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Formatting your assignments

Illustrated step-by-step guides to help you understand the formatting and presentation expectations of university assignments.

A student working on a laptop

Introduction 

Although formatting your essay, report or dissertation can feel like a lesser priority than the process of research and writing itself, it is an important way to ensure your ideas are given the spotlight through visually accessible, professional presentation. Formatting can be a minefield, especially when you’re formatting at the last minute; it’s important to leave a few days at the end of your essay writing process for working on your formatting, and to spend some time familiarising yourself with the different aspects of formatting.

301 Recommends:

Our Essay Structure and Planning workshop will outline how to analyse your essay question, discuss approaches logically structure all your ideas, help you make your introductions and conclusions more effective, and teach how to link your ideas and ensure all essay content flows logically from the introduction.

Below, you will find some general introductions to the key areas. 

Action: know the rules 

Because formatting rules can vary greatly depending on your department or assignment, it’s crucial to check the formatting specifications in your assignment description/rubric, and any general departmental presentation standards, as a first port of call. Many referencing systems also have specific rules about how to format your work, so make sure to familiarise yourself with the university library’s referencing guides . Many referencing systems also have more detailed style guides available via their websites.

Formatting key information  

Assignment cover sheets .

In some departments, you may be expected to include a cover sheet on the front page of your assignment. This is a page including key information about your assignment, such as your module number, student registration number, essay title, and submission date.

You may be asked to submit a plagiarism declaration and to make your markers aware of any disabilities through the yellow sticker system . If you are asked to include a cover sheet in your assignment, your department should make you aware of where you can access this.

Assignment titles

Place your assignment title at the top of your first page, either centre or left aligned, in bold font. At university, you may be assigned a pre-designed essay title/question, or asked to select from several possible titles. You may also be asked to design your own essay title. Here are some top tips on designing your own title:

  • To bring focus to your essay, draft a working title at the essay planning stage. You can come back and review this title in light of your finished essay draft.
  • Make sure to use action words in your essay title that reflect the skills your assessors are looking for, both in the assignment description and the marking criteria you have been given. For example, if heavy emphasis is placed on critical analysis, you could use a title like ‘Analyse the effect of…’ See this glossary of essay terms , containing examples that you can use in your own titles. 
  • The action words you choose can also help you to reflect the structure of the essay in your question. For example, an essay using the action word ‘Discuss’ might use a for/against/conclusion or advantages/disadvantages/conclusion structure, or an essay using the term ‘Analyse’ might break an issue down into parts, e.g. into key themes, to understand its meaning as a whole. Think about the type of essay you want to write: do you want it to be comparative, look at several topics equally, or do you have a clear argument that you want to put forward? You can then create a question that gives you the opportunity to approach the topic from your own perspective.
  • Make sure to include the main terminology you are working with in your assignment title.
  • Make sure your question has a realistic scope, without being so broad that you cannot answer it within the limitations of your essay. To limit your question, you could include any limiting factors you are working with, such as specific time periods, geographical regions or sub-themes within the overall topic area. For example, in the title ‘Evaluate the proposition that a global monoculture will destroy diversity and difference’, the broad topic of global monoculture is limited down through a specific sub-focus on diversity and difference.

Stating word counts 

Depending on the instructions you have been given, you may be asked to state your word count, either on your cover sheet or at the beginning of your essay. If you are asked to include this information, make sure your word count accurately reflects the assessment guidance: for example, are references included in your word count?

Visual clarity  

Line spacing .

Most assignment descriptions specify that you should increase the space between each line on the page, from the standard 1.0 spacing to either 1.5 or 2.0 spacing. You are asked to do this to make the essay more visually accessible and easier to read, by breaking up the number of lines on each page. 

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to line spacing in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Fonts 

All non-examination based assignments should be word processed rather than handwritten. Most assignment descriptions will specify that for visual clarity, and to ensure a professional appearance, you should use a plain, sans-serif font such as Arial. For readability, this should be in 11 or 12 point size. Check your departmental or assignment guidance for any specific rules about font choices. 

Page numbering, headers and footers  

Including page numbers in your assignments makes them more accessible. Depending on the departmental guidance you have been given, you may be asked to include these in either the header or the footer of your essay (the blank space above and below where the text would go on a normal page in a word processor). It may also be helpful to include your registration number and the module code of the essay in the same header or footers that specify the page number. 

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to adding page numbers and using headers and footers in Microsoft Word and Google Docs. 

Page layout   

Margins .

A margin is the amount of blank space on either side of a paragraph in a normal word processor. Traditionally, assignment descriptions specified that the margins should be made wider at the binding edge (the left hand side) of the page, to allow for easier reading of printed essays. However, with the shift to online essays, you might not be asked to do this any more and the default settings on your word processor are likely to be sufficiently wide.

For printed dissertations and theses, you may receive specific guidance about the suitable layout of margins, as these are more likely to be printed: see this university guide on formatting PhD theses . 

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to adjusting margins in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Paragraph alignment 

Most formatting instructions specify that paragraphs should be lined up in a straight line (aligned) on the left hand edge, but left jagged on the right hand edge (like this page). This is called left alignment, or flush-left style, and should be the default alignment setting for your word processor. This style can be helpful for visual accessibility, but check any specific instructions you have been given by your department to see which style of alignment you have been asked to use. 

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to adjusting paragraph alignment in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.  

Paragraph indentation

You may be asked to add indents to your paragraphs: an indent is an additional small gap between the margin and the beginning of a paragraph (it makes a ‘dent’ in the first line of your paragraph). Indents are used to provide extra clarification that the reader is starting a new paragraph after finishing the last one: therefore, they should not be used in the first paragraph of your essay. Indents are not always required, and whether you are expected to use them may depend on your referencing style , and any formatting instructions you have been given by your department.

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to indenting paragraphs in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Formatting referenced material 

Footnotes and endnotes .

Some referencing systems require you to use footnotes or endnotes to format your references (make sure to check the library’s referencing guide to familiarise yourself with the expected format of your referencing style). Inserting a footnote into your word document when you have cited from a source adds a superscript number (a number formatted in a smaller font) to the sentence. It creates a note with a matching number at the bottom of the page you are working on (in the footer), which you can add the reference information to.

Endnotes work in the same way, but instead of appearing at the bottom of the page, the reference list appears at the end of the document.

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to manually inserting footnotes and endnotes in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.  

References and bibliographies  

Instead of, or alongside footnotes/endnotes, some referencing systems ask you to include a bibliography and/or a reference list at the end of the essay (make sure to check the library’s referencing guide to familiarise yourself with the expected format of your referencing style). A reference list is a list of all the sources you have directly referred to in the essay, which could be ordered numerically or alphabetically, depending on your referencing style.

A bibliography could be used alongside, or instead of, a reference list, depending on your referencing style; here, you list all the sources you have consulted that have influenced your ideas, whether they are included in the essay or not. The way this is ordered also depends on your referencing style. 

If you auto-generate your citations in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can auto-generate your bibliography instead of creating it manually: instructions for doing so are in the resource below. If you use a different reference manager, such as Mendeley, Zotero, or Endnote, these have their own specific instructions for auto-generating bibliographies. See the reference management resources offered by the university. 

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to manually or automatically formatting a bibliography or reference list in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Block quotations  

When you need to include a quotation in your essay that is three or more lines long, you can add this as a block quotation. A block quotation appears on a separate line to the other parts of the paragraph, and is indented (i.e. there is a wider gap between a block quotation and the left-hand margin than there is between the rest of the paragraph and the left-hand margin). Block quotations aren’t placed in quotation marks, so the indentation is used to indicate that you are using a quotation.

Check your referencing guide and any departmental guidance to learn more about the specific rules on formatting block quotations in your department. Because they take up large chunks of your word count, and break up the flow of your texts, make sure to use block quotations sparingly: they are especially helpful when you are going to perform close analysis of a large section of text. For more information on different types of quotation and how to use them, see our workshop on paraphrasing and using academic sources.

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to formatting block quotations in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Advanced formatting 

Headings and contents tables .

Most standard short essays do not include headings, other than the essay title and reference list and/or bibliography. Section headings may be required for some longer or more structured types of academic writing, such as reports; reports often follow a very closely prescribed structure, so it is essential to pay very careful attention to the specific guidelines issued with your brief. Make sure that any system you use for numbering your headings and subheadings is consistently applied throughout the document.

Depending on the advice you have been given, and the length and complexity of a lab report, you may also be required to include a table of contents to help the reader navigate between headings. Contents tables are generally standard practice in longer assignments such as dissertations and theses. Make sure to check any departmental guidance you have been given about formatting reports.

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to formatting headings and contents tables in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

301 Recommends: Scientific Writing and Lab Reports Workshop

This workshop  will help you to familiarise yourself with some of the specific expectations associated with this assignment format.

Figures and tables 

Some kinds of essays, dissertations and reports will require you to make use of figures (pictures, diagrams, and graphs) and tables (any data in a table format). Figures and tables are normally numbered in sequence, e.g. ‘Table 1’, ‘Figure 4’, and are directly referred to in the text according to their number, rather than according to their location on the page (e.g. ‘as shown in Table 2’ rather than ‘as shown below’). 

If your text is of dissertation or thesis length, or if your text has several figures, it may also be helpful to include a list of figures immediately after the table of contents. Some referencing guides have specific rules about presenting and referencing tables and figures, so make sure to familiarise yourself with these and carefully read any specific instructions about figures and tables in your assignment brief. 

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to inserting figures and tables and creating lists of figures/tables in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Top tips for formatting tables and figures:

  • Make sure that any tables or figures you use are placed below the paragraph where you refer to them, and that you have directly referred to all figures and tables in the text of the essay.
  • The caption for a table usually acts as its title, so this is placed above the table in the document. The caption for a figure is usually placed underneath the figure. Do not include unnecessary additional titles in the graph image itself, if the title is already included in your image caption. 
  • Make sure to label your captions consistently, choosing between ‘Fig.’ or ‘Figure’ and consistently using either a full stop or a colon after the label (i.e. ‘Figure 1:’ or ‘Fig. 1.’) 
  • Your caption should clearly and succinctly explain what the figure or table is. If the figure is taken from an external source, you must provide a reference that accurately reflects its copyright status (see these university library guides to inserting and attributing images and figures in university work). 
  • Make sure to include legends in any charts you use (a key that helps to explain the data in the chart). Any data series you use should be clearly distinguishable from each other (e.g. avoid printing a report with coloured graphs in black and white!) If you are only using one series of data, a legend is not always necessary. 
  • Make sure tables are clear and easy to read, using sans serif fonts, a readable font size, and avoiding unnecessary use of colour. 
  • Make sure graphs are clear and easy to read, with clearly and appropriately labelled axes. Be wary of 3D effects that may obscure the clarity of a graph.
  • Make sure to avoid presenting the same information in a graph and a table.
  • Images and figures in printed essays, such as dissertations and theses, should be large enough for the text and numbers to be legible on the printed copy. Make sure they do not extend beyond the print margins of the document. 

301 Recommends: Displaying Data in Graphs and Tables Workshop

This workshop will provide more technical advice on using graphs and tables in your work. See also this Engineering department guidance on formatting graphs and tables in Engineering lab reports.

Appendices 

Appendices commonly appear in dissertations, theses, and lab reports. An appendix provides supporting information that gives the reader a better understanding of the essay, but that might be too long, detailed or awkward to insert into the main body of the essay without breaking up its flow. Interview questions or transcripts, sample questionnaires, raw data, figures, photographs, large/complex datasets, and diagrams are all examples of information that could be included in an appendix, if it is relevant to do so.

The reader should be able to understand the essay without reference to this supporting information, as all the most important and relevant information needed to answer the question should be included in the body (i.e., the appendix should not be used to make room for content that doesn’t fit within your word count). Your appendices must be clearly signposted and explained in the body of your report, highlighting any information that is essential for your reader to understand. Do not include any appendices that are not referenced in the text itself.

The appendices should be placed in numerical or alphabetical order, and signposted according to this specific system (e.g. ‘Appendix B indicates that…’) They should be clearly labelled, using headings that match up to the in-text reference. Appendices usually appear at the very end of the assignment, after your references/bibliography. Make sure to list any appendices used in your table of contents; if you have been instructed to do so by your department or within your referencing system, you could include a list of appendices separate to your contents list. 

The specific format of the appendix heading, and the reference made to the appendix in the text, depends on your referencing style , so make sure to carefully review this information before you design your appendices.

Download this step-by-step illustrated guide to inserting appendices and creating lists of appendices in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Tips and resources

  • Use this 301 proofreading checklist to check over your work when you are finished.
  • Use the University Library referencing guide for advice about referencing and formatting that is specific to your referencing style. If you need extra clarification about formatting rules, it is often possible to download an extended style guide from the official website for a specific referencing system. 
  • For further training on referencing, using reference generators, and using images in your work, see the University Library workshop programme .

Related information

Academic Writing

Proofreading

Essay structure and planning

Scientific writing and lab reports

Creating accessible Word documents

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June 5, 2023

The Ultimate College Assignment Formatting Guide

In this blog post, we’re going to dive headfirst into everything that has to do with college assignment formatting and talk about its significance. We’ll explore the impact of formatting on our academic journey and why paying attention to this often underestimated detail can make a world of difference in our grades and overall success.

college assignment format

Let’s face it: formatting assignments can be a daunting task. What font do you use? How do you structure your paragraphs? How can you create a bibliography? Fear not! By the end of this blog post you will have the answer to all your questions.

This post will cover everything from the essential elements of a properly formatted college assignment to refining your formatting skills.

This post is all about college assignment formatting.

Table of Contents

Header & footer, margins & spacing, introduction, in-text citations, bibliography, fine-tuning your assignment format, font & typography, headings & subheadings, figures, tables, and appendices, proofreading and editing, formatting checklist, this post was all about college assignment formatting., other posts you may like:, understanding the basics of college assignment formatting.

The title page is the gateway to your assignment, providing essential information about the work you’ve produced. When it comes to formatting the title page, there are a few key elements to include. First, make sure your title accurately describes the content of your assignment. It should be concise, captivating, and informative, while setting the tone for the rest of the assignment.

Furthermore, your title page should also include your full name as the author of the assignment, followed by the course and professor for which you are submitting the assignment. This is important to ensure proper identification of the assignment.

Next, be sure to include the submission date. This helps establish a timeline and ensures that your assignment is submitted on time.

Finally, use a clean and legible font style, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and use a font size of 12 points. Align your text in the center of the page to create a balanced look.

Headers and footers play an important role in assignment formatting by providing essential information continuously throughout your document. Headers are located at the top of each page, while footers are placed at the bottom.

In the header, include your last name and the page number. This helps keep track of all the pages and identify them as yours. The page numbers should be positioned flush right, aligning with the right margin of your document.

For an extra layer of identification, you can also include your student identification number in the header.

Footers can be utilized to display other relevant information, such as the course name or the title of your assignment. However, the footer section is not typically used for substantial content.

Margins and spacing are important elements of college assignment format, as they effect readability and organization. The recommended margin size for most assignments is 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides of the page allow for sufficient white space and provides room for professors to add comments if need be.

Spacing is equally important when it comes to formatting your assignment and double-spacing is the standard practice. Make sure your entire document, including the main body, quotations, and references, follows the double-spacing convention.

Note that there may be times where specific formatting requirements differ. For example, some professors may request single-spacing or different margin sizes so it is important that you review your professor’s own assignment guidelines and follow those instructions!

Structuring Your Assignments

The introduction is a crucial part of your assignment, capturing the reader’s attention and guiding them through your work. Provide background information and state your thesis clearly. Outline the main points you’ll cover in the body paragraphs to give the reader an overview of the assignment’s structure. Keep it concise and about one to three paragraphs long. A well-crafted introduction sets the stage for a compelling assignment.

In the main body of your assignment, present your arguments, evidence, and analysis in a structured manner. Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point. Provide supporting evidence and examples to strengthen your arguments. Use transitional words to connect your ideas smoothly. Maintain a balanced structure by giving appropriate attention to each point. You can also use subheadings for further organization if necessary.

For your assignment to be completed and to have an impact, a powerful conclusion is necessary. Without presenting additional material, summarize your essential ideas. Restate your thesis and consider the importance of your findings. Finally, give the reader a compelling final thought that motivates additional thought.

References & Citations

When writing academic assignments, you need to acknowledge the sources you have used to support your arguments and ideas. In-text citations serve as brief references within the body of your assignment, indicating where specific information or ideas originated.

Different citation styles, such as APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), or Chicago, have specific guidelines for in-text citations. Familiarize yourself with the citation style recommended by your professor and follow it consistently throughout your assignment.

In-text citations usually include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For direct quotations, it is important to include the page number as well. Place the in-text citation immediately after the information you have derived from the source, making sure that the citation is placed within parentheses or as a part of the sentence.

A reference list or bibliography is crucial for your assignment as it lists all the sources you cited during your research. It helps readers locate and verify your sources’ credibility. Follow the specific formatting guidelines of your chosen citation style. Alphabetize the entries by the author’s last name or the title of the work. Be sure to double-check the accuracy of each entry, including capitalization, punctuation, and formatting. Proper referencing strengthens your arguments and demonstrates academic integrity which is incredibly important especially in academic writing. Familiarize yourself with citation style guidelines and apply them diligently to avoid plagiarism accusations and penalties.

Like we briefly covered before, the choice of font and typography can significantly impact the readability and visual appeal of your assignment. Select a legible and professional font style, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, and maintain consistency throughout your assignment.

Furthermore, a font size of 12 points is recommended for the main body of your assignment, however, consult your assignment guidelines to confirm the font size requirements. Avoid using excessively large or small font sizes, as they can make your work difficult to read and look unprofessional.

Additionally, use double-spacing or whatever your professor instructs and ensure that your paragraphs are indented consistently, usually by half an inch, to signify new paragraphs and aid in visual organization.

Headings and subheadings are helpful guiding the reader through its structure. They make it easier for the reader to navigate and comprehend your work.

Use descriptive headings that accurately reflect the content of each section. Depending on the length and complexity of your assignment, you may have multiple levels of headings, such as main headings (Level 1), subheadings (Level 2), and further subheadings as needed.

Figures, tables, and appendices enhance your assignment by providing supplementary information, data, or visual representations. Follow formatting guidelines to maintain consistency and professionalism.

Number figures sequentially and add descriptive captions. Place figures near relevant text and refer to them within your assignment.

Similarly, number and title tables clearly. Format tables consistently with proper headers and labels. Explain their relevance and findings in your assignment.

Lastly, you can use appendices for additional materials that support your main arguments. Label them with letters or numbers and provide clear titles.

Polishing Your Assignment

Editing and proofreading your assignment is essential for improving its quality before submission. Here are some practical strategies to catch errors:

  • Take a break: Step away from your assignment after the initial draft. Returning with fresh eyes helps you spot mistakes and areas for improvement.
  • Read aloud: Reading your assignment aloud helps identify awkward phrasing and grammar errors. Pay attention to sentence structure, punctuation, and flow.
  • Use grammar and spelling tools: Word processing software often includes checking tools. While not perfect, they can catch basic errors. However, use them as a complement to proofreading.
  • Seek feedback: Ask a friend, classmate, or professor to review your assignment. They may spot errors and offer suggestions for improvement.
  • Check formatting: Follow the formatting requirements provided by your instructor. Ensure consistency in font, spacing, indentation, margins, in-text citations, reference list, and figures/tables.

By dedicating time to editing and proofreading, you can enhance your assignment’s clarity, conciseness, and accuracy.

To help you ensure that your assignment meets all the necessary formatting requirements, here is a handy checklist:

  • Title Page: Verify that your title page includes the required elements such as the title of the assignment, your name, the course name, the instructor’s name, and the submission date.
  • Header and Footer: Confirm that your headers and footers contain the necessary information, such as page numbers and your name.
  • Margins and Spacing: Check that your assignment adheres to the recommended margin sizes and spacing guidelines. Ensure that your paragraphs are properly indented, and your text is double-spaced unless instructed otherwise.
  • Font and Typography: Ensure consistency in font style and size throughout your assignment.
  • Headings and Subheadings: Ensure consistent formatting.
  • In-text Citations: Verify that your in-text citations follow the designated citation style. Check that you have included all necessary information, such as the author’s name and publication year, and that they are properly formatted within parentheses or as part of the sentence structure.
  • Bibliography: Ensure that your reference list or bibliography follows the formatting guidelines of the citation style you are using. Double-check the accuracy of each entry, including the correct formatting of authors’ names and publication information
  • Figures and Tables: Review the formatting of any figures or tables in your assignment. Ensure that they are appropriately labeled, numbered, and referenced within the text.
  • Appendices: If you have included any appendices in your assignment, ensure that they are properly labeled and organized.
  • Proofreading: Lastly, thoroughly proofread your assignment for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Check for consistency in tense, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure.

Remember, formatting is not just a mundane task; it is an essential part of your journey as a student. Embrace it as an opportunity to refine your writing skills, enhance your academic work, and pave the way for success in your studies.

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HOW TO – Format papers in standard academic format (using Microsoft Word)

This guide explains how to format your documents in Microsoft Word so that they follow the standard rules for formatting academic papers as described in most MLA and APA style books for undergraduate writing. These rules apply to most of the papers you will submit in your college classes, but in some cases your professors will want you to follow specific guidelines that may differ from those below. Always clarify with your professor which set of guidelines he or she wants you to follow before you submit a paper.

Using standard formatting for academic papers shows that you understand the customs of the university community and therefore helps to boost your own credibility. Using unusual or highly distinctive formatting, on the other hand, suggests that your previous schooling did not adequately prepare you for university work. Consider the impact of unusual formatting: not only does it call attention to your paper in a way that might not be positive, professors might also see it as a sign that you’re trying to artificially inflate page length.

Note: These instructions apply to all versions of Word for Mac and for the 2003 version of Word for Windows. I haven’t yet updated them to include instructions for the 2007 version of Word for Windows, but the tools should nevertheless be easy to find if you look around on the toolbar at the top.

  • 2 DOCUMENT MARGINS
  • 3 INDENTATION
  • 5 ALIGNMENT
  • 6.1 Heading
  • 6.3 Sample First Page
  • 7 PAGE NUMBERS
  • 8.1 Document Spacing
  • 8.2 Paragraph Spacing
  • 9 CREATE NEW PAGE
  • 10 BLOCKED QUOTATIONS
  • 11 RESOURCES

DOCUMENT MARGINS

Rule : Papers submitted for review or grading should have 1” margins all around. This should be the default for Word, but if your default setting is to have left and right margins of 1.25”, change your default. Page length requirements are based on 1” margins.

Instructions : Go to the Format menu, drag down to Document, change the margins, and the click on the Default button and accept the change to the Normal template. Make sure you leave the gutter set to 0” or you’ll mess up your document formatting.

INDENTATION

Rule : The first line of each paragraph should be automatically indented.

Instructions : This should be the default for Word, but if not, you might want to change your Normal style, as described above. To change the indentation format for a document, choose Select All from the Edit menu. Then go to the Format menu, drag down to Paragraph, look under the “Special” drop-down menu in the Indentation section, and select “First Line.” This setting automatically indents the first line of a new paragraph so that you don’t have to do it manually.

Rule : College papers should be in a standard academic font: either Times New Roman or Cambria, in 12pt size. (If you submit a paper in another font, I will change it on the file I download.)

Instructions : Times New Roman or Cambria 12pt should be the default for Word, but if yours is different then change your default. Go to the Format menu, drag down to Style, make sure “Normal” is selected from the list of styles, and click “modify.” Choose the correct font and size from the Formatting menu. Click “OK” to make the change to your default settings.

Rule : The text of your paper should be left aligned, NOT justified, as justified text is hard to read if it hasn’t been professionally typeset. The default in Word is left alignment, so don’t change it.

FIRST PAGE FORMAT

Rule : In the upper left corner of the first page of your document, type your name, the date, the course number and section (or topic), and the version of the paper (such as Paper 1 Second Draft), each on a separate line. Be sure to change the date and paper version when you submit revisions and final versions. See the sample below.

DO NOT use the “headers” feature from the header/footer menu to create this full heading as that will make it appear on every page, which is not customary in academic writing. Also do NOT use a title page unless the assignment specifically asks for one.

Rule : Skip a line after the heading and center an original title that conveys the topic of your paper. Do not use underlining or italics in the heading (unless you’re referring to the title of a book or periodical). Do not use bold text or ALL CAPS.

Sample First Page

Page numbers.

Rule : All papers should have automatically inserted page numbers that show in the upper right corner on all pages except the first. Do not insert these page numbers by hand. Instead, use Word’s Header/Footer tool.

For documents following MLA format, put your last name and page number in the upper right corner. For documents following APA format, put a short version of your title (instead of your last name) and the page number in the upper right corner.

Instructions : Go to the View menu and choose “Header and Footer.” You’ll see a header box appear at the top and a footer box at the bottom. Click in the header box, type your last name (or title), make it align to the right, and then select Page Numbers from the Insert menu.

When you’re finished, click on the “Close” tab under the Header view. Each page of your document should now display a page number at the upper right that updates automatically when you make changes to the document. It will appear as grayed out text unless you active the Header and Footer tool to make changes.

To change the setting so that page numbers do not display on the first page, go to the Format men, drag down to Document, and click on the Layout button. Then check the box next to “Different First Page.” Click OK. If necessary, remove the header that appears on the first page and insert a header on the second page, which will automatically appear on all subsequent pages as well.

Document Spacing

Rule : The entire paper should be double-spaced, including the heading and bibliography.

Instructions : Choose “Select All” from the Edit menu, go to the Format menu and drag down to Paragraph, and choose “double” from the “line spacing” menu in the Spacing section. Or you can use these keyboard shortcuts. On a Mac, use Cmd-A to select all and Cmd-2 to double-space. On a PC, use Ctrl-A to select all and Ctrl-2 to double space.

Paragraph Spacing

Rule : Papers should have no extra spacing after paragraphs. This should be the default for Word, but if your default setting is to have 10pt spacing after paragraphs, change your default.

Instructions : Go to the Format menu, drag down to Style, make sure “Normal” is selected from the list of styles, and click “modify.” In the lower left corner, select the dropdown menu that starts with “Format” and drag down to Paragraph. In the paragraph settings menu that pops up, change the settings for Spacing After to 0pt.

CREATE NEW PAGE

Instead of using a lot of returns before starting your bibliography, create a new page for it following these instructions.

Go to the Insert menu, drag down to Break, and then drag over to Page Break.

BLOCKED QUOTATIONS

Rule : If a quotation will exceed four lines within a paragraph, you should separate it out by blocking and indenting it. As with any quotation, a blocked quotation should be clearly introduced by the sentence that leads up to it and it should also be properly cited, but the rules for blocked quotations are somewhat different. The blocking take the place of quotation marks, and unlike in a regular in-paragraph quotation, the parenthetical citation goes outside of the final period instead of inside of it (given that the blocked quote might contain several sentences.)

Instructions : Type the quotation in its own paragraph, without quotation marks, and remove the indent from the first line. Type the source in parentheses after the last period of the last sentence. With your cursor, select the quotation, from the first word to the end of the parenthetical citation, and click the Increase Indent button from the Paragraph Formatting menu.

  • MLA Formatting Guidelines for College Papers
  • APA Formatting Guidelines for College Papers
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APA 7 Style: Formatting Guidelines

Common guidelines for apa-format papers.

APA 7 (2020) has introduced new guidelines for student papers that differ from the guidelines for professional papers being submitted for publication. Make sure to check with your professor or teaching assistant on whether they prefer that you use the student or professional format for your work.

Common Guidelines for All APA-Format Papers

Line Spacing

Paragraph alignment and indentation, page numbers.

  • Figures and Tables

References Page

Guidelines Specific to Student Papers

Guidelines Specific to Professional Papers Being Submitted for Publication

  • Headers with Running Head and Page Numbers

Guidelines for All APA-Format Papers

APA 7 (2020) accepts the use of a wider range of fonts than previous editions. Use a consistent font throughout the paper. While the size of the font in the text of the paper should confirm to one of the options below, figures may include a smaller or larger font size as needed.

Font options include:

  • Times New Roman (12-point)
  • Calibri (11-point)
  • Arial (11-point)
  • Lucinda (10-point)
  • Sans Unicode (10-point)
  • Georgia (11-point)
  • Computer Modern (10-point)

The entire paper, including the title page, body of the paper, references and appendices, should be double-spaced. The bodies of figures and tables are excluded from this rule. Do not add extra line spaces between paragraphs or after a heading. 

Use 2.54 CM (1 inch) margins on all sides of the paper.

All paragraphs should be left-aligned (do not full-justify text). For each new paragraph indent five spaces or ½ inch.  Use the tab key to indent paragraphs.

All papers should have a page number in the top right corner of the header. Page numbers should be on every page of the paper, with the title page being page 1.

APA 7 (2020) recommends the use of headings in order to clarify the organization of papers. Note that a heading for the introduction is not needed or recommended. The number and level of headings required depend on the length and complexity of the paper.

  • Level One headings are centred and bolded and use title case capitalization (all key words capitalized). The text of the paper begins on the next line as a new paragraph.
  • Level 2 Headings are left-aligned and bolded and use title case capitalization (all key words capitalized). The text of the paper begins on the next line as a new paragraph.
  • Level 3 Headings are left-aligned, bolded, and italicized . They use title case capitalization (all key words capitalized). The text of the paper begins on the next line as a new paragraph.
  • Level 4 Headings are indented, bolded and use title case capitalization (all key words capitalized). There is a period at the end of a level 4 heading, and the text of the paragraph begins immediately after the period.
  • Level 5 Headings are indented, bolded, and italicized . They use title case capitalization (all key words capitalized). There is a period at the end of a level 5 heading, and the text of the paragraph begins immediately after the period.

Sample Paper with Different Levels of Headers  

Tables and Figures

Label both tables and figures, numbering them consecutively in the order that they are discussed in the text. 

Tables include a numbered label, such as “Table 1”, and this bolded label is placed above the title. Below the label, insert a table title in italics; this title should briefly identify the data in the table that follows the label.

Figures can include maps, graphs, charts or other images. Place a label, such as "Figure 1", above the figure; this label is in bold. Below the label, insert a figure title using title case and italics. Below the image, place a caption to offer more detailed information on the figure.

Refer to all tables and figures in the text of your paper by their label: “In Table 1, it is clear that . . .” or “. . . area is separated into five geographically distinct sections (see Figure 2).

APA 7 (2020) offers two options for the placement of tables and figures. They can either be integrated into the text of the paper soon after it is first mentioned in the text. Or, tables and figures can be included after the references. If you choose to position tables and figures after the references page, each table should be positioned on a separate page followed by each figure positioned on a separate page.

More advice on figures and tables from the APA Style website

  • APA (2020) recommends that you ask your professor or the editor to which you are submitting a manuscript for publication whether they have a preference as to whether figures and tables be integrated into the text or included on separate pages after the references.

All sources cited in the paper (except for personal communications) should be included in a references list. Begin the references page on a separate page, following the conclusion on the text of the paper. On the top line of the references page, the word References should be centred and bolded. The first reference begins on the next line of the reference page.

For further information on how to format the references page, see APA 7 Style: References . 

Sample References Page

Appendices 

An appendix includes relevant, supplementary information to the paper. Appendices should be placed after the references page and tables and figures (if relevant).

  • Each appendix should begin on a separate page and should have a label and title.
  • The appendix label and title should be centred and bolded. Write the label on one line and then the title on the next line.
  • If you have only one appendix, label it Appendix.
  • If you have more than one appendix, label them Appendix A, Appendix B, or Appendix C etc. in the order that it is discussed in the text of the paper.
  • You must refer to all appendices in the text of your paper by their label (see Appendix) or (see Appendix A).

Sample Appendix 

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Formatting and presenting your assessments correctly is important because many include marks for presentation.

This may include marks for things such as:

  • formatting and layout
  • APA referencing
  • writing style
  • grammar and spelling.

Before you start on your assessment:

  • check your assessment question, emails from your course leader, and learning materials for how it should be presented
  • read the instructions carefully. Make sure you understand them and follow them exactly
  • if you're not sure about what’s required contact your course leader.

General guidelines for electronic submissions

  • Most assessments should be produced using Microsoft Word.
  • You can also submit assessments using: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx or .rtf.
  • if you don’t have Microsoft Word go to My Open Polytechnic to download and access your free version
  • if you're not sure about the file type required, contact your course leader.
  • Use a clear, readable font, such as Verdana, Calibri, Tahoma or Arial and use the same font throughout.
  • Use black text on a white background.
  • Avoid coloured backgrounds or text in a colour other than black, unless you have special permission to use them.
  • Use 11 or 12 point font for the body of your assessment.
  • Use 1.5 spacing and 2.53 cm (1”) wide margins.
  • Leave a blank line between paragraphs.
  • If the questions are short, leave a blank line between each question. If they are long, start each question on a new page.
  • Left-justify your work (also known as left-aligned).
  • Use bold for headings.
  • Essays don’t usually need subheadings; reports usually do.

Most assessments need a title page, which should include:

  • the title and number of the assessment
  • the course number and name
  • the due date
  • your full name and student number.

Centre this information on the page, starting approximately one-third of the way down the page.

  • Number and clearly label figures and tables.
  • Add numbers as follows: Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, Table 2, and so on.
  • Put table and figure captions above the table.
  • Don't number the items in a reference list.

For more help with figures and tables, check:

Get more help with tables  and figures – APA  Style website

Headers and footers

Insert a header or footer on each page (except the title page). It should contain:

  • your name (last name, first name/s)
  • your student number
  • the course code
  • the assessment number
  • page numbers.

Reference list

The reference list comes at the end of the assessment and should start on a new page labelled 'References'.

Need more help with reference lists? Check out the guides below:

Quick referencing APA guidelines  (PDF 47 KB; opens in a new window)

Guide to APA referencing  (PDF 395.11 KB; opens in a new window)

Appendices are used for information that:

  • is too long to include in the body of your assessment
  • supplements or complements the information you are providing.

Start each appendix (if applicable) on a new page. If there's just one appendix label it ‘Appendix’ without a number. If there is more than one, label them Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on.

In the main text of your assessment, refer to the Appendix by the label – for example, Appendix A.

Tops and bottoms of pages

Check the top and bottom of your pages to ensure they avoid:

  • widows – single lines of text at the top of a page
  • orphans – first lines of paragraphs at the bottom of a page
  • tombstones – headings or subheadings alone at the bottom of a page
  • split lists – lists that are divided between two pages (if possible).

General guidelines for hard copies

Most of the guidelines above also apply to hard copies (printed or handwritten documents).

If your course requires or allows handwritten assessments, be sure to follow the course instructions on presenting handwritten assessments.

Word limits and word count guidelines 

Word limits support the development of concise writing skills. Word count guidelines help you to understand the expectation of workload for an assessment.

 For more detailed information about these go to:

Word limits and word count guidelines  

Got a question?

If you want to talk with someone about formatting and presenting your assessments, contact The Library and Learning Centre | Te Whare Pukapuka Wāhanga Whakapakari Ako. 

Contact the Library and Learning Centre

FontSaga

The Ultimate Guide To The Standard Font Size For College Papers

College papers can be overwhelming, not just about the content but also the formatting. One important aspect of formatting is the font size.

It can make or break the readability of your paper. Here we will dive deep into the ultimate guide to the standard font size for college papers. We will answer all your questions, such as which fonts are best to use, what the standard size is, and how to adjust it.

We will also cover other crucial aspects, including margins, text alignment, paragraph indentation, line spacing, and formatting of the first page. So, whether you aim to follow the norms or want to surpass the standards, this blog has you covered.

Standard Font Size

Table of Contents

What About The Font Size?

What About The Font Size

When it comes to college papers, the font size does matter. The standard and recommended font size for college papers are 12, which is not too small or too big and ensures that the text is easily readable without strain on the eyes.

College papers’ most commonly used fonts are New Times Roman, Arial, and Calibri. Using the official font size is also important when determining the number of pages in a project. In addition, the text should be left-aligned with the first line of each paragraph indented.

The font used in academic papers should be readable and have contrasting italics, like Times New Roman. Following these guidelines will ensure that your college papers have the professional look and feel they deserve.

Setting The Standard Font Size For College Papers

When it comes to college papers, setting the standard font size matters. The recommended font sizes for academic writing range from 10 to 12 points. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri have widely accepted fonts for college essays. Different citation styles like MLA, APA, and Harvard conventions can have specific font requirements.

For example, Times New Roman 12-point font size is recommended for college essays because of its readability and contrasting italics. On the other hand, APA citation style recommends either sans serif fonts like Calibri or Arial or serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Georgia in 10-11 point font size for student papers.

The font size choice plays a massive role in making the research look clean and professional. A font size of 12 points is the recommended minimum for academic writing, as it is easy on the eyes and is widely accepted in the world of academia.

Times New Roman

Times New Roman

When choosing the right font size for your college paper, Times New Roman is the go-to font for many students and professors. This font has an authoritative look and narrow printing point, making it easily readable, and its professional appearance is perfect for academic papers. The recommended font size for college papers is usually 12 points.

Other fonts, such as Cambria, may also be acceptable for college papers, but Times New Roman is the standard academic font. Choosing a font that is easy to read and professional-looking is important to ensure that your paper looks its best. Ultimately, the font size you choose for your research paper is crucial to making it seem professional and attractive to your readers.

When setting the standard font size for college papers, there are a few factors to consider. The most commonly used fonts are Calibri, New Times Roman, and Arial, with font sizes of 12 or 14 being the most popular. It’s important to choose a font size that is easily readable and doesn’t strain the reader’s eyes, which is why the 12-point font is standard.

Regarding citation styles for academic papers, MLA, APA, and Harvard are the most frequently used. For APA formatting specifically, using Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman fonts in sizes between 10 and 12 points is recommended. For general college papers, it is recommended to use either Times New Roman or Cambria in 12pt font for optimal readability. Keep these factors in mind when formatting your next college paper.

The Margins Of Your Documents

The Margins Of Your Documents

When setting the standard font size for college papers, it’s important to consider both the margins of your document and the font size itself. For margins, it’s essential to have a 1-inch margin all around your paper. This can easily be achieved using the MS Word default setting or by adjusting your settings to the appropriate margin size.

If you prefer to use the Page Layout Tool, you can set a minimum margin size of 2.5cm and a maximum of 3cm. As for font size, it’s recommended to use size 14, with a minimum of 12. Additionally, we recommend using double or 1.5 spacing to improve readability.

When submitting your college paper, make sure to adhere to these guidelines to ensure that your paper meets the standard font size requirements. Following these guidelines can also help ensure your paper is legible and professional-looking.

Indenting Paragraphs

When setting the standard font size for college papers, there are a few key things to remember. First and foremost, you should double-space the entire paper, including the heading and bibliography.

To indent the first line of a new paragraph, select “First Line” in the “Special” drop-down menu under the “Indentation” section in the Format menu. Additionally, change the default setting of Spacing After to 0pt for no extra spacing after paragraphs in Word.

You can also automatically indent the first lines of all new paragraphs by ensuring it is the default setting or by changing your “Normal” style in MS Word. To double-space, the document, use keyboard shortcuts such as Cmd-A and Cmd-2 on Mac or Ctrl-A and Ctrl-2 on PC. These tips will help you format your college paper correctly and make it stand out as a professional and polished piece of work.

The Alignment Of Text

When setting the standard font size for college papers, there are a few key things to remember. Left-align the text, not justify it, for ease of reading. The default setting in MS Word is left-alignment, so there’s no need to make any changes.

Regarding font size and Spacing, it’s best to use a 12-point Times New Roman font. And double Spacing in essays. Avoid using the Enter and Tab keys for Spacing – instead, use the paragraph formatting feature. This ensures that the space between words is even with left-aligned text, making it easier for readers to follow along.

Overall, following these guidelines for font size and alignment can help ensure that your college papers are easily read and well-formatted.

Formatting Of First Pages

Formatting Of First Pages

When setting the standard font size for college papers, there are several formatting guidelines to follow. The first-page heading should include your name, date, course title, number, section , and paper version. Avoid using the headers option in MS Word. And do not include a title or cover page unless specifically asked.

Basic guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA Style include headings, margins, Spacing, and bibliographic/citation information. References, appendices, and notes should start on separate pages with proper formatting. Additionally, it’s important to follow your professor’s preference for heading levels and to leave margins of at least one inch on all sides while double-spacing the text.

Following these guidelines ensures that your college paper is well-format and meets the standard font size requirements. Remember to always double-check with your professor for any specific formatting requirements that may be necessary for your particular assignment.

Adding Page Numbers

Generally, We recommend using the 12-point font for college papers when setting the standard font size. Times New Roman or Cambria are the recommended fonts, as they are both easy to read and widely accepted by college professors. It is important to use a consistent font throughout the paper to maintain a professional appearance.

In addition to the font, it is also important to include page numbers with a running head at the top of every page. This helps to keep the paper organized and allows readers to find specific sections quickly. Remember, font size is crucial for both professionalism and readability. By following these guidelines, your college paper will look polished and well-crafted.

Line Spacing

When setting the standard font size for college papers , following official guidelines is important to ensure your work is readable and professional. Most people use a font size of 12 points and choose a typeface that is easy to read.

According to the APA, students should use 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 12-point Times New Roman for their papers. Additionally, we recommend double-spacing the entire paper, including headings and bibliographies.

Choosing the right font size is crucial in making your research work impressive. A font size of 12 points is both comfortable and widely accepted. Making it the most common size for research papers. By following official guidelines and taking care in choosing the right font size. Your college papers will be both readable and professional.

How To Adjust Font Size For College Papers

How To Adjust Font Size For College Papers

When writing college papers, font size is crucial in conveying your thoughts effectively. We recommend maintaining a consistent font throughout your paper, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Choose a font size of 11-point or 12-point, as they are easy to read and are considered standard for academic writing.

It is essential to have proper formatting in your college papers. Such as 1-inch margins and double or single Spacing between lines. As it helps make your paper look professional. Ensure that you left-align your text and indent the first line of each paragraph. If you’re unsure which font to use, consider Century Schoolbook or Palatino, both serif fonts and a good option for college papers.

In summary, choose a standard font size of 12-point for academic papers. Additionally, ensure that your paper’s formatting, including margins and Spacing, is correct for a professional look. Don’t forget to left-align your text and indent paragraphs while avoiding using large fonts, as it can make reading difficult.

The standard font size for college papers is crucial in presenting an academic paper that is easy to read and understand. Though it might seem minor, adhering to guidelines and setting the right font size will help maintain consistency throughout your document.

Times New Roman and Calibri are the most popular fonts used for academic writing, with Times New Roman being preferred more. Remember to set margins, indent paragraphs, align text, format first pages, add page numbers, and adjust line spacing.

Our guide gives you step-by-step instructions on how to set the standard font size and other formatting guidelines for your papers. Ensure your papers are presentation-worthy by downloading our ultimate guide to the standard font size for college papers today.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.Is 11 Or 12-Point Font Standard?

Ans: It is standard to use 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri or Arial font for most college papers. The choice of font can make a difference in the professionalism and attractiveness of your research paper.

Scientists commonly use MLA, American Psychological Association, and Harvard citation styles for research publications. Cambria is another standard academic font for college papers.

2.What Is The Standard College Font?

Ans: The standard font for college papers is typically 12pt Times New Roman or Cambria. People prefer fonts with serifs, like Times New Roman. It is important to choose a readable font with clear italics. If it is not already set, you should change the default font in MS Word to Times New Roman. Using a non-standard font in a college paper may lead to rejection or alteration by the tutor.

3.Is Times New Roman 11 Too Small?

Ans: College advisors commonly recommend using Times New Roman font for essays. The standard font size for academic writing is generally 12 points. Fonts such as Calibri and Arial are also acceptable options.

It is important to choose a readable font with clear italics. The font should be large enough to be easily read without causing strain. As such, if you find Times New Roman size 11 too small and difficult to read. You may want to consider increasing the font size.

4.How Big Is 12 Point Font?

Ans: The size of 12 point font is 12 points, as points are the standard unit of measurement for font size. It’s recommended to use font size 12 for college papers and academic research papers, and for scientific research publications, the most commonly used citation styles are MLA, APA, and Harvard.

While changing the font size from 12 to 13 can add a few extra lines to a paper, it’s important to stick to the recommended size for professionalism.

5.What Is The Standard/Recommended Font To Use In Papers?

Ans: Regarding academic papers, sans-serif fonts like Arial and Calibri are recommended. However, Times New Roman is the most commonly requested font for research papers due to its clarity and readability. The standard font size for academic papers is typically 12 points, with 11 points being the smallest size used.

David Egee

David Egee, the visionary Founder of FontSaga, is renowned for his font expertise and mentorship in online communities. With over 12 years of formal font review experience and study of 400+ fonts, David blends reviews with educational content and scripting skills. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s in Typography and Type Design from California State University, David’s journey from freelance lettering artist to font Specialist and then the FontSaga’s inception reflects his commitment to typography excellence.

In the context of font reviews, David specializes in creative typography for logo design and lettering. He aims to provide a diverse range of content and resources to cater to a broad audience. His passion for typography shines through in every aspect of FontSaga, inspiring creativity and fostering a deeper appreciation for the art of lettering and calligraphy.

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10 Simple Design Rules for Professional Microsoft Word Documents

Want to create professional-looking business reports or academic papers? Use these tips for formatting your Word documents.

Microsoft Word is packed with so many features that you can produce pretty much whatever you want with it. But these features don't always result in the kind of beautiful, high-quality, and professional document designs that you may expect.

It's one thing to know everything about Microsoft Word, all of its intricacies and quirks and functions—it's something else entirely to know what makes a great document. Here, we'll show you how to format a Word document to make it look professional.

1. Keep It Simple, Less Is More

Want to know how to make a Word document look good? Just keep it simple, and take advantage of the hidden features that Microsoft Word comes with. If you remember one thing from this article, let it be this, and you'll be able to make the right design decisions in the future!

When writing a document, the content should be the main focus. Document formatting guidelines exist to make that content easier to read and digest.

Eliminate the temptation to introduce eye-catching elements that only serve to distract. Maximize whitespace. Keep your wording tight and revise any wordy sentences or paragraphs. Simple and minimal rules overall.

2. Choose a Context-Appropriate Typeface

Your first big design decision should be which typeface you're going to use. Traditional knowledge says that serif fonts are easier to read in printed documents, whereas sans-serif fonts are better on the eyes when read on a digital screen.

Good examples of serif fonts include Garamond, Georgia, Hoefler Text, and Palatino, while good examples of sans-serif fonts include Arial, Gill Sans, Helvetica, and Lucida Sans.

Skip Comic Sans if you want to avoid one of the most common presentation design mistakes . And whatever you end up using, stick to the same typeface throughout to make your Word document professional. If desired, you can use a different typeface for headings.

3. Use Standard Font Size and Color

You can't learn how to format a word document to look professional without paying attention to the look of the text. Business and academic papers generally use 12-point font sizes, which produce the most readable paragraphs when used in combination with the guidelines discussed below for page size, margins, and line spacing.

Some information-dense reports may sometimes go down to 10-point font size, but never less than that.

In general, it's best to keep your hands off of anything related to colors, especially for printed documents. You'll have to pay more for the color ink, and it won't carry over if the document ever gets copied. For digital documents, reserve colored text for critical warnings and the like. Prefer to emphasize using bolded and italic text.

4. Use Standard Page Size and Margins

Nearly all office documents are formatted to the same page size as they are printed for standard 8½" x 11" pages, known as US Letter size (also known as A4 elsewhere, which is 210mm x 297mm). This is the only size that's guaranteed to be available regardless of which printer you use.

As for margins, most style manuals and style guides call for a 1" margin on all sides of the page, which produces the best readability for line lengths and allows for written annotations if necessary. In Word, you can select Normal under Margins to do so. However, if the document is going to be bound in a binder, you may want to use Custom Margins to increase the side margins to 1½" to accommodate the rings.

5. Align Paragraphs to the Left

You may be tempted to use justified alignment because that's what's used in newspapers, novels, and some textbooks, but it's the wrong choice for office and academic documents. Why is it important to make a document formal? Without formality, your document becomes unreadable.

What you want is left alignment for text. This produces jaggedness on the right side of paragraphs, but it keeps letter spacing as intended by whatever typeface you're using, and that means optimal legibility.

Otherwise, you may end up with typographic rivers , which are extremely distracting and simply look ugly. This is something you certainly want to avoid when you want to make your Word document look professional.

6. Indent the First Lines of Paragraphs

Paragraphs should have no extra spacing between them, and the first lines of paragraphs should be indented to make each paragraph stand out. The only exception is for paragraphs that directly follow a section heading, which can be left unindented because the surrounding context makes it clear that it's its own paragraph.

To make a document look professional, a general rule of thumb is to have the indent size the same as the font size. Make sure you use Word's paragraph styling features to handle the indents rather than using the Tab key!

7. Place Images Between Paragraphs

Inserting images is a part of designing your Word document. It may be okay to place images inside a paragraph and allow the surrounding text to flow around it, and if your organization follows this document formatting guideline, then go ahead and do that.

But generally speaking, it can damage readability, especially in data-driven reports. The safest option, particularly for graphs, charts, and tables, is to put images in between paragraphs and keep them center aligned. That way, your images help to make your document attractive, but they are never vying for attention with the surrounding text. It also helps captions to stand out.

8. Choose Context-Appropriate Line Spacing

To format a document to look professional, the right choice for line spacing (the whitespace that separates a line of text from the next line of text) really depends on what kind of document you're writing.

Academic papers should first follow any academic style guides in place, then prefer double-spacing if no style guide exists. Business and office documents tend to be single-spaced to minimize the number of pages needed when printing, but digital documents may be easier to read if spaced at somewhere between 120-150 percent.

9. Break Up Text With Headings and Lists

The longer the document, the more important headings become. Would you rather read a 20-page report that's nothing but a wall of text from end to end? Or a 30-page report that's organized into proper sections, subsections, and headings? It’s highly likely you’ll prefer the latter.

Lists are also good for breaking up walls of text and drawing eyes to important points. In Word, use Numbering to create numbered lists when counting a set of items (e.g., "the five attributes of a successful entrepreneur") or when providing step-by-step instructions. Otherwise, use Bullets to make bulleted lists .

Just be sure to avoid overusing lists, which detracts readability from your Word document design. This is especially important when it comes to using Word to format a screenplay .

10. Separate Sections With Breaks

When you want to learn how to make your report look professional, you need to get acquainted with section breaks. In Microsoft Word, section breaks allow you to differentiate certain pages with changes in orientation, columns, headers, footers, page numbers, and more. Section breaks come in four forms:

  • Next Page: Start the next section on the following page.
  • Continuous: Start the next section on the current page.
  • Even Page: Start the next section on the next even page.
  • Odd Page: Start the next section on the next even page.

If your document is large enough to need chapters, this is the best way to format them in a clean way. Each chapter should be made with a Next Page section break, or the Even Page or Odd Page section breaks if you're going to place it within a binder. We've shown how to remove page breaks if needed, too.

Learn How to Format a Word Document to Look Professional

Unless your organization or school requires a specific layout and format, you can skip the hard work of setting up your own template and just download one instead. This helps you quickly achieve a professional document design.

Generate accurate MLA citations for free

  • Knowledge Base
  • MLA format for academic papers and essays

MLA Format | Complete Guidelines & Free Template

Published on December 11, 2019 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on March 5, 2024 by Jack Caulfield.

The MLA Handbook provides guidelines for creating MLA citations and formatting academic papers. This quick guide will help you set up your MLA format paper in no time.

Start by applying these MLA format guidelines to your document:

  • Times New Roman 12
  • 1″ page margins
  • Double line spacing
  • ½” indent for new paragraphs
  • Title case capitalization for headings

For accurate citations, you can use our free MLA Citation Generator .

Download Word template Open Google Docs template

(To use the Google Docs template, copy the file to your Drive by clicking on ‘file’ > ‘Make a copy’)

Table of contents

How to set up mla format in google docs, header and title, running head, works cited page, creating mla style citations, headings and subheadings, tables and figures, frequently asked questions about mla format.

The header in MLA format is left-aligned on the first page of your paper. It includes

  • Your full name
  • Your instructor’s or supervisor’s name
  • The course name or number
  • The due date of the assignment

After the MLA header, press ENTER once and type your paper title. Center the title and don’t forget to apply title-case capitalization. Read our article on writing strong titles that are informative, striking and appropriate.

MLA header

For a paper with multiple authors, it’s better to use a separate title page instead.

At the top of every page, including the first page, you need to include your last name and the page number. This is called the “running head.” Follow these steps to set up the MLA running head in your Word or Google Docs document:

  • Double-click at the top of a page
  • Type your last name
  • Insert automatic page numbering
  • Align the content to the right

The running head should look like this:

MLA running head

The Works Cited list is included on a separate page at the end of your paper. You list all the sources you referenced in your paper in alphabetical order. Don’t include sources that weren’t cited in the paper, except potentially in an MLA annotated bibliography assignment.

Place the title “Works Cited” in the center at the top of the page. After the title, press ENTER once and insert your MLA references.

If a reference entry is longer than one line, each line after the first should be indented ½ inch (called a hanging indent ). All entries are double spaced, just like the rest of the text.

Format of an MLA Works Cited page

Generate accurate MLA citations with Scribbr

Prefer to cite your sources manually? Use the interactive example below to see what the Works Cited entry and MLA in-text citation look like for different source types.

Headings and subheadings are not mandatory, but they can help you organize and structure your paper, especially in longer assignments.

MLA has only a few formatting requirements for headings. They should

  • Be written in title case
  • Be left-aligned
  • Not end in a period

We recommend keeping the font and size the same as the body text and applying title case capitalization. In general, boldface indicates greater prominence, while italics are appropriate for subordinate headings.

Chapter Title

Section Heading

Tip: Both Google Docs and Microsoft Word allow you to create heading levels that help you to keep your headings consistent.

Tables and other illustrations (referred to as “figures”) should be placed as close to the relevant part of text as possible. MLA also provides guidelines for presenting them.

MLA format for tables

Tables are labeled and numbered, along with a descriptive title. The label and title are placed above the table on separate lines; the label and number appear in bold.

A caption providing information about the source appears below the table; you don’t need one if the table is your own work.

Below this, any explanatory notes appear, marked on the relevant part of the table with a superscript letter. The first line of each note is indented; your word processor should apply this formatting automatically.

Just like in the rest of the paper, the text is double spaced and you should use title case capitalization for the title (but not for the caption or notes).

MLA table

MLA format for figures

Figures (any image included in your paper that isn’t a table) are also labeled and numbered, but here, this is integrated into the caption below the image. The caption in this case is also centered.

The label “Figure” is abbreviated to “Fig.” and followed by the figure number and a period. The rest of the caption gives either full source information, or (as in the example here) just basic descriptive information about the image (author, title, publication year).

MLA figure

Source information in table and figure captions

If the caption of your table or figure includes full source information and that source is not otherwise cited in the text, you don’t need to include it in your Works Cited list.

Give full source information in a caption in the same format as you would in the Works Cited list, but without inverting the author name (i.e. John Smith, not Smith, John).

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman , since it’s easy to read and installed on every computer. Other standard fonts such as Arial or Georgia are also acceptable. If in doubt, check with your supervisor which font you should be using.

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:

  • Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman
  • Set 1 inch page margins
  • Apply double line spacing
  • Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page
  • Center the paper’s title
  • Indent every new paragraph ½ inch
  • Use title case capitalization for headings
  • Cite your sources with MLA in-text citations
  • List all sources cited on a Works Cited page at the end

The fastest and most accurate way to create MLA citations is by using Scribbr’s MLA Citation Generator .

Search by book title, page URL, or journal DOI to automatically generate flawless citations, or cite manually using the simple citation forms.

The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition , published in 2021.

This quick guide to MLA style  explains the latest guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers according to MLA.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

  • Your instructor requires one, or
  • Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

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, March 05). MLA Format | Complete Guidelines & Free Template. Scribbr. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/formatting/

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What is the best font size for assignment in MS Word?

Asked by Dhanya 27/11/2023 Last Modified   07/12/2023

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As a seasoned tutor registered on UrbanPro.com, I understand the importance of not only excelling in academic assignments but also mastering the tools that facilitate the process. Microsoft Word is a fundamental tool for creating assignments, and the right training can significantly enhance your proficiency.

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Addressing the Assignment Font Size Dilemma

When it comes to the best font size for assignments in MS Word, it's essential to strike a balance between readability and professionalism. UrbanPro's MS Word training covers these nuances to ensure your documents meet academic standards.

Guidelines for Choosing Font Size:

Standard Fonts: Stick to standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial for a professional look.

Font Size: The recommended font size for assignments is typically 12 points. However, it's crucial to check the specific guidelines provided by your institution or instructor.

Readability: Ensure that your chosen font size maintains readability. Avoid going below 10 points, as smaller fonts may strain the reader's eyes.

Why UrbanPro for MS Word Training?

Trusted Tutors: UrbanPro verifies the credentials of tutors, ensuring you receive training from qualified and trustworthy professionals.

Flexibility: Choose from a range of tutors offering both in-person and online coaching, allowing you to pick the mode that suits your schedule.

Reviews and Ratings: Benefit from the experiences of previous learners by checking tutor reviews and ratings on UrbanPro before making your choice.

Mastering MS Word is not just about assignments; it's about acquiring a valuable skill for academic and professional success. UrbanPro.com stands as a reliable platform, connecting students with top-notch tutors and coaching institutes for MS Word training. Whether you need assistance with assignments or want to enhance your overall proficiency, UrbanPro is your gateway to excellence in MS Word.

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

  • Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
  • Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

  • What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

  • What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that he or she will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

  • define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
  • describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
  • explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
  • illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
  • summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
  • trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
  • research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

  • compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
  • contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
  • apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
  • cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
  • relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

  • assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
  • prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
  • evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
  • support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
  • synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
  • analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
  • argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

  • What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
  • In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove her point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
  • What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
  • How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, he or she still has to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

  • Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
  • The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and she already knows everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality she or he expects.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

  • spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
  • use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
  • use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
  • get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Microsoft Word Essentials

Listed below are some common requirements for formatting your assignments.

  • Student ID/name as a header/footer
  • Page numbers
  • 2.5cm margins
  • Size 12, Times New Roman font
  • First line indented
  • Hanging indent for reference list
  • 1.5 or double line spacing.

The sections below will demonstrate how to change each of these settings.

Note: Your tutor will specify the individual requirements for your assignment. If you are unsure about what exactly is required, make sure you check with them before submission.

Adding a header/footer

Your tutor will usually require your name and student ID to be a header across the top, or a footer at the bottom of each of your pages. To insert your name and ID on each page, follow the steps below.

  • Go to the Insert tab
  • Choose Header (for top of page) or Footer (for bottom of page)
  • Select the style that you want, or choose Blank
  • Type your text (for example your name and student ID)
  • Select Close Header and Footer .

Adding and formatting page numbers

Adding a page number.

To add a page number, again go to the Insert tab.

  • Select Page Number
  • Choose the location and style of your page numbers ( Note: If you add a page number in the same area as your header or footer, the text you typed will be overwritten)

Formatting page numbers

To change the format of your page numbers, go to the Insert tab

  • Select Page Number > Format Page Numbers
  • In this window, you can change the number format (for example, to Roman numerals) and the number you want to start the numbering at. If you need different numbering styles throughout your document (for example Roman Numerals for the Contents page, and standard numbering for the body of your assignment) you will need to insert section breaks.

Adding a page number and header/footer on the same line

To add your page number and header/footer on the same line, follow these instructions:

  • Double-click in the header or footer where you want the page numbers to go
  • Type your name and ID if you haven’t already, and click to place your cursor at the end of your text
  • Press the Tab key on your keyboard to move your cursor to the position you want your page number
  • Go to the Insert tab, OR the Header and Footer Tools (these should automatically appear when you double-click in the header or footer area)
  • Select Page Number > Current Position
  • Choose a style
  • Close Header and Footer.

Note: If you need to make further changes to the position of the page number, click in front of the number and press the Tab key to move it to the right, or the Backspace key to move it to the left.

The playlist below covers each of the three topics above.

Formatting page numbers between different sections

To change the formatting of your page numbers between different sections of your assignment, you will need to insert section breaks.

Insert a section break by going to Layout > Breaks > Section Break (next page)

Pilcrow symbol

Next, you’ll need to break the link between your sections, so that you can format them independently.

  • Double-click in the section of your header or footer on your second page, and deselect “Link to Previous”
  • You can then format the page numbers or text of your header and footer independently.

Note: If you only want to remove the page number and header/footer on the first page, you will not need to add section breaks. Instead, double-click into the footer of the first page and select “Different first page” under the Design tab. Your header, footer and page numbers will be removed from the first page, and you can re-add them in the format you need.

Check your assignment guidelines carefully to see whether your tutor has specified the margin size for your assignment. For this example, we’ll assume the requirement is 2.5cm on all sides.

  • Go to the Layout tab
  • Click on the arrow under Margins
  • Select the option at the very bottom of the list that says Custom Margins…
  • You can then change each of the settings for the top, bottom, left and right sides

Changing your font

Most of your changes to your font can be done in the Home tab, within the Font box.

In the image below, we have highlighted the areas you can edit your font size (e.g. 12), type (e.g. Times New Roman), emphasis (e.g. bold or italics ) and colour (of the text or highlighted background).

Labelled image of the Font box in Word, illustrating where to change the font size, type, emphasis and colour.

Styles store the formatting settings you use frequently, so that you can be consistent in your headings and body text.

You should be able to see the default styles in the Home tab. You can use these styles as they are, modify them, or create your own. To use an existing style, type some text, highlight it, and then select the style you want to change it to (such as Heading 1).

The ‘Normal’ style is the default style of Word. You’ll notice that when you press Enter to get to a new line, the style will revert back to Normal. Keep this in mind when adding text to your assignment.

Modifying an existing style

If you like the look of an existing style, but just want to change it a little bit, you can do so by modifying it.

  • Highlight the text you want to change
  • Make your changes (change font size to 16, Times New Roman, bold)
  • Right-click on the style you want to update (such as Heading 1)
  • Select Update Heading 1 to match selection
  • You should see your changes reflected in the style you have just updated.

Now, whenever you add a Heading 1 style, it will automatically be formatted with your changes. Word will also automatically update the style throughout your document if you make any further modifications.

Creating a new style

To create a new style, follow steps 1 and 2, above. Then,

  • Right-click on the text you have updated
  • Select Styles , and Create a Style
  • Type a name for your new style, such as “Style 1”

First line indented and hanging indents

First lines are usually indented to indicate the start of a new paragraph. A hanging indent is used commonly for reference lists (such as APA style).

  • Type a few lines of text and highlight them (you will only be able to see your changes reflected if your text spans across multiple lines)
  • In the Home tab, select Paragraph settings (click the small downwards arrow in the bottom right-hand corner of the Paragraph box)
  • In the Indents and Spacing window, change the indentation under Special to “Hanging” or “First line”
  • You will see a preview of what your paragraph text will look like
  • If you want to, you can highlight the text you have formatted and create a new style (for example “Paragraph text” or “Reference list”).

Line spacing

  • Highlight your body text
  • In the Indents and Spacing window, change the Line spacing to “1.5 lines” or “Double”, depending on your assignment requirements
  • Highlight your text and update your paragraph style to match the selection.

Formal requirements for written assignments

This is a general guidance on the Faculty of Educations’ requirements for written academic assignments. The Faculty operates with general requirements, as well as specific requirements in the different disciplines and courses. This guidance has a focus on the general requirements. Note that term papers and other assignments that are a part of the course examination may have other specific designs. It is the students’ responsibility to familiarize themselves with these requirements. For more information, visit the course information web site or talk to the lecturer responsible for the course.

The Faculty of Education emphasises the importance of learning and formal academic writing. Thus written academic assignments are an important part of the studies.

These requirements of academic writing include proper use of references and bibliography. Negligence of the formal requirements may negatively affect the grade of the assignment. In more serious cases, the assignment may be rejected on the basis of plagiarism.

There are different technical standards with regards to written assignments. At Department of Educational Research the standards are as follows:

a) The assignment needs to be typed, in the following format: Font size 12 point, spacing 1.5, left and right margins set at 2.5. The pages need to be numerated. In the content list page, numbers are to be given under the different sub-headlines. The number of pages of the paper does not include front page, content list, bibliography and appendix/s.

b) The assignment should be printed double sided.

c) New paragraphs are to be marked by skipping a line, it is not to be marked by indentation.

d) Headlines are to be written from the left margin, not centred. If the headlines are ranged in sub headlines, there should no be more than three levels. The ranking is to be shown by using capital and lower case letters and the decimal number system as in the following example:

3. THEORIES ON LEARNING 3.1. Conditioned theoretical explanations 3.1.1. Classical theory

The spacing between a paragraph and a new heading needs to be triple, and the spacing between heading and new paragraph double.

e) References needs to be given in parenthesis in the text (and not in footnotes). A proper reference is given with the name of the author, publication year and page number/s when necessary (page number/s of the reference is used when giving direct quote/s). 

·        (Hirst 1987) ·        (Myhre 1988:160-162) ·        (Handal & Lauvås 1983:59) ·        (Atkinson et.al. 1987:223) ·        (Sommerschild 1985)

If the reference has two authors, both names need to be written. If the reference has more than two authors, write the name of the author first mentioned followed by et.al., as shown in the example above. The references used in the text must in addition always be cited in the bibliography. The bibliography needs to be given in alphabetical order at the end of the assignment.

Example of a bibliography: Book written by author:

Surname, First name (year): Full title of the book. Place where published: Publisher. (Edition, nr)

Cummings, William K. (2003): The Institutions of Education, Oxford: Symposium Books.

Book written by two or three authors:

Surname, first name, name 2 first name surname and name 3 first name surname (year): Full title. Place where published: Publisher. (edition, nr)

Lie, Suzanne Stiver and Lynda Malik (1994): World Yearbook of Education 1994: The gender gap in higher education. London: Kogan Page.

Articles in magazines or encyclopaedias: Encyclopaedias:

Surname, First name (year): Full title of the article In: Name of editor (ed): Title of encyclopaedia. Place where published: Publisher.

Arnove, Robert F. (2003): Introduction: Reframing comparative education. The dialectic of the global and the local. In: Arnove, Robert F. and Carlos A. Torres (eds.). Comparative education: the dialectic of the global and the local. Lanham, Md : Rowman & Littlefield.

Article in magazine:

Surname, First name (year): Full title of article. In: Title of magazine. Volume/year. Page numbers.

Antikainen, Ari (2006): In Search of the Nordic Model in Education. In: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, vol. 50, no. 3: 229-243.

Publications with several given authors or no given author:

Full title. If given editor Surname, First name (ed)/ if given authors name 1 Surname, First name, et.al. Place where published: Publisher, year. (Edition, nr)

Introduction to psychology. 9. Ed. Atkinson, Rita L. et.al. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1987

Literature published on the internet:

Author (year): title, complete site address (date when data was collected for use)

Report No. 17 (2006 - 2007) to the Storting (2006): An Information Society for All, Ministry of Government Administraion and Reform. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/ministries/fad/Documents/Government-propositions-and-reports-/Reports-to-the-Storting-white-papers/20062007/Report-No-17-2006---2007-to-the-Storting.html?id=441497 (02.04.2007)

f) Quotes up until five lines can be given directly in the text. The quotes given in the text need to be given in quotation marks. Longer quotes must be given in a separate paragraph, indented and with single spacing. First paragraph after given quote must begin in left margin. You may choose to leave out some words or whole sentences. This is marked by […].Quotes need to be cited in the original language and correctly cited. When quotes are given in another language than English, the quote must be translated. It needs to be stated after the reference to the quote that the translation is your own.

When referring to a specific line of arguments or a specific model from an author, not just general thoughts, you need to give the name of the author and year when published. When citing quotes, figures and/or tables, you have to give the page number where the information was found, e.g. (Myhre 1988:23)

g) Figures, tables etc should be numerated, and given a short explicatory text. The explicatory text needs to be underlined. Text to tables are to be placed before the given table, and text to figures under the given figure.

h) When including notes in the assignment, they can be given as footnotes, or in a list of notes at the end of the paper. If the notes are given at the end of the paper, they need to be placed after the paper yet before the bibliography. They must be numerated throughout the assignment. Only additional text can be given in notes, references used in the assignments needs to be given in parenthesis as shown above.

i) The front page of the assignment must contain following information in given order:

Title of the paper/assignment What kind of assignment it is, e.g. term paper EDU4100 Your name The given semester and year University of Oslo Faculty of Education Department of Educational Research Referencing:

The objective with referencing is:

To make clear to the reader what is the writer of the text/assignments’ own ideas and what ideas and concepts are taken from other authors Referencing in a manner that makes it easy for the reader to find the source referred to in the bibliography. When do you need references? When referring to an author’s ideas, thoughts, models etc, you need to show whom it is taken from. Referencing is done both in the text and in a separate bibliography. All literature referred to in the text needs to be listed in the bibliography, in alphabetical order. The bibliography can only consist of literature given as reference in the text, neither more nor less. In the bibliography, you need to give the authors full name, full title of the book, publisher, place where published and year when published. When referring to articles, you need to give the title of the article and information on the book/magazine the article is found. See the following examples.

When referring to literature in the text, you have to give the authors surname and year when published, e.g. (Gundem 1987), (Berger and Luckmann 1975) or (Haagensen et.al. 1990). The latter example is used when there are more than two authors.

There are several ways to do referencing in the text. It can be done directly into the text: “In this line of arguments I refer to Reidar Myhre (1990) who claims that ….. Reidar Myhre (1990) claims that…” etc. Year and alternatively page number/s (when giving direct quote/s) need to be given, either following the author's name or after the given argument. The reference can also be given in parenthesis after the argument/idea/concept of the author is presented, e.g. (Myhre 1990). If you wish to show that several authors/researches support the same argument/idea/concept, it can be listed as followed (Eidheim 1971, Hoem 1978, Høgmo 1989). Note that they are place chronologically, starting with the oldest published reference. If you are referring to an article, you need to give the name of the author of the article, and not the editor of the magazine/book.

You may also start a chapter/section by stating that you will now present the theory developed by the author you are referring to or a line of arguments supported in the literature you are referring to. If presenting a theory, concept or idea from one reference you only need to list it once.

In the cases when you are referring to the same book/article on the same page in your text, you are allowed to use (op.cit) which refers the stated book/article, (loc.cit) which refers the quoted place or (ibid) which refers to the same book/article or the same place.

Secondary sources: It needs to be clearly demonstrated when you are using secondary sources.  This implies that you always have to give references to the secondary sources you are referring to in the assignment.

One example : If one author you are reading e.g. Gundem (1987) is referring to another author e.g. Myhre (1981) you can write the following: Gundem (1987:22) is here referring to Myhre (1981), or the following (Gundem 1987:22 referred in/quoted in Myhre 1981), or (Myhre 1981, her quoted in Gundem 1987:22), which implies that you do not have the book/article of Myhre, but support your statements on Myhre’s arguments and/or ideas referred to in Gundem’s book. In the bibliography you can list Gundems work. You are also allowed to list Myhres book, but then need to emphasize that it is referred to from Gundem.

Plagiarism and written assignments:

The University of Oslo has a strict policy on plagiarism. Plagiarism is a breach of the trust to the institution. Plagiarism affects and reflects upon the University, fellow students and your future employers. Serious consequences are taken in incidents of plagiarism.

Plagiarism in written home assignments and exams concerns the cases where the assignment is:

Turned in by another student at a previous examination Turned in by another person at a previous examination Written by another person for the student turning in the paper An assignment giving direct quotations and/or rewritings of “unknown” previously published material or previous written exams without giving proper referencing Rewritings and quotations from books, articles, previously written assignments and theses without giving proper referencing is also considered plagiarism.

When submitting a written assignment, the candidate must sign a declaration stating the assignment:

Has not been submitted at a previous exam at a different institute/university/university college domestically or in another country. Does not refer to other author’s ideas and arguments without being referenced. Does not refer to the candidate’s previous work without referencing that work. Does include references in the text and bibliography. Breach of these terms will be considered plagiarism and lead to sanctions from the University of Oslo.

Submitting the assignments electronically:

From 01.01.2005, all master theses are to be submitted electronically in addition to a printed version. Use the university’s system for electronically publishing, DUO.

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Formatting your work

General advice.

The format of your assignment (eg margin size, font size, word count, line spacing) will vary module by module. Please consult your module handbook (via Blackboard ) or ask your module tutor for advice.

Library staff have produced a sample essay in the UWE Harvard style (PDF)  you can refer to and guidance for using figures and tables (PDF) in your work.

Formatting Appendices

What is it.

An appendix includes additional information that provides useful background and context for your topic. This must be relevant and aid the reader in understanding your work. This could include your own research data or information from other sources. If you are using more than one appendix, you would refer to them as appendices.

What to include in your appendices

Supporting information for your work from other sources, for example data or diagrams. If you have conducted your own research, it is a good idea to include your raw data for example: interview transcripts, surveys, correspondence (emails, letters etc.), statistics. Additionally, consider putting images or graphs in an appendix, whether your own or from another source.

Where are they?

They are located at the end of your work after your reference list or bibliography.

What do they look like?

  • To make it clearer for your reader, consider breaking down long appendix into separate ones.
  • Keep information in a single appendix within a particular focus area, for instance interviews on a topic with participants.
  • Label each new appendix alphabetically, for example appendix A, appendix B.
  • Give each appendix a meaningful title.
  • Start each appendix on a new page.
  • Refer to individual tables or sources within the appendix as numbered items. This ensures you can easily refer to these individual sources within your body of work. Order the appendices as they are referred to within the main body of the text for the first time. If your work includes a contents page, add appendices to the table of contents.
  • Continue page numbers from the end of your main body of work.

How to refer to appendices in your work

All appendices should be mentioned in your work.  You could do this in the following ways: The data I gathered on this topic suggests there’s a correlation (see appendix A). Appendix B suggests … If your appendix contains more than one information source, refer to it in the following way: (see appendix A1) As shown in appendix B3 … If your appendix refers to your own research or data you do not need to provide a reference. However, if your appendix refers to the work of others, provide an-text citation in the appendix and add the full reference to your reference list. For instance, if you’ve created a table using someone else’s work, underneath the table it could look like this: (Table author’s own, data from Greig, 2021.)

Quoting other works in your assignment

You are expected to acknowledge the books, journal articles and other sources of information that you use when preparing and completing your university work. This is known as referencing .

You will often find you need to quote  from your sources of information. Use your own judgement to make sure that the layout and flow of your writing is logical, and that use of quotations is clear and easy to follow as well as being consistent throughout your assignment.

(The following guidance applies when referencing using the UWE Bristol Harvard  style only.)

Quoting one or two lines

Put quotation marks around the quote and include within a standard-format paragraph of your text. Include any italics and errors of spelling or punctuation found in the original. Example: As Pearson et al . state (2007, p.72), "The basis of evidence-based practice is, of course, evidence".

Quoting more than two lines

Indent the quotation in its own paragraph and leave out the quotation marks. Include any italics and errors of spelling or punctuation found in the original. Example: Pearson et al . (2007, p.74) summarise the issue as follows:

Critical appraisal is a difficult component of the systematic review process, and a good understanding of research design is required. The major aim of critical appraisal of any type of evidence is to establish the validity of the evidence for practice. Validity refers to the soundness of the evidence; in other words, it is about the degree to which we can accept the evidence as trustworthy and believable.

Editing a quote

You can make minor changes to a direct quotation as long as you don't change the meaning and indicate where you have made changes:

  • If you insert your own words, or different words, into a quotation, put them in square brackets [ ]
  • To draw attention to an error in a quotation (for example a spelling mistake) do not correct it, but write [sic] after the error
  • To emphasise something in a quotation, put the emphasised words in italics, and state that the emphasis is your own

"Mobile-learning (m-learning) is learning in which mobile technologies play a central role" (Davis, 2011, p.125, my italics)

Omitting text within a quote

If you wish to omit part of a quote, indicate the omission by inserting a space, three full-stops, and another space. Example: Pearson et al . (2007. p.74) conclude that "Critical appraisal is a difficult component of the systematic review process ... The major aim of critical appraisal of any type of evidence is to establish the validity of the evidence for practice."

Single or double quotation marks

When quoting from other works you can use single or double quotation marks. If your source of information is quoting direct speech, use the two types of quotation marks to differentiate them. Check with your module tutor if you need advice and be consistent with the use of single or double quotation marks throughout your piece of work.

  • In-text citations and quotations are included in your assignment's word count.
  • References, bibliographies and footnotes containing references are not included in the word count, unless it is clearly stated in the coursework instructions that the module is an exception to this rule.

Please consult the UWE Bristol Policies  for further advice (includes the Assessment Content Limit policy).

Library study skills support

There are a number of ways you can get support from the library, such as talking to us at helpdesks, using our online chat service, booking 1:1s or attending workshops.

Get feedback on your writing

Find out different ways to get feedback on your writing before you submit your work.

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assignment font size

Font To Choose for Your Research Paper: Best Font for Essays

Font To Choose for Your Research Paper: Best Font for Essays

We’ve all, at some time in our lives, pondered the question of how to create an essay that gets good grades. You may find millions of instructions that will walk you through the process of writing an excellent essay by doing a simple search on Google. However, a lot of individuals neglect to think about typefaces. In addition to learning how to acquire material and present it in an organized manner, students should also be taught how to style their written assignments, such as essays. When it concerns font for essay , typefaces are also a very important factor.

You will require to choose a typeface that is easy on the eyes. The issue is that there are literally thousands upon thousands of typefaces from which to choose. And after you’ve decided which one is the greatest, you’ll need to choose the appropriate size. Is it preferable to have a font size of 12 for the body paragraph and 14 for the titles? Let’s see what the best fonts for essays are out there check DoMyEssay  .

What About the Font Size?

When it comes to standard font size for essays, it’s usually 12 or 14. But 12 is usually recommended font size for college papers. New Times Roman, Arial, and Calibri are most often seen in this size. The typefaces you choose should be large enough so that your work can be read without putting undue strain on the eyes of the reader. Points are the standard unit of measurement for distances. MLA, American Psychological Association, and Harvard are the most used citation styles and conventions for scientific research publications. The value indicates the proportion of the display that the typeface uses.

Generally, 12 points are considered the minimum acceptable size for academic writing. Size-wise, it’s ideal for the target demographic without seeming too big or cumbersome. The text size you choose for your research paper is crucial in letting it seem professional and attractive. When completing the assignment, the author should utilize the prescribed font size. In figuring out how many webs pages your work needs, this aspect ratio is crucial. To ensure that we don’t go over or under the page count for the whole project, we’ve been using a font size of 12 to do the calculations.

Wensley Modern Serif Font Family

This one is a standard essay font that people use nowadays. Wensley is a contemporary serif font design that is widely used by undergraduates in a variety of educational institutions. This is the ideal look to go for if you wish to give off an air of sophistication and competence to your teachers, which is exactly what you should strive for. This typeface supports a variety of non-English letters, making it suitable for use in any language.

Serif Or Sans Serif, That’s Always A Dilemma

Serif and Sans Serif are always in sort of a rivalry within academic fonts. When deciding whether to choose one of them for your study, the level of formality of the document and the environment in which it will be presented are the two most important factors to consider. The informality of sans serif typefaces makes them a good choice for casual presentations, while the beauty of serif fonts makes them a good choice for more official scholarly articles. It is often advised to choose a sans serif since it is more readable and less tiresome to write on a pc screen. If we are thinking about the place it will be released, we should take this into consideration.

The majority of analyses and publications, regardless of the publication venue in which they appear, benefit from having either serif or sans serif font for college essay included in the same document. The headlines or restricted quotations in a piece of writing will often benefit link from using one style, whereas the main section of the text may benefit from using the other.

Our further font research leads us to Calibri. The popularity of this typeface is comparable to that of the font Times New Roman. In addition to that, Calibri is a Sans typeface. There are a number of advantages to using this font, including the fact that it is not unusual, that it is simple to read, that it is user-friendly for cell devices, and many more. It is one of the safest options for some of the best research paper writing services too. However, this does not always imply that every aspect of this typeface has solely positive qualities. The fact that it is easy to forget about and not particularly thrilling is another one of its many drawbacks. On the other hand, it is commonly used by electronic firms who are responsible for the creation of websites.

Times New Roman

If you ask any best essay writer service which font is the most appropriate to choose, he or she will pick Times New Roman. The Times of London, a magazine published in the United Kingdom, is where this typeface got its name. A new font was commissioned to be designed by the Times in 1929 by typographer Stanley Morison. He was in charge of leading the project, while Victor Lardent, an advertisement designer for the Times, was the one who designed the letterings under his supervision.

Even when it was brand new, Times New Roman was met with opposition. The fact that the new typeface was featured in a daily paper contributed to its meteoric rise to fame among manufacturers of the era. Times New Roman has consistently been one of the very first typefaces offered for each new writing device, despite the fact that composing technologies have changed significantly in the intervening decades.  As a consequence of this, its scope has grown even more.

Creating an essay for high school or university requires the student to pay attention to numerous details. Among the most crucial aspects of an excellent college essay are its subject, structure, substance, trustworthiness of resources, the writer’s voice, simplicity of ideas, and continuity of views. There is, nevertheless, a factor that many university learners grossly undervalue. Making sure you choose a legible typeface is just as important as providing a well-thought-out argument throughout your academic paper.

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  3. How to Change FONT size in WORD

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  4. How to write Assignment File in style

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  5. What are the best fonts for college essays?

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  6. How to write Assignment in Beautiful English Calligraphy writing

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VIDEO

  1. How to Increase Font Size in Ms word ? 😲 #shorts #computerknowledge #computertips

  2. Fonts and General Formatting

  3. assignment font page design

  4. Increase text size or font size

  5. How To Compress Assignment Size

  6. Modifying Font Size Color

COMMENTS

  1. A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

    The page number is the same font and font size as the text of your paper. Student papers do not require a running head on any page, unless specifically requested by the instructor. ... History and Systems Psychology). Write the assignment due date in the month, date, and year format used in your country (e.g., Sept. 10, 2020). Title page line ...

  2. Formatting your assignments

    Most assignment descriptions will specify that for visual clarity, and to ensure a professional appearance, you should use a plain, sans-serif font such as Arial. For readability, this should be in 11 or 12 point size. Check your departmental or assignment guidance for any specific rules about font choices. Page numbering, headers and footers

  3. The Ultimate College Assignment Formatting Guide » Aihber Khan

    Finally, use a clean and legible font style, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and use a font size of 12 points. Align your text in the center of the page to create a balanced look. Header & Footer. Headers and footers play an important role in assignment formatting by providing essential information continuously throughout your document.

  4. HOW TO

    FONT. Rule: College papers should be in a standard academic font: either Times New Roman or Cambria, in 12pt size. (If you submit a paper in another font, I will change it on the file I download.) Instructions: Times New Roman or Cambria 12pt should be the default for Word, but if yours is different then change your default. Go to the Format ...

  5. APA 7 Style: Formatting Guidelines

    APA 7 (2020) accepts the use of a wider range of fonts than previous editions. Use a consistent font throughout the paper. While the size of the font in the text of the paper should confirm to one of the options below, figures may include a smaller or larger font size as needed. Font options include: Times New Roman (12-point) Calibri (11-point ...

  6. Formatting for Assignments

    Fonts. Use a clear, readable font, such as Verdana, Calibri, Tahoma or Arial and use the same font throughout. Use black text on a white background. Avoid coloured backgrounds or text in a colour other than black, unless you have special permission to use them. Use 11 or 12 point font for the body of your assessment.

  7. PDF Student Paper Setup Guide, APA Style 7th Edition

    Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.

  8. Standard Font Size: Go Classic

    Most people use a font size of 12 points and choose a typeface that is easy to read. According to the APA, students should use 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 12-point Times New Roman for their papers. Additionally, we recommend double-spacing the entire paper, including headings and bibliographies.

  9. 10 Simple Design Rules for Professional Microsoft Word Documents

    To make a document look professional, a general rule of thumb is to have the indent size the same as the font size. Make sure you use Word's paragraph styling features to handle the indents rather than using the Tab key! 7. Place Images Between Paragraphs. Inserting images is a part of designing your Word document.

  10. Formatting academic writing

    Formatting academic writing. Your assignments will have conventions for how to format and present your work. These can include the font size and line spacing of your document, and even the margin size. These are not just arbitrary rules or being picky; they are important stylistic conventions that help your audience (usually the tutors marking ...

  11. MLA Format

    The due date of the assignment; After the MLA header, press ENTER once and type your paper title. Center the title and don't forget to apply title-case capitalization. ... We recommend keeping the font and size the same as the body text and applying title case capitalization. In general, boldface indicates greater prominence, ...

  12. What is the best font size for assignment in MS Word?

    Font Size: The recommended font size for assignments is typically 12 points. However, it's crucial to check the specific guidelines provided by your institution or instructor. Readability: Ensure that your chosen font size maintains readability. Avoid going below 10 points, as smaller fonts may strain the reader's eyes.

  13. Understanding Assignments

    Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. ... "Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung's death." ... the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment's ...

  14. PDF Manual for Formatting Requirements for Font Size, Style, and Type and

    Font size should be 11 or 12 point. Italicized fonts are only accepted where allowed or required by your chosen style guide (Chicago, APA, ASA, MLA, etc.) Font size and font type must be consistent throughout the text. Chapter titles and sections can be a larger font size than the standard text, if in accordance with the student's approved ...

  15. Document setup

    Check your assignment guidelines carefully to see whether your tutor has specified the margin size for your assignment. For this example, we'll assume the requirement is 2.5cm on all sides. ... Make your changes (change font size to 16, Times New Roman, bold) Right-click on the style you want to update (such as Heading 1) Select Update ...

  16. Formal requirements for written assignments

    a) The assignment needs to be typed, in the following format: Font size 12 point, spacing 1.5, left and right margins set at 2.5. The pages need to be numerated. In the content list page, numbers are to be given under the different sub-headlines. The number of pages of the paper does not include front page, content list, bibliography and ...

  17. What is the best font size for assignment in MS Word?

    Tanziahanry. ·. Follow. Jul 17, 2023. Font size. It is best practice to type word documents in font size 14, and no smaller than font size 12, to assist readers with visual impairments. Remember ...

  18. PDF Guide to Writing Style in Assignments

    Choose a font type and size for ease of reading. Times New Roman is the font generally used in University documents. Use a font size which is at least 11 pt, and line spacing of at least 1.5. This document is in Calibri 11 pt with 1.5 line spacing.

  19. Formatting your work

    The format of your assignment (eg margin size, font size, word count, line spacing) will vary module by module. Please consult your module handbook (via Blackboard) or ask your module tutor for advice. Library staff have produced a sample essay in the UWE Harvard style (PDF) you can refer to and guidance for using figures and tables (PDF) in ...

  20. PDF Writing Your Assignment

    is right or wrong, so write the assignment in whichever order feels best for you. The introduction might be up to around 10% of the word count (e.g. up to 200 words for a 2000 word assignment). Don't forget your conclusion At the end of the assignment, you need to summarise the key points you've made. You won't be introducing

  21. Font recommendation for school papers? : r/typography

    Some univercities have a clear guideline on written assignments as to what fonts to use, pt size, line spacing, etc. Kinda like a style guide for students to adhere to. Check to see if your univercity has one, otherwise the world is your oyster.

  22. Font To Choose for Your Research Paper: Best Font for Essays

    The text size you choose for your research paper is crucial in letting it seem professional and attractive. When completing the assignment, the author should utilize the prescribed font size. In figuring out how many webs pages your work needs, this aspect ratio is crucial. To ensure that we don't go over or under the page count for the whole ...