If you want to add some points to your grades for academic papers, without making much effort, here is a good idea for you: add a properly formatted title page to your papers. It will make your papers look more professional. Your instructors will definitely like it.
Therefore, here is a simple, but effective strategy: identify your citation style, check this guide to follow the requirements of your title page format and spend several minutes on formatting your title page.
How to make a title page and what to include in it
Although you might have certain doubts as to the potential value of adding a title page to your papers, it truly is a good idea. On one hand, it will create a great first impression. On the other hand, it will assist your instructors in reading and grading your papers, and they will appreciate it. However, for maximum effect, you have to know how to make a title page that truly helps the readers. Here are the main components that you should include on a title page:
- your name;
- your course;
- the title of your paper;
- instructor’s name (only in some citation styles).
Depending on the citation style you use when creating the title page, the above elements might appear in a different order. The answer to the question “how to make a title page” is different for different citation styles. The best advice is to follow the example, provided by your instructor. Make sure to check the college guideline and search for a sample title page in it. If you cannot find any, or if you’d like some additional guidance, you might want to check the following sections to find your way in the labyrinth of different citation formats.
How to make a title page in MLA format
The main principles of making a good MLA title page are:
- Surprisingly, the first principle is to include an MLA title page only if it is requested by your instructor. If a title page is indeed requested, then your name, course and title of your paper should be placed in the upper left-hand corner of your paper.
- Write your name on the first line.
- Write your instructor’s name on the second line.
- Write the code of your course on the third line.
- Write the date on the fourth line.
- Write the title of your paper on the fifth line. The previous four lines should be left-aligned. The title of the paper should use capital letters for all important words (not articles, prepositions or conjunctions) and should be placed in the center of the page.
- Include the page number in the upper right corner of the page, preceded by your surname (please, don’t use any punctuation marks between the page number and surname: Smith 1).
- Use double spacing between all lines on your title page.
How to make a title page in APA format
Some of you may wonder how to make a title page in APA format. These are the main principles of creating a title page in APA format:
- Write the words “running head” before the title of your paper. Then, write the title of your paper, using CAPSLOCK (e.g. Running head: CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES ON MENTAL HEALTH). The title, including the “running head” part, should be left-aligned, at the top of the page. Note that the words “running head” are used only once, at the top of the title page, whereas on the following pages it’s only the title itself that appears in the header.
- Write the title of your paper one more time, using upper and lowercase letters in the center of the title page.
- Write the author’s name on a separate line, centered, below the title.
- Write the name of your institution on the next line, centered.
- Include a page number in the upper right corner.
So, by using this quick guide, you can easily answer the question “how to create a great title page”. Follow these instructions and make a great first impression on your instructors.