how do you write a cover page for an essay

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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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Tips for creating an engaging essay cover page to impress your readers.

When it comes to academic essays, the cover page is the first thing your reader or instructor will see. It’s essential to make a good first impression, so having a well-designed and professional cover page is crucial.

Creating an effective cover page requires attention to detail and adherence to formatting guidelines. In this article, we will provide you with tips on how to create a standout cover page that will enhance the overall presentation of your essay.

Tips for Crafting a Compelling Cover Page

When creating a cover page for your essay, it is important to make it compelling and attention-grabbing. Here are some tips to help you craft a standout cover page:

1. Choose a clean and professional font that is easy to read.

2. Use a font size that is large enough to be easily visible, but not too big that it overwhelms the page.

3. Include the title of your essay in a prominent position at the center of the page.

4. Add your name, course title, instructor’s name, and date below the title in a smaller font size.

5. Consider using a subtle border or a colored background to make your cover page visually appealing.

6. Make sure the information on your cover page is aligned properly and evenly spaced.

7. Double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors before finalizing your cover page.

By following these tips, you can create a compelling cover page that sets the tone for your essay and makes a great first impression on your readers.

Key Elements to Include

• Title of the essay
• Institutional affiliation (if applicable)
• Date of submission
• Title of the course or class
• Instructor’s name
• Word count (if required)

These elements will help provide essential information about your essay and ensure that your cover page is complete and professional.

Choosing the Right Format

When creating a cover page for your essay, it is essential to choose the right format. The format you choose should align with the requirements of your academic institution or the specific guidelines provided by your instructor. Some common formats for cover pages include APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard styles.

APA: If you are following APA style, your cover page should include the title of the paper, the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and the date. The title should be centered and written in title case.

MLA: In MLA format, the cover page is not required. Instead, the necessary information is included on the first page of the essay, including the student’s name, instructor’s name, course name, and date. The title of the essay is centered.

Chicago: Chicago style cover pages typically include the title of the paper, the author’s name, course information, and the date. The title is centered, and it may include a subtitle if necessary.

Harvard: Harvard style cover pages usually feature the title of the essay, the author’s name, the course name, and the date. The title is centered, and the author’s name is placed below the title.

Before creating your cover page, be sure to consult the specific guidelines for the format you are using to ensure that you include all the necessary information in the correct placement.

Design and Layout Suggestions

1. Keep it Simple: A clean and minimalistic design is often the most effective. Avoid cluttering the cover page with too many elements.

2. Use Consistent Fonts: Choose a readable font for the title and make sure all text is consistent throughout the page.

3. Incorporate Visuals: Consider using relevant images or graphics that enhance the theme of your essay, but don’t overload the page with visuals.

4. Align Elements Properly: Ensure that all elements on the cover page are aligned neatly and in a visually pleasing way.

5. Include Necessary Information: Make sure to include essential details such as the title of the essay, your name, course information, and date.

6. Use Colors Wisely: Choose a color scheme that is appropriate for the topic and maintain consistency in color use throughout the page.

7. Leave Ample White Space: White space can help make your cover page look more professional and organized. Don’t be afraid of empty spaces.

Importance of Clear and Concise Information

When designing your cover page, it is crucial to provide clear and concise information that effectively communicates the purpose of your essay. A well-designed cover page should include key details such as the title of your essay, your name, the course name, the instructor’s name, and the date of submission.

Clear and concise information helps the reader understand the content of your essay at a glance. It sets the tone for your work and creates a professional impression. Avoid cluttering the cover page with unnecessary details or distracting design elements that can confuse the reader.

By presenting information in a clear and concise manner, you demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to delivering a well-organized piece of writing. A visually appealing cover page with relevant and succinct information can make a positive first impression on your readers and showcase your professionalism.

Tying It All Together with a Strong Title

Once you have crafted your cover page layout and included all the necessary information, it’s time to tie it all together with a strong title. Your title should be clear, engaging, and relevant to the content of your essay. It should give readers a preview of what to expect and entice them to dive into your work.

Consider using a title that is catchy and captures the essence of your essay. Avoid generic titles that do not provide any insight into the topic or argument of your paper. A strong title can make a significant difference in grabbing the attention of your readers and setting the tone for your essay.

Make sure your title is prominently placed on your cover page and is formatted in a way that stands out. You can use a larger font size, bold text, or a different color to make your title pop. Remember, your title is the first thing readers will see, so make it count!

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How to Make a Cover Page: Illustrative Formatting Examples

Table of contents

• 1.1 MLA Style Cover Page
• 1.2 APA Style Cover Page Format
• 1.3 Chicago Style Cover Page Format
• 1.4 ASA Style Cover Page
• 1.5 Harvard Cover Page Format
• 1.6 Bottom line

A perfect cover page is an essential part of an essay’s presentation. It can make a great first impression on your instructor and set the tone for your essay. First, to write a cover page, understand your assignment’s formatting requirements. This includes the required format for the cover page, which may vary depending on your instructor’s or institution’s guide.

Once you have this information, you can create a title page that looks professional. It should include the title of your essay , your name, the course title, and other pertinent details. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a cover page for an essay. This article will show the following:

• We’ll describe how a good cover page should look.
• In the article, we offer you examples of different formats of a cover page, including MLA, APA, and more.
• You’ll know the measurements you require to position some cover page aspects.

What Does a Paper Cover Page Look Like?

Creating a cover page for an essay in grade school was simple – add your name and date, and it’s done. However, structuring an essay and following grammar rules in university involves multiple steps that may be unfamiliar to you. But knowing how to format an essay can make the process easier. However, it can be overwhelming to determine the appropriate structure and ensure that your essay adheres to grammatical rules.

A well-designed cover page is crucial for an essay’s presentation; many students wonder how to make one. Therefore, we have compiled a guide on creating a title page for the most commonly used citation formats you may come across.

A cover page is a separate page at the beginning of your academic essay. It contains the title and author’s name and may also feature details like page number, course name, instructor name, and more. Remember that it’s essential to format your page consistently with the rest of your essay.

Use these tips when writing your cover page:

• Keep every margin at 1 inch;
• Select a font that’s easy to read. We’d recommend Times New Roman and Arial for this;
• Always keep the font size at 12;
• Use double-line spacing.

MLA Style Cover Page

The MLA cover page has a vague format for essay pages. Instead, formatting guidelines are based on your teacher’s preferences and standard MLA (Modern Language Association) text formatting. You can follow some best practices to create an MLA essay cover that looks professional. A typical sample MLA cover centers essay titles about one-third of the page’s length. You can also use italics or bold lettering to emphasize important words or phrases.

In our sample MLA format cover, including the necessary MLA heading in the top-left corner is crucial. Follow this guide for proper writing of the cover page template:

• Instructor’s name;
• Page number half an inch away from the top;
• Your name is an inch away from the top;
• The arrangement of the details is an inch away from the leftmost side of the sheet, while ensuring it’s double-spaced throughout;
• A half-inch indent in the first paragraph.

APA Style Cover Page Format

The APA citation format is widely used in the academic and business worlds but has some challenging aspects. For this reason, many busy students order cheap essays to avoid dealing with the nuances of APA essay cover. For your APA cover page, keep your essay’s title brief, under 12 words, and center it. Below the title, include your first, middle, initial, and last names without academic credentials like a PhD. On the following line, indicate your research location, usually your university. Below are the properties of the APA cover page format:

• The title of the paper, centered at the top of the page.
• Your name (student’s name), centered below the title.
• The institutional affiliation (college or university name), centered below your name.
• Course name and number.
• You professors’/instructor’s name.
• Optionally, you can include a running head aligned to the left margin (with the words “Running head:” followed by a shortened version of the title).
• Finally, include a page number in the top-right corner.

Chicago Style Cover Page Format

The Chicago page format, commonly called Chicago style paper, is a popular citation format used in the humanities department. The Chicago cover page format typically includes the following:

• The title of your essay centered on the page and in the title case (i.e., the first letter of each major word is capitalized);
• Your name is centered below the title;
• The course title is centered below your name;
• The instructor’s name is centered below the course title;
• The due date is centered below the instructor’s name.

The page may also include a shortened title at the top and a page number in the header of each subsequent page. It’s essential to follow the specific structuring requirements set by your instructor or institution when creating your Chicago-style cover page. The Chicago and Turabian styles are similar in the following ways:

• Both styles typically place the title of the paper one-third to halfway down the cover page, centered horizontally;
• The title is usually in title case; the major words are capitalized;
• The author’s name is listed below the title and centered horizontally;
• The name of the institution with which the author is affiliated is often placed below the author’s name on the page;
• Both styles generally don’t include a page number on the cover page.

Additionally, endeavor to use the same font on your cover page that you use in your paper. Follow proper capitalization rules for essay titles, using uppercase for keywords and lowercase for articles and prepositions unless they begin the title. This ensures consistency and professionalism throughout your research papers; if you have more questions, you can always check PapersOwl’s page for more information.

ASA Style Cover Page

The cover page format of ASA is based on APA and includes a running head. In ASA, keep your header below 60 characters. Another distinction is that ASA mandates the inclusion of a total word count on the cover sheet, encompassing footnotes and references.

Additionally, include your name and course. List them all vertically below your name and course, if you conducted research at several institutions. Apart from these differences, all other elements follow the APA essay format .

It’s worth noting that page numbers start on the title page and must be placed in the bottom-right corner.

Harvard Cover Page Format

The Harvard cover page is also known as the Harvard referencing style. It is primarily used in social science and humanities disciplines, including literature, history, and economics.

The Harvard cover page example typically includes the following information, arranged in this order:

• Title of the research paper;
• Author’s name (last name, followed by the first initial);
• Date of submission;
• Course name and number;
• Name of instructor.

In addition to the cover page, the Harvard referencing format requires in-text citations and a reference list at the end of the document. The in-text citations include the author’s last name and year of publication, while the reference list provides complete bibliographic information for each source cited in the document.

Bottom line

Although formatting your work according to the requirements of your college might be challenging, it is vital. Undergraduate students, who sometimes take classes in several different areas at once, should be especially concerned about this. However, keep these requirements from obstructing your ability to learn. Use these suggestions to create the ideal cover page, and if you need assistance, we are always here to help. And if your professors require some changes, their instructions hold more weight than the guidelines mentioned here.

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How to Make a Cover Page for an Essay: Best Practices

How to Make an Essay Cover Page 

When things start to get more serious in college, your papers also tend to transform a bit. Term papers, literature reviews, theses – most of them require a cover page. This first page introduces your work before anyone reads the actual content. It usually includes the title of your essay, your name, your class or course name, and the date you’re submitting it. It started as a way to make sure all the necessary details about the essay and its writer were easily accessible. Over time, it became a standard part of academic writing.

A good cover page makes your essay look polished and professional because it shows that you care about your work and are serious about presenting it well. Moreover, it helps teachers and professors organize students' work and go through it because by looking at the cover page they get to know what the work is about and who the author is.

Why Some Works Require an Essay Cover Page

Some academic works need an essay cover page for several important reasons. Firstly, it helps organize your work and presents key details like the title, author’s name, and date clearly. Secondly, a cover page adds a professional touch, making your work stand out in a stack of papers. It also sets the stage for a polished first impression which is always great.

Here are some types of academic works that usually need a cover page:

• Research papers
• Dissertations
• Formal reports
• Project submissions

However, this isn’t a universal list for every institution. You should always check with your professor about specific requirements for your cover page since different teachers might have different preferences or guidelines. Clarifying these details makes sure your cover page meets all necessary standards and helps present your work in the best possible way.

How to Make a Cover Page in Microsoft Word

Creating a cover page in Microsoft Word is simple once you know the steps. Here’s a guide to help you make a professional cover page for your essay.

• Open Microsoft Word : Start by opening Microsoft Word. You can do this by clicking on the Word icon on your desktop or searching for it in your start menu.
• Create a New Document : Click on “File” in the top left corner, then select “New.” Choose “Blank Document” to start with a clean slate.
• Insert a Cover Page : Go to the “Insert” tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen. Click on “Cover Page.” Word offers several pre-designed cover page templates. Choose one that fits your style by clicking on it. The template will automatically insert into your document.
• The title of your essay
• Your class or course name
• The date of submission
• Adjust Fonts and Formatting : Ensure that the font style and size match your professor’s requirements. Common choices are Times New Roman or Arial in size 12. To change the font, highlight the text and select the desired font and size from the “Home” tab.
• Check Margins and Spacing : Go to the “Layout” tab and check the margins. The standard margin size is one inch on all sides. Make sure your text is double-spaced. You can adjust spacing in the “Paragraph” section of the “Home” tab.
• Review and Save : Before finishing, review your cover page to ensure all information is correct and neatly formatted. Save your document by clicking “File” and then “Save As.” Choose a location on your computer and give your file a name.

Following these steps and guidelines will help you create a polished cover page that meets academic standards. As you can see, there’s nothing complicated about it!

Essay Cover Page in MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles

Okay, now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s look at some concrete examples of the three most popular citation styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago.

• Title : Centered, not bold, positioned about a third of the way down the page. Use title case capitalization (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
• Author's Name : Centered below the title. Include your full name (first name and last name).
• Course Information : Centered below the author's name. Include the course name and number.
• Instructor's Name : Centered below the course information. Write the full name of your instructor.
• Date : Centered below the instructor's name. Write the date of submission in the format Day Month Year (e.g., 27 April 2024).

• Page Header : Include a page number in the top right corner. In the header, include a shortened version of your title, in all caps, aligned to the left (only in student papers if requested by the instructor).
• Title : Centered and bold, positioned about a third of the way down the page. Use title case capitalization (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
• Author's Name : Centered below the title. Include your full name (first name, middle initial(s), and last name).
• Institutional Affiliation : Centered below the author's name. Include the name of your university or institution.
• Course Information : Centered below the institutional affiliation. Include the course number and name.
• Date : Centered below the instructor's name. Write the date of submission in the format Month, Day, Year.

• University Name : Centered at the top of the page. Include the name of your university or institution.
• Title : Centered, bold, positioned about a third of the way down the page. Use title case capitalization (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
• Subtitle (if any) : Centered directly below the title. Use title case capitalization and bold.
• Author's Name : Centered below the title or subtitle. Include your full name (first name and last name).
• Course Information : Centered below the author's name. Include the course number and name.
• Date : Centered below the instructor's name.

How do you write a good cover page for a paper?

Writing a good cover page for a paper involves including key details and following proper formatting guidelines. Start with a clear, concise title that reflects the content of your paper. Below the title, list your name, the instructor’s name, the course, and the submission date. Make sure everything is centered and use a professional, easy-to-read font. Pay attention to any specific instructions provided by your instructor or the required style guide, such as APA or MLA.

What must a cover page look like?

A cover page should be clean, organized, and professional. It typically includes the title of your paper centered on the page, followed by your name, your instructor's name, the course title, and the date. Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and keep the text consistently sized. Depending on the formatting style required (APA, MLA, etc.), you may need additional elements like a running head or specific spacing.

What is the best format for a cover page?

The best format for a cover page depends on the required style guide. For APA format, include a running head, page number, title, your name, your institution, the course, instructor's name, and the date. For MLA format, include the title, your name, the instructor's name, the course title, and the date, all double-spaced and left-aligned except for the title, which should be centered. Always follow the specific guidelines provided to ensure your cover page meets the necessary standards.

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How to Make a Cover Page for an Essay

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• May 1, 2024
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Creating a cover page is an important step when writing an essay, as it introduces your work and helps create a professional first impression. A cover page typically includes the title of your essay, your name, the course name/number, the instructor’s name, and the submission date. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make a cover page for your essay:

• Check your instructor’s requirements Before you start making your cover page, it’s crucial to review any specific guidelines or formatting requirements provided by your instructor. Some instructors may have precise expectations for the cover page, while others may allow more flexibility.
• Select a clean, readable font Choose a font that is easy to read and looks professional. Some recommended fonts for cover pages include:
• Times New Roman (a classic choice)
• Arial (a clean, modern font)
• Calibri (a popular sans-serif font)

Avoid using decorative or overly stylized fonts, as they can be distracting and difficult to read.

• Center your text Most cover pages have the text centered both horizontally and vertically. This creates a balanced and visually appealing layout.
• Include the necessary information Your cover page should include the following information, typically arranged in this order:
• Title of your essay (in a larger font size, bolded)
• Your full name
• Course name and number (e.g., English 101)
• Instructor’s name
• Submission date (e.g., May 1, 2024)

Here’s an example of how your cover page might look:

[Title of Your Essay]

John Doe English 101: Introduction to Literature Prof. Jane Smith May 1, 2024

• Add spacing and margins Use appropriate spacing between each line of text to improve readability. A common approach is to add a blank line between the title and your name, and between the other lines of information.

Additionally, leave sufficient margins (typically 1 inch) around the edges of the page to create a clean and professional look.

• Consider adding a header or footer (optional) Some instructors may require or prefer that you include a header or footer with your name and the page number on the cover page. If so, make sure to follow their specific guidelines.
• Double-check for accuracy Before submitting your essay, carefully review your cover page to ensure that all the information is accurate and correctly formatted. This includes checking for spelling errors, proper capitalization, and consistent formatting.

What You'll Learn

APA Format Cover Page:

• The title of your essay should be centered, bolded, and in title case on the first line of the cover page.
• On the next line, include your name (first name, middle initial, last name).
• On the next line, include your school or university’s name.
• On the next line, include the course number and name.
• On the next line, include your instructor’s name.
• On the next line, include the assignment due date.
• Use 1-inch margins and a readable font like Times New Roman (12pt) or Arial (11pt).
• Double-space the entire cover page.

Jane Q. Student Awesome University ENGL 101: Introduction to Literature Dr. John Smith May 1, 2024

Related Article: Updated APA 7 Format and Citation Guide

Chicago Format Cover Page:

• The title of your essay should be centered and in title case on the first line of the cover page.
• Approximately one-third of the way down the page, include your full name.
• Use 1-inch margins and a readable font like Times New Roman (12pt).

Jane Q. Student ENGL 101: Introduction to Literature Dr. John Smith May 1, 2024

Related Article: Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide

MLA Format Cover Page:

• On the next line, include your full name.
• On the next line, include the course name.

Jane Q. Student Dr. John Smith Introduction to Literature May 1, 2024

Related article: Guide to correct MLA 8 Citation and Referencing

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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.

Learn about our Editorial Process

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

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
• APA Style Citations & References
• Example of an APA Formatted Paper

First Impressions Matter: Writing Perfect Cover Page for Essay

Unleash your essay’s potential! Craft a perfect cover page for an essay that grabs attention & impresses graders.

Writing a cover page for your essay is a crucial task yet a hard one as well. You need to follow a set of procedures to write the perfect cover. That is what we are going to see in this article, a detailed guide to writing a cover page for essay.

Cover Page for Essay Outline 

Title of the essay.

The first thing to do when you’re writing an essay or a cover page for your essay is to decide upon a title .  The title of your essay is crucial because it gives the reader an immediate idea of what to expect. It should be clear, concise, and informative. Here’s how to craft a good title for your essay:

Be Specific: Make sure your title accurately reflects the main topic or argument of your essay. Avoid vague or broad titles. For example, instead of “Climate Change,” use “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems.”

Use Keywords: Incorporate important keywords related to your essay’s content. This helps in making your title more searchable and relevant. For example, if your essay is about the effects of social media on teenagers, you might title it “Social Media’s Influence on Teen Mental Health.”

Be Engaging: Try to make your title interesting to draw in your readers. A catchy title can spark curiosity. For example, “From Tweets to Anxiety: How Social Media Affects Teenagers.”

Keep it Short: Aim for a title that is not too long. A concise title is easier to read and remember. Ideally, keep it under 12 words.

Example Titles:

“The Benefits of Renewable Energy Sources” “Exploring the Cultural Significance of Traditional Music” “The Role of Technology in Modern Education”

By following these tips, you can create a compelling and informative title for your essay that grabs attention and sets the stage for your content.

Author Information

Including author information on your essay cover page is essential for identifying your work and providing context for the reader. Here’s a simple guide on what to include and how to format it:

Name: Start with your full name. This identifies you as the author of the essay. Place your name below the title of the essay, centered on the page. For example: Jane Doe

Course: Next, include the course name and number. This specifies for which class the essay is written and helps instructors keep track of submissions. Place this information below your name. For example: Biology 101

Institution: Include the name of your school or university. This provides additional context and helps if the essay is shared beyond your immediate class. Place this below the course information. For example: University of California, Berkeley

Date of submission: Finally, add the date of submission. This is important for record-keeping and helps both you and your instructor track when the work was completed. Place the date below the institution’s name. Use the format that is common in your region. For example: July 24, 2024, or 24 July 2024

Here’s how your author information should look on the cover page:

Jane Doe Biology 101 University of California, Berkeley July 24, 2024

Instructor Information

Including instructor information on your essay cover page is important for clarity and organization. It ensures that your work is correctly attributed and directed to the right person. Here’s how to include this information:

Name: Start by writing the full name of your instructor. This helps identify to whom the essay is being submitted. Place this below your own name on the cover page, centered on the page. For example: Professor John Smith

Position: Next, include the instructor’s position or title. This could be something like “Professor,” “Dr.,” or “Lecturer.” This information shows respect and provides more context about your instructor’s role . For example: Professor of Biology

Department: Finally, mention the department your instructor belongs to. This further clarifies the specific area of study and helps in categorizing the essay within the institution. Place this below the instructor’s position. For example: Department of Biological Sciences

Here’s how the instructor information should look on the cover page:

Professor John Smith Professor of Biology Department of Biological Sciences

Tips for Formatting

Center Align : Align all the instructor information to the center of the page, just like your own author information, to maintain a neat and professional appearance.

Font and Size : Use the same font and size as the rest of your cover page, typically Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point size.

Spacing : Ensure there is adequate space between each line to keep the information clear and easy to read.

Consistency : Keep the formatting consistent with the rest of your cover page for a polished look.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the instructor information on your cover page is clear, professional, and respectful. This will help your essay be properly attributed and appreciated.

Also read: How To Make An Essay Longer: Effective Expansion Techniques

The abstract is a brief summary of your essay that provides an overview of your topic, main argument, and key points. It helps readers quickly understand the essence of your work. Here’s how to write an effective abstract:

Start by clearly stating the purpose of your essay. This should explain what your essay is about and why it is important. For example: “This essay explores the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.”

Main Argument

Next, summarize your main argument or thesis statement. This is the central idea that you will be supporting throughout your essay. For example: “The essay argues that rising sea levels and increasing temperatures are causing significant damage to coastal habitats, which threatens biodiversity and human communities.”

Briefly outline the key points that support your main argument. These are the main sections or findings of your essay that you want the reader to know about. 

For example: 

• Rising Sea Levels: Discusses how higher sea levels lead to the erosion of coastlines and the loss of habitats for species such as turtles and shorebirds.
• Temperature Changes: Explains how warmer temperatures affect marine life, including coral bleaching and the migration patterns of fish.
• Human Impact: Examines how human activities, such as coastal development and pollution, exacerbate the effects of climate change on these ecosystems.
• Conservation Efforts: Highlights successful conservation strategies and suggests actions that can mitigate the impact of climate change.

Example Abstract :

“This essay explores the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. It argues that rising sea levels and increasing temperatures are causing significant damage to coastal habitats, which threatens biodiversity and human communities. Key points include the effects of rising sea levels on erosion and habitat loss, temperature changes on marine life, human impacts, and effective conservation strategies.”

Tips for Writing

Keep it Concise: Aim for about 150-200 words. Be clear and to the point.

Engage the Reader: Use interesting and impactful language to draw in your audience.

Avoid Details: Focus on the main points without going into too much detail.

By following these guidelines, you can write a concise and engaging abstract that effectively summarizes your essay.

Related article: Words To Use In Essays: Amplifying Your Academic Writing

Keywords are crucial in capturing the essence of your essay topic and making it easier for others to find your work through searches. They summarize the main themes and concepts of your essay in just a few words. Here’s how to select and list effective keywords for your essay:

Purpose of Keywords

Keywords help categorize your essay and make it searchable in databases and on the internet. They should be specific to your topic and reflect the core ideas discussed in your essay.

Choosing Keywords

• Relevance: Choose words that are directly related to the main topics of your essay. Think about what terms someone might use to search for your work.
• Specificity: Be as specific as possible. Broad keywords can be less effective because they may bring up a wide range of unrelated results.
• Key Concepts: Identify the key concepts and terms that are central to your essay. These should reflect the main arguments and points you discuss.

Example Keywords for an Essay on Climate Change and Coastal Ecosystems:

Climate Change Coastal Ecosystems Sea Level Rise Biodiversity Loss Marine Life Coral Bleaching Conservation Efforts Human Impact Temperature Increase Environmental Policy

How to List Keywords

• Place the keywords at the end of your abstract or on a separate line following your abstract. 
• Format them in a way that they are easy to read and identify. 

For example:

Keywords: Climate Change, Coastal Ecosystems, Sea Level Rise, Biodiversity Loss, Marine Life, Coral Bleaching, Conservation Efforts, Human Impact, Temperature Increase, Environmental Policy

Tips for Using Keywords

Limit the Number: Use between 5 to 10 keywords. Too many can be overwhelming and less effective.

Use Variations: Include variations of terms (e.g., “Climate Change” and “Temperature Increase”).

Review Your Essay: Ensure the keywords accurately reflect the content of your essay.

By selecting and listing effective keywords, you can enhance the visibility of your essay and make it easier for others to find and understand your work.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide: How to Write an Academic Essay

In conclusion, by creating an effective essay cover page you ensure your work is presented professionally and clearly. Start with a compelling title that accurately reflects your topic. Include your name, course details, institution, and submission date.

Add your instructor’s information to direct your work appropriately. Write a concise abstract summarizing your essay, and list relevant keywords to enhance searchability. By following these steps, your essay will be well-organized and accessible.

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About Sowjanya Pedada

Sowjanya is a passionate writer and an avid reader. She holds MBA in Agribusiness Management and now is working as a content writer. She loves to play with words and hopes to make a difference in the world through her writings. Apart from writing, she is interested in reading fiction novels and doing craftwork. She also loves to travel and explore different cuisines and spend time with her family and friends.

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• Creating an MLA title page

MLA Title Page | When You Need One & How to Format It

Published on July 12, 2021 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on March 5, 2024.

In MLA style , a title page is usually not required for your paper. Instead, MLA recommends including a header on your first page listing your name, your instructor’s name, the course name and number, and the submission date, followed by the title of your paper.

However, you should include a separate title page instead in these cases:

• Your instructor requires it
• The paper is a group project (i.e. you need to list multiple authors)

The formats for a separate title page and a first-page header are shown below. You can also use our templates in Word or Google Docs.

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Table of contents

Mla title page format, creating an mla header, frequently asked questions about mla format.

To create an MLA format title page, list the following on separate lines, left-aligned at the top of the page:

• Your co-authors’ names, each on its own line, if it’s a group project
• Your instructor’s name
• The course name and number
• The submission date

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.

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Most MLA papers will instead list this information in a header , which appears on the same page as your opening paragraphs instead of on a separate page before them. In the header, left-aligned, list

Then on the next line, write the title of your paper, centered and in title case. On the line after that, start your first paragraph. The header and title should be double-spaced, like the rest of the paper.

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.

If you’re working on a group project and therefore need to list multiple authors for your paper , MLA recommends against including a normal header . Instead, create a separate title page .

On the title page, list each author on a separate line, followed by the other usual information from the header: Instructor, course name and number, and submission date. Then write the title halfway down the page, centered, and start the text of the paper itself on the next page.

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman , since it’s easy to read and installed on every computer. Other standard fonts such as Arial or Georgia are also acceptable. If in doubt, check with your supervisor which font you should be using.

MLA Style  is the second most used citation style (after APA ). It is mainly used by students and researchers in humanities fields such as literature, languages, and philosophy.

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Caulfield, J. (2024, March 05). MLA Title Page | When You Need One & How to Format It. Scribbr. Retrieved August 21, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/mla-title-page/

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How to Make a Cover Page

Last Updated: August 18, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Amber Rosenberg, PCC . Amber Rosenberg is a Professional Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the owner of Pacific Life Coach, she has 20+ years of coaching experience and a background in corporations, tech companies, and nonprofits. Amber trained with the Coaches Training Institute and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 148,186 times.

Many professional and academic documents will require a cover page, but the information required for a cover page varies depending on the nature of the document. Some cover pages, like those you would send with a resume, are actually letters. Others, like those used for academic essays, are actually title pages. For all cover letters, using a standard font such as Times New Roman, in at least a 12-point size, is recommended.

Formatting a Cover Page For Your Resume

• You should usually use standard 1-inch (2.5-cm) margins, but you can use margins as small as 0.7 inch (1.8 cm) as long as they are the same on all sides.

• If you have a fax number, you should include it below your phone number and above your e-mail address.

• Write out the full name of the month, rather than abbreviating by using a number. For example, rather than write 1/1/2001, you should write January 1, 2001.
• Leave a blank line above and below the date.

• Note that you do not need to include an e-mail address, phone number, or fax number for the company.
• If you do not know the name of a specific contact at the company, skip over that information.

• When you can determine the gender of the receiver, leave out his or her first name and address the receiver as "Mr." or "Ms." For example, "Dear Ms. Smith" or "Dear Mr. Johnson."
• If you do not know the gender of the receiver, skip the title and use his or her full name. For example, "Dear Pat Roberts."
• Leave a blank line before and after you address the receiver.

• If you are a student, state the university you attend and your major.
• Indicate what position you are applying for as well as how or where you heard about the position.
• You can also mention the name of a professional or academic contact you know who has a positive connection to the reader or company.

• List any special projects, awards, or accomplishments that have a clear connection to the skill set requested by the employer.

• You can include your phone number and e-mail address, as well, but it is not entirely necessary since this information is included in your header.

• Always use black ink to sign formal documents.

Making a Cover Page For a Fax

• Include your phone number and your fax number beneath your name and address.
• Leave at least two blank lines below this header and the rest of the document.

• It's a good idea to save your document as a template for future fax use, since the general format will remain the same.
• The most important quality to your fax cover sheet is that it be clear and easy to read.

• Label the date with "DATE," the receiver's name with "TO," your name with "FROM," and your phone number with "PHONE."
• In the United States, the date will be written in "Month, Day, Year," while in most other countries, it will be written "Day, Month, Year."

• Label the time with "TIME," the receiver's fax number with "FAX," your fax number with "FAX," and your e-mail address with "EMAIL."
• Note that the receiver's name and fax number should be placed on the same horizontal line. Likewise, your name and fax number should be placed on a shared horizontal line of their own.

• Note that this line does not need to be in all capital letters.

• If you had previous contact with the receiver concerning this fax, state that information.
• Introduce your message with the label "MESSAGE:"
• Below your message, ask the receiver to verify the receipt of the document by calling the phone number provided or using the e-mail address provided.

• Specific privacy guidelines for transmission of protected confidential information may vary. If you work for a health provider, you may need to follow additional guidelines to protect the privacy of your client.

Formatting a Cover Page For Your Manuscript

• Use your real name. If you are submitting the manuscript under a pen name, you can follow your real name with your pen name. Introduce a pen name with "A.K.A." or "(Pen name: John Doe)."
• If you're submitting your work to a context that will be judged anonymously, you'll include your contact information on the cover page, while omitting your name and contact information from the title page.

• You do not need to use an exact word count. For instance, if your manuscript is 63,472 words, round it off to 63,000 or 63,500.
• Introduce the word count with "Approximately ______ words."

• Typing the title in all capital letters is a fairly common practice, but it is not necessary.
• It's not necessary to underline, italicize, or bold the title.

• You don't have to include any indication of copyright protection, as your work is automatically protected.
• Never bind or connect the pages of your manuscript in any way. Your cover letter, like the other pages of your manuscript, should be unbound and placed in an envelope or box.

Using APA Style For Your Cover Page

• Introduce the running head with the words "Running head." Follow this label with a colon.
• The running head itself should be in all capital letters.
• The running head should be no longer than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.

• The page number and running head should be evenly aligned horizontally.

• Capitalize the first letter of all major words but not for minor words. For example: How to Make a Cover Page
• Do not italicize, bold, or underline the title.

• For example, if you are submitting the paper for a class taken at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, you should include this in the line beneath the author's name (i.e. your name, and the names of your co-authors.)
• Check with your professor for any additional guidelines.

Using MLA Style For Your Cover Page

• Be aware that cover pages are not standard in MLA format, but some professors do request them.

• Do not bold, italicize, or underline either the title or the subtitle.

• Your name should be written using the same font and size as the other words on your title page.
• Don't try to use a cute or clever font for any part of your cover page, as professors don't care for this.

• Introduce your instructor as "Dr." when appropriate. If you cannot use this title to address your instructor, at least introduce him or her as "Professor." For example, "Dr. John Doe" or "Professor John Doe."
• Include both the course name and number.

Using Chicago Style For Your Cover Page

• In Chicago style, cover page and title page refer to the same thing.
• Your professor may have other requirements. Make sure you use the preferred formatting for your course.

• Capitalize the first letter of each major word in your title, but not those belonging to minor words. For example: How to Make a Cover Page
• Alternatively, some style guides suggest that the title be presented in ALL CAPS.
• Do not underline, italicize, or bold the title.
• If you have a subtitle, place a colon following your title and write the subtitle on the following line.

• Your name should be typed about three quarters of the way down the page.
• Use the same font and size that you've used throughout the cover page.

• Include both the name and course number of the subject.
• Write your professor's full name and title. Use "Dr." only when appropriate. For example: "Dr. John Doe" or "Professor John Doe."

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://careercenter.georgetown.edu/major-career-guides/resumes-cover-letters/resume-formatting-tips/
• ↑ Amber Rosenberg, PCC. Pacific Life Coach. Expert Interview. 8 March 2022.
• ↑ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/549/01/
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-edit-fax-cover-page#1TC=windows-7
• ↑ https://winningwriters.com/resources/manuscript-tips
• ↑ http://academictips.org/mla-format/mla-format-cover-page/
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/02/

About This Article

To make a cover page using MLA format, start by setting your margins to 1 inch on all sides and keeping the alignment centered. Next, choose 12 point Times New Roman for your font and place your title roughly one-third of the way down, capitalizing the first letter of every major word in your title. Then, skip several lines below the title and write your full name, as well as any other collaborators. Finally, list the name of your instructor, the name of the class, and the date, making sure to separate each element with a double-spaced line. To learn more, like how to make a cover page using APA or Chicago Style, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Essay Cover Page - MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and APA Format Cover Sheet

Picture this, you have completed your daily duties and now settling in to complete an essay. What is the worst that would happen? Well, the majority of high school, college, university, and graduate students undervalue the need to format an essay cover page properly. In return, most of them end up with either great essays with a poorly done cover page or a poorly done essay with a poorly formatted cover page.

I don’t know which of the above categories, but mine was worse. It is a great mistake to care less about the proper formatting of a title page for any essay. Sometimes the content in the entire class can be great, and the cover page becomes what separates a good grade from a poor grade. You do not have to leave anything to chance when working to maintain a good GPA, do you?

Why master how to make an essay Cover Sheet?

Your title page informs the reader or the professor what to anticipate in your essay. Sometimes, if they are in a hurry, a catchy topic can entice them to read your essay from introduction to conclusion.

The cover page has your name, title of the essay, institution, instructor, and date. A well-formatted title page is enough a getaway to a strict professor’s marks or grade fountain.

And when you are almost giving up on your cover page, we give you a reason to smile. In this article, we will teach you how to make a cover page for an essay, MLA cover page format, Chicago cover page format, APA cover page format, and Harvard cover page format, with examples.

Why should you learn How to Make a Cover Page for an essay?

Sometimes professors and instructors assume the basic things like formatting a college essay. In the end, students end up losing marks over flimsy mistakes. A common question students ask is “how do you make a cover page for an essay?” or “what is to be included on a title page?”

If you have had these questions or related ones, you are in the right place at the right time. We will take you through cover page essay essentials. But before then, why do we have an essay cover page. Or simply, what is an essay cover page?

An essay cover page is the opening page, sometimes called the title page, and offers a comprehensive description of the essay title, identifies the student, and sometimes bears the date and the instructors’ names.

You will notice that the cover pages for essays differ depending on the specific format you are using. For instance, when creating the MLA essay cover page format, you should only do so if the essay prompt requires you to. If not asked for one, there is never any need to include one. The same applies to Harvard, Chicago, and APA cover page formats.

MLA Essay Cover Page Format with Template/Example

Also known as the Modern Language Association, MLA is a unique essay writing and citation format. It is important to mention that most MLA essays do not require an essay cover page. Nevertheless, some instructors insist on you having a cover page for your MLA paper.

When requested to have an opening or cover page for MLA papers, these are some of the details to include:

• Author’s Name
• Instructor’s Name
• The Due Date

Here is a sample MLA cover page template

Note that the format for MLA research paper cover page is slightly different. It will contain:

• Name of university
• Title of the Research Paper
• The subtitle of the research paper
• Your Name (Author’s Name)
• Course Name and Number
• Instructor/Professor’s Name

Below is a sample MLA research paper cover sheet

Some professors or instructors will advise you to use the research paper MLA format title page for your essay.

How do you format an MLA Cover Page?

Formatting an MLA title page is easy!

• It should be double-spaced.
• The preferable font is Times New Roman size 12 or a legible font.
• All the letters must be in Title Case.
• It should have 1-inch margins throughout the paper.
• Ensure that the title page is double spaced.
• Remove any spaces between paragraphs from your Microsoft Word settings page.

See the details in the sample MLA format cover page provided above. Notice the difference between the two and always read the instructor’s essay prompt before deciding on which one to settle for.

APA Cover Page Format with Example/Template

Students have been asking this for a while, and we felt like addressing it would save many of you out there. “How do I make an APA cover sheet?” Well, just like MLA, an APA essay cover page is easy to make.

To begin with, the APA style title page should include:

• Running head (Left aligned in the header section).
• Page Number (Right aligned).
• Title and subtitle of the essay/paper (centered)
• Name of the author (centered).
• Institutional Affiliation (centered).
• Author’s Note (for long research papers, thesis, and dissertations).

An important note, in APA the title should not exceed 50 characters and should be in capital letters. Times New Roman font size 12 is always preferred as well.

For more details, see the example APA title page provided below.

Note that there are changes to APA 6. In APA 7, there is no "Running head" instead, you will only need a page number situated to the top left of the paper. Here is a sample APA 7 Cover page.

Chicago Cover Page Format with Example/Template

Even though less common in academic essay writing, understanding the Chicago essay title page is necessary. It can save you some trouble when writing a Chicago style paper, which is the case with most literature and humanities subjects such as history. Thus, after reading this, you should understand how to format a Chicago essay title cover page correctly.

Here are tips when making Chicago format opening page:

• Chicago title page has no page number or running head in the header section.
• Using Times New Roman or any legible font of size 12 is preferred.
• All the text on the cover page is centered.
• The cover page is double spaced with no spaces between paragraphs

You see, a Chicago style paper opening page is relatively simple to make. A caution, though, when making any type of cover page, your professor’s guidelines are your rule book. Therefore, everything you need to format an essay cover page is always in the prompt.

Chicago style papers are the easiest to handle. However, despite the ease of inserting a title page, it remains a challenge to most students. Sometimes, seeking professional help can be the only option. Our experts can help you craft your Chicago format essays and research papers, talk to us!

Here is a Chicago style format essay cover page.

Harvard Cover Page Format with Example/Template

Harvard formatting has a specific and well-organized cover page.

• The shortened version of the title of the paper comes in the header section (aligned to the right) and is preceded by the page number).
• The full title, written in all capital letters , appears halfway through the page.
• The author’s name (three lines from the title).
• Then four lines down you will have class name and code, name of the professor, City and State the university is located, and the due date.

Here is an example of the Harvard format Cover Sheet Page.

Bottom Line

A cover page for an essay is a critical aspect when undertaking your academic writing tasks. Even though it might seem boring and unnecessary, it can be the only aspect left to differentiate who passes a course and who fails.

When writing an APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago format paper, produce an essay cover page that fits each formatting and citation style. I don’t know about you, but I find it easier to do the cover page as the last part of the essay after writing and proofreading. Yet some in our team prefer setting the cover page for their essays first before they outline the essays . As a ritual, it is my last part to shake hands with the mighty Microsoft Word or Google Document applications.

Check out our article on indenting paragraphs and how to title an article when writing an essay. 

Sometimes, you can ask the instructor or professor how to make a cover page for your essay. We believe no teacher will reprimand you. These are essential basics to keep with you as they will help you understand how to make a cover page for an essay. If you need help writing an essay, our professional writers can always come in handy. Until then, have a happy academic writing session!

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

• The Complete Guide to APA Format in 2020

APA Title Page / Cover Page

• Headings and Subheadings
• Discussion Section
• Websites and Online Sources
• Journals and Periodicals
• Other Print Sources
• Other Non-Print Sources
• In-text Citations
• Footnotes and Endnotes
• Using MyBib Responsibly
• Miscellaneous Questions

Details to include

The title page (also known as the cover page) is the front page of your paper. It should contain:

• The running head , a header at the top of the page.
• The first page number .
• The title of the paper
• The institution for which you writing.

Running head

The running head should be in the top-left corner of the page in uppercase. It should include a shortened title of your paper. On the front page only, it should also be prepended with "Running head:".

First page number

The first page number -- generally page 1 -- should be in the top-right corner of the page. Both the page number and the running head should be a half inch from the top of the page.

The title of the paper can contain upper and lowercase letters, and ideally should be no more than 12 words in length. It should be direct, and should not contain abbreviations or other unnecessary words. It should not span longer than 2 lines. The first letter of each word should be uppercase, except for articles (a, an, the), and conjunctions (and, but, for, or, yet).

Underneath the title should be your name (or the author's name if you're not the author). It should be displayed as the first name , middle initial , and last name . Do not add titles (such as Dr.) to the beginning, or qualifications (such as PhD) to the end of an author's name.

Your institution

Finally, underneath the author's name, state the full name of the institution or school you're writing the paper for.

The font for all text on the title page should be Times New Roman, size 12pt, with double line-spacing.

A correct title page will look like the below image:

After completing your title page you will move on to writing an abstract of your paper.

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APA cover (title) page: format and templates

There are two types of title page required for APA style papers, a professional and a student version.

Student APA cover page

As long as students do not have any specific guidance from their instructors in regards to a cover page format, they should include the following elements on their cover page:

• Running head : only for APA 6th you write "Running head: TITLE" as a header. APA 7th does not require a running head.
• Title of the paper : three to four lines down from the top of the title page, centered and in bold for APA 7 (APA 6 does not have a title in bold).
• Name of author(s) : include a double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author name(s).
• Affiliation for each author (the university attended, including department)
• Course number and name
• Name of instructor
• Due date of the assignment (date format used in your location)
• Page number (included on all pages), cover page is number 1.
• Times New Roman is the preferred font, 12-point .
• Double spacing
• 1 inch margins

We created a a student APA cover page template of both 6th & 7th edition, which you can download:

Professional APA cover page

A professional APA cover page should include the following elements:

• Name of each author : include a double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author names.
• Affiliation for each author: give the name of the institution at which the research was carried out.
• Author note : see the specific instructions below.
• Running head (included on all pages): for APA 6th you write "Running head: TITLE" and for APA 7th only the title in caps is required (omitting the phrase running head).
• Page number (included on all pages): page 1 is the cover page.
• Times New Roman is the preferred font, 12 -point.

Since there are a few slight differences between the professional cover page in APA 6th and 7th edition, we created a template for each version, which you can download.

APA cover page: Author note format

An author note in a professional paper can be found at the bottom of the cover page. It is usually composed of four paragraphs.

• In the first paragraph : for APA 6, give the name of the author and their affiliation. For APA 7, give the authors' ORCID iDs. Omit this part if the authors don't have ORCID iDs.
• Second paragraph : Specify any changes of affiliation (for both APA 6 & 7). Use the following format: “[Author’s name] is now at [affiliation].” This paragraph may also clarify the death of an author.
• Third paragraph : give any confidentiality disclosures and/or acknowledgments.
• Fourth paragraph : give the contact information of the author(s).

Format : start this section in the bottom half of the title page, below the affiliations. Leave a minimum of one blank line between the affiliation and the author note title. Center the title “Author Note” in bold. The first line of each paragraph should be indented and all aligned to the left.

Further reading

For more details not covered in this guide, take a look at the following sources:

📝 Student and Professional APA cover page (7th ed.)

🌐 APA 6th cover page tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions about APA cover (title) page

The title page of a student paper serves as a representation of the author. It is a mere formality, as it makes your paper appear more academic. As a student, the title page helps your instructor identify on a glance who wrote the paper, what the topic is, and for what course. In sum, a student should add a title page when indicated.

The title page of a professional paper serves as a representation of the author. For professionals, the function of a title page is to introduce the reader to the main facts of the paper, such as the author, the topic, the year of publication, and contact information. In sum, a professional should add a title page to comply with academic standards.

No. According to APA style, the title's font of a title page should not include any type of Word Art or "fun" fonts of any kind. APA style indicates titles should be written in the same font as the rest of the text, it should centered and in bold (for APA 7).

Yes, APA style's title page should be formated as page 1 of the paper, followed by the abstract page as page 2.

If you learn better by watching than by reading, here are two YouTube tutorials that will help you create a title page: APA Style 7th Edition: Student Paper Formatting and APA Style 7th Edition: Professional Paper Formatting by Samuel Forlenza, PhD.

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• Academic essay overview
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The Perfect APA Cover Page

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Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Definition: APA Cover Page
• 3 What to Include?
• 5 All Components
• 6 In a Nutshell

Definition: APA Cover Page

Also known as the title page, an APA cover page is the very front page of an essay. It entails crucial information of the work presented by the author as advised by the examiner. The core duty of the APA cover page is to let the reader identify different parts of your work without having to read the paper.

Also, it also ensures that your work looks professional and well presented. To the learners, the APA cover page helps them know the work that needs to be presented.

Students are mostly asked to write essays or complete their projects in APA Format. However, quite a number of them do not have a clear understanding of what APA format entails and how to use it for their projects. This piece tends to explore the details of an APA cover page to help learners.

This section aims at answering some of the common questions asked by students and scholars looking to have a deeper understanding of the APA Cover Page. Let’s take a look at the five common questions asked about APA Cover page.

What is the APA format?

APA formatting is a style that is mainly used for academic and scholarly journals and books. Mainly, the APA style is used in citing sources that fall within the field of social sciences and other related areas. A perfectly formatted APA thesis entails following the rules of the APA formatting method for APA citation , APA title pages and finally, using these rules for your cover page.

What is the importance of an APA cover page?

To the examiner, the APA cover page helps them get an idea of the academic work in a glance since it contains all of the necessary information about the author’s work. It also allows the writers to present their research paper in an orderly manner that appears more professional and presentable. The cover page is one of the first things a reader will see (after the title page of course).

What’s the difference between the APA cover page and other cover page styles?

Compared to other styles like MLA and Harvard , APA has more details presented on the center of the cover page and a running head that bears a section of the main title of the paper written in capital letters. This is the main difference that immediately becomes obvious when trying to distinguish APA formatting from the other styles.

What are the common mistakes made in the APA cover page?

Though most students and other writers tend to research styles before writing, they make different mistakes whilst trying to craft a perfect APA cover page. Some of the most common mistakes are the placing of the page number, while others do not put page numbers at all, some APA cover pages also lack the running head, or lack clear information. Note that all of the APA title page details must be clearly formatted as well, as this is the very first view that readers will have of your paper.

Do I still have to indicate the title in the actual paper after indicating it in the APA cover page?

Yes. The APA cover page will  be one of the first pages of the essay, book, or any other academic writing work. The title should be on every page (due to the running header) as well as on the title page and cover page. The title should also appear once more on the first page of text, to remind the reader what they’re about to read.

What to Include?

If you are trying to write your piece in APA style, then you have to ensure that it entails a page number, a running head, the name of the author (your name), the title of the paper, and the institutional affiliation. These are the common components of a standard APA cover page, however, you can include more in case you are advised so by the examining body or even the editor if you are using one.

The above example of an APA Cover page depicts what a student or scholar would present in the final essay of a project. Note that what is indicated in the cover page might vary depending on what is requested by the examining body. Nevertheless, other than the details, that is what an APA cover page should look like.

All Components

Let’s take a close look at what the APA Cover page should contain.

The Running Head

Also known as the page header, a running head is a text that usually appears at the very top of the page and is always separated from the body text. It is identical in all pages when you are writing in APA Style. If it appears at the bottom of the page, it is called the page footer, but that is not recommended in APA style.

The Page Number

As mentioned above, the APA style helps the writers to make their work appears orderly. The page number helps them achieve this so that the readers can know how much of the work they have read. In APA, the page number should be made using 12 pt Times New Roman Font. The page number should appear on the top right corner of all pages.

The Title of the Page

Other than the running head, you need to clearly indicate the title of your work so that the readers know what you are writing about. The running head should only contain a section of the title of the entire piece. Make sure that the title is placed in the middle of the APA cover page.

Name of the Author (Your Name)

In APA Cover page, you must indicate your name as the name of the author. That way, the readers will know right away whose work they are reading. Normally, include your official name so that when the work is published, your name goes as the author of the piece. The name of the author usually appears beneath the title of the work.

Institutional Affiliation

If you are a student working on a project or essay, then the institutional affiliation is the name of your college. If you are working for an agency, then you will indicate the name of the organization in this section. It is crucial that you use an authentic institution so that you are recognized as a member, and that you worked on the project following their instructions.

Beneath the Institutional Affiliation, your work should have a date. The time is vital because it helps the examiners to know when the work was done. If it is a book you are writing, your readers will see when you have completed the work.

Importance of APA Cover page in Academic Writing

In academic writing , the APA cover page is essential in helping examiners identify your work easily. Being that it contains your name and the details of the work, they will have an easy time telling it from other files that they might have.

In a Nutshell

The APA style has many formats that can be used by learners and scholars to present their works. Therefore, before you get started, it is vital that to you do your homework well. Also, your institution will provide you with the latest APA cover page format that you need to use throughout your work.

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How to Write an Essay in APA Format

What is apa format, apa essay format basics.

• Steps to Follow

Frequently Asked Questions

If your instructor has asked you to write an APA format essay, it might at first seem like a daunting task, especially if you are accustomed to using another style such as MLA or Chicago. But you can master the rules of APA essay format, too.

An essay is one type of paper that can be written in APA format; others include lab reports, experimental reports, and case studies. Before you begin, familiarize yourself with some of the basic guidelines for writing a paper in APA format. Of course, it will also be important to follow any other formatting instructions that are part of your assignment.

How do you write an essay in APA format? The basic elements you need to include are:

• A title page
• An abstract
• An introduction, main body, and conclusion
• A reference section
• Proper APA formatting with regard to margins, layout, spacing, titles, and indentations

This article discusses how to write an essay in APA format, including the basic steps you should follow and tips for how to get started.

Whether you’re taking an introductory or graduate-level psychology class, chances are strong that you will have to write at least one paper during the course of the semester. In almost every case, you will need to write your paper in APA format, the official publication style of the American Psychological Association . It is also used for academic journals.

Such rules are generally the same whether you are writing a high school essay, college essay, or professional essay for publication.

APA format is used in a range of disciplines including psychology , education, and other social sciences. The format dictates presentation elements of your paper including spacing, margins, and how the content is structured.

Most instructors and publication editors have strict guidelines when it comes to how your format your writing. Not only does adhering to APA format allow readers to know what to expect from your paper, but it also means that your work will not lose critical points over minor formatting errors. 

While the formatting requirements for your paper might vary depending on your instructor's directions, writing APA essay format means you will most likely need to include a title page, abstract, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference sections.

Your APA format essay should have a title page . This title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and your school affiliation. In some instances, your teacher might require additional information such as the course title, instructor name, and the date.

• The title of your paper should be concise and clearly describe what your paper is about.
• Your title can extend to two lines, but it should be no longer than 12 words.

An abstract is a brief summary of your paper that immediately follows the title page. It is not required for student papers, according to APA style. However, your instructor may request one.

If you include an abstract , it should be no more than 100 to 200 words, although this may vary depending upon the instructor requirements.

Your essay should also include a reference list with all of the sources that were cited in your essay,

• The reference section is located at the end of your paper.
• References should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the author.
• References should be double-spaced.
• Any source that is cited in your paper should be included in your reference section.

When writing in APA essay format, the text will include the actual essay itself: The introduction, body, and conclusion.

• There should be uniform margins of at least one inch at the top, bottom, left, and right sides of your essay.
• The text should be in Times New Roman size 12 font or another serif typeface that is easily readable.
• Your paper should be double-spaced.
• Every page should include a page number in the top right corner.
• The first word of each paragraph in your paper should be indented one-half inch.

For professional papers (usually not student papers), every page of the essay also includes a running head at the top left. The running head is a shortened form of the title, often the first few words, and should be no more than 50 characters (including spaces).

Steps to a Successful APA Format Essay

In addition to ensuring that you cite your sources properly and present information according to the rules of APA style, there are a number of things you can do to make the writing process a little bit easier.

Choose a Topic

Start by choosing a good topic to write about. Ideally, you want to select a subject that is specific enough to let you fully research and explore the topic, but not so specific that you have a hard time finding sources of information.

If you choose something too specific, you may find yourself with not enough to write about. If you choose something too general, you might find yourself overwhelmed with information.

Research Your Topic

Start doing research as early as possible. Begin by looking at some basic books and articles on your topic to help develop it further. What is the question you are going to answer with your essay? What approach will you take to the topic?

Once you are more familiar with the subject, create a preliminary source list of potential books, articles, essays, and studies that you may end up using in your essay.

Remember, any source used in your essay must be included in your reference section. Conversely, any source listed in your references must be cited somewhere in the body of your paper.

Write Your Rough Draft

With research in hand, you are ready to begin. Some people like to create an outline to organize their argument prior to drafting. You may want to start with a very rough outline, and then add details.

Once you have a detailed outline, the next step is to translate it from notes to complete sentences and paragraphs. Remember, this is a first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect.

As you write your paper in APA essay format, be sure to keep careful track of the sources that you cite.

How do you start an APA paper? Your paper should begin with an introduction that includes a thesis statement that presents your main ideas, points, or arguments. Your introduction should start on the third page of your paper (after the title page and abstract). The title of your paper should be centered, bolded, and typed in title case at the top of the page.

Review and Revise

After you have prepared a rough draft of your essay, it's time to revise, review, and prepare your final draft. In addition to making sure that your writing is cohesive and supported by your sources, you should also check carefully for typos, grammar errors, and possible formatting mistakes.

When citing information or quotations taken from an interview, APA format requires that you cite the source, how the information was collected, and the date of the interview. They should not be included in the reference section, however, because they are not something that can be located by a reader in any published source or searchable database.

Instead, the information should be cited parenthetically in the main body of the text. For example: “There was an increase in the number of college students who screened positive for depression/anxiety” (R. Heathfield, personal communication, May 9, 2021).

If the essay is in a chapter of a book, edited collection, or anthology, APA format states that you should cite the last name, first name, title of essay, title of collection, publisher, year, and page range. For example: Smith, John, "The Light House," A Book of Poems , editing by Peter Roberts, Allworth Press, 2005, pp. 20-25.

According to APA format, a two-part essay is formatted the same as an essay, however, you'll need to create two title pages.

If you're including a short direct quote in your APA-format essay, you will need to cite the author, year of publication, and page number (p.) or page number span (pp.). Quotations longer than 40 words should omit the quotation marks and be put in the text using block quotation formatting, on its own line and indented 1/2 inch from the left margin.

The cover page or "title page" in APA essay format should always include the title of your paper, your name, and school affiliation as well as the course title, instructor name, and date, if requested by your teacher.

Nagda S.  How to write a scientific abstract.   J Indian Prosthodont Soc.  2013;13(3):382-383. doi:10.1007/s13191-013-0299-x

American Psychological Association.  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association  (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2019.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."