How do I create and format a References or Works Cited page in MS Word for an APA or MLA paper?

Answer

Your References or Works Cited page is the last page of your paper. Follow the steps below to create a correct page in APA or MLA format.

  1. At the end of the last paragraph of your paper, insert a page break by clicking the insert tab and then selecting page break. You can also press and hold the CTRL key and tap the Enter key.
  2. On the first line of the new blank page ...
    1. APA Style: Center the heading References in bold font
    2. MLA Style: Center the heading Works Cited (do not bold).
  3. Start typing your references. 
  4. Once you have added all the references, highlight them, and add a hanging indent (see image)
    1. In the "Special" box select hanging.
    2. In the "Spacing" box, ensure that both boxes are set to zero.
    3. In the "Line Spacing" box select double. 
    4. Make sure to hit Okay so that all changes are applied.

screenshot of paragraph formatting settings box

Don't forget

  • List your citations in alphabetical order.
  • Use the same font throughout the entire paper
  • make sure that you have double-spaced your paper and eliminated the extra spaces between lines (see step two in the image above).

Please contact one of our Librarians in person or through our Ask a Librarian if you have questions.

  • Last Updated Jul 13, 2023
  • Views 124
  • Answered By Nora Rackley

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