The Hanging Indent: What Is It?
MLA, APA, and Chicago all use a style known as a hanging indent for the second and subsequent lines of a citation. This style is also known as a second line indent or a reverse indent. To visualize, move the left margin five spaces to the left, or half an inch. You should align the left margin with the first line of your citation and indent the subsequent lines.
To make hanging indents, hit the space bar five times for each citation after performing a manual return. Given how time-consuming that can be, programs like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have included an indentation tool. This function is available on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones. Word and Google Docs provide visual cues to make it crystal clear how to indent the second line.
Microsoft Word: Hanging Indent Tutorial
In Microsoft Word for Windows or Mac, the simplest way to make an inverse indent for a works cited list in the Modern Language Association style is to open a document and type out or copy and paste your citations from a citation generator. Following these guidelines, you can properly format each entry to include an indentation for a citation.
Creating hanging indents for an MLA works cited is simple once you understand how a citation should be indented. Hanging indent for additional lines if your works cited entry is longer than two. Bibliographies, reference lists, and works cited pages all benefit from the hanging indent, which makes it easier to read individual entries. Don’t forget to double space your work and include references.