The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely used formatting guide in social sciences, education, and business fields. When it comes to writing a paper in APA style, one of the most crucial elements is the title page. The title page serves as the first impression of your work, and it is essential to format it correctly to ensure that your paper is taken seriously. In this article, we will provide an expert formatting guide on how to create an APA paper title page.
General Guidelines for APA Title Page
The APA title page should include the following elements: title, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and date. The title should be concise, informative, and free of abbreviations. It should be centered on the page, in title case, and no more than 12 words long. The author’s name should be written in the following format: first name, middle initial, and last name. The institutional affiliation should include the name of the university or institution where the research was conducted.
APA Title Page Template
To create an APA title page, you can use the following template:
| Element | Format |
|---|---|
| Title | Centered, title case, no more than 12 words |
| Author’s Name | First name, middle initial, last name |
| Institutional Affiliation | Name of university or institution |
| Date | Current date, in the format: month, day, year |
For example:
Running Head: EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON GLOBAL FOOD PRODUCTION
John D. Smith
Harvard University
February 22, 2023
Additional Elements for APA Title Page
In some cases, you may need to include additional elements on the title page, such as a running head, page number, or author note. A running head is a shortened version of the title, usually no more than 50 characters, that appears at the top of each page. The page number should be centered at the top of the page, and the author note should include any relevant information about the author, such as their academic degree or institutional affiliation.
APA Title Page Example with Additional Elements
Here is an example of an APA title page with additional elements:
Running Head: EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON GLOBAL FOOD PRODUCTION
John D. Smith
Harvard University
February 22, 2023
Author Note: John D. Smith, PhD, Department of Environmental Science, Harvard University
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Tips for Creating an APA Title Page
Here are some tips to help you create an APA title page:
- Use a clear and concise title that accurately reflects the content of your paper.
- Make sure the title is in title case and no more than 12 words long.
- Use the correct format for the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and date.
- Include any additional elements required by your instructor or institution, such as a running head or author note.
- Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and a font size of 12 points.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when creating an APA title page:
- Using a title that is too long or too short.
- Not including the author’s name or institutional affiliation.
- Using the wrong format for the date or page number.
- Not including any additional elements required by your instructor or institution.
- Using a non-standard font or font size.
What is the purpose of the APA title page?
+The APA title page serves as the first impression of your work and provides essential information about the paper, including the title, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and date.
What are the key elements of an APA title page?
+The key elements of an APA title page include the title, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and date. Additional elements, such as a running head or author note, may also be included.
How do I format the title on the APA title page?
+The title should be centered on the page, in title case, and no more than 12 words long.
