Align the text of an MLA Style paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin uneven, or “ragged.” Do not use full justification for MLA papers.

Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 inches from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.

To indent first line of paragraphs as you are writing:

The easiest way to indent the first line of each paragraph is to hit the [tab] key each time you start a paragraph.  The default tab size in most word processing programs is .5 inches, which is what MLA requires.  Do not use the space key to indent, as different fonts use different sized spaces.  If you have already typed your paper and did not use the [tab] key, follow the instructions below to do all of the paragraphs at once.  Be sure to select the text you wish it to apply to rather than using "select all," since the Works Cited Page will use a different indentation style called a "hanging indent."

How to indent first lines of multiple paragraphs in Microsoft Word:

1. Select the paragraphs you want to indent (do not use Select All, since the Works Cited Page will use a different indentation style)
2. Click the small arrow to open the Paragraph Settings window
3. In the Indentation section, click the Special drop-down menu
4. Select First Line
5. Confirm the indentation amount is set to .5 (this is usually the default)
6. Click Ok

How to indent first lines of multiple paragraphs in Google Docs:

1. Select the paragraphs you want to indent (do not use Select All, since the Works Cited Page will use a different indentation style)
2. Click Format
3. Hover over Align & Indent, then click Indentation Options
4. Click the Special drop-down menu
5. Select First Line
6. Click in the box that appears next to First Line and type .5
7. Click Apply

MLA style requires the Works Cited page to use a hanging indent.  A hanging indent has the first line of each reference flush with the left margin and each line underneath indented by .5 inches.  The easiest way to do this is to write your citations without indentation, then select them all and change them all to a hanging indent.  Do not use the [tab] key or space bar to create the illusion of a hanging indent.

How to create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word:

1. Write all of your citations without using any indentation (remember, the citations are all double-spaced, and the works cited page has a heading of "Works Cited," without quotes, centered at the top of the page)
2. Select all of your citations
3. Click the small arrow to open the Paragraph Settings window
4. In the Indentation section, click the Special drop-down menu
5. Select Hanging
6. Confirm the indentation amount is set to .5 (this is usually the default)
7. Click Ok

How to create a hanging indent in Google Docs:

1. Write all of your citations without using any indentation (remember, the citations are all double-spaced, and the works cited page has a heading of "Works Cited," without quotes, centered at the top of the page)
2. Select all of your citations
3. Click Format
4. Hover over Align & Indent, then click Indentation Options
5. Click the Special drop-down menu
6. Select Hanging
7. Click in the box that appears next to Hanging and type .5
8. Click Apply