best cover page for research paper

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

Saul Mcleod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

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

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

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Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

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

On This Page:

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

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

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

Professional paper APA title page

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

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How do I Cite a Source with Multiple Authors in APA Style?

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

How to Write an Essay Cover Page

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

Guide Overview

• APA cover pages
• MLA cover pages

For APA cover pages:

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

Here is an example of a cover page in APA:

For MLA cover pages:

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

A header looks like this:

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

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

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

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Creating a captivating research paper title page – ultimate guide with examples.

August 29, 2019

A reader can become engaged or irritated after seeing your research paper title page. Th at is why you need to put in the effort to make sure that it is done properly, and it compels the reader to continue reading the content. Creating the title page for research paper is sometimes more difficult for students than writing a research paper.

How To Make A Title Page For Research Paper

The first thing you need to know is that there are primarily three formats for your title page – APA, Chicago style, and MLA. Your instructor will most likely tell you which format is ideal for the paper. The title page has to contain some precise information about the research in a few words. So, what should be contained in a research paper title page?

The front page of your research paper should contain your full name as it is stated on all your educational certificates. That should be on the same page where you put the topic.

Title Of The Research Paper

Make sure you come up with a good title for research paper and put it on the cover page along with your name. Make sure that the title is interesting. Also, it should not be misleading in any way but should provide a glimpse into the entire content. Typically, the title of the research paper title is expected to be written in capital letters and bold fonts.

Supervisor’s Name

Another important detail to add is the full name of the research supervisor. If you go through the research paper title page examples, you’ll see that adding the supervisor’s name is a must.

Course Information

You need to provide some information about the course, including the course code, academic year, and semester.

Now you know what your research paper title page is expected to contain, it’s time to dive into how to make a title page like a professional. Below are some useful tips for creating the perfect paper title page:

Use The Right Format

As stated earlier, there are three main research paper formats. The one you use will depend on what you’ve been instructed to use. However, you need to make sure you stick to one format from the title to the conclusion.

If you’ve been instructed to use the Chicago format, you have to make sure all the content on the cover page is aligned to the center. Your paper title should be halfway into the page. After the page title, write your full name followed by the name of your instructor and then the course title. There is no need to number the cover page when you’re using the Chicago style.

When you’re instructed to use the APA style, you have to number the title page at the top right corner. Use Times New Roman as your page font and keep one-inch margins on every side of the cover page. You may not need to write everything in capital letters.

For the MLA format, you need to start a third way into the paper, but it should not be as low as the Chicago style. You can add a subtitle to your original title. Just after that, add your name, the name of your school, the course title, your instructor’s name.

Writing A Research Paper – Quick Overview

After you’ve determined what you want your title page to look like, you need to find out how to start a research paper. It is important to note that each institution may have specific guidelines on how to write a research paper. So, make sure you read these guidelines thoroughly before you start. However, some general rules are as follows:

Don’t Joke With The Research

The research part of the research paper writing is crucial. Before you start writing anything, research the topic thoroughly, and get updated information about every fact you’re going to list. As soon as you understand the topic, you need to gather resources, formulate the idea, develop your thesis statement. Your research should be backed by empirical data. If possible, conduct first-hand research on the subject. Otherwise, look for reliable research on Google Scholar, government publications, encyclopedias, newspapers, and almanacs.

About Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement tells your reader what the main point of your essay is and what your supporting points are. It can be one or two sentences that prepare the minds of the readers for what is to come. Make sure that everything in the body of your paper is in line with the thesis statement, not opposite. Your thesis statement should appear at the end of your introduction and or should match the topic.

Work With An Outline

Your work would flow better if you use an outline from the beginning to the end. Your outline should be made up of all the points you intend to cover in the content. It can also include the research paper format. Make sure that you put down all the subheadings you intend to cover in the content as well as the details of the materials you want to use in each subheading.

Write A Draft First

To increase your chances of creating high-quality work, try writing a draft first. When you’ve completed the draft, you can start writing the content you will submit. Writing a draft first allows you to brainstorm ideas and find the perfect voice for the content.

Progress From Weakest To Strongest Point

For your content to have a logical flow, start with the weakest point, and slowly progress to the strongest. That doesn’t mean you need to start with a point that isn’t backed empirically. It just means the point you start with should not be your strongest. Each point should have a supporting argument as a backup. It makes your content better.

Restate Your Thesis Statement In Your Conclusion

When it’s time to conclude your paper after listing all the relevant points, you can restate your thesis statement as is common in research paper writing examples. That doesn’t mean you should copy and paste your thesis. Just find new words to say it and link all your points to it. Draw the reader’s attention to why all the points you’ve made support your thesis. That applies when you’re research is conclusive. If it is not, make sure you state that in the research is inconclusive.

Review Before Submission

So, you’ve completed your research paper successfully. That’s cool. However, you should not rush into submitting. Revise the work, make edits, and ask someone else to help you read it. Make sure that your work is as flawless as possible. There should be no inaccurate information, grammatical, or typographical errors. The last thing you want to do is submit a compelling research paper with bad grammar or typographical errors.

Let Our Writers Create Best Title Page For You

Writing a research paper, especially its title page, is like writing any other paper. However, it requires more precision and use of facts. Depending on the topic, make sure that everything you state is factual. These tips above will help when you’re creating a title page for your research paper and when you’re creating the paper. Also, should you feel stuck with crafting a research paper – feel free to hire our experts to help you get exciting results!

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Make a research paper cover sheet with Adobe Express.

Wow your professors and keep your research paper or thesis looking sharp with a fully customizable research cover page. Choose from thousands of professional-looking, editable templates to start with, then click and drag your favorite fonts, icons, and images to make it your own. When you’re finished, download and share it electronically or print it out.

How to make a research paper cover.

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Whether you’re creating a research paper cover sheet or searching for some inspiration to draft up a master's thesis defense presentation, we’ve got you covered with thousands of customizable templates. Drag and drop your favorite icons and graphics or get recommended fonts and color palettes curated just for your design. Discover how fast it is to create impressive cover sheets and presentations with Adobe Express.

Let Adobe Express be your go-to app for cover pages.

The cover page is the first step in letting your readers know what your research is about and who wrote it. Adobe Express lets you make a great first impression on professors, teachers, and peers with easy-to-use editing tools and the ability to simultaneously produce print and electronic versions of your work. You can print out your full-color page in any size or download it as a PDF, JPEG, or PNG.

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Must-Have Research Paper Cover Page Templates with Samples and Examples

Sapna Singh

A well-structured, meticulously carved out cover page is indispensable to the submission and the ultimate acceptance of every research paper . It gives a huge facelift to the detailed analysis, appraisal, or interpretation that the researcher conducted and now wishes to document through the research paper.

The cover page is the first impression of your research paper. A way to understand the significance of a cover letter for a research paper is going through this quote of an American film director, Miranda July, “People like to recall their first impressions, which is why those first descriptions are so important. After a while, you don’t look at people as attentively; you hold on to that first impression.” Hence, listing all pertinent information on the research paper’s all-important first and opening page is crucial.

The introduction to a research proposal is your first chance to impress your reader and should be perfect. Click here  to know more.

A well-written research paper cover page should be center-aligned, preferably in font Times New Roman, size 12, but it can be any font and size in line with the guidelines that the sponsoring institute or the guide may mandate. It should also be correctly capitalized, clear, intriguing, and brief.

This blog offers ready-to-use templates to help you correctly write a research paper’s cover page. This will help you establish the groundwork for future research. Use SlideTeam’s Must-Have Research Paper Cover Page Templates  to build a well-structured and formatted cover page that adheres to the citation and formatting style rules. These templates are a sure-shot way to get extra credit from your instructor.

To create a research plan in a flash (with templates) that will save you hours of work in the long run, click  here.

The 100% customizable nature of the templates provides you with the flexibility to edit your presentations. The content-ready slides give you the much-needed structure.

Make your research look neater and more professional with SlideTeam’s best-in-class PPT Templates!

Template 1: cover page for research paper dissertation proposal.

Use this PPT Template to explain the dissertation in your research paper. It includes the title, student's name, university name, and dissertation proposal to give the reader/assessor a complete picture of your research. This template will assist you in aligning the cover page with your university’s criteria and making any necessary revisions. With this download, enhance the quality of your dissertation and leave a lasting impression on your advisors. Get it now!

Download this template

Template 2: Cover Page for Research Paper Degree

Use this PPT Template to create a cover page for your research paper proposal. It includes the title, student’s name, student number, university name, degree sought, and the name of the principal supervisor to demonstrate professionalism and accountability for your academics. This slide highlights your focused academic activities related to the curriculum, assisting you in creating a positive impression. The presentation format and design add value to your research work and adequately represent your dedication, hard work and thoughtfulness in bringing it all together in an engrossing research paper, and an even better cover page. Download now!

Representation of the research work.

A research paper’s cover page gives a report, an academic dissertation, or a thesis a professional appearance. It should be straightforward and concise, with only text. Use SlideTeam's PPT Templates to learn how to format a cover page with only the most essential information.

PS Check out our blog on research cover letter templates  to find the best answer for professionally presenting your study.

FAQs ON RESEARCH PAPER COVER PAGE

What is a research cover page.

A cover page is the first page of a research paper that comprises information about the author and the content. It is concise and brief and is meant to give readers the first impression of your work, which in most cases has spanned years. Its goal is to provide a professional viewpoint to a report, academic dissertation, or thesis. It includes the author's name, the title of the essay, the name of the course with its code, the author’s affiliation, the due date of the paper or date of publication, and the guide’s/teacher's name.

What is the difference between a research paper's cover page and the title page?

A title page is a page that appears at the very beginning of your document and contains only the title, the author’s name, and the institution name. A cover page, on the other hand, is usually placed after the title page. It can concisely describe the project's true purpose and intended research. It lists the why and the how of the research in 2-3 sentences, not any more.

What should a research paper cover?

Introduction

References sections (Figures, tables, and appendix or appendices)

In each of these sections, there needs to be a definite flow and the same formatting to look uniform. The major section that the assessor or the reader looks at immediately is the cover page, and as this blog has explained, you need to get it ready-made from us to create a wonderful first-impression. Then, the discussion section and the results are two major sections where the meat of the research is to be found. After the cover page, a researcher has to be work hard to make these stand out and deliver to world-class standards.

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10+ Free Cover Page Templates for Research Papers in MS Word – (Pro Formats)

#1 – general design.

#2 – For Analytical Research Paper

#3 – Format for Argumentative Research Paper

#4 – Best for Case and Effect Research

#5 – Compare and Contrast Format

#6 – Design for Definition Research Paper

#7 – Experimental Research Paper Design

#8 – Interpretative Research Paper Format

#9 – Best Format for Problem/Solution Research Paper

#10 – Template for Survey Research Paper

• Name of student
• Name of university
• The title of research done
• Name of professor
• Due date of the paper.

Essentials of a research cover paper

Importance of good research paper cover page.

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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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The 15 Best Microsoft Word Cover Page Templates

An attractive cover page adds a professional look to your document. These Microsoft Word templates are for that first impression.

If you want to add something extra to your report or essay, an attractive cover page can help. Not only can it bring flair to your document, but it is also helpful. A cover page introduces the paper to your audience with a title, author, date, and summary.

The cover page makes the first impression on your readers and conveys the big picture of the content. So, if you are ready to complete your business or educational paper, here are several Microsoft Word cover page templates.

Templates for Business Reports and Texts

1. business cover page median theme.

This Median-themed template not only gives you an eye-catching cover page but helps you start your report. The cover page includes space for a photo, such as your business location, product or service, or company logo. You can also add the date and an optional subtitle, along with a summary of the contents.

The second page of the template provides headings, subheadings, paragraphs, and a quote section. This template from Microsoft Office is a great choice that goes a little further to assist you with your document.

2. Report Cover Page Executive Design

This design from Microsoft comes with a cover page template and report format in one. The cover page has a tasteful and professional geometric design. You can pop in the report title, subtitle, and abstract like the other templates.

The second page carries over the same black, white, and purple color scheme and offers a sidebar for highlighting key points. You also have headings, subheadings, and paragraphs for a complete package.

So, if this style matches your business, it is a good choice.

3. Formal Cover Page Blue Vertical Design

Maybe you prefer to stay away from a cover page that includes a photo. If so, this basic option from Hloom might be more your style. With a simple blue vertical line design, the cover page also has spots for the title, subtitle or abstract, date, and the author's name.

4. Report Cover Page Dark Blue Weaves

Hloom has another good option in a darker blue. This one highlights the title of your report with large font right in the center. Other great features of this page are the additional text areas. You can include a subtitle, date, or your company motto at the top. Then, at the bottom is a place for the report's author or your summary.

Templates for Educational Essays and Term Papers

5. student paper cover page.

For students who have the flexibility to format their cover page as they like, this Microsoft Office cover page template is an excellent option. You can pop in a photo or other image and add the report title, student name, course name, instructor name, and date. You can also easily remove the areas that you don’t need.

Similar to the business cover letter templates, this one includes a second page for the report. Headings, subheadings, and a bulleted list are there for convenience. But, if you are required to submit your paper in a specific format like MLA or APA, you can use the cover page.

6. Student Report With Cover Page

Microsoft Word gives you this lovely cover page template for a more compact design that includes a helpful second page. Like other templates for students, you can use a photo or image that enhances your report topic. Insert your title and subtitle and then your name, course name, and date.

The second page has headings and subheadings with a bulleted list to assist you in starting your report, research paper, term paper, or essay.

7-9. APA-Style Cover Pages

When your instructor requires an APA cover page to match your paper, Hloom has a few templates. Each option provides the correct line spacing, font size, margins, Times New Roman font style, and a running head. You can use these templates for a paper with one author, multiple authors within the same institution, or authors with different affiliations.

• The first template is for a paper with just one author, and it is plain and straightforward with places for your title, name, and affiliation or institution name.
• These two are suitable for a two-author paper. You will notice that the only difference is the affiliation.

10. Collaborative Cover Page

If you have a paper with more than one author but are not restricted to the APA format, this report template will be handy. You can add a photo, title, abstract, and multiple authors. You can also fill out the areas for class, semester, instructor name, and date. Take advantage of the second page to start your paper right with a convenient formatting option.

Related: Checklist, Schedule, and Planner Templates for Students

Creative Cover Page Templates

11. book background cover page.

When you want to go all out with a book theme, this Hloom cover page is the right way to do it. The cover page has an old-fashioned look with yellowed paper, and you can add your title and a nice-sized summary.

12. Purple Lined Cover Page

Do you like the larger area for the abstract and creative design, but not necessarily the book theme? This purple vertical lined cover page from Hloom is stylish and simple at the same time. Add your title and summary with a bit of flare.

RELATED: How to Make a Custom Cover Page in Microsoft Word

All-Purpose Templates

If none of these templates fit your needs exactly as you like, maybe an all-purpose template is for you. You can use these cover pages for business or educational documents. Remember, you can remove any text blocks that you do not need.

13. Abstract Design Cover Page

This cover page template is an attractive and professional option. The abstract-designed design at the bottom includes a placeholder for the year. This can be modified after you enable the template for editing. You can complete the title, subtitle, author, and company information.

14. Text Background Cover Page

This is an educational cover page with space to enter the title of your report, subtitle, date, and author. You can enter the date from the drop-down calendar by clicking the template. The background is editable text, which makes this template fun to work with. So, you can enter your own words or letters for a unique look or delete them.

15. Basic Cover Page

When basic is best for your report or paper, this neat and clean template is a good choice. There are no fancy images or photo spots, just a splash of color in the line separating the title and subtitle, which can be removed. Locations for the company name, author, and summary are centered and evenly spaced.

Did You Find the Perfect Cover Page Template?

Hopefully, one or more of these cover page templates will help you create beautiful reports for your business or education. If you didn't find what you're looking for, you could create custom templates in Microsoft Word.

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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What’s Included: Research Paper Template

If you’re preparing to write an academic research paper, our free research paper template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples .

The template’s structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research papers. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your paper will have a smooth, logical flow from chapter to chapter.

The research paper template covers the following core sections:

• The title page/cover page
• Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
• Section 1: Introduction 
• Section 2: Literature review 
• Section 3: Methodology
• Section 4: Findings /results
• Section 5: Discussion
• Section 6: Conclusion
• Reference list

Each section is explained in plain, straightforward language , followed by an overview of the key elements that you need to cover within each section. We’ve also included links to free resources to help you understand how to write each section.

The cleanly formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

FAQs: Research Paper Template

What format is the template (doc, pdf, ppt, etc.).

The research paper template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

What types of research papers can this template be used for?

The template follows the standard best-practice structure for formal academic research papers, so it is suitable for the vast majority of degrees, particularly those within the sciences.

Some universities may have some additional requirements, but these are typically minor, with the core structure remaining the same. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.

Is this template for an undergrad, Masters or PhD-level research paper?

This template can be used for a research paper at any level of study. It may be slight overkill for an undergraduate-level study, but it certainly won’t be missing anything.

How long should my research paper be?

This depends entirely on your university’s specific requirements, so it’s best to check with them. We include generic word count ranges for each section within the template, but these are purely indicative. 

What about the research proposal?

If you’re still working on your research proposal, we’ve got a template for that here .

We’ve also got loads of proposal-related guides and videos over on the Grad Coach blog .

How do I write a literature review?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack how to write a literature review from scratch. You can check out the literature review section of the blog here.

How do I create a research methodology?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. You can check out the methodology section of the blog here.

Can I share this research paper template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me with my research paper?

Within the template, you’ll find plain-language explanations of each section, which should give you a fair amount of guidance. However, you’re also welcome to consider our private coaching services .