Formatting Guides

Plain-English answers to the formatting questions that cost students points — from 3 Buck Chuck.

APA vs MLA vs Chicago: which one do I use?The three big styles, compared side by side.
APA 7 title page format (with example)The student title page, line by line.
Does APA need a running head?Students don't, professionals do — here's why.
How to double-space in Word & Google DocsAnd kill the extra gap between paragraphs.
How to add page numbers in Word & Google DocsTop-right, the way APA and MLA want them.
How to set 1-inch margins in Word & Google DocsThe APA/MLA/Chicago standard — and the 1.25" gotcha.
How to make a title page in WordWhat APA, MLA, and Chicago each want.
How to cite a website (APA & MLA)In-text and reference-list entries, with real examples.
Block quote format (APA, MLA, Chicago)Length rules, indenting, and where the period goes.
How to write an APA 7 abstractFormat, the word limit — and whether you even need one.
How to do a hanging indent (Word & Google Docs)The 2-minute fix for APA, MLA, and Chicago reference lists.
APA 7 format checklist for student papersEvery APA 7 rule in one quick checklist.
MLA 9 format checklistEvery MLA 9 rule in one quick checklist.
Chicago / Turabian format checklistEvery Chicago/Turabian rule in one quick checklist.
IEEE format checklistNumbered references and the rest, in one checklist.
Harvard referencing checklistCite Them Right rules in one quick checklist.
APA 7 reference examplesCorrect entries for journals, books, chapters, and web pages.
MLA 9 Works Cited examplesCorrect entries for the sources students cite most.
Chicago / Turabian bibliography examplesCorrect entries for books, journals, chapters, and websites.
IEEE reference examplesNumbered entries for journals, conference papers, books, and web.
Harvard reference examples (Cite Them Right)Author-date entries for the sources students cite most.

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