How to Alphabetize MLA Citations in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to academic writing, proper citation is crucial. MLA format, in particular, requires a specific order for your references. One important aspect is ensuring that your citations are alphabetized correctly. If you’re using Google Docs, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to alphabetize your MLA citations quickly and efficiently.

1. Create a New Google Docs Document

Start by opening a new or existing Google Docs document where you have your MLA citations. If you haven't already written your citations, create a new section titled "Works Cited" or "References" at the end of your paper.

2. Write Your Citations in MLA Format

Make sure all your citations follow the MLA format. This includes the author's last name first, followed by their first name, the title of the work in italics or quotation marks, publication details, and the date. Here’s a quick example of how your citations should look:

1. Book: Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
   
2. Article: Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Periodical, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.
   

Ensure that each citation follows this format for consistency before proceeding to the next step.

3. Highlight Your Citations

Once your citations are written, select the entire list of citations you wish to alphabetize. You can use your mouse to click and drag to highlight them or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A (or Command + A on Mac) to select everything in the document.

4. Sort the Citations Alphabetically

Now that your citations are selected, it’s time to alphabetize them. Here’s how to do it in Google Docs:

1. Go to the "Tools" menu at the top of the screen.
   
2. Select "Preferences" .
   
3. In the "Preferences" menu, select "Sort" .
   
4. Choose "Sort A-Z" from the options.
   
5. Your citations will now be sorted alphabetically by the first letter of the first author's last name.
   

This feature makes it easy to organize your citations without having to do it manually.

5. Double-Check Formatting

While Google Docs can alphabetize your citations, it’s important to double-check that everything is properly formatted. Ensure that the second line of each citation is indented (hanging indent), which is a requirement for MLA format.

To do this:

1. Place your cursor at the beginning of the second line of a citation.
   
2. Press Shift + Tab to indent it, or go to Format > Align & Indent > Indentation options and set the special indent to “Hanging.”
   

6. Final Review

After alphabetizing your citations and ensuring everything is formatted properly, review your document one last time. Ensure that the font and spacing match the rest of your paper, typically 12-point Times New Roman with double spacing.

FAQ

1. Why is it important to alphabetize MLA citations?
Alphabetizing your citations ensures that your reader can easily find the source they’re looking for. It’s a standard requirement in MLA format to make your works cited page neat, organized, and easy to navigate.

2. What should I do if I have multiple authors with the same last name?
If multiple authors share the same last name, alphabetize by the first initial of the first name. For example:
Smith, John. Book Title.
Smith, Mary. Another Book Title.

3. How do I create a hanging indent in Google Docs?
Highlight your citations, then go to Format > Align & Indent > Indentation options , and set the special indent to “Hanging.” This will ensure your citations follow MLA guidelines.