (Right after I finish my draft >.<) thank you very much! （⌒▽⌒)✌

This wasn’t helpful at all

Shavez, what were you looking for? This page is about formatting a paper you have already written. The first section includes links to pages about how to write essays.

u a real nigga dennis

really dude my collies and I would prefer that you didn’t use any profane language due to younger children that may be reading this

thank u i got an A 97 percent

this was very helpful i got an A 95 percent

hi my name is Jessie i have to writ a 2 pages Essay about MLA can someone help me

Dennis, what lends itself to science in the APA system? And what lends itself to the Humanities with the MLA? TIA.

As compared to MLA papers, APA papers tend to be shorter, and divided up into sections. Authors who use APA style tend to publish more frequently, because their knowledge goes out of date more quickly; so the date is prominent in APA citations, and page numbers are rare.

By contrast, people who use MLA style tend to write longer essays that aren’t divided up into standard sections like “procedure” and “conclusions.” Humanities scholarship generally doesn’t go out of date quickly. Instead of conducting experiments, humanists read and write a lot of longer essays and books, re-interpreting and quoting passages from them. MLA style makes the page numbers prominent, so that other scholars can easily find and re-read those same passages for themselves, and further the work of scholarship as it is conducted in the humanities.

Thanks for the reply. What do you mean by ” MLA style tend to write longer essays that aren’t divided up into standard sections like “procedure” and “conclusions.”? Are we not suppose to use conclusions in MLA format? In my English class, we use MLA with conclusions, but what do you mean by “procedure” and “conclusions”? I understand each instructor is different but is it right to use conclusions in an MLA paper…or am I getting confused?

Typically papers written in MLA style DO have a conclusion, but it would not be set off in a separate section under the subheading “Conclusion.” MLA papers tend NOT to follow a standard, particular structure. Papers written in the sciences DO have a fairly rigid set of sections, with separate subheadings. But it’s best for you to talk to your teacher about the specifics of any asisgnment.

Ok, thanks. I just wanted to ask and clarify it. Also, doesn’t the word “humanist” means something else entirely? The Humanist term today implies ‘human’ and is often used for atheists, for example… or am I wrong?

I used the term “humanist” to mean “a person who studies the culture of humans,” without intending the more specific meaning you mention. At my school, the humanities division includes theologians.

seems easy enough

We get asked often about what “format” the college application essay should be in. Although not generally… http://t.co/v1TTNxtE4e

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When using MLA format, do you list the book title, the title of the article or both?

For guidance on citing individual sources, see the link in item 4, above. This page is about formatting the paper once you’ve already written it.

I wrote a paper and it looks just like your example. I followed everything to the “t” and my professor says that my header is indented and my paragraphs are double indented and the page numbers are in wrong format. What can I do?

Winston, I suggest you talk to your professor. I have been teaching from thiis handout for years, and when a student makes a formatting error on a rough draft, I just ask them to fix it for the revision. But your instructor is the one who designed the assignment and who evaluates your submissions, so he or she is the person to approach with questions.

I agree. .let me ask you this. Are your headers indented?

The screenshot was taken from a page that I created following the instructions for using MS-Word with a MacBook Pro. I followed the instructions that are on the page. But surely your instructor gave you guidelines, in a handout or an assigned textbook, which is why I encourage you to have this conversation with your instructor. Whether your instructor does or does not agree with the information on this page really doesn’t matter, since your instructor created the assignment and evaluates it according to his or her own criteria. I suggest you let your your teacher know you are confused about what you did wrong, and ask for an opportunity to make minor formatting changes to a paper that, we hope, met all the major criteria.

How do you add footnotes to an MLA style paper?

Most word processors will have an Insert -> Footnote or Insert -> Note (footnote or endnote) option. Most short college papers don’t need footnotes. (They aren’t for documenting sources — use an in-text citation and a Works Cited list instead.) I suggest you talk to your instructor about whether you really do need to use a footnote.

RT @DennisJerz: MLA Format Papers: Step-by-step Instructions for Writing Research Essays #mlastyle http://t.co/B6pGb3Pkeh

Thank you so much!! I love the Bib builder!!

I’m glad to hear you found it helpful!

Dear Dr. Jerz,

I am writing to request permission to link your webpage, “MLA Format Papers: Step-by-step Instructions for Writing Research Essays” to our website.

Marie Walcroft Librarian Lansdale School of Business

I am glad you found this page helpful. Yes, you are welcome to include a link and a brief extract.

Can you put what information is supposed to be in each paragraph???

Emma, I’m afraid I don’t understand the question. I feel like you’ve asked me what emotions are supposed to be in each verse of a song, or what colors are supposed to be in a painting. The many different kinds of songs or paintings are all created for different reasons; likewise, paragraphs are assigned, written, and read for a whole range of different reasons, so there’s no answer that covers all possible cases.

that was beautiful

I really find this useful (especially fudging the line spacing to 2.1). Good job!

Im in middle school and I have to do this. I have never heard of MLA Format and this helped ALOT. Thanks so much! Hopefully I get a good grade on this paper!

“@pretti_slimm: @Thyler_Jonzy http://t.co/QIf00vlgws try this site looks helpful”I just found a sample paper on Google

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Is the Table of Contents double spaced – MLA?

i think you should add an explanation about page header. that was what i was looking for

See item 2 from the table of contents: http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic1/mla-style-papers/#page-header

when you say page numbers (Wordworth-Fuller 20), are you referring to the page number within the MLA document or the page number the text appears on within the authors works?

In this case, your paper would be referring to something you found on page 20 of the text by Wordsworth-Fuller.

With your delicate information about to write MLA format essay in right way will lead me to successful college year.

Thank you for useful information about how to write MLA format essay. Before my college year I didn’t know there were many different forms of essay. When my professor asked me to write MLA format I had no idea how to write it, but with your delicate information I think I will survive my college year. Thank you again.

I’m glad to know you found this page helpful. Most instructors will be happy to help if you stop by during their office hours, and if your prof is too busy for that most universities will have a writing center where you can get help at any stage of any assignment involving writing.

Thank you for valuable information. Before my college year in America I didn’t know what MLA Format was, but with this delicate information I will survive my college year.

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That means the quote is from page 20 of the book or article written by Wordsworth-Fuller.

Very good information, I really needed this incite on research paper formats. It has such thorough details and that make it so much easier to understand.

How do you in text cite a website? I didnt really see much about that.

I think you should add an explanation about page numbers. That was what I was looking for, but I couldn’t find the significant area.

Section 2 explains how to put page numbers in the header, and section 4 discusses page numbers in citations.

read it… it’s there.

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How to Do Double Spacing in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Double spacing in Word is a breeze once you know where to look. With just a few clicks, you can transform your document from a single-spaced wall of text to a more readable, double-spaced masterpiece. Whether you’re writing an essay, preparing a report, or drafting a letter, double spacing can give your document a polished, professional look. Ready to learn how? Let’s dive in!

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Do Double Spacing in Word

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand what we’re aiming for. By following these steps, you’ll be able to double space your entire Word document or just selected portions, depending on your needs.

Step 1: Select the text you want to double space

If you want to double space your entire document, click anywhere on the text. If you only want to double space a specific section, highlight the text you want to format.

Remember, you can select the entire document by pressing "Ctrl+A" (or "Command+A" on a Mac). This step defines what part of your document will have the double spacing applied, so make sure you’ve got the right text selected!

Step 2: Click on the ‘Home’ tab

Look for the ‘Home’ tab at the top of your Word document. It’s the one with all the basic formatting options like font size, bold, italics, and so on.

The ‘Home’ tab is your gateway to all the fundamental formatting tools in Word. It’s also where you’ll find paragraph settings, which is where the magic happens for double spacing.

Step 3: Find the ‘Paragraph’ group

Within the ‘Home’ tab, there is a section called ‘Paragraph.’ In this group, you’ll see a bunch of buttons and drop-down menus for adjusting alignment, line spacing, and more.

The ‘Paragraph’ group is like the control center for how your text behaves and appears in terms of structure. It’s where you can tweak things like indents, spacing, and bullets.

Step 4: Click on the line spacing button

The line spacing button looks like a few lines with up and down arrows next to it. Clicking on it will reveal a drop-down menu with different spacing options.

This little button is the key to transforming your document’s feel. With a simple click, you can go from compact to spacious in your text layout.

Step 5: Choose ‘2.0’ from the menu

From the drop-down menu that appears, select ‘2.0’ to apply double spacing to your selected text.

Selecting ‘2.0’ tells Word to make the space between lines twice as much as the default setting. It’s a standard setting for many academic papers and formal documents, making your text easier to read and mark up.

After completing these steps, your selected text should now be double spaced. The changes will take effect immediately, and you’ll see more space between each line of text. This can make your document look cleaner and more organized, and it’s often a requirement for academic papers and professional reports.

Tips: Making the Most of Double Spacing in Word

• If you’re working with a document that has both double-spaced and single-spaced sections, you can apply double spacing to specific paragraphs by simply highlighting them and following the steps above.
• Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up the process. After selecting the text, press "Ctrl+2" (or "Command+2" on a Mac) to apply double spacing without going through the menus.
• If you want to adjust the spacing even further, choose "Line Spacing Options" from the line spacing drop-down menu to fine-tune the spacing.
• Keep in mind that double spacing may increase the page count of your document, so plan accordingly if you have page limits.
• Remember to adjust your spacing before adding footnotes or endnotes, as these may also be affected by changes in line spacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i double space just one paragraph in word.

To double space a single paragraph, simply click within that paragraph (no need to select the text) and follow the same steps outlined above. This will apply double spacing to the current paragraph only.

Can I apply double spacing to a document I’ve already written?

Absolutely! You can apply double spacing to a document at any stage of the writing process. Just select the text you want to format and follow the steps.

Will double spacing affect my document’s formatting?

Double spacing will increase the space between lines, which may affect the overall look of your document. However, other formatting elements like font size, margins, and paragraph alignment will remain unchanged.

Can I use a shortcut to double space my text?

Yes, the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+2" (or "Command+2" on a Mac) will apply double spacing to your selected text without going through the menus.

Is double spacing a standard requirement for documents?

In many academic and professional settings, double spacing is often a formatting requirement for easier reading and annotation. Always check the guidelines for your specific document.

• Select the text you want to double space.
• Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
• Find the ‘Paragraph’ group.
• Click on the line spacing button.
• Choose ‘2.0’ from the menu.

Double spacing in Word is a simple yet effective way to improve the readability of your documents. Whether you’re crafting an essay, drafting a business proposal, or preparing a report, understanding how to do double spacing is crucial. With the step-by-step tutorial and additional tips provided, you’re now equipped to tackle this task with ease. And if you ever find yourself stuck, the frequently asked questions section is there to guide you through any common hurdles.

But why stop at double spacing? Word offers a multitude of formatting options to enhance your documents further. Dive deeper into its features, experiment with different styles, and discover how you can make your documents stand out. Remember, the key to mastering Word is practice, so don’t hesitate to apply what you’ve learned today in your next writing project. Happy spacing!

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, should i double-space my college essays.

I'm in the final stages of editing my college essay and I'm not sure if it should be double-spaced or not. I've heard different opinions on this, and I want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. Should I double-space my essay or leave it single-spaced? Thanks for your help!

Hi there! It's great to hear that you're in the final stages of editing your college essay. Formatting is indeed an important aspect to consider before submitting your essay. In general, it is a good idea to double-space your college essays. This is because double-spacing makes your essay easier to read and gives it a more professional appearance.

However, you should always check the specific requirements of the colleges you're applying to. Some colleges may have their own formatting guidelines or may provide a specific word count range to adhere to. In such cases, it's important to follow their instructions and format your essay accordingly.

If you're still unsure, you can always reach out to the college admissions office and ask for clarification. But in most cases, double-spacing is the way to go. Good luck with your essay, and I hope you find this information helpful!

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Should You Double Space an Essay: When and When Not To

Double Space an Essay

What is Double Spacing?

Double spacing can be regarded as the formatting style in which a full blank line is purposefully left between every line within an essay. But when should you double space an essay?

Because of this, it doubles the number of vertical spaces between lines, hence resulting in more spaces between them. 

Double spacing is mostly utilized in academic writing such as essays, research papers, theses, and dissertations. 

Purpose of the Article 

The purpose of this article is to further explore the issue of double spacing in your essays in terms of when it should be done and when it should not, and the pros and cons of it. 

People Also Read : How Long is an Essay: Length and Pages for Different Essays

When to Double Space an Essay

1. academic institutions that require double spacing.

You should double-space your essay if your academic institution requires the summited work to be double-spaced. 

Some educational institutions have set writing standards that should be utilized by every student pursuing education in them.

This standardizes the essay formats to make it easier for grading.

If you are in such an institution and it requires the submitted essays to be double-spaced, ensure that you adhere to the specified formatting to avoid losing marks. 

2. Writing Styles that Recommend Double Spacing

Some writing styles recommend double spacing. In most academic essays, the instructions specify the writing style you are required to present your paper.

The most popular or preferred writing styles for academic writing include American Psychological Association (APA) and Modern Language Association (MLA). 

The two writing styles are formatted in double spacing. If your professor instructs you to write an essay in MLA or APA style without specifying the level of spacing, you should write it in double space.

However, always be keen on following the instructions because you may be told to use the aforementioned formats but with different levels of spacing. 

3. Situations where it is Necessary

As noted, the prevailing academic conventions recommend the use of double spacing when writing your essays. 

As such, if you have been given an assignment on a particular topic and you have been told to write about it, you may decide to use double spacing because it is the most acceptable format within the academic context.

Additionally, you may need to create an essay that has high readability. This may be because you want your readers to follow your thought process without confusion. 

In the case of enhancing readability, it may be necessary to use double spacing because the paper will have more white (blank) spaces between lines. 

Further, longer documents like lengthy essays, research papers, theses, and dissertations will require double spacing instead of single spacing. 

This is because such documents have a lot of content and squeezing the lines and paragraphs together will make them appear dense and overwhelming. 

When Not to Double Space an Essay

1. shorter essays with strict word count limits.

In cases where you have been assigned a short essay with strict word count limits, you should avoid using double spacing. 

This is because shorter essays have lesser content and using more spaces between lines and paragraphs makes the content clattered or appear too far apart. The essay will look unprofessionally written. 

2. Writing Styles that Do Not Require Double Spacing

As noted, some styles dictate the type of spacing you will apply throughout your document.

Some writing styles do not require double spacing and instead may need you to use single space (1.0), or one and a half space (1.5). Such styles especially apply to official letters.

3. Situations Where It’s Not Necessary

There are other situations where it is not necessary to use double space in your document. Such situations can occur when you are required to write an official letter as part of an assignment.

Other situations occur when the essay is short or when you feel that your document will appear more aesthetically pleasing when you use other types of spacing. 

People Also Read : How Many Words are 6 Pages of work? Get Optimized Essay Length

Pros and Cons of Double Spacing

Advantages of double spacing , easier to read.

One advantage of double spacing is that it makes the essay easier to read. The lines and paragraphs will be adequately spaced in relation to each other hence the reader will have no problem following the content. 

Provides Space for Annotations and Comments

Double spaces also leave adequate room for annotations and comments. Since there is enough space between the lines, you can annotate your references and make comments within them.

Additionally, double spacing allows editors or instructors to make corrections and give feedback on your work. 

Disadvantages of Double Spacing

Makes an essay appear longer than it actually is.

A major disadvantage of double spacing is that it makes the essay appear longer than it actually is. This is because double spacing increases the blank spaces between lines and paragraphs making lesser text occupy a page.

For example, 550 words can easily fit into a single-spaced page. However, if the page was double-spaced, only half of those words would fit into it. 

Can Be a Waste of Paper and Ink

By using double spacing in your essay, you will end up having a lot of white spaces (blank) between lines that contain no written text.

This means that you will end up wasting your paper because lesser words will fit into it. Additionally, you will end up printing more papers in a double-spaced essay hence wasting ink.

People Also Read : 9 Ways How to Make an Essay Longer and meet the Word Count

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Double Space an Essay

• Open your document in a word-processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
• Select (highlight) the entire text of your essay. You can use your computer’s cursor to manually highlight the entire text and then select it. You simply click and drag the cursor over the text and select it. 

To automatically select the entire text on computers running Windows Operating System (OS), you click “Ctrl + A”. For Apple’s Mac OS, you should click “Command + A”. 

• After selecting the text, go to the formatting options. Those options are mostly found in the toolbar located at the top of the screen. They are labeled as “Line spacing” or “Paragraph”. 
• You should click on the line spacing option where you will find a dropdown menu with pre-set spacing options.
• Select the “2.0” or “Double” option for the dropdown menu. This will automatically adjust your essay’s line spacing to double.
• Apply the changes so that the essay will become double-spaced. You should review the essay to ensure that the changes have taken full effect. 

In conclusion, the advantages of double spacing are that it makes the essay easier to read and it provides adequate space for comments and annotations. 

Additionally, double spacing is the most widely used spacing requirement for academic essays hence it can be widely applicable. 

However, the disadvantages of double spacing are that it is a waste of paper and ink because of the unnecessary spaces and it makes an essay appear longer than it is supposed to. 

The final thought on whether an essay should be double-spaced is that it all depends on the instructions or essay requirements. Always adhere to instructions to avoid academic penalties. 

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What is the standard font size for double-spaced essays?

The standard font size used for double-spaced essays depends on the type of font. However, if you are using Times New Roman or Arial, the size will be 12. 

How much longer does double spacing make an essay appear?

Double spacing makes an essay appear two times longer than a single-spaced essay. This is because it creates double the space between lines hence doubling the length of the entire essay. 

Does double spacing apply to footnotes and references?

Double spacing does not apply to footnotes because the footnotes will end up taking a lot of spacing within the paper hence displacing the actual text (content) of the essay. 

However, references should be double-spaced if the rest of the essay (introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion) is double-spaced. There should be consistency. 

Can you mix double spacing and single spacing in the same essay?

Mixing double spacing and single spacing is not acceptable in the same essay. 

However, it can occur if you are writing a double-spaced essay and you need to include a long quote from other sources. The long quote should be treated as an individual single-spaced paragraph. 

Does double spacing affect the readability of an essay?

Double spacing does not affect the reliability of an essay because it is the most utilized spacing option in academic writing.

However, if you have been instructed to use other forms of spacing such as single spacing and you use double spacing, it will make your essay unreliable. This is because you have gone against the instructions. 

Additionally, you will appear like a lazy student who wants to make your essay appear longer. This is because single-spaced essays appear shorter than double-spaced. 

Josh Jasen or JJ as we fondly call him, is a senior academic editor at Grade Bees in charge of the writing department. When not managing complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In his spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Should an Application Essay Be Single-Spaced or Double-Spaced?

Best Practices for Spacing Your College Application Essay

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Some college applications allow applicants to attach an essay as a file. To the chagrin of many, quite a few college applications do not provide guidelines for formatting personal essays , whether it be for undergraduate, transfer, or graduate admission.

Key Takeaways: Single vs. Double Spacing

The Common Application and many online forms will automatically format your essay, so you have no say when it comes to spacing.

Always follow directions if a school states a preference for single- or double-spaced essays.

If the school provides no guidelines, either single- or double-spaced is fine with a slight preference for double-spacing.

Your essay content matters much more than the spacing.

Should your personal statement be single-spaced so that it fits on a page? Should it be double-spaced so it's easier to read? Or should it be somewhere in the middle, say 1.5 spacing? Here you'll find some guidance for these common questions.

Spacing and the Common Application

For applicants using The Common Application , the spacing question is no longer an issue. Applicants used to be able to attach their essay to the application, a feature that required the writer to make all kinds of decisions about formatting. The current version of The Common Application, however, requires you to enter the essay into a text box, and you won't have any spacing options. The website automatically formats your essay with single-spaced paragraphs with an extra space between paragraphs (a format that doesn't conform to any standard style guides). The simplicity of the software suggests that essay format really isn't a concern. You can't even hit the tab character to indent paragraphs. For Common Application users, instead of formatting, the most important focus will be on choosing the right essay option and writing a winning essay .

Spacing for Other Application Essays

If the application provides formatting guidelines, you should obviously follow them. Failure to do so will reflect negatively on you. So if a school says to double space with a 12-point Times Roman font, show that you pay attention to both details and instructions. Students who don't know how to follow directions are not likely to be successful college students.

If the application does not provide style guidelines, the bottom line is that either single- or double-spacing is probably fine. Many college applications don't provide spacing guidelines because the admissions folks truly don't care what spacing you use. You'll even find that many application guidelines state that the essay can be single- or double-spaced. After all, the school has an essay requirement because it has holistic admissions . The admissions officers want to get to know you as a whole person, so it's the content of your essay, not its spacing, that truly matters.

When in Doubt, Use Double-Spacing

That said, the few colleges that do specify a preference typically request double-spacing. Also, if you read the blogs and FAQs written by college admissions officers, you'll usually find a general preference for double-spacing.

There are reasons why double-spacing is the standard for the essays you write in high school and college: double-spacing is easier to read quickly because the lines don't blur together; also, double-spacing gives your reader room to write comments on your personal statement (and yes, some admissions officers do print out essays and put comments on them for later reference).

Of course, most applications are read electronically, but even here, double spacing allow more room for the reader to append side comments to an essay.

So while single-spacing is fine and will be the default for a lot of essays submitted electronically, the recommendation is to double-space when you have a clear option. The admissions folks read hundreds or thousands of essays, and you'll be doing their eyes a favor by double-spacing.

Formatting of Application Essays

Always use a standard, easily readable 12-point font. Never use a script, hand-writing, colored, or other decorative fonts. Serif fonts like Times New Roman and Garamond are good choices, and sans serif fonts such as Ariel and Calibri are also fine.

Overall, the content of your essay, not the spacing, should be the focus of your energy, and the reality is that your spacing choice doesn't matter much if the school hasn't provided guidelines. Your essay, however, is extremely important. Be sure to pay attention to everything from the title to the style , and think twice before selecting any of these bad essay topics . Unless you fail to follow clear style guidelines provided by the school, it would be shocking for the spacing of your essay to play a factor in any admissions decision.

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