Formatting a Title Page in APA Style
The title page is one of the most important pages of your research paper. In APA style, it should contain several key elements: the title of your paper, your name as the author, and affiliation, which is the institution you belong to, such as the name of your college or university. Here is an example title page formatted according to APA style:
Running head: SAMPLE TITLE PAGE IN APA STYLE
Title: Effects of Lack of Sleep on Academic Performance in College Students
Name: John Doe
Affiliation: State University
The formatting of the title page is important in APA style. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
The running head appears in the header at the top of the page. It should be formatted in all capitals and it should contain no more than 50 characters including spaces.
The title should be centered on the page and typed in 12-point Times New Roman font. Only the first letter of the first word of the title and any proper nouns should be capitalized.
Your name appears one third of the way down the page, also centered. Include only your first and last name.
Affiliation refers to where you study or your university/college name. It appears one third of the way down the page below your name, also centered.
No other text such as page numbers should appear on the title page. The title page is page one but the page number is not shown.
Additionally, the title you select for your research paper is important. Choose a title that clearly and concisely conveys the main point or topic of your paper in 15 words or less. Your title may take the form of a question to pique reader interest. It should make obvious what your paper is focused on. Avoid vague or unclear titles that don’t give the reader a strong sense of what your paper topic will be. Also, avoid titles that are too long and complex or that provide excessive details that take away from their ability to clearly and briefly summarize your paper.
When choosing a title, consider your target audience. Select a title that is straightforward and easy for your intended readers to grasp. For example, other scholars in your narrow field of study may understand a more technical title than a general readership. Your title should also be accurate and adequately reflect the full scope and content covered in your paper. Aim to summarize your paper with just the right amount of detail for clarity while maintaining brevity. Run potential titles by peers or your instructor to get feedback on effectiveness.
Once you’ve selected your title, double check that it is formatted correctly according to APA style on the title page. The title should be centered, use title case capitalization, and have an appropriate length of less than 15 words while still clearly conveying your topic. Spelling and capitalization should be exact. Check your title page formatting against the APA manual or online resources to ensure consistency. A well-formatted title page with a clear, concise title is a great way to open your research paper and catch the reader’s interest from the very beginning.