do research papers need cover page

APA Title Page (Cover Page) Format, Example, & Templates

Saul McLeod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

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Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

On This Page:

In APA Style (7th edition), the cover page, or title page, should include:

A running head (professional papers only) and page number
The title of the paper
The name of the author(s)
The institutional affiliation
An author note; optional (professional papers only)
A student paper should also include course information

Note : APA 7 provides slightly different directions for formatting the title pages of professional papers (e.g., those intended for scholarly publication) and student papers (e.g., those turned in for credit in a high school or college course).

Professional paper APA title page

An example of an APA format reference page

Student paper APA title page

Formatting an APA title page

Note : All text on the title page should be double-spaced and typed in either 12-point, Times New Roman font. In the 7th edition, APA increaded the flexibility regarding font options: which now include Calibri 11, Arial 11, Lucida Sans Unicode 10, Times New Roman 12, or Georgia 11. All words should be centered, and capitalize the first letter of important words.

Running Head

In the 7th edition of the APA style manual, running heads are only required for professional papers that are being submitted for publication (student papers do not require a running head, but still need a page number).

Your title page should contain a running head that is flush left at the top of the page and a page number that is flush right at the top of the page.

Place the running head in the page’s header:

The running head is the abbreviated title of the paper (IN UPPERCASE LETTERS) aligned left on the page header of all pages, including the title page. APA (7th edition) guidelines require that running heads be a maximum of 50 characters (spaces count as characters).
The “Running head:” label used in the APA sixth edition is no longer used.
Place the page number in this same header, but align right, beginning with page number 1 on the title page.
This header should be 1 inch from the top. Some instructors allow for 1/2 inch, too, but the default is 1 inch.

Paper Title

Position the title of the paper in the upper half of the page. The title should be centered and written in boldface, and important words should be capitalized.

The APA recommends that your title should be a maximum of 12 words and should not contain abbreviations or words that serve no purpose.

Author Name(s)

Institutional affiliation.

Position the school or university’s name below the author(s) name, centered.

A student paper should also include the course number and name, instructor name, and assignment due date.

Further Information

APA Student Title Page Guide
APA Referencing
How to Write a Lab Report
Essay Writing Guide for Psychology Students
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Example of an APA Formatted Paper

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Tags: Academic Writing , APA , APA Style , Formatting Guidel

The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual provides important formatting guidelines that you need to follow. In this article, we’ll tell you how to properly format an APA header, cover page, abstract, and reference page in your research paper.

Note that we’ll be looking at the formatting guidelines provided by the 7th edition of the APA Style guide, commonly referred to as APA 7. This edition came out in October 2019, replacing the 6th edition that dated back to 2009.

Make sure your APA-style paper is perfectly formatted. Learn more

What is APA formatting?

The APA format is used while writing academic literature such as research papers, essays, and theses. It is provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a style guide and is used commonly in the fields of behavioral and social sciences.

The APA formatting guidelines are described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , APA’s official style guide. It is widely used by other scientific journals in its entirety or with some variations to publish research articles and papers.

Universities and colleges also use the APA format, so students need to adhere to the formatting guidelines while writing a college paper or essay. As we’ll see in an update given by the APA 7 format, the style guidelines are often a bit relaxed for college students.

Why do we use APA formatting when writing research papers?

The APA Manual lays down a standard set of guidelines that remove colloquial usage and bias from academic writing. Since all researchers follow common rules of writing and formatting, it becomes easy for everyone to read and understand scientific papers.

Plus, the APA formatting style is primarily known for its directness and simplicity. By ensuring a logical flow in a research paper or journal article, the APA format helps the reader focus on the content of the document.

So the simple answer to this question is, we use APA formatting for research papers because it reduces confusion and improves clarity. It brings uniformity to scientific writing and enables the reader to comprehend academic documents with ease.

What is APA formatting used for?

The APA Style format is used by researchers and students to write research papers, journal articles, college papers, and dissertations. You can also use the APA Style in textbooks, websites, PowerPoint presentations, or conference posters.

While the style guide can be used to write academic papers in any discipline, it is mostly used in the following disciplines:

Social sciences (Sociology, Economics, Political Science)
Behavioral sciences (Psychology)

General APA formatting guidelines:

There are some general APA formatting rules you need to follow throughout your paper. Here are the most important style guidelines from the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual:

Use a standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″).
Set margins of 1 inch on all sides.
Add a page header (“running head”) at the top of every page.
Keep the running head short (50 characters).
Mention the page number on every page.
Indent your paragraphs 0.5 inches.
Double-space all your text, including headings.
Use a font that is easy to read.

APA recommends the following fonts:

11-point Calibri
11-point Arial
10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
12-point Times New Roman
11-point Georgia
10-point Computer Modern

Page formatting under APA 7

Guidelines regarding page formatting appear in the second chapter of the APA Publication Manual. The general structure for research papers under the APA format includes a title page, abstract, text, and references.

College students don’t have the compulsion to add an abstract in their paper, but the particular university guidelines provide the final say on this matter. An APA Style paper usually follows this order:

Aside from these major sections of your paper, we’ll also take a look at how to format APA headers, headings, and subheadings.

1. APA cover page format

The cover page, also called the title page, is the first page in an APA Style paper or essay. This page isn’t absolutely necessary for college students, but some universities may ask their students to include it. Ask your instructor for clarification on whether you should include the cover page in your paper.

The APA 7 cover page has slight variations for student papers and professional papers. Student papers should include details of their course and college, while professional papers include an author note.

The title page in an APA Style student paper should include the following elements:

Paper title
Name of the student
Name of the department and university
Number and name of the course
Name of the instructor
Due date of the paper

The APA cover page in a professional paper includes:

Running head

Name of the author
Affiliation
Author note

APA cover page formatting guidelines

According to the APA 7th edition, the title page should be formatted as follows:

Double-space all text on the cover page.
At the top of the page, add a running head (only for professional papers) that is flush left and a page number (for all papers) that is flush right.
Don’t use the words “Running head:” before your running head.
Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the page, aligned center. Use the title case for it (capitalize all words except articles and prepositions) and the same font as the rest of the text, but bold it.
If the title has a subtitle, you may place the title and subtitle in separate lines.
Leave a double-spaced line and then add the author’s name, aligned center. In the case of two authors, place the word “and” between them. In case of more than two authors, separate the names with commas and add “and” before the final name.
Don’t use titles or degree info (such as Dr. or M.Phil.) before and after the authors’ names.

Cover page formatting tips for student papers

On the line under the author’s name, add the name of the department followed by the college or university, separated by a comma and aligned center.
On the next line, include the course number and name, separated by a colon and aligned center.
Mention the course instructor’s name on the next line, aligned center.
Add the due date for the assignment on the line below, in the format commonly used in your country and aligned center.

Cover page formatting tips for professional papers

Under the author’s name, mention the name of the institution at which the research was conducted. Mention the department name before the institution name, separated by a comma and aligned center.
In case of multiple authors with different affiliations, center the institute names in individual lines.
Use superscript numerals to distinguish between various authors’ affiliations. For example, if an author’s name is written as Amber Davis 1 , the first affiliation mentioned should relate to her.
Place the author note in the bottom half of the page. Bold and center the words “Author Note”.
Align the contents of the author note to the left.

There are no strict rules regarding the length of titles under the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual. But the style guide does recommend that the title shouldn’t be more than 12 words in length.

It’s also recommended to keep the title concise and to the point, so you should remove any extra words. Here’s an example of an ideal APA title:

A Focused Analysis of the Patterns of Migration Between England and Colombia

Migration Patterns Between England and Colombia

So, make sure you keep the title short and focused, and ensure that it includes the main search term for your paper. Keywords are important!

2. APA header

The APA page header appears within the top margin of the page. It consists of a page number and a running head, but student papers don’t have to include the running head.

So, the APA header for a student paper only contains the page number. For professional papers, the header consists of both the running head and page number.

A running head is a shortened version of your title. If the title is already short, you can place the whole title in the running head. But if your title is long, you need to cut out the extra words and use only the most important words in the running head.

Title: Examining the Wealth of Religious Figures: A Global Study of How Economics, Faith, and Language Intersect

Running head: WEALTH OF RELIGIOUS FIGURES

While the APA running head isn’t a compulsion for student papers, some course instructors or universities may ask you to include it. So it’s always a good idea to get clarity on the paper format from your course instructor.

These are the formatting guidelines for an APA header:

Page number appears at the top right corner of every page.
The cover page is your page number 1.
Align the running head to the left margin of your page.
Type the running head in capital letters.
Keep the running head under 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
Avoid abbreviations in the running head, but the word “and” may be replaced with ampersand “&”.

Any word processing program like Google Docs or Word has the header feature that allows you to customize your header. Use this feature to create the running head and page number for your APA header.

Apply the same formatting to all pages in your APA Style paper, as the header appears on every page.

3. APA headings and subheadings

APA headings and subheadings are important to organize your text and improve your paper’s readability. An APA style paper has five possible levels of headings. You can use them to order your content into relevant sections.

These are the APA format guidelines for headings and subheadings in your paper:

Level 1: Bold, center, and in the title case. Text begins on the next line with a new indented paragraph.
Level 2: Bold, left-aligned, and in the title case. Text begins on the next line with a new indented paragraph.
Level 3: Bold, italic, left-aligned, and in the title case. Text begins on the next line with a new indented paragraph.
Level 4: Indented, bold, in the title case, and ends with a period. Text begins on the same line.
Level 5: Indented, bold, italic, in the title case, and ends with a period. Text begins on the same line.

4. APA abstract

An abstract is a one-paragraph summary of a research paper, about 150–250 words in length. It contains the objective or problem statement of the paper and includes information on the research methods, results, and conclusions of your research.

An abstract tells the reader what they’ll find in the paper and helps them decide whether or not they should read it. So, your abstract should be well-written. But more importantly, it needs to be formatted according to the APA format guidelines.

The APA abstract page must adhere to specific formatting requirements for indentation, spacing, section label, page margins, font type, and running head. The APA abstract must be formatted as follows:

Add the APA header at the top of the page.
Bold and center the section label “Abstract”.
Double-space all text.
Don’t indent the first paragraph.
Mention three to five keywords under the abstract, separated by commas.
Indent and italicize the label “Keywords:”.
Aside from the first word, use lowercase letters for keywords.

An APA abstract isn’t required in student papers, but it is necessary in professional papers.

5. Text

Aside from the general guidelines we saw above, there aren’t any specific APA format guidelines for the body of your paper. In case of an essay, the body will be your essay itself. If you’re writing a lab report, then the main body will be divided into different sections.

In a research paper, the body is divided into introduction, method, results, discussion, and references. Each of these sections begin on a new page, with a section label that is in bold and center.

These are the APA formatting guidelines for your text:

Add the APA header on every page.
Double-space all your text.
Indent all paragraphs (except the abstract).
Begin a new section on a new page, with the section label in bold and center.

6. APA reference page

Also called the reference list, this is where all the cited sources in the paper are listed. The citations differ for each source type. The APA reference page as a whole also has specific APA formatting guidelines.

Mention the section label “References” in bold and center at the top of the page. Start the entries in the next line, flush left. Here are the formatting guidelines for an APA reference page:

Add the references one below the other in alphabetical order without numbering.
Each reference should have a hanging indentation: the first line flush left and each subsequent line in the same entry with a margin of 0.5 inches.
References begin with the last name of the author, followed by the first and second names.
Italicize the names of major works such as books and journals.

The APA provides different format guidelines for specific document types such as articles, journals, and websites. For a detailed study of how to cite sources and include them in the APA reference page, visit this article .

7. APA formatted tables and figures

Using graphics is a great way to communicate important data in your paper. But in an APA Style paper, there are certain rules you need to follow for inserting tables and figures.

Although they present information differently, the APA style guide has similar formatting rules for them. Tables and figures under the 7th edition of the Publication Manual are labeled with numbers followed by titles. Under the graphic, you may also add a note.

APA formatting guidelines help you create clean and clear graphics with no unnecessary flourish. So keep in mind that you should include graphical elements only when they are necessary for better comprehension.

APA format guidelines for tables

Here is how you can create a properly formatted table under the APA guidelines:

Put the table number in bold, aligned left (e.g. Table 1 ).
In the next line, add a brief title in italics and title case.
Don’t add any vertical lines for table columns.
Add horizontal lines only when absolutely necessary.
Use concise and clear labels for row and column headings and center them.
Left-align the entries in the leftmost column, but center the heading.
Use the same formatting for all numbers in the table.
Italicize the word “Note” and add a period after it (e.g. Note. ).
Begin the note text in the same line as the label “ Note.

Rather than using the spacebar to type your data, use the table feature of Google Docs or Word to create an APA Style table in your paper.

Formatting guidelines for figures

For an APA formatted paper, any graphical representation aside from a table is classified as a figure. This includes charts, graphs, pie charts, drawings, maps, or any other visual infographics.

Follow these rules to properly format your APA figures:

Mention the figure number in bold, aligned left (e.g. Figure 1 ).
In the line below, add a brief title in italics and title case.
Use sans serif fonts for any text within the image.
Provide figure legends to explain any symbols used in the figure.
Arrange the legends properly within the borders of the figure.

Number your tables and figures in the order they appear in your APA Style paper. You can add three types of notes under your table or figure to explain a point not covered in the graphic itself.

Hopefully, this article will help you format your APA Style paper perfectly. After formatting your research paper, if you still have doubts, you can consider taking our research paper editing services . We not only ensure proper formatting but also correct any grammatical, word choice, and sentence errors.

Here are some other articles that you might find interesting:

APA Headings & Subheadings | Formatting Guidelines & Examples
How to Create an APA Title Page | Free Template & Examples
APA Citation Examples: The Bible, TED Talk, PPT & More
How to Create In-Text Citations and Reference Page in APA 7
APA Website Citation (7th Edition) Guide | Format & Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of apa formatting, what does et. al. mean in apa formatting, what is the difference between mla and apa formatting, should i add the apa header on the cover page, what are the changes in apa 7.

Found this article helpful?

2 comments on “ A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Formatting Style (7th Edition) ”

Two or three things would finish up the basic formatting: 1. The Cover Page header needs the words Running head: before the title. Also, the cover page should be in the same Times New Roman (or Arial) 12pt font. (I’ve seen some pretty fancy cover pages LOL). 2. The abstract cannot be more than 250 words (no less than 150 words) 3. Information in the main body should be broken down by layers of headings to tell the reader what they will find in each section.

Overall good advice in succinct bullet points, however. I appreciate you doing this. APA is a thorn in the side of my students (I teach Psychology).

Hey, Kathryn! Thanks for your words of encouragement. The points you have mentioned are indeed crucial to finishing up the basic APA formatting. We hope our blog continues to help you and your students. Keep coming back for more!

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Thesis & Dissertation Title Page | Free Templates & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Title Page | Free Templates & Examples

Published on May 19, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

The title page (or cover page) of your thesis , dissertation , or research paper should contain all the key information about your document. It usually includes:

Dissertation or thesis title
The type of document (e.g., dissertation, research paper)
The department and institution
The degree program (e.g., Master of Arts)
The date of submission

It sometimes also includes your dissertation topic or field of study, your student number, your supervisor’s name, and your university’s logo.

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Title page format, title page templates, title page example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions.

Your department will usually tell you exactly what should be included on your title page and how it should be formatted. Be sure to check whether there are specific guidelines for margins, spacing, and font size.

Title pages for APA and MLA style

The format of your title page can also depend on the citation style you’re using. There may be guidelines in regards to alignment, page numbering, and mandatory elements.

MLA guidelines for formatting the title page
APA guidelines for formatting the title page

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We’ve created a few templates to help you design the title page for your thesis, dissertation, or research paper. You can download them in the format of your choice by clicking on the corresponding button.

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Thesis Google Doc

A typical example of a thesis title page looks like this:

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The title page of your thesis or dissertation should include your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

Your instructor requires one, or
Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

In most styles, the title page is used purely to provide information and doesn’t include any images. Ask your supervisor if you are allowed to include an image on the title page before doing so. If you do decide to include one, make sure to check whether you need permission from the creator of the image.

Include a note directly beneath the image acknowledging where it comes from, beginning with the word “ Note .” (italicized and followed by a period). Include a citation and copyright attribution . Don’t title, number, or label the image as a figure , since it doesn’t appear in your main text.

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George, T. (2023, July 18). Thesis & Dissertation Title Page | Free Templates & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/title-page/

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How to Create a Cover Page for a Research Paper

A well-designed cover page is an essential part of any research paper. It sets the tone for the entire document and provides a professional appearance. Creating a cover page may seem like a simple task, but there are a few key elements to consider to ensure it meets the necessary requirements. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating an effective cover page for your research paper.

1. Understand the requirements: Before you begin designing your cover page, it is important to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements set by your institution or instructor. These requirements may include the formatting style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago), font size, margins, and placement of certain elements.

2. Choose a title: Your research paper’s title should be concise, informative, and engaging. It should accurately reflect the content of your study. Avoid using long, convoluted titles and opt for a straightforward and descriptive one instead.

3. Add your name and affiliation: Include your full name and the name of your academic institution or organization. If there are multiple authors, mention them as well. Make sure to use the same font and size as the rest of your paper.

4. Insert a running head: A running head is a shortened version of your paper’s title that appears on every page of your document, including the cover page. It is usually placed in the upper left corner and should not exceed 50 characters. Follow the specific formatting guidelines of your chosen style.

5. Include a date: Adding the date of submission is essential. It provides a timeline for your research and helps readers understand the relevance of your work. Typically, the date is placed below the author’s name and institution.

6. Use a professional font: Choose a font that is easy to read and looks professional. Commonly accepted fonts include Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri. Avoid using decorative or overly stylized fonts that may distract the reader from the content.

7. Consider page margins and alignment: Ensure that your cover page is aligned correctly and follows the required page margins. Most styles recommend one-inch margins on all sides. Use consistent alignment for all elements on the page, such as centering the title and left-aligning the rest of the information.

8. Proofread and revise: Once you have created your cover page, carefully proofread it for any errors or inconsistencies. Check for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and proper formatting. A well-polished cover page reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1. Do all research papers require a cover page?

A1. The need for a cover page depends on the specific requirements set by your institution or instructor. It is best to check the guidelines provided or consult with your instructor to determine if a cover page is necessary.

Q2. Should I include a picture or graphic on the cover page?

A2. Generally, research paper cover pages do not include pictures or graphics. Stick to a clean and professional design that focuses on the essential information mentioned above.

Q3. Can I use a different font for the cover page?

A3. It is recommended to use the same font throughout your research paper, including the cover page. Consistency in font choice creates a cohesive and professional appearance.

Q4. How can I make my cover page stand out?

A4. While it is important to maintain a professional and consistent design, you can make your cover page stand out by using appropriate formatting, clear and concise language, and an engaging title that captures the essence of your research.

Q5. Should I use a different formatting style for the cover page?

A5. The formatting style for the cover page should be consistent with the rest of your research paper. Ensure that you adhere to the specific guidelines provided by your institution or instructor.

Q6. Can I include a subtitle on the cover page?

A6. Including a subtitle on the cover page is not necessary, but if it adds clarity to your research, you may include it below the main title.

Q7. Where should I place the page number on the cover page?

A7. Typically, the cover page does not include a page number. The numbering usually starts from the second page, which is the first page of the actual research paper.

In conclusion, a well-designed cover page is an important aspect of a research paper. By following the guidelines provided and paying attention to the specific requirements, you can create a professional and visually appealing cover page that sets the stage for your entire research.

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Posted on 21st June 2018

What’s a Title or Cover Page? And How Do I Make One?

By Cite This For Me

A title or cover page is exactly what you’d imagine—it’s the very front page of your academic essay or paper, which includes important information about your work. The function of a title or cover page is that it allows the reader to identify your work at a glance, but it can also help your assignments to look neater and more professionally put-together. Additionally, it provides a handy buffer against any finger smudges and will protect your work from whatever might be lurking at the bottom of your school bag!

Title or cover pages are common in work that’s formatted using the APA style rules, although you may also need to include them when following other popular formatting styles such as MLA or Chicago. If you’re unsure as to whether you need to create a title page, check with your teacher, tutor, or college advisor.

Failing to include a title page if required could give a negative first impression to whoever is reading your work. It could even cause you to lose marks for presentation, so don’t be tempted to skip this simple formatting task that should only take a few minutes to complete.

How to Make an APA Title Page

If you’ve been instructed to use APA style formatting then it’s likely that your tutor is expecting to see a title page including the following information:

Title of the paper
Author name
Author institution i.e. the name of your school, college or university
Running head i.e. an abridged title that features at the top left of every page

For example:

Title : Does The Internet Encourage Individualization?
Author : Roxanne Wells
Institution : The University of Derby
Running Head : Internet And Individualization

The above information should be centered (with the exception of the running head) and double-spaced, in Times New Roman font, size 12. See an APA example below:

How to Make an MLA Title Page

Title or cover pages are less common when following the MLA style of formatting. Instead, your tutor might prefer you to include a header with the required information at the top left of the first page of your assignment. These usually look like this:

Tutor/Professor name
Course name and number
Due date of the paper
Author: Roxanne Wells
Tutor/Professor Name: Professor Dale
Course: Sociology 100
Due Date: 1 May 2018

The above header should sit under a one-inch top margin, to the left of the page. It should be double-spaced and in a legible font (Times New Roman is a safe choice), size 12. The title of your essay should follow, centered, with the body of your work commencing underneath. In addition, every page should have a right-aligned header with the author’s last name and the page number.

If you do need to make up a cover page, however, you would set out the above information, plus the title/subtitle of your assignment and the name of your institution, centered and presented over a full page.

When it comes to creating a correctly formatted and professional-looking title page, we’ve got you covered!

Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Parts of a Paper / How to Write an Essay Cover Page

How to Write an Essay Cover Page

What you include in your cover page depends slightly on which citation style you are using, but the rules are generally the same.

Guide Overview

APA cover pages
MLA cover pages

For APA cover pages:

Include the title of the paper, running head, the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and an author’s note.

Here is an example of a cover page in APA:

For MLA cover pages:

Cover pages are not as frequently used in MLA format, as the inclusion of headers is preferred.

A header looks like this:

Cover pages can include the name of your school, your paper title, your name, your course name, your teacher or professor’s name, and the due date of the paper. If you are unsure of what to include, check with your instructor.

Here is an example of a cover page in MLA format:

For more help making cover or title pages, visit our title page generator here.

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MLA Format Cover Page

The Modern Language Association (MLA) does not require you to create a cover page when you complete your research paper, but some instructors may require it.

If your instructor requires your paper to have a cover page, here is how to make it (very easy). This cover page should include: your school name, your research paper title, your name, your class, your professor name and your paper due date.

How to Format Your MLA Cover Page:

This page is double spaced and the letters are centered.
Font: Times New Roman
Font size: 12
The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
Type the name of your university or college.
Skip to about one-third of the page and type your research paper title, include a subtitle if you have.
Skip several lines down and type your name, your course name and number, your instructor name and your paper’s due date.

Sample MLA Format Cover Page:

Sample MLA Format Cover Page

Alternate First Page:

If your instructor requires a cover page, you would omit the main heading on your first page. Here is an example of the first page if a cover page is used. You still need your last name and page number on the first page and every other page.

Sample MLA Format First Page with Cover Page

Sample MLA Paper:

Visit here for a sample paper with the cover page. The cover page can vary slightly. This paper also has the outline page for your sample.

If you find this website useful, please share with a friend:

How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages.

In word select the header then go to: Header & Footer>Page Number>Format Page Numbers>Page Numbering>Start at page>Set to 0

How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages. I am using windows. Also, the page numbers are not working for me either. Please help me.

How should I start the page after my cover page?

https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/

Thank you so much Stephen !!! Helped a lot in my written assignments 🙂

Great site ! Thank you so much. Just returned to school to complete my bachelors and needed a little refreshing. Has all the information I needed !

Thanks so much for all of the great information! I have not used MLA before and was a little panic stricken. I have found all of my answers here. This is now saved to my favorites so I can use it regularly. Thanks again!

Should the lines on the cover page be double spaced?

Thanks so much for the picture of the cover page it has helped a lot. But, I was wondering do I still need to put my Title at the top of every page after the header?

Hello Lydia. You do not.

After your cover page, your next page’s heading should look like the “Alternate First Page” above.

After the “Alternate First Page” => your next pages should have “The Inner Pages” heading: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/

Sample paper: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-sample-paper-with-cover-page-and-outline/

hey Lydia you don’t need to but if you want to you can

Thank you so so much. I love the simplicity of the website, very easy to understand. I finally have a cover page for my paper!!

I love this website!! It helped so many times with all my essays. I’m working on a college one and this was very useful. Thank you soo much. And thanks for the examples im a visual person I needed that 🙂

Hi Kaylin, I am glad you find this site useful. Take care!

By the way (sorry i forgot!) for the coverpage, would the text font be 12 times new roman???

You can set everything 12, Times New Roman. Or you can set the Title a little larger than 12, that should work too.

In the example above, I have the title larger than 12.

Here is an example with everything set at 12.

Thank you so much for your help on this useful website! I found it very organized and I’m very glad that I came across this particular article. Thanks!!!!!!!:)

I have a question regarding the cover page and the following pages. If I have a cover page as the example provided, do I still need the heading on the next page? And should the pages after that contain my last name on the top left as the header does on the on the previous pages? or do I not need the header at all if I have the cover page and just my name?

Excellence question, Stella! I have updated this article with information on the first page if a cover page is used. Please see “Alternate First Page” above.

You can omit the main heading but you still need your last name and page number on the first page and all subsequent pages. Take care!

A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

The start of the semester is the perfect time to learn how to create and format APA Style student papers. This article walks through the formatting steps needed to create an APA Style student paper, starting with a basic setup that applies to the entire paper (margins, font, line spacing, paragraph alignment and indentation, and page headers). It then covers formatting for the major sections of a student paper: the title page, the text, tables and figures, and the reference list. Finally, it concludes by describing how to organize student papers and ways to improve their quality and presentation.

The guidelines for student paper setup are described and shown using annotated diagrams in the Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3.40MB) and the A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Style Student Papers webinar . Chapter 1 of the Concise Guide to APA Style and Chapter 2 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association describe the elements, format, and organization for student papers. Tables and figures are covered in Chapter 7 of both books. Information on paper format and tables and figures and a full sample student paper are also available on the APA Style website.

Basic setup

The guidelines for basic setup apply to the entire paper. Perform these steps when you first open your document, and then you do not have to worry about them again while writing your paper. Because these are general aspects of paper formatting, they apply to all APA Style papers, student or professional. Students should always check with their assigning instructor or institution for specific guidelines for their papers, which may be different than or in addition to APA Style guidelines.

Seventh edition APA Style was designed with modern word-processing programs in mind. Most default settings in programs such as Academic Writer, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs already comply with APA Style. This means that, for most paper elements, you do not have to make any changes to the default settings of your word-processing program. However, you may need to make a few adjustments before you begin writing.

Use 1-in. margins on all sides of the page (top, bottom, left, and right). This is usually how papers are automatically set.

Use a legible font. The default font of your word-processing program is acceptable. Many sans serif and serif fonts can be used in APA Style, including 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 12-point Times New Roman, and 11-point Georgia. You can also use other fonts described on the font page of the website.

Line spacing

Double-space the entire paper including the title page, block quotations, and the reference list. This is something you usually must set using the paragraph function of your word-processing program. But once you do, you will not have to change the spacing for the entirety of your paper–just double-space everything. Do not add blank lines before or after headings. Do not add extra spacing between paragraphs. For paper sections with different line spacing, see the line spacing page.

Paragraph alignment and indentation

Align all paragraphs of text in the body of your paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin ragged. Do not use full justification. Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5-in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. For paper sections with different alignment and indentation, see the paragraph alignment and indentation page.

Page numbers

Put a page number in the top right of every page header , including the title page, starting with page number 1. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word-processing program to insert the page number in the top right corner; do not type the page numbers manually. The page number is the same font and font size as the text of your paper. Student papers do not require a running head on any page, unless specifically requested by the instructor.

Title page setup

Title page elements.

APA Style has two title page formats: student and professional (for details, see title page setup ). Unless instructed otherwise, students should use the student title page format and include the following elements, in the order listed, on the title page:

Paper title.
Name of each author (also known as the byline).
Affiliation for each author.
Course number and name.
Instructor name.
Assignment due date.
Page number 1 in the top right corner of the page header.

The format for the byline depends on whether the paper has one author, two authors, or three or more authors.

When the paper has one author, write the name on its own line (e.g., Jasmine C. Hernandez).
When the paper has two authors, write the names on the same line and separate them with the word “and” (e.g., Upton J. Wang and Natalia Dominguez).
When the paper has three or more authors, separate the names with commas and include “and” before the final author’s name (e.g., Malia Mohamed, Jaylen T. Brown, and Nia L. Ball).

Students have an academic affiliation, which identities where they studied when the paper was written. Because students working together on a paper are usually in the same class, they will have one shared affiliation. The affiliation consists of the name of the department and the name of the college or university, separated by a comma (e.g., Department of Psychology, George Mason University). The department is that of the course to which the paper is being submitted, which may be different than the department of the student’s major. Do not include the location unless it is part of the institution’s name.

Write the course number and name and the instructor name as shown on institutional materials (e.g., the syllabus). The course number and name are often separated by a colon (e.g., PST-4510: History and Systems Psychology). Write the assignment due date in the month, date, and year format used in your country (e.g., Sept. 10, 2020).

Title page line spacing

Double-space the whole title page. Place the paper title three or four lines down from the top of the page. Add an extra double-spaced blank like between the paper title and the byline. Then, list the other title page elements on separate lines, without extra lines in between.

Title page alignment

Center all title page elements (except the right-aligned page number in the header).

Title page font

Write the title page using the same font and font size as the rest of your paper. Bold the paper title. Use standard font (i.e., no bold, no italics) for all other title page elements.

Text elements

Repeat the paper title at the top of the first page of text. Begin the paper with an introduction to provide background on the topic, cite related studies, and contextualize the paper. Use descriptive headings to identify other sections as needed (e.g., Method, Results, Discussion for quantitative research papers). Sections and headings vary depending on the paper type and its complexity. Text can include tables and figures, block quotations, headings, and footnotes.

Text line spacing

Double-space all text, including headings and section labels, paragraphs of text, and block quotations.

Text alignment

Center the paper title on the first line of the text. Indent the first line of all paragraphs 0.5-in.

Left-align the text. Leave the right margin ragged.

Block quotation alignment

Indent the whole block quotation 0.5-in. from the left margin. Double-space the block quotation, the same as other body text. Find more information on the quotations page.

Use the same font throughout the entire paper. Write body text in standard (nonbold, nonitalic) font. Bold only headings and section labels. Use italics sparingly, for instance, to highlight a key term on first use (for more information, see the italics page).

Headings format

For detailed guidance on formatting headings, including headings in the introduction of a paper, see the headings page and the headings in sample papers .

Alignment: Center Level 1 headings. Left-align Level 2 and Level 3 headings. Indent Level 4 and Level 5 headings like a regular paragraph.
Font: Boldface all headings. Also italicize Level 3 and Level 5 headings. Create heading styles using your word-processing program (built into AcademicWriter, available for Word via the sample papers on the APA Style website).

Tables and figures setup

Tables and figures are only included in student papers if needed for the assignment. Tables and figures share the same elements and layout. See the website for sample tables and sample figures .

Table elements

Tables include the following four elements:

Body (rows and columns)
Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the table)

Figure elements

Figures include the following four elements:

Image (chart, graph, etc.)
Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the figure)

Table line spacing

Double-space the table number and title. Single-, 1.5-, or double-space the table body (adjust as needed for readability). Double-space the table note.

Figure line spacing

Double-space the figure number and title. The default settings for spacing in figure images is usually acceptable (but adjust the spacing as needed for readability). Double-space the figure note.

Table alignment

Left-align the table number and title. Center column headings. Left-align the table itself and left-align the leftmost (stub) column. Center data in the table body if it is short or left-align the data if it is long. Left-align the table note.

Figure alignment

Left-align the figure number and title. Left-align the whole figure image. The default alignment of the program in which you created your figure is usually acceptable for axis titles and data labels. Left-align the figure note.

Bold the table number. Italicize the table title. Use the same font and font size in the table body as the text of your paper. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the table note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Figure font

Bold the figure number. Italicize the figure title. Use a sans serif font (e.g., Calibri, Arial) in the figure image in a size between 8 to 14 points. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the figure note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Placement of tables and figures

There are two options for the placement of tables and figures in an APA Style paper. The first option is to place all tables and figures on separate pages after the reference list. The second option is to embed each table and figure within the text after its first callout. This guide describes options for the placement of tables and figures embedded in the text. If your instructor requires tables and figures to be placed at the end of the paper, see the table and figure guidelines and the sample professional paper .

Call out (mention) the table or figure in the text before embedding it (e.g., write “see Figure 1” or “Table 1 presents”). You can place the table or figure after the callout either at the bottom of the page, at the top of the next page, or by itself on the next page. Avoid placing tables and figures in the middle of the page.

Embedding at the bottom of the page

Include a callout to the table or figure in the text before that table or figure. Add a blank double-spaced line between the text and the table or figure at the bottom of the page.

Embedding at the top of the page

Include a callout to the table in the text on the previous page before that table or figure. The table or figure then appears at the top of the next page. Add a blank double-spaced line between the end of the table or figure and the text that follows.

Embedding on its own page

Embed long tables or large figures on their own page if needed. The text continues on the next page.

Reference list setup

Reference list elements.

The reference list consists of the “References” section label and the alphabetical list of references. View reference examples on the APA Style website. Consult Chapter 10 in both the Concise Guide and Publication Manual for even more examples.

Reference list line spacing

Start the reference list at the top of a new page after the text. Double-space the entire reference list (both within and between entries).

Reference list alignment

Center the “References” label. Apply a hanging indent of 0.5-in. to all reference list entries. Create the hanging indent using your word-processing program; do not manually hit the enter and tab keys.

Reference list font

Bold the “References” label at the top of the first page of references. Use italics within reference list entries on either the title (e.g., webpages, books, reports) or on the source (e.g., journal articles, edited book chapters).

Final checks

Check page order.

Start each section on a new page.
Arrange pages in the following order:
Title page (page 1).
Text (starts on page 2).
Reference list (starts on a new page after the text).

Check headings

Check that headings accurately reflect the content in each section.
Start each main section with a Level 1 heading.
Use Level 2 headings for subsections of the introduction.
Use the same level of heading for sections of equal importance.
Avoid having only one subsection within a section (have two or more, or none).

Check assignment instructions

Remember that instructors’ guidelines supersede APA Style.
Students should check their assignment guidelines or rubric for specific content to include in their papers and to make sure they are meeting assignment requirements.

Tips for better writing

Ask for feedback on your paper from a classmate, writing center tutor, or instructor.
Budget time to implement suggestions.
Use spell-check and grammar-check to identify potential errors, and then manually check those flagged.
Proofread the paper by reading it slowly and carefully aloud to yourself.
Consult your university writing center if you need extra help.

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Academic essay overview
The writing process
Structuring academic essays
Types of academic essays
Academic writing overview
Sentence structure
Academic writing process
Improving your academic writing
Titles and headings
APA style overview
APA citation & referencing
APA structure & sections
Citation & referencing
Structure and sections
APA examples overview
Commonly used citations
Other examples
British English vs. American English
Chicago style overview
Chicago citation & referencing
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Chicago style examples
Citing sources overview
Citation format
Citation examples
College essay overview
Application
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Definitions
Dissertation overview
Dissertation structure & sections
Dissertation writing process
Graduate school overview
Application & admission
Study abroad
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Harvard referencing overview
Language rules overview
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Methodology overview
Analyzing data
Experiments
Observations
Inductive vs. Deductive
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
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Theories & Concepts
Types of research studies
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MLA style overview
MLA examples
MLA citation & referencing
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Plagiarism overview
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Research bias overview
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Cover Page – APA, MLA & Chicago Style With Examples

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In the academic and professional realms, the presentation of written work is nearly as crucial as the content itself. The most popular guidelines are the APA, MLA, and Chicago style. Each has its unique specifications and nuances, particularly when it comes to crafting the cover page , a pivotal aspect that provides the first impression of any document. This article delves into the distinct features and requirements with examples .

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1 Cover page in a nutshell
2 Definition: Cover page
3 When is a cover page used?
4 Essentials of a cover page
6 Cover page for students

Cover page in a nutshell

What is a cover page? A cover page is also called the title page and is the first page of an academic essay or other kinds of academic papers. It displays its title, the author’s name, and other relevant information, serving as an introduction or a preview of what’s inside. Think of it like the cover of a book, giving a glimpse of what the content is about.

Definition: Cover page

The cover page serves as a representation of the author. The format will differ based on the style you choose. It typically contains:

Name of the author
Name of the professor
Name of the student’s educational establishment
Due date of the paper

The topic of the paper and the course name are always included on the title page, regardless of the format used. As the name suggests, it is placed at the front of the paper and is the first thing your professor will see when they receive your paper. When writing an academic paper, you have to adhere to certain established standards. A cover page is required for many papers, as it introduces the professor to the project. In this article, we will look at the different types and their formats.

When is a cover page used?

A cover page is used in various academic, professional, and publishing contexts to provide a clear and organized introduction to a document. Its usage can vary based on the style guide in reference. Here’s a brief overview of when it is used in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles .

APA style always requires a title page for both student papers and professional articles or studies. You can read more in our article about the APA format title pages.
Title of the paper, author’s name, institutional affiliation, course name and number (for students), instructor’s name (for students), and due date
MLA style does not typically require a title page for research papers , unless specifically requested by the instructor. Instead, essential details are usually placed in the top-left corner of the first page.
Title, name of the author, instructor’s name, course, and date

Chicago style

Its usage depends on specific publication or institutional requirements. For formal publications and individual assignments, a title page is typically preferred.
Title, author’s name, often the specific class or course information, and date of submission

Essentials of a cover page

A cover page requires:

A running head
The title of your academic paper
The name of your university
The name of the author or authors

Besides these requirements, your professor may ask you to add extra information . As mentioned earlier, you should refer to the latest guidelines to see how the cover should be formatted. With APA style, you have to use 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1-inch margins.

The running head has to be left-aligned, and it should be capitalized. Besides the ‘running head,’ your header should have a maximum of 50 characters.

The title of your paper should also be properly formatted. It should be in the title case, meaning the first letters of every word is capitalized. The only words that should not be capitalized are small words like articles and prepositions . The title should be no more than 12 words in length. For the title, you should use whole words only. Avoid contractions and abbreviations.

The names of the authors should also be properly formatted. If multiple authors were involved in writing the paper, they should all be mentioned, along with the institutions they are affiliated with. Students with different affiliations should be listed separately.

The cover page should not be spruced up unnecessarily. Its only objective is to provide the reader or professor with essential information. Don’t use colored paper, colored text, or fancy images to make it look more attractive. That will only make you appear less professional.

There are as many kinds of cover pages as there are academic writing formats. The most commonly used cover page formats are MLA , APA , and Chicago . The difference lies in their format and content. Here is an overview of each of these types.

APA cover page

The APA format cover page should start with the running head, positioned at the top left of your paper. The page number is on the top right. Your paper title is to be in title case, in the upper half of the page. For the title, you simply respect the rules for capitalization in titles . APA recommends that your title should be 12 words in length or less, and it should not include any abbreviations or contractions. Words that serve no purpose should also be left out. The title can take up one or two lines.

The information for an APA format cover is below the title of your paper, then the names of the authors and their institutional affiliations are listed. The author’s name should include first name, middle initial(s), and last name. The titles of the author(s) and their educational qualifications should not be included in this part of the paper. The institutional affiliation is included under the author’s name, and it shows where the researcher carried out the research.

For more information, read our article about the APA cover page .

MLA cover page

When using an MLA format cover page, it is not required. Your instructor will let you know whether they require a cover. For some assignments, a cover can make your paper look more professional, so you should always consider adding one. For MLA, you will have to include:

School or university name
Title of your paper
Name of the class
Name of your professor
Date of submission

Note: Different instructors may have different style requirements. You may need to add other details to the cover page.

Like in APA, the format cover page is double-spaced and the letters are centered on the page. The name of your university should be typed first, after which you can skip down to a third of the page and add the title of the research paper. From here, you can skip several lines and add the rest of the details. These details should be on the bottom half of the page.

Chicago style cover page

Usually, the Chicago style does not require a cover. However, they may be requested for individual assignments. In this case, the Chicago cover page includes the title of your page, the name of the author, the name of your teacher, the course title, and the due date. The title should be typed at about one-third of the way down the page. Some professors accept covers using 11 pt. Arial font, but the most widely used font is 12 pt. Times New Roman. You should generally avoid using fancy fonts or underlining the text. You can only use bold for the title and subtitle. The page should be double-spaced. The page number should not be included in a Chicago style cover page.

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Cover page for students

Creating a student cover page involves considering the essential elements that offer a concise overview of the work, while also adhering to any style or formatting guidelines in place. Here’s a general outline of what should be included.

Title of the document/paper Ideally placed at the center of the page Should be specific and concise, capturing the essence of the paper
Student’s name Usually positioned under the title Full name is recommended unless specified otherwise
Course name and code Essential for academic submissions to ensure the paper reaches the correct instructor or department
Instructor/professor’s name Specify the honorific title (e.g., Dr., Prof.) if applicable
Date of submission Can be written in different formats (e.g., September 21, 2023, or 21-09-2023) depending on institutional or style guide preferences
Institution Name Name of the school, college, or university
Class or section If applicable Especially useful for larger courses with multiple sections
Assignment number or type Optional E.g., “Assignment 1”, “Final Project”, “Research Paper”, etc.

Formatting tips

Use a readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Typically, a 12 pt. font size is recommended. Details on the cover are usually double-spaced for clarity. Ensure you have standard margins (typically 1 inch, so 2.54 cm, on all sides) unless specified otherwise by your institution or style guide. Most of the details are typically centered on the page, but some style guides might have different requirements. Always refer to specific institutional guidelines or the requested style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) as they may have distinct stipulations for page composition.

How do you write a title page for an essay?

The title page of your academic essay should be simple and straightforward, and it should only consist of text. For the cover page design, you should consult the latest manual of your institution. You may be required to use a certain style of formatting, such as APA, or MLA. The requirements for an APA title page differ from the requirements of an MLA title page .

Does the title page count as one page?

The title page will take up a whole page of your essay. However, it does not count as one page in terms of the page count for your essay . The table of contents and bibliography are also not included in the word/page count of your essay.

How do you format the names of multiple authors?

If more than one person was involved in writing the paper, all the names should be clearly indicated. The format used will depend on the affiliations of the authors and the institution that they’re working with. For an APA cover page, the authors should be listed below the title of the paper. List their first names, middle initials, and last names with any titles and qualifications.

Is a cover page always required?

The cover page is typically required when you use the APA citation style. With the MLA and Chicago formats, your instructor will advise you on whether you have to include a cover. However, more often than not, MLA formatting does not require a title page.

Will you be penalized for adding a cover page when it is not required?

No instructor will penalize you for including a cover page when it is not strictly required. You should consider adding one if you are uncertain whether it is required for your academic writing work. Nevertheless, you should check with your institution anyway to ensure that you’re fulfilling all requirements.

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Does APA style require a cover page for short student papers?

My students are required to use APA style. I'm familiar with the research paper format, which requires a separate title page (like a cover page). This makes sense for longer papers, but how should students format the first page of a one- or two-page assignment?

My question is: What do students do if the paper is one to two pages? How do they format their name and information w/o a title page?

In the style guides, I can only find information for research papers.

4 I'm surprised that you aren't in complete control here. What is the external force requiring this? – Buffy Commented Feb 19, 2020 at 20:37

3 Answers 3

General points : APA style is principally designed for submitting manuscripts to academic journals.

When it is used as a style guide for student assessments at universities, it is common for the requirements to be adapted. So for example, many people completing honours, masters, or PhD theses in the behavioural sciences will use APA style for referencing. But their university may have other requirements for the formatting of title pages, heading formats, line spacing, paragraph indentation and so on. Or these details may be left up to the student.

If you are setting the assignment, you are free to pick and choose which aspects of APA style you want students to follow.

Your specific question: Note that APA style calls it a "Title Page" rather than a "Cover Page". Any manuscript submitted to a journal using APA style requires a title page (i.e., with title, author names, affiliations, author note, etc.). Those who create a university assignment based on APA style are free to adopt or not adopt aspects of APA style when it pertains to APA style. In some respects it doesn't even make sense to fully adopt APA style for Title pages on student assignments. For example, you wouldn't require them to provide a "corresponding author address" (a key requirement of APA style title pages), but you would require them to include their student number.

Well, that's really what APA style is there for: Research papers. If you're using it for a different purpose, then it presumably doesn't have much to say about these other cases.

But: I assume you are requiring your students to use APA style because you want them to learn how to write research papers in APA style. In that case, it makes sense to let your students pretend that their short papers are research papers. So then, if APA requires a cover page for research papers, you should also require a cover page for student papers.

The APA style guide has specific instructions for how to format the title page for "student papers", i.e. course essays etc. It provides specific instructions of where to put things like the name of the courses and instructor.

Rule number 1 is that any rules set by the instructor (you) or University trump those of the style guide.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

MLA General Format

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

MLA Style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and citing research in writing. MLA Style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages.

Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by demonstrating accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the purposeful or accidental uncredited use of source material produced by other writers.

If you are asked to use MLA format, be sure to consult the MLA Handbook (9th edition). Publishing scholars and graduate students should also consult the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd edition). The MLA Handbook is available in most writing centers and reference libraries. It is also widely available in bookstores, libraries, and at the MLA web site. See the Additional Resources section of this page for a list of helpful books and sites about using MLA Style.

Paper Format

The preparation of papers and manuscripts in MLA Style is covered in part four of the MLA Style Manual . Below are some basic guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA Style :

General Guidelines

Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
Double-space the text of your paper and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are each distinct from one another. The font size should be 12 pt.
Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise prompted by your instructor).
Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
Indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the “Tab” key as opposed to pushing the space bar five times.
Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)
Use italics throughout your essay to indicate the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, provide emphasis.
If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted).

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested or the paper is assigned as a group project. In the case of a group project, list all names of the contributors, giving each name its own line in the header, followed by the remaining MLA header requirements as described below. Format the remainder of the page as requested by the instructor.
In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks. Write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text. For example: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
Double space between the title and the first line of the text.
Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number. Number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor or other readers may ask that you omit the last name/page number header on your first page. Always follow instructor guidelines.)

Here is a sample of the first page of a paper in MLA style:

The First Page of an MLA Paper

Section Headings

Writers sometimes use section headings to improve a document’s readability. These sections may include individual chapters or other named parts of a book or essay.

MLA recommends that when dividing an essay into sections you number those sections with an Arabic number and a period followed by a space and the section name.

MLA does not have a prescribed system of headings for books (for more information on headings, please see page 146 in the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing , 3rd edition). If you are only using one level of headings, meaning that all of the sections are distinct and parallel and have no additional sections that fit within them, MLA recommends that these sections resemble one another grammatically. For instance, if your headings are typically short phrases, make all of the headings short phrases (and not, for example, full sentences). Otherwise, the formatting is up to you. It should, however, be consistent throughout the document.

If you employ multiple levels of headings (some of your sections have sections within sections), you may want to provide a key of your chosen level headings and their formatting to your instructor or editor.

Sample Section Headings

The following sample headings are meant to be used only as a reference. You may employ whatever system of formatting that works best for you so long as it remains consistent throughout the document.

Formatted, unnumbered:

Level 1 Heading: bold, flush left

Level 2 Heading: italics, flush left

Level 3 Heading: centered, bold

Level 4 Heading: centered, italics

Level 5 Heading: underlined, flush left

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MLA Format Cover Page

The Modern Language Association (MLA) does not require you to create a cover page when you complete your research paper, but some instructors may require it.

How to Format Your MLA Cover Page:

This page is double spaced and the letters are centered.
Font: Times New Roman
Font size: 12
The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
Type the name of your university, college or high school.
Skip to about one-third of the page and type your research paper title, include a subtitle if you have.
Skip several lines down and type your name, your course name and number, your instructor name and your paper due date.

Sample MLA Format Cover Page:

Sample MLA Format Cover Page

Alternate First Page (Important):

If your instructor requires a cover page, you would omit the main heading on your first page.

Here is an example of the first page if a cover page is used. You still need your last name and page number on the first page and every other page.

Sample MLA Format First Page with Cover Page

Sample MLA Paper:

Visit here for a sample paper with the cover page. The cover page can vary slightly. This paper also has the outline page for your sample.

For some reason, it warms my heart to see people saying “thanks” in this era — despite how old this guide is. OP is here saving lives in the year 2024 o7

HA! An example of: an oldie but a goodie. Some of these things never go out of use, and I extend another thank you to OP. 🙂

ty ty ty ty

thank you sir

thank you so much for this amazing guide

thanks a lot!

this was very helpful thank you mrs. silvey

yeah thanks mrs. story

Thank you for the example of the cover page.

thank mrs story

Thank You Ms. K! (¬‿¬)

IMAGES

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10+ Printable Research Paper Cover Page Sample in MS Word
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COMMENTS

How to Make a Cover Page: APA and MLA Format
1 On the first line of the page, write the first student's name. 2 If there are other authors, write each name on its own line after the first. 3 On the line after the final author, write the name of the instructor. You don't need to include their full name, but it's best to use their title, such as "Professor Green.".
Title Page Setup
Align the running head to the left margin. Do not use the label "Running head:" before the running head. Prediction errors support children's word learning. Page number. Use the page number 1 on the title page. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processing program to insert page numbers in the top right corner of the ...
APA Title Page (Cover Page) Format, Example, & Templates
In APA Style (7th edition), the cover page, or title page, should include: A running head (professional papers only) and page number. The title of the paper. The name of the author (s) The institutional affiliation. An author note; optional (professional papers only) A student paper should also include course information.
PDF Student Paper Setup Guide, APA Style 7th Edition
Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.
APA Title Page (7th edition)
Page header. For a student title page, the page header consists of just a page number in the top-right corner. There is no need for a running head (as was the case in APA 6th edition). A professional title page does have a running head. The running head is an abbreviated version of the paper title in all capital letters.
How to Create a Title Page in APA Format, With Examples
Add one empty, double-spaced line between the title and the byline. Names are written in standard font (no bold or italics). Names are centered. If there are two authors, separate their names with the word and. If there are three or more authors, separate their names with commas and the word and before the final name.
PDF Student Title Page Guide, APA Style 7th Edition
Title Page Content. student title page includes the following elements: title of the paper. author(s) ° include the full names of all authors of the paper; use the form first name, middle initial, last name (e.g., Betsy R. Klein) ° if two authors, separate with the word "and". (e.g., Ainsley E. Baum and Lucy K. Reid)
MLA Title Page
MLA title page format. To create an MLA format title page, list the following on separate lines, left-aligned at the top of the page: Then leave a few blank lines and list the title of the paper, centered and in title case, halfway down the page. All text should be double-spaced and in the same font as the rest of the paper.
APA Header, Cover Page & Body
Here are the most important style guidelines from the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual: Use a standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″). Set margins of 1 inch on all sides. Add a page header ("running head") at the top of every page. Keep the running head short (50 characters). Mention the page number on every page.
Thesis & Dissertation Title Page
The title page (or cover page) of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper should contain all the key information about your document. It usually includes: Dissertation or thesis title. Your name. The type of document (e.g., dissertation, research paper) The department and institution. The degree program (e.g., Master of Arts)
Creating an MLA title page
Here are the steps you need to take to create the perfect MLA title page: At the top of the page, type the name of your high school, college, or university (if applicable). Skip down approximately one-third of the page and type the title of your research paper using title case.
Formatting an APA title page
As a student, you need to include the following details in the same order on the title page of your student paper. Page number: This appears in the header section. Set the page number in the top-right corner of the header. Title of the paper: Set it in title case and bold. Align it to the center.
How to Create a Cover Page for a Research Paper
A1. The need for a cover page depends on the specific requirements set by your institution or instructor. It is best to check the guidelines provided or consult with your instructor to determine if a cover page is necessary. Q2. Should I include a picture or graphic on the cover page? A2. Generally, research paper cover pages do not include ...
What's a Title or Cover Page? And How Do I Make One?
In addition, every page should have a right-aligned header with the author's last name and the page number. See an MLA example below: If you do need to make up a cover page, however, you would set out the above information, plus the title/subtitle of your assignment and the name of your institution, centered and presented over a full page.
APA Sample Paper
Crucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper. However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in student style and one in professional style. Note: For accessibility purposes, we have used "Track Changes" to make comments along the margins of these samples.
PDF Formatting a Research Paper
Do not use a period after your title or after any heading in the paper (e.g., Works Cited). Begin your text on a new, double-spaced line after the title, indenting the first line of the paragraph half an inch from the left margin. Fig. 1. The top of the first page of a research paper.
How to Write an Essay Cover Page
Cover pages can include the name of your school, your paper title, your name, your course name, your teacher or professor's name, and the due date of the paper. If you are unsure of what to include, check with your instructor. Here is an example of a cover page in MLA format: For more help making cover or title pages, visit our title page ...
MLA Format Cover Page
How to Format Your MLA Cover Page: This page is double spaced and the letters are centered. Font: Times New Roman. Font size: 12. The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of ...
A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers
Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word-processing program to insert the page number in the top right corner; do not type the page numbers manually. The page number is the same font and font size as the text of your paper. Student papers do not require a running head on any page, unless specifically requested by the instructor.
Cover Page
APA cover page. The APA format cover page should start with the running head, positioned at the top left of your paper.The page number is on the top right. Your paper title is to be in title case, in the upper half of the page. For the title, you simply respect the rules for capitalization in titles.APA recommends that your title should be 12 words in length or less, and it should not include ...
Does APA style require a cover page for short student papers?
The APA style guide has specific instructions for how to format the title page for "student papers", i.e. course essays etc. It provides specific instructions of where to put things like the name of the courses and instructor. Rule number 1 is that any rules set by the instructor (you) or University trump those of the style guide.
MLA General Format
In the case of a group project, list all names of the contributors, giving each name its own line in the header, followed by the remaining MLA header requirements as described below. Format the remainder of the page as requested by the instructor. In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the ...
MLA Format Cover Page
How to Format Your MLA Cover Page: This page is double spaced and the letters are centered. Font: Times New Roman. Font size: 12. The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of ...

APA Title Page (Cover Page) Format, Example, & Templates

Professional paper APA title page

Student paper APA title page

Formatting an APA title page

Running Head

Place the running head in the page’s header:

Paper Title

Author Name(s)

Further Information

Academic Editing and Proofreading

Academic Research

Academic Writing & Publishing

A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Formatting Style (7th Edition)

Checklist: Dissertation Proposal

Examples: Edited Papers

What is APA formatting?

Why do we use APA formatting when writing research papers?

What is APA formatting used for?

General APA formatting guidelines:

Page formatting under APA 7

1. APA cover page format

Running head

APA cover page formatting guidelines

Cover page formatting tips for student papers

Cover page formatting tips for professional papers

2. APA header

3. APA headings and subheadings

4. APA abstract

5. Text

6. APA reference page

7. APA formatted tables and figures

APA format guidelines for tables

Formatting guidelines for figures

Frequently Asked Questions

2 comments on “ A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Formatting Style (7th Edition) ”

Your vs. You’re: When to Use Your and You’re

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Title pages for APA and MLA style

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What’s a Title or Cover Page? And How Do I Make One?

How to Make an APA Title Page

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How to Write an Essay Cover Page

Guide Overview

For APA cover pages:

For MLA cover pages:

EasyBib Writing Resources

EasyBib Plus Features

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How to Format Your MLA Cover Page:

Sample MLA Format Cover Page:

Alternate First Page:

Sample MLA Paper:

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A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

Basic setup

Line spacing

Paragraph alignment and indentation

Page numbers

Title page setup

Title page line spacing

Title page alignment

Title page font

Text elements

Text line spacing

Text alignment

Block quotation alignment

Headings format

Tables and figures setup

Table elements

Figure elements