Heading a typed essay properly is important for establishing credibility and organization with your readers. This guide will outline best practices for formatting the heading of your essay depending on the specific writing style or format you are asked to follow.
The heading is located at the top of the first page of the essay and provides key identifying information about the paper such as the author’s name, course name or number, instructor’s name, and date. The heading allows readers to quickly glance at the top of the page and know who wrote the paper, what class or subject it is for, when it was written, and other important context. Establishing a strong heading sets the right tone and lets your reader know you are organized and serious about your writing from the very first line.
While specific heading formats can vary depending on things like discipline or instructor preference, most college-level essays will follow either MLA or APA style guidelines. MLA style is commonly used in humanities courses such as English, history, languages, and others. APA style is preferred in social science fields like psychology, education, business, and nursing. Knowing which style your instructor expects is critical for properly formatting the heading of the essay.
For an MLA style paper, the heading should be left-aligned on the first page only and look like this:
Your First and Last Name
Professor’s or Instructor’s Name
Course Name or Number
Date
Ensure there is only one space between each header line. The Course Name or Number can be on the same line as the Professor’s Name if it doesn’t fit on its own line. Do not include titles like Mr., Ms., or Dr. as part of the instructor’s name.
For an APA style paper, the heading is centered at the top of every page and consists of:
Running head: SHORTENED TITLE IN ALL CAPS
On the title page only, this is preceded by the words “Running head:” and the shortened title is not in all caps. The shortened title should be no more than 50 characters and identify the general topic or problem addressed in the paper.
On subsequent pages, only the shortened title in all caps should appear. This centered heading ensures consistency across pages while keeping the reader oriented to the topic. The running head also allows for anonymous grading if the title page is removed before being read.
Some additional MLA and APA heading tips:
Use 12 point, Times New Roman font consistently for the entire paper, including the heading
Omit any titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr.) before the instructor’s name
Spell out the entire month for dates, not just numbers (September 17, 2021)
Include both the name of the course and the instructor even if they are the same
Do not include punctuation at the end of any heading lines
Double check names and titles for spelling accuracy
Leave one blank line between the heading and the essay title or first paragraph
Besides MLA and APA, there are also Chicago/Turabian and IEEE styles that may apply depending on your subject area and professor preferences. IEEE style is common for engineering papers. No matter the style, consistency and accuracy throughout the paper are critical, so proofread your heading carefully before submitting the final draft.
There may also be specific departmental or instructor preferences that supersede standard style guidelines. Always check assignment instructions or syllabi for any modifications. For example, some professors may ask for the date on a single line at the bottom of the page rather than including it with the other heading lines. Follow formatting guidance exactly as presented to avoid point deductions.
Paying close attention to details like proper fonts, alignment, spacing, capitalization and spelling of names makes a polished first impression and shows you understand formatting protocols. Even just omitting a comma or capitalizing the wrong element of the heading can undermine your credibility early on. Take time to perfect the heading so readers can easily identify key elements with a quick glance and know your formatting meets assignment standards.
Heeding proper heading styles for MLA, APA or other formats is an easy way to follow protocol from the very start and indicate your papers have been carefully composed. Readers appreciate consistency that allows them to quickly orient themselves to the author, course and date each time a new paper is picked up. Master the finer points of essay heading formats and you’ll set yourself apart by demonstrating organizational skills required for success at the postsecondary academic level.