How to Make a Title Page APA: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever submitted a stellar research paper, only to have points deducted for formatting errors on the title page? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? While the content of your work is undoubtedly crucial, adhering to specific style guidelines like APA is equally important for conveying professionalism and academic rigor. A properly formatted title page is the first impression your paper makes, showcasing your attention to detail and understanding of scholarly conventions. Mastering this seemingly simple element elevates your work and demonstrates respect for the academic community.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used across various disciplines, particularly in the social sciences, education, and business. Consistent formatting not only enhances readability but also ensures clarity and provides a standardized framework for referencing sources. By following APA guidelines for your title page, you are contributing to a cohesive and easily navigable body of academic literature. Getting it right from the start can save you time and stress in the long run, allowing you to focus on the substance of your research.

What are the essential elements of an APA title page, and how do I arrange them correctly?

What font and size should I use for an APA title page?

The standard font for an APA title page, as well as the entire paper, is Times New Roman, 12-point font. While APA 7th edition does offer some flexibility with font choices, Times New Roman remains the most widely accepted and professional option, ensuring readability and consistency.

Although APA 7th edition guidelines permit alternatives like Calibri (11-point), Arial (11-point), or Georgia (11-point), sticking with Times New Roman eliminates any doubt and guarantees adherence to the most commonly expected format. Consistency throughout your document is key; therefore, selecting one font and maintaining it for the entire paper, including the title page, abstracts, headings, and body text, is essential.

Beyond the font itself, pay close attention to spacing and margins on the title page. Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper, including the title page. The title should be centered and positioned in the upper half of the page. Author name(s) and institutional affiliation(s) appear below the title, also centered. Proper formatting contributes to the overall professionalism and clarity of your work.

What information is required on an APA format title page?

An APA format title page requires four key elements: the title of your paper, your name, your institutional affiliation, and the page number. These elements should be correctly positioned and formatted according to the 7th edition APA style guidelines to ensure a professional and consistent appearance.

The title should be concise and accurately reflect the paper’s content, typically no more than 12 words. It should be centered in the upper half of the page and written in boldface. Below the title, double-spaced, include your full name (first name, middle initial(s), last name). Directly below your name, also double-spaced, provide the name of the institution where you are affiliated (e.g., university, college, or professional organization). The page number, “1,” should be placed in the upper right corner of the title page. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that your title page is easily readable and provides essential information to the reader. Remember that consistent formatting is critical in APA style. Deviations from these instructions can detract from your work and may result in points deducted.

How do I format the running head on an APA title page?

The running head, a shortened version of your paper’s title, is formatted differently on the title page than on subsequent pages. On the title page, the running head includes the words “Running head:” followed by a shortened version of your title in all capital letters. It is left-aligned in the header, flush with the left margin. For student papers, current APA guidelines often omit the “Running head:” prefix, instead using just the shortened, capitalized title. Check with your instructor for their specific preference.

The purpose of the running head is to provide a brief identifier for your paper that appears on every page. It should be concise, ideally no more than 50 characters including spaces. Choose a shortened title that accurately reflects the content of your paper. For example, if your title is “The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health,” a suitable running head might be “SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL HEALTH.” Remember to keep it all uppercase and left-aligned.

Here’s how the running head should appear on the title page, depending on your instructor’s requirements:

• With “Running head:” (Older APA Style or Instructor Preference): Running head: SHORTENED TITLE
• Without “Running head:” (Current APA Student Paper Standard): SHORTENED TITLE

On all subsequent pages after the title page, the running head will consist only of the shortened, capitalized title, without the “Running head:” prefix. It remains left-aligned in the header throughout the document.

Where does the page number go on an APA title page?

In APA style, the page number is located in the upper right-hand corner of every page, including the title page. It should be right-aligned and formatted simply as the numeral “1” on the title page.

The page number on the title page serves as the first entry in the continuous pagination of your entire document. Consistency is key in APA formatting, ensuring that the page numbers appear uniformly throughout your paper. This helps readers easily navigate and reference specific sections within your work.

To correctly place the page number, use the header function in your word processor (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs). Insert the page number in the header, then right-align it. This ensures the page number appears on every page automatically. Verify that your word processor is not set to display a page number on the first page only, as this can sometimes be a default setting. The goal is for every page from the title page onward to be numbered sequentially.

How do I format the title so it’s correctly positioned on the page?

In APA style, center your title on the title page. It should be positioned 3-4 lines down from the top margin of the page. The author’s name (your name) and institutional affiliation follow the title, each on their own line, also centered.

Specifically, after setting your top margin to 1 inch, hit the enter key 3-4 times to begin the title about a third of the way down the page. Center the title and type it in bold font. Below the title, double-space and center your name (Author), and then on the next line, center the name of your university or institution (Affiliation). Use a plain, readable font like Times New Roman (12pt) or Arial (11pt).

Remember to check your word processor’s settings to ensure there are no automatic spacing adjustments happening that might throw off your intended placement. Preview the page before submitting to ensure it looks visually balanced.

Do I need an abstract on the title page in APA format?

No, the abstract is not included on the title page in APA format. The title page contains the title of your paper, your name, and your institutional affiliation. The abstract appears on a separate page immediately following the title page.

The purpose of the title page is to present key identifying information about your paper. Keeping this information separate from the abstract ensures clarity and easy identification. The abstract, on the other hand, is a concise summary of the entire paper, allowing readers to quickly understand the paper’s purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. Separating these components allows readers to quickly locate the specific information they need.

Therefore, after your title page, you will start a new page and center the word “Abstract” at the top. Below that, you will write a concise summary of your paper, typically between 150 and 250 words. This separation is a standard convention in APA style and should be followed for accurate formatting.

And there you have it! Creating an APA title page doesn’t have to be a headache. Hopefully, this guide has made the process a little clearer and a lot less intimidating. Thanks for reading, and feel free to swing by again if you’ve got more APA formatting questions – we’re always happy to help!