Most assignments require double-spaced lines. Remember that your word-processor will wrap your lines for you and you can change the spacing with a simple click. This is different from a typewriter, where line returns and spacing had to be set manually. In other words, you don't have to press the Enter key to make double-spaced lines.

To change your line spacing in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to change--you can also press ctrl-A to select your entire document--then select “2.0” in the “Line and Paragraph Spacing” drop- down menu under the “Home” tab. Use the Paragraph menu for all your spacing needs, including indents.

Note that using double spacing and certain fonts and other formatting conventions are required for all academic paper formats as well. For more on rules of APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian, visit the Shapiro Library’s citation guides.

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