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

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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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The 7th edition of the APA title page (introduced in 2019) has separate formatting guidelines for student and professional research papers. It replaced the APA 6th edition, which was introduced in 2009. The APA 7 formatting guidelines allow for more flexibility when it comes to font size and style. 

If you have questions about how to format your cover page, this article is for you. We will be taking a look at the formatting guidelines for the APA style cover page for students as well as professional papers. In order to help you create an appropriate cover page, we’ve also included an APA 7 title page template and plenty of APA cover page examples. 

What is the title page for an APA paper?

The APA title page is the first page of your academic paper that provides information on the title, author(s), professors, and institutions affiliated with your research paper. There are separate APA cover page formats for student and professional papers.

An APA 7 title page consists of the following components:

Student paper

• Page number*
• Title of the paper
• Name of author(s)
• Institutional affiliation
• Name and number of the course
• Name of professor(s)
• Date of submission

*A running head (shortened version of the title) is generally not required for student papers unless explicitly stated by the professor.

Professional paper

• Page number 
• Running head 
• Institutional affiliation(s)
• Author note (Author’s ORCID iD, affiliation changes, disclosures of conflicts of interest, and the author’s contact information)

Now that we’ve gotten a gist of the APA title page format, let’s understand how to construct cover pages for both these versions in detail.

How to construct an APA title page

Before you start formatting the APA first page, there are a few ground rules you must consider. Here are the rules for formatting an APA title page:

• Leave a one-inch margin for all pages. 
• Use double spacing throughout your cover page.
• Maintain consistency in font size and style. 
• Avoid using any titles (Dr, Prof) or degrees (MA, PhD).
• Include the running header and the page number on the top left and right corners respectively. (Simply include the page number for student papers.)
• After leaving 4–5 lines, input and centrally align the title of your paper.
• Include the first, middle, and last name(s) of the author(s) respectively, exactly below the title.
• Include the name of the affiliated university/universities below the names of the authors involved.
• For student papers, include the name of the course professor and the due date below the affiliated university. 
• For professional papers, include the author note a few lines below the affiliated university/universities.
• The author note should be bolded and centrally aligned.
• Details such as the author’s ORCID iD, contact information, affiliation changes, and disclosures of conflicts of interest should be right aligned and placed under the author note.  

The APA 7 format is pretty flexible when it comes to the font style. You can use any of the following font styles in your paper:

• 12-point Times New Roman 
• 11-point Calibri
• 11-point Arial
• 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode  
• 11-point Georgia  
• 10-point Computer Modern  

Now, let’s take a closer look at how to construct the individual elements of both student and professional versions of APA 7th edition title pages:

The following APA cover page examples will help you locate the exact position of each component. These examples cover both, student and professional papers and will guide you in constructing your own cover page. We’ve labeled each of these components and will guide you on how to format them.

Here are the main components of the above APA title page examples:

1. Page number

The page number in an APA style title page should be present on the top right corner of each page and the title page should always be considered page number “1”.

Follow these steps to correctly format the page number in Microsoft Word: 

• Activate the header by double-clicking on the top of the page.
• Click on the “Insert” tab.
• Select the “Page numbers” option.
•  Hover over “Top of Page” and select “Plain Number 3”.

Once this process is complete, you should have a page number for all your sheets.

2. Running head

A running head consists of the title of your paper in all caps. It is compulsory when it comes to professional research papers, but is generally not mandatory for student papers.  

The running head should be in line with the page number, left aligned, and under 50 characters long (including spaces). If your title is longer, you’ll have to shorten it so it can fit the character count of the running head. Make sure to include the main idea of the title here and exclude the less important parts.

Here’s an example of an APA format title along with the running head:

Passing the Genetic Torch: Examining the Mechanisms of Genetic Variation

EXAMINING THE MECHANISMS OF GENETIC VARIATION

3. APA title

The title of your APA cover page must be succinct, informative, and eye-catching. It should also contain the relevant keywords of your paper, essentially providing a gist of your paper. Although not mandatory, it is a good idea to limit your title to under 12 words.

Here’s how to create your APA format title as per the specified guidelines:

• Position your title 4–5 lines from the top of your page.
• Select your title to centrally align and bold it.
• Use the title case* while creating your heading.

*Capitalize the first letter of each word apart from articles and prepositions.

4. Name of the author(s)

After adding your title, mention the name of the authors under the title of the paper (leave a blank line in between). The APA formatting guidelines for the names of authors are different for student and professional papers.

Take a look:

Student papers

Student papers only include the names of authors involved in the process of writing the paper.

• Make sure to include the first, middle, and last names of the authors in precisely this order.
• In the case of two authors, separate the names with an “and”.
• In the case of three or more authors, separate each name with a comma and input the last name with an Oxford comma as well as an “and”.
• Don’t mention titles such as “Dr” and “Prof” or degrees such as “MA” and “PhD”.

Professional papers  

The names of authors in professional papers follow similar guidelines to those of student papers. However, they do include a few additional elements.

• In the case of multiple affiliated institutions, use superscript numbers after the names of the authors. 

5. Institutional affiliations

An author’s institutional affiliation is placed below their name on an APA cover page.

• Add the department and university name, separated by a comma. 
• In the case of multiple affiliations, mention the institutions corresponding to each author in the order of their names.
• Add a superscript number before the name of each institution to indicate the corresponding author.

6. Name and number of the course

It’s mandatory to include the name and number of the course for student papers . 

• Align the information centrally and place it below the institutional affiliation. 
• Write the course number in all caps followed by the course name and separate them by a colon. (For example: HISTORYLIT303: Historical Writing)
• Write the name of your course professor below the course name and number and align it centrally.
• Include the designation as well as the first and last name of your professor. 

7. Author note

Professional papers often contain an author note.

• Place the “Author Note” label at the bottom half of the page, bolded and aligned centrally.
• Add an indent of 0.5 inches for all entries in the author note and align them to the left.
• Follow the author’s names with their ORCID iDs.
• Mention any changes in the authors’ affiliation.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest.
• Add the authors’ contact information.

8. Date of submission

The date of submission for the paper is only to be included for student papers and should be placed below the professor’s name. 

• Centrally align the date of submission using the “Month, Day, Year” format. 
• Spell out the month and avoid abbreviating it. 
• Include the complete year instead of just the last two digits.

Here’s an example: October 02, 2023

APA 7 title page template

Our expertise in providing superior paper editing services has helped us create an APA 7 title page template for students and research professionals. These templates are written using the 12-point Times New Roman font. They also follow all the guidelines for an APA 7 cover page that we’ve highlighted above.  

  APA 7 Title Page Template for Students

APA 7 Title Page Template for Professionals

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Title Page Setup

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student title page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6

Related handouts

• Student Title Page Guide (PDF, 263KB)
• Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Professional title page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.

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Home » Research Paper Title Page – Example and Making Guide

Research Paper Title Page – Example and Making Guide

Table of Contents

Research Paper Title Page

Research Paper Title Page is the cover page of a research paper that provides basic information about the paper. It typically includes the title of the research paper, the author’s name, the date of submission, and the name of the institution or department where the research was conducted.

The title page of a research paper typically includes the following information:

• Title of the research paper
• Author(s) of the paper (including their name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information)
• Date of submission or publication
• Name of the academic institution or organization where the research was conducted (if applicable)
• Any acknowledgments or funding sources for the research
• Abstract of the research paper (usually a brief summary of the paper’s main findings or arguments)

Research Paper Title Page Example

Notes on formatting:

• The title of your research paper should be centered on the page, and should be written in title case (capitalizing the first letter of each major word).
• Your name should be written underneath the title, centered on the page.
• Your institutional affiliation (e.g. the name of your university or research institution) should be written underneath your name, centered on the page.
• The date of submission should be written underneath your institutional affiliation, centered on the page.

Research Paper Title Page Writing Guide

Here are some guidelines for writing a research paper title page:

• Title of the paper: The title should be concise and descriptive, reflecting the main idea or focus of the research paper. The title should be centered on the page and in title case (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
• Author’s name : The author’s name should be written below the title, also centered on the page. Use first name, middle initial, and last name.
• Institutional affiliation: The institutional affiliation is the name of the university, college, or organization where the research was conducted. It should be listed below the author’s name and centered on the page.
• Date of submission: The date of submission is the date when the research paper is being submitted for review or publication. It should be written below the institutional affiliation and centered on the page.
• Running head: A running head is a short version of the title that is used on subsequent pages of the paper. It should be written in all caps and flush left at the top of each page.
• Page number: The page number should be flush right at the top of each page.
• Font and spacing: Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial in 12-point size. Double-space the entire title page.

Purpose of Research Paper Title Page

The purpose of the research paper title page is to:

• Identify the title of the research paper: The title page provides the title of the paper in a clear and concise manner so that readers can quickly understand the topic of the research.
• Indicate the author(s) of the paper: The title page should include the name(s) of the author(s) who conducted the research and wrote the paper. This information helps to establish credibility and accountability for the research.
• Provide information about the institutional affiliation: The title page should also include the name of the institution where the research was conducted. This information helps readers understand the context of the research and can be useful for citations and further research.
• Give the date of the research: The title page should include the date that the research was conducted or the paper was written. This information helps readers understand the currency of the research and can be useful for citing sources.
• Include other relevant information: Depending on the requirements of the research paper, the title page may also include other relevant information such as the course title, instructor’s name, or a brief abstract of the research.
• Establish a professional appearance : The title page provides an opportunity to present the research paper in a professional and organized manner. A well-designed title page with all necessary information can make a positive first impression on readers and demonstrate the author’s attention to detail.
• Facilitate easy referencing: A properly formatted title page can help readers locate the research paper easily in a database, library, or other sources. This is particularly important for academic and scientific research papers that may be referenced frequently by others.
• Comply with formatting guidelines : Many academic and scientific disciplines have specific formatting guidelines for research papers, including requirements for the title page. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the research paper is presented in a consistent and standardized format that is familiar to readers in that field.
• Demonstrate compliance with ethical standards: Some academic institutions require that the title page include a statement of compliance with ethical standards for research, such as human subjects’ protection, data privacy, or animal welfare. This information ensures that the research was conducted in an ethical and responsible manner.

Advantages of Research Paper Title Page

There are several advantages to including a title page in a research paper, including:

• Professional Appearance: A title page provides a professional appearance to the research paper. It is the first thing that readers see, and it gives them an impression of the paper’s overall quality.
• Credibility : Including a title page with all the necessary information, such as the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and the date of submission, enhances the credibility of the research paper.
• Easy Identification: A title page makes it easier for readers to identify the research paper among other papers. It provides important information about the paper, such as the title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation.
• Easy Access: A title page provides a quick reference for readers who need to cite the research paper in their own work. The necessary information is all in one place and easily accessible.
• Compliance with Formatting Guidelines: Many academic institutions have specific formatting guidelines for research papers, including the use of a title page. Including a title page ensures compliance with these guidelines and helps avoid any confusion or penalties.

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• The Complete Guide to APA Format in 2020

APA Title Page / Cover Page

• Headings and Subheadings
• Discussion Section
• Websites and Online Sources
• Journals and Periodicals
• Other Print Sources
• Other Non-Print Sources
• In-text Citations
• Footnotes and Endnotes
• Using MyBib Responsibly
• Miscellaneous Questions

Details to include

The title page (also known as the cover page) is the front page of your paper. It should contain:

• The running head , a header at the top of the page.
• The first page number .
• The title of the paper
• The institution for which you writing.

Running head

The running head should be in the top-left corner of the page in uppercase. It should include a shortened title of your paper. On the front page only, it should also be prepended with "Running head:".

First page number

The first page number -- generally page 1 -- should be in the top-right corner of the page. Both the page number and the running head should be a half inch from the top of the page.

The title of the paper can contain upper and lowercase letters, and ideally should be no more than 12 words in length. It should be direct, and should not contain abbreviations or other unnecessary words. It should not span longer than 2 lines. The first letter of each word should be uppercase, except for articles (a, an, the), and conjunctions (and, but, for, or, yet).

Underneath the title should be your name (or the author's name if you're not the author). It should be displayed as the first name , middle initial , and last name . Do not add titles (such as Dr.) to the beginning, or qualifications (such as PhD) to the end of an author's name.

Your institution

Finally, underneath the author's name, state the full name of the institution or school you're writing the paper for.

The font for all text on the title page should be Times New Roman, size 12pt, with double line-spacing.

A correct title page will look like the below image:

After completing your title page you will move on to writing an abstract of your paper.

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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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• MLA Format Cover Page

The Modern Language Association (MLA) does not require you to create a cover page when you complete your research paper, but some instructors may require it.

If your instructor requires your paper to have a cover page, here is how to make it (very easy). This cover page should include: your school name, your research paper title, your name, your class, your professor name and your paper due date.

How to Format Your MLA Cover Page:

• This page is double spaced and the letters are centered.
• Font: Times New Roman
• Font size: 12
• The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
• Type the name of your university or college.
• Skip to about one-third of the page and type your research paper title, include a subtitle if you have.
• Skip several lines down and type your name, your course name and number, your instructor name and your paper’s due date.

Sample MLA Format Cover Page:

Sample MLA Format Cover Page

Alternate First Page:

If your instructor requires a cover page, you would omit the main heading on your first page. Here is an example of the first page if a cover page is used. You still need your last name and page number on the first page and every other page.

Sample MLA Format First Page with Cover Page

Sample MLA Paper:

Visit here for a sample paper with the cover page. The cover page can vary slightly. This paper also has the outline page for your sample.

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How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages.

In word select the header then go to: Header & Footer>Page Number>Format Page Numbers>Page Numbering>Start at page>Set to 0

How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages. I am using windows. Also, the page numbers are not working for me either. Please help me.

How should I start the page after my cover page?

https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/

Thank you so much Stephen !!! Helped a lot in my written assignments 🙂

Great site ! Thank you so much. Just returned to school to complete my bachelors and needed a little refreshing. Has all the information I needed !

Thanks so much for all of the great information! I have not used MLA before and was a little panic stricken. I have found all of my answers here. This is now saved to my favorites so I can use it regularly. Thanks again!

Should the lines on the cover page be double spaced?

Thanks so much for the picture of the cover page it has helped a lot. But, I was wondering do I still need to put my Title at the top of every page after the header?

Hello Lydia. You do not.

After your cover page, your next page’s heading should look like the “Alternate First Page” above.

After the “Alternate First Page” => your next pages should have “The Inner Pages” heading: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/

Sample paper: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-sample-paper-with-cover-page-and-outline/

hey Lydia you don’t need to but if you want to you can

Thank you so so much. I love the simplicity of the website, very easy to understand. I finally have a cover page for my paper!!

I love this website!! It helped so many times with all my essays. I’m working on a college one and this was very useful. Thank you soo much. And thanks for the examples im a visual person I needed that 🙂

Hi Kaylin, I am glad you find this site useful. Take care!

By the way (sorry i forgot!) for the coverpage, would the text font be 12 times new roman???

You can set everything 12, Times New Roman. Or you can set the Title a little larger than 12, that should work too.

In the example above, I have the title larger than 12.

Here is an example with everything set at 12.

Thank you so much for your help on this useful website! I found it very organized and I’m very glad that I came across this particular article. Thanks!!!!!!!:)

I have a question regarding the cover page and the following pages. If I have a cover page as the example provided, do I still need the heading on the next page? And should the pages after that contain my last name on the top left as the header does on the on the previous pages? or do I not need the header at all if I have the cover page and just my name?

Excellence question, Stella! I have updated this article with information on the first page if a cover page is used. Please see “Alternate First Page” above.

You can omit the main heading but you still need your last name and page number on the first page and all subsequent pages. Take care!

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WTO / Graphics / Book Covers / 48 Amazing Cover Page Templates | Word, Illustrator, PDF

48 Amazing Cover Page Templates | Word, Illustrator, PDF

A Cover Page is fundamentally the first page of most academic and professional documents such as research papers, project reports, proposals, books, and essays.

In this article, we have provided the essentials of a cover page along with editable templates and examples. So let’s get familiar with what this page actually is and how it is used.

The author provides general information such as the name of the author(s), publisher, and the topic being discussed in the document. For academic purposes, the name of the course, institution, supervising professor, and the due date can also be included. Fundamentally, it provides the readers with a quick understanding of what to expect in the document by stating the topic and introducing the book or paper.

Free Templates

Essentials of a Cover Page

It lets the reader know the topic that is discussed in the document. To do so, several items are commonly presented on the template.

They include:

• The date when the document was prepared
• The author’s name
• The official name of the organization or institute (college, university, or company)
• The title and subtitle of the document
• Running headline
• The supervisor’s name, such as a teacher, professor, or manager
• The name of the publisher
• The date and edition of the publication

The information outlined on the page is influenced by the type of document, the scope of the document, and the citation style adopted by the author.

Regarding the type, different types of documents will require different information to appear on the template.

An academic report for a class assignment will show the subject’s teacher, which is unnecessary on a book cover page.

The information to be input in a document with a broad scope is different from that with a narrow scope.

A class assignment cover page will typically have less information than a multi-organization research paper .

Different styles of formatting documents dictate the information that should be presented on the page. Some styles even dictate that this page not be included in the document.

Kinds of Cover Page

The most common types of cover page template formats are APA, MLA, and CMS. These types of templates will differ in how they are formatted and the information in them. In addition, if you closely compare the examples of the page, some formats are more prevalent in specific fields than others.

The features of each type will be discussed below:

APA cover page

The running headline is written at the top left of the document on an this template, while the page number is indicated in the top right. The running is typed in all uppercase letters and should not exceed 50 characters (spaces included).

The title should be written in the upper half of the page and should be in the title case -each word of the title is capitalized except articles and prepositions. The title length should be 12 words at most and can take up at most two sentences.

The name(s) of the author(s), which is then followed by the institution’s name, are then written after the title. The authors’ names are first name, middle initial(s), then the last name. In APA, official titles and educational qualifications should not be provided on the template.   

MLA cover page

In MLA style, this page is not required. However, some instructors might request authors to include the page, or it can be added at the author’s preference to make the document appear more professional. These pages should have the following details; the name of the institution (school or university), the title of the document, author’s name, name of the class, name of teacher or professor, and the submission date.

Additional details can be added as per the instructions given. When this page is included in MLA format, it should be double-spaced, and its contents should be centered. The name of the institution is written first at the top half of the page.

The title of the document is then added at a third of the page. Skip several lines and add any other information required. This information can be the authors’ names, the class name, the name of the instructor or professor, the date of submission, or any other as per guidelines.

Documents prepared with CMS format ought to have a template. The title is written at one-third of the page. The title and subtitle should be in bold.

Any other essential information such as the name(s) of the author(s), teacher, the course title, and submission date can then be included. You can see in the examples below that in the CMS format of the page, the page number is not included.

Even though this page is not required in some formats, it is not strictly prohibited unless the instructors prohibit it. Adding this page is therefore recommended whenever it is possible as the make documents look more professional. These pages do not contribute to the length of the document or paper.

Amazing Cover Page Examples

How to Make a Cover Page Template

Now, have you been asked to write a report or class assignment and include this page template? If yes, there are several ways to go about it. The technique to use will depend on the guidelines and what is to be accomplished.

This article will highlight the different ways authors can use templates along with different examples:

Method 1: For the resume

Resumes will, in some cases, have cover pages. Remember, as earlier mentioned and can also be seen in the downloadable examples provided below, these pages improve the professionalism of a document. This page for a resume is a letter that accompanies an applicant’s application.

If this is the case, the following considerations are worth implementing in the writing process:

Keep the letter to one page

The template should be one page in length. This page ought to be formatted like any other professional letter. A one-inch margin on all sides is used, but the margin can be as small as 0.7 inches. Its contents ought to be single-spaced and aligned to the left. Also, each paragraph should be separated with a single blank line.

Include contact information in the upper left corner

At the top-most left corner, include your name and contact information. The basic information included in this section is the sender’s full name, physical address, valid phone number, and email address. Fax numbers are written after the phone number and above the email address.

Write the full date

After the email address, insert the date when the template was written. Next, indicate the Month, day, and year. A format of the day, month, then the year is also acceptable depending on the guidelines.  Leave a blank line on each side of the date.

State the name and address of the recipient

Indicate the recipient’s details. This includes the name and title of the recipient in one line and separated with a comma.

In the following line, indicate the name of the organization and below that the organization’s physical address.

You don’t need to provide other information for the company.

Address the receiver by name

Provide a formal salutation. Two situations determine how to write the salutation – one where the sender does not know the recipient’s name and two where they do. First, if you are not familiar with the name of the recipient, address them as “Dear Hiring Manager/Hiring Committee/HR Manager,” etc. – based on their title. If you know their name, include it in the salutation.

Dear Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Banks, etc.

Leave a blank line (space) before and after you address the receiver.

Write an introduction

An introduction should then follow after skipping a line from the salutation. The author introduces themselves and states the purpose of the page and the position they are applying for. Details such as previous encounters with the recipient and where you heard about the vacancy can also be included. Indicating the institution where you attend, and your major is also allowed in the introduction.

Highlight your skills

The body of the page can have two to three paragraphs. Indicate why you are suited for the job and how you are qualified for the same. Use precise real-life examples of what makes you a suitable candidate. Align the qualifications and examples with the job specifications. This can be realized by reviewing the job posting and identifying the specifications and requirements you fulfill. Opt to add any accomplishments that relate to the position. 

Briefly conclude your letter

Conclude the page letter by indicating your excitement for the position and reiterating key takeaways from the body of the letter in a few lines. Let the recipient know you are available for an interview and provide contact information to reach out. A personal phone number and/or email address would suffice.

Close the letter formally

Lastly, close the letter using a complimentary close such as “Yours Sincerely” or “Thank You.” Next, sign the document and then indicate your name. Always use blank ink to sign formal documents.

Method 2: For a fax

When sending formal fax, it is necessary to include a template to add a professional look to the document.

This can be achieved with the following procedure:

Provide the header

The official name and address of the sender are added at the top of the page. This information should be centered. A phone number and fax number are then added. An official letterhead can be used to encapsulate this information. After, skip two lines before proceeding with other information.

Format the cover sheet in two columns

Next, separate the cover sheet into two columns. This makes the cover sheet more legible and presentable. Finally, double-space the cover sheet before inserting information. Note that clarity and legibility should be prioritized when creating a fax cover page. Authors can add their contact information and the receiver’s contact details at the top of the fax page. The fax can then be saved as a template for future use because its general format will usually be the same.

Fill out the left column

In the left column, list down the date, the recipient -“To”- and sender’s name -“From”- and then the sender’s phone number, each in its line. Each label to the mentioned information should be in capital/uppercase. With the dates, the standard US format is ‘month, day, year’ whereas, for most other countries, it will be a day, month, year. Authors should follow the appropriate format as applicable to their situation.

Complete the right column

The right column lists the time, recipient’s fax number, followed by the sender’s fax number, and email address, each written in uppercase followed by a colon such as ‘DATE:’, ‘TIME:’ etc Each label should be in uppercase. Also, ensure that the sender/recipient’s information in the left column aligns with the sender/recipient’s information in the right column.

Indicate the number of pages

Beneath the left column, indicate the exact number of pages of the fax document. An introductory statement should be given before the number is written down.

This section of the page will be as:

Total number of pages of this fax: 5.

This statement does not have to be in uppercase.

Include a brief message

Next, insert a label named “MESSAGE” and write down a concise message that declares the purpose of the fax and the type of document being faxed. This message should be written in a few lines. To conclude the message, request the receiver to verify receipt of the fax and provide a phone number or email address they can use to do so.

Write a disclaimer, if necessary

Lastly, add a disclaimer if it is necessary. A disclaimer can be issued if the information in the document is confidential, in case the fax is not received and in the event, the fax is wrongly received. If the information is confidential, clearly state its use is strictly forbidden. Ensure to use the specific guidelines applicable in the situation at hand.

Method 3: For your manuscript

Manuscripts will often require this page to be included. This can be a book, article, or composition manuscript.

The following steps can be used to write a manuscript template:

Include your contact information

At the top left corner of the page, insert a header containing your name, phone number, and email address. A pen name can also be added as long as it is indicated, such as “Pen Name” or “A.K.A.” Also, note that if the manuscript is to be reviewed anonymously, the author is expected to include their contact details on the template, and, at the same time, remove their name and contact from the title page. 

List the word count

Next, indicate the approximate word count of the manuscript in the upper right corner. Use the statement “Approximately ……. Words.” This word count is written as approximate because the exact word count doesn’t need to be stated.

If the word count is 5133, it can be written as 5100 or 5000.

This rule is, however, not applicable to manuscripts that ought to have a strict word count. If this is the case, indicate the exact word count.

Include the title of your manuscript

The title of the manuscript can also be added to the page of a manuscript. The title should be typed in the middle of the page and should be centered. The title should strictly be in one line and is mostly written in uppercase, even though this is not mandatory. You do not need to write it in bold, italicize or underline the title. However, it is essential to note that this page is not a title page.

Immediately after the title, the author’s name is written down. The name can be the real name or a pen name. The page of a manuscript should not be bound, same with other pages in a manuscript.

Method 4: Using APA style

A template can be prepared in an APA format for different situations. For example, the following steps can be used in creating an APA cover page template:

Use a standard font and margin

Firstly, format the page template to APA specifications. As earlier mentioned, an all-around 1-inch margin and 12 –point Times New Roman font and double spacing are recommended.

Place the running headline

Next, write down the page template running headline in capital letters at the top left corner of the page. The running head should have the label “Running head” before a summarized form of the document title is given. The label and the text should be separated by a colon. The running headline should not be longer than 50 characters – spaces and punctuation included.  

Insert the page number

At the other right end of the page, indicate the page number, typically “1” for a cover page. Standard numerals should be used, not Roman numerals. Ensure the running head and the page number are accurately horizontally aligned.

Centre the title

Next, the title should be placed at about one-third of the page from the top of the page. Approximately this is 2 inches from the header line. The title should not be in bold, italicized, or underlined. Instead, use uppercase except for minor words.

Include your name below the title

Immediately after the title, the author indicates their name. If the document represents the work of multiple authors, all the authors should be listed. The names ought to be separated by a comma.

Include the name of your institution

Lastly, beneath the name(s), the name of the organization is indicated. The name of the institution/organization should be written in title case – each major in uppercase. If the professor or instructor requested additional information, it could be given after the institution name.

Method 5: Using MLA style

These pages can also be written in MLA format. This article will highlight the steps authors can use to create an MLA  page.

They are as follows:

Use a standard font and standard margins

Modify the template to the MLA format specifications. As earlier mentioned, a standard 1-inch margin and a 12-pt Times New Roman font are used. Note that some instructors will request the page even though it is not mandatory in MLA format. 

Center the title

Next, provide the title of the document and center it at approximately one-third from the top of the template. Every major letter in the title should be capitalized. If there is a subtitle, it should be written beneath the title. The title and subtitle do not need to be italicized, underlined, or in bold.

Write your full name

After the title or subtitle, whichever is last, several lines ought to be skipped, and the author’s name is then provided. If multiple authors should be included, they should be listed at this point. The name(s) of the author or authors should be written in the same font and font size as the words on the document’s title page.

List the receiver of your paper

Finally, the template ought to indicate the recipient of the document, the name of the course/class, and the date of submission immediately after the author’s name. Each category of information should be written in a separate line and double-spaced. Use appropriate titles when referring to the recipient. The course number can also be indicated. 

Method 6: Using chicago style

This page can also be written in Chicago style. In Chicago style, the page and the title page are the same.

Therefore, the steps presented below can be followed to write a template in Chicago style:

First and foremost, modify the font and margins to a traditionally accepted format. A one (1) -inch margin on every side of the page and a 12-pt Times New Roman font are considered standard specifications. The page and the title page refer to the same item; therefore, do not add the title page. 

List the title first

Next, at about one-third from the top of the page, provide the title of the document. The title should be at the center of the page. Every major word should be capitalized, or the entire title can be capitalized. If the document or paper has a subtitle, write it the subsequent line, separate it from the title with a colon. The title and subtitled ought not to be stylized: italicized, underlined, or in bold. 

After the title or subtitle, skip several lines and write your name (first and last) about one-third from the bottom of the page. If more than one author has to be indicated, write their names at this point in the same line but separated with a comma. The name(s) should be the same font and font size used throughout the page.

Specify the subject, instructor, and date in your final section

Lastly, indicate the name and number of the course, the instructor, and the due date. Each of the elements should be in separate lines and double-spaced. Use appropriate titles with the name of the instructor.

Dr., Professor, etc. 

Cover Page Samples

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a title page does not contribute to a paper or document’s word or page count. Likewise, a cover page also is not considered part of a document’s word or page count.

In cases where multiple people contributed to writing a paper or document, they should all be identified. The manner in which they are listed will depend on the format used, affiliations, and the organization they are working with. For example, in APA style, the names are written after the title or subtitle of the document in the same line where each name is separated with a comma. The author’s title, first name, middle name, and last name are indicated in that format.

A cover page will usually be required depending on the format. For example, in APA, the cover page is mandatory, whereas, in MLA, it usually is not used. However, in MLA and Chicago styles, this is dependent on the instructor’s requirements or the author’s preference. It will usually be required depending on the format. For example, in APA, the cover page is mandatory, whereas, in MLA, it usually is not used. However, in MLA and Chicago styles, this is dependent on the instructor’s requirements or the author’s preference.

No. Authors are never penalized for adding a cover page to a document, even if it was not a requirement in academic writing. If you aren’t sure whether to include this page or not, it is always best to include it. However, always consult the guidelines to ensure you are following them to the letter.

Authors can choose to write their cover pages from scratch or use a template. The templates are easy to use and straightforward and thus recommended. The cover page should be written following the institution or instructor’s requirements because different cover page formats will be written differently. It should be text-only, figures should not be included. Basic information commonly found on a cover page is the title of the document, author(s) name, instructor’s name, name of institution, and date of submission/publication.

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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

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#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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Sample Cover Page for Research Paper Templates

Students are fraught with a lot of schoolwork—throw in some assignments, some sample reports , some projects, some exams to study for and papers to write, then voila, school is truly in session. If you are a student, then everything that I have mentioned might already have been familiar to you.

Cover Page For Research Paper

Sample mla cover page template - 6+ free documents in pdf, word, sample report cover page - 7+ documents in word, pdf, sample apa cover page template - 9+ free documents in pdf.

But despite the varied schoolwork, there might be some requirements that you still have trouble dealing with—like writing research papers! Do not worry, even though writing is a very common activity in school, there are still a lot of students who feel anxious doing it. Whatever it is that concerns you about writing research, below are Sample Papers you can check out for guidance.

Sample Cover Page for MLA Research Paper

Size: 48 KB

When Should a Cover Page be used?

A cover page should be used in several contexts to present a polished and professional appearance for your document. Here are key situations when a cover page is typically required or recommended:

• Academic Submissions : Most academic papers, including essays, reports, and research papers, require a cover page as part of the format guidelines provided by educational institutions. This often follows specific style guides like APA, MLA, or Chicago.
• Business Reports : Formal business reports often begin with a cover page. This includes documents such as annual reports , marketing analyses, and strategic plans . The cover page helps to set the professional tone and context for the report.
• Professional Portfolios : When compiling a professional portfolio, whether for job interviews, client presentations, or professional assessments, a cover page is used to introduce the content and give a brief overview of what the sample portfolio contains.
• Grant Proposals : Grant proposals typically start with a cover page that includes the proposal title, the name of the organization applying for the grant, contact information, and sometimes the name of the grant program.
• Legal Documents : Many types of legal documents include a cover page to outline the document’s purpose and parties involved, providing clear identification and facilitating easier handling and filing.
• Thesis or Dissertation : Academic theses or dissertations require a cover page to provide essential details such as the title, author’s name, academic institution, degree program, and submission date.
• Project Proposals: Similar to grant proposals, project proposals often include a cover page to provide essential information about the project and the proposing organization or individual

Using a cover page in these situations enhances readability and organization, making it easier for readers to identify and process the document’s purpose and origins at a glance.

Cover Page for History Research Paper in PDF

Size: 69 KB

How to Make a Cover Page For Research Paper

Apa style cover page.

• Title : About halfway down the page, center align the full title of your research paper.
• Author’s Name : Below the title, include your name as the author.
• Institutional Affiliation : Below your name, write the name of your institution.
• Course Name and Number : Include the course for which the paper is being submitted.
• Instructor’s Name : Add the name of your instructor or supervisor.
• Date : Place the date of submission below the instructor’s name.
• Running head and page number : At the top of the page, include a running head—a shortened version of your title and a page number.

MLA Style Cover Page

• School Name : At the top of the page, type the name of your college or university.
• Title : Center the title about one-third down the page.
• Author’s Name : Below the title, place your name, followed by the name of your instructor, the course name and number, and the date—all double-spaced and in separate lines.
• Header : In the upper right corner, place a header with your last name and the page number.

Chicago Style Cover Page

• Title : Center your title halfway down the page, and if it’s longer than one line, it should be double-spaced.
• Your Name : Several lines below the title, include your name.
• Class and Date : Several lines below your name, include the class name and number, the instructor’s name, and the date of submission—all double-spaced.
• Page number : Include a page number in the header.

Cover Page Format for Research Paper

Size: 25 KB

A research paper is an academic paper where one can address a problem or an issue through a systematic study or investigation of material. The following are some of the parts a research paper should have:

• The Problem and Its Scope – this is the part where you present the issue you are going to address and its background. This is also where you present the parameters and the premises that you can cover.
• Review of Related Literature – this is where you can discuss papers or studies that are relevant to yours.
• Methodologies – this is where you are going to present the methods and procedures you are going to use for getting data.
• Discussion of Results – this is where the data you have gathered for your problem is presented.
• Conclusion – this is where you write the summary of the entire research. You can also include your recommendations for future researchers.

Now that you know the things that goes into your paper, you should know what goes into the cover as well. Since it is the first thing that your readers will see and first impressions last thus, the first thing is discussed last in this article. If the format of your paper is in APA, it should include the following details:

• The title of your research
• The name of the institution you are doing the research for
• The date of submission
• You can also include the name of your adviser and the level of your paper; your department or institution can determine whether this will be included or not.
• A running head – it appears at the top of the page and contains the shortened version of your title.
• Page number

In case you are doing MLA, you can check out our MLA Cover Page Samples . We also have other covers such as Sample Fax Cover Pages .

Cover Page for Scientific Research Paper

Size: 47 KB

Standard Cover Page for Research Paper

Size: 40 KB

Tips For Creating a Cover Page

Creating an effective cover page for a document, whether it’s for an academic paper, business report , or any other formal document, involves several important considerations to ensure it’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Here are some key tips for crafting an effective cover page:

• Follow Formatting Guidelines : Always adhere to specific formatting guidelines required by your institution, journal, or company. This may include specific placements, font requirements, and information to be included, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style for academic papers.
• Keep It Professional : Choose a clean and professional design. Avoid overly decorative fonts and graphics unless they are appropriate for the context of your document (e.g., creative industries).
• Include Essential Information : Generally, a cover page should include the title of your document, your name, the date, and depending on the context, additional information like your course details, instructor’s name, or your company name.
• Center the Text : Typically, text on a cover page should be centered both horizontally and vertically on the page. This layout is visually appealing and easy to read.
• Use Readable Fonts : Stick to standard, easy-to-read fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Keep the font size between 12 to 14 points for the body text on the cover page.
• Include a Running Head and Page Number if Required : For APA format, include a running head at the top of the cover page. The running head is a shortened version of your title and should be aligned left, with the page number aligned right.
• Ensure Consistency : The cover page should match the rest of your document in terms of font, color, and overall style. This consistency helps to create a professional appearance.
• Proofread : Just like any part of your document, proofread the cover page for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammatical errors. These small mistakes can negatively impact the perceived professionalism of your work.
• Check Alignment and Spacing : Ensure that the text alignment and spacing on the cover page look balanced and aesthetically pleasing. Adequate spacing, particularly around the edges of the page, also makes the content easier to read.
• Test Different Designs : If appropriate, test different designs especially if you are creating a cover page for a business report or marketing material. Sometimes, adding a relevant image or graphic can enhance the visual appeal and attract more attention, provided it’s done tastefully.

By following these tips, you can create a cover page that enhances the presentation of your document, ensuring that it not only looks professional but also provides necessary information in a clear and accessible manner.

Cover Page for Quantitative Research Paper

Size: 21 KB

Cover Page for APA Research Paper Example

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How to do a cover page for a research paper APA?

Place the title halfway down the page, centered. Beneath that, list your name, university, course, instructor, and the submission date. Add a running head and a page number at the top.

How should a cover page look for a paper?

A cover page should be clean, professional, and includes the title, author’s name, institution, and date. Information should be centered vertically and horizontally on the page.

What should a cover page say?

A cover page should include the paper’s title, author’s name, institution, course name, instructor’s name, and the submission date. Specifics may vary based on the formatting style.

How long should a cover page be?

A cover page is a single page. It concisely presents necessary details like the title, author, institution, and other relevant information at a glance.

How do you write an article cover page?

For an article, include the title, author’s name(s), and affiliations. If it’s for publication, also include a byline, date, and possibly a brief subtitle that elaborates on the article’s theme.

Research is among the many activities that can truly mark a student’s life. It isn’t easy, actually; there are those who complain a lot, but it serves some very important purposes. For instance, you can learn a lot of things from conducting researches—both knowledge and experience. You can also understand an issue or a problem more.

Almost all the things that we have today are products of research. The food that we eat, the phones that we use, even the clothes that we wear. That is why, if you are doing research now, do not be sad; what is important is that you are about to discover a lot of things and you are making a contribution to the world. In case you have other activities on your plate, like projects to finish, you can check out our Project Cover Page Samples .

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Writing a Research Paper

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The Research Paper

There will come a time in most students' careers when they are assigned a research paper. Such an assignment often creates a great deal of unneeded anxiety in the student, which may result in procrastination and a feeling of confusion and inadequacy. This anxiety frequently stems from the fact that many students are unfamiliar and inexperienced with this genre of writing. Never fear—inexperience and unfamiliarity are situations you can change through practice! Writing a research paper is an essential aspect of academics and should not be avoided on account of one's anxiety. In fact, the process of writing a research paper can be one of the more rewarding experiences one may encounter in academics. What is more, many students will continue to do research throughout their careers, which is one of the reasons this topic is so important.

Becoming an experienced researcher and writer in any field or discipline takes a great deal of practice. There are few individuals for whom this process comes naturally. Remember, even the most seasoned academic veterans have had to learn how to write a research paper at some point in their career. Therefore, with diligence, organization, practice, a willingness to learn (and to make mistakes!), and, perhaps most important of all, patience, students will find that they can achieve great things through their research and writing.

The pages in this section cover the following topic areas related to the process of writing a research paper:

• Genre - This section will provide an overview for understanding the difference between an analytical and argumentative research paper.
• Choosing a Topic - This section will guide the student through the process of choosing topics, whether the topic be one that is assigned or one that the student chooses themselves.
• Identifying an Audience - This section will help the student understand the often times confusing topic of audience by offering some basic guidelines for the process.
• Where Do I Begin - This section concludes the handout by offering several links to resources at Purdue, and also provides an overview of the final stages of writing a research paper.

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• Research paper

How to Write a Research Paper | A Beginner's Guide

A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research.

Research papers are similar to academic essays , but they are usually longer and more detailed assignments, designed to assess not only your writing skills but also your skills in scholarly research. Writing a research paper requires you to demonstrate a strong knowledge of your topic, engage with a variety of sources, and make an original contribution to the debate.

This step-by-step guide takes you through the entire writing process, from understanding your assignment to proofreading your final draft.

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Table of contents

Understand the assignment, choose a research paper topic, conduct preliminary research, develop a thesis statement, create a research paper outline, write a first draft of the research paper, write the introduction, write a compelling body of text, write the conclusion, the second draft, the revision process, research paper checklist, free lecture slides.

Completing a research paper successfully means accomplishing the specific tasks set out for you. Before you start, make sure you thoroughly understanding the assignment task sheet:

• Read it carefully, looking for anything confusing you might need to clarify with your professor.
• Identify the assignment goal, deadline, length specifications, formatting, and submission method.
• Make a bulleted list of the key points, then go back and cross completed items off as you’re writing.

Carefully consider your timeframe and word limit: be realistic, and plan enough time to research, write, and edit.

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There are many ways to generate an idea for a research paper, from brainstorming with pen and paper to talking it through with a fellow student or professor.

You can try free writing, which involves taking a broad topic and writing continuously for two or three minutes to identify absolutely anything relevant that could be interesting.

You can also gain inspiration from other research. The discussion or recommendations sections of research papers often include ideas for other specific topics that require further examination.

Once you have a broad subject area, narrow it down to choose a topic that interests you, m eets the criteria of your assignment, and i s possible to research. Aim for ideas that are both original and specific:

• A paper following the chronology of World War II would not be original or specific enough.
• A paper on the experience of Danish citizens living close to the German border during World War II would be specific and could be original enough.

Note any discussions that seem important to the topic, and try to find an issue that you can focus your paper around. Use a variety of sources , including journals, books, and reliable websites, to ensure you do not miss anything glaring.

Do not only verify the ideas you have in mind, but look for sources that contradict your point of view.

• Is there anything people seem to overlook in the sources you research?
• Are there any heated debates you can address?
• Do you have a unique take on your topic?
• Have there been some recent developments that build on the extant research?

In this stage, you might find it helpful to formulate some research questions to help guide you. To write research questions, try to finish the following sentence: “I want to know how/what/why…”

A thesis statement is a statement of your central argument — it establishes the purpose and position of your paper. If you started with a research question, the thesis statement should answer it. It should also show what evidence and reasoning you’ll use to support that answer.

The thesis statement should be concise, contentious, and coherent. That means it should briefly summarize your argument in a sentence or two, make a claim that requires further evidence or analysis, and make a coherent point that relates to every part of the paper.

You will probably revise and refine the thesis statement as you do more research, but it can serve as a guide throughout the writing process. Every paragraph should aim to support and develop this central claim.

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A research paper outline is essentially a list of the key topics, arguments, and evidence you want to include, divided into sections with headings so that you know roughly what the paper will look like before you start writing.

A structure outline can help make the writing process much more efficient, so it’s worth dedicating some time to create one.

Your first draft won’t be perfect — you can polish later on. Your priorities at this stage are as follows:

• Maintaining forward momentum — write now, perfect later.
• Paying attention to clear organization and logical ordering of paragraphs and sentences, which will help when you come to the second draft.
• Expressing your ideas as clearly as possible, so you know what you were trying to say when you come back to the text.

You do not need to start by writing the introduction. Begin where it feels most natural for you — some prefer to finish the most difficult sections first, while others choose to start with the easiest part. If you created an outline, use it as a map while you work.

Do not delete large sections of text. If you begin to dislike something you have written or find it doesn’t quite fit, move it to a different document, but don’t lose it completely — you never know if it might come in useful later.

Paragraph structure

Paragraphs are the basic building blocks of research papers. Each one should focus on a single claim or idea that helps to establish the overall argument or purpose of the paper.

Example paragraph

George Orwell’s 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language” has had an enduring impact on thought about the relationship between politics and language. This impact is particularly obvious in light of the various critical review articles that have recently referenced the essay. For example, consider Mark Falcoff’s 2009 article in The National Review Online, “The Perversion of Language; or, Orwell Revisited,” in which he analyzes several common words (“activist,” “civil-rights leader,” “diversity,” and more). Falcoff’s close analysis of the ambiguity built into political language intentionally mirrors Orwell’s own point-by-point analysis of the political language of his day. Even 63 years after its publication, Orwell’s essay is emulated by contemporary thinkers.

Citing sources

It’s also important to keep track of citations at this stage to avoid accidental plagiarism . Each time you use a source, make sure to take note of where the information came from.

You can use our free citation generators to automatically create citations and save your reference list as you go.

APA Citation Generator MLA Citation Generator

The research paper introduction should address three questions: What, why, and how? After finishing the introduction, the reader should know what the paper is about, why it is worth reading, and how you’ll build your arguments.

What? Be specific about the topic of the paper, introduce the background, and define key terms or concepts.

Why? This is the most important, but also the most difficult, part of the introduction. Try to provide brief answers to the following questions: What new material or insight are you offering? What important issues does your essay help define or answer?

How? To let the reader know what to expect from the rest of the paper, the introduction should include a “map” of what will be discussed, briefly presenting the key elements of the paper in chronological order.

The major struggle faced by most writers is how to organize the information presented in the paper, which is one reason an outline is so useful. However, remember that the outline is only a guide and, when writing, you can be flexible with the order in which the information and arguments are presented.

One way to stay on track is to use your thesis statement and topic sentences . Check:

• topic sentences against the thesis statement;
• topic sentences against each other, for similarities and logical ordering;
• and each sentence against the topic sentence of that paragraph.

Be aware of paragraphs that seem to cover the same things. If two paragraphs discuss something similar, they must approach that topic in different ways. Aim to create smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and sections.

The research paper conclusion is designed to help your reader out of the paper’s argument, giving them a sense of finality.

Trace the course of the paper, emphasizing how it all comes together to prove your thesis statement. Give the paper a sense of finality by making sure the reader understands how you’ve settled the issues raised in the introduction.

You might also discuss the more general consequences of the argument, outline what the paper offers to future students of the topic, and suggest any questions the paper’s argument raises but cannot or does not try to answer.

You should not :

• Offer new arguments or essential information
• Take up any more space than necessary
• Begin with stock phrases that signal you are ending the paper (e.g. “In conclusion”)

There are four main considerations when it comes to the second draft.

• Check how your vision of the paper lines up with the first draft and, more importantly, that your paper still answers the assignment.
• Identify any assumptions that might require (more substantial) justification, keeping your reader’s perspective foremost in mind. Remove these points if you cannot substantiate them further.
• Be open to rearranging your ideas. Check whether any sections feel out of place and whether your ideas could be better organized.
• If you find that old ideas do not fit as well as you anticipated, you should cut them out or condense them. You might also find that new and well-suited ideas occurred to you during the writing of the first draft — now is the time to make them part of the paper.

The goal during the revision and proofreading process is to ensure you have completed all the necessary tasks and that the paper is as well-articulated as possible. You can speed up the proofreading process by using the AI proofreader .

Global concerns

• Confirm that your paper completes every task specified in your assignment sheet.
• Check for logical organization and flow of paragraphs.
• Check paragraphs against the introduction and thesis statement.

Fine-grained details

Check the content of each paragraph, making sure that:

• each sentence helps support the topic sentence.
• no unnecessary or irrelevant information is present.
• all technical terms your audience might not know are identified.

Next, think about sentence structure , grammatical errors, and formatting . Check that you have correctly used transition words and phrases to show the connections between your ideas. Look for typos, cut unnecessary words, and check for consistency in aspects such as heading formatting and spellings .

Finally, you need to make sure your paper is correctly formatted according to the rules of the citation style you are using. For example, you might need to include an MLA heading  or create an APA title page .

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Checklist: Research paper

I have followed all instructions in the assignment sheet.

My introduction presents my topic in an engaging way and provides necessary background information.

My introduction presents a clear, focused research problem and/or thesis statement .

My paper is logically organized using paragraphs and (if relevant) section headings .

Each paragraph is clearly focused on one central idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence .

Each paragraph is relevant to my research problem or thesis statement.

I have used appropriate transitions  to clarify the connections between sections, paragraphs, and sentences.

My conclusion provides a concise answer to the research question or emphasizes how the thesis has been supported.

My conclusion shows how my research has contributed to knowledge or understanding of my topic.

My conclusion does not present any new points or information essential to my argument.

I have provided an in-text citation every time I refer to ideas or information from a source.

I have included a reference list at the end of my paper, consistently formatted according to a specific citation style .

I have thoroughly revised my paper and addressed any feedback from my professor or supervisor.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (page numbers, headers, spacing, etc.).

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Cover letters

A good cover letter can help to “sell” your manuscript to the journal editor. As well as introducing your work to the editor you can also take this opportunity to explain why the manuscript will be of interest to a journal's readers, something which is always as the forefront editors’ mind. As such it is worth spending time writing a coherent and persuasive cover letter.

The following is an example of a poor cover letter:

Dear Editor-in-Chief, I am sending you our manuscript entitled “Large Scale Analysis of Cell Cycle Regulators in bladder cancer” by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for publication in Pathobiology. Please let me know of your decision at your earliest convenience. With my best regards, Sincerely yours, A Researcher, PhD

Instead, check to see whether the journal’s Instructions for Authors have any cover letter requirements (e.g. disclosures, statements, potential reviewers). Then, write a letter that explains why the editor would want to publish your manuscript. The following structure covers all the necessary points that need to be included.

• If known, address the editor who will be assessing your manuscript by their name. Include the date of submission and the journal you are submitting to.
• First paragraph: include the title of your manuscript and the type of manuscript it is (e.g. review, research, case study). Then briefly explain the background to your study, the question you sought out to answer and why.
• Second paragraph: you should concisely explain what was done, the main findings and why they are significant.
• Third paragraph: here you should indicate why the readers of the journal would be interested in the work. Take your cues from the journal’s aims and scope. For example if the journal requires that all work published has broad implications explain how your study fulfils this. It is also a good idea to include a sentence on the importance of the results to the field.
• To conclude state the corresponding author and any journal specific requirements that need to be complied with (e.g. ethical standards).

TIP: All cover letters should contain these sentences:

• We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal.
• All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to [insert the name of the target journal].

Submission checklist

Before submitting your manuscript, thoroughly check its quality one more time. Evaluate it critically—could anything be done better?

Be sure that:

• The manuscript follows the Instructions for Authors
• All files are in the correct file format and of the appropriate resolution or size
• The spelling and grammar are correct
• You have contact information for all authors
• You have written a persuasive cover letter

Back │ Next

Widening the Scope of Social Science Research to Cover Global Considerations: How "Practicalism" Can Help Identify New Vistas in Social Science Research

23 Pages Posted: 3 Jul 2024

Sujay Rao Mandavilli

Independent

Date Written: July 02, 2024

We begin this paper by describing social sciences research techniques which are an intrinsic and an integral part of general research techniques. As a part of this process, we also describe different types of research such as qualitative and quantitative research, randomized controlled trials, experimental design, quasi-experimental design, cross-sectional studies, and longitudinal studies to the extent they pertain to social sciences research. We also make a reference to several of our previously published papers such as the sociological ninety ten rules, the certainty uncertainty principle for the social sciences, inductive approaches and nomothetic rule building. We then proceed to develop several new concepts such as the importance of the assessment of time lag in social sciences research, and identify various situations where a high time lag is not permissible, is tolerable, and is in fact, highly recommended. We also explore the various types of obsolescence associated with time lag. Last but not the least, we proceed to lay down what we believe are the lacunae and shortcomings of present day social sciences research, and what can be done to overcome them from a global centric perspective. We also present some novel applications of social sciences research. We therefore believe this would constitute an important paper in our globalization of science movement by raising awareness on the importance of social science research techniques in various academic disciplines, and in daily life.

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Sujay Rao Mandavilli (Contact Author)

Independent ( email ), do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on ssrn, paper statistics, related ejournals, cultural anthropology: history, theory, methods & applications ejournal.

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Sociological Research Methods eJournal

Sociology education ejournal.

• DOI: 10.1080/19313152.2024.2368918
• Corpus ID: 270681357

Breaking cover: theoretical and definitional clarity in teacher-education research and critical multilingualism

• Published in International Multilingual… 21 June 2024
• Linguistics, Education

One Citation

Critical teacher education for equitable learning in multilingual classrooms: a possible way forward, 15 references, centering multilingual learners and countering raciolinguistic ideologies in teacher education.

• Highly Influential

Linguistically Responsive Teaching in Preservice Teacher Education: A Review of the Literature Through the Lens of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory

Developing a complex portrait of content teaching for multilingual learners via nonlinear theoretical understandings, troubling practice: exploring the relationship between whiteness and practice-based teacher education in considering a raciolinguicized teacher subjectivity, rejecting abyssal thinking in the language and education of racialized bilinguals: a manifesto, critiquing teacher preparation research, (un)grounded language ideologies: a brief history of translanguaging theory, beyond the mirror towards a plurilingual prism: exploring the creation of plurilingual ‘identity texts’ in english and french classrooms in toronto and montpellier, beyond abyssal thinking: from global lines to ecologies of knowledges, related papers.

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Public finance and budgets

Countries across the OECD are facing long-term fiscal pressures in areas such as health, ageing, climate change, and defence. At the same time, governments must grapple with mounting debt levels, rising interest rates and high levels of uncertainty. In this increasingly constrained fiscal environment, reconciling new and emerging spending pressures with already stretched public finances requires high-quality budget institutions and processes.

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Key messages, oecd countries are facing long-term fiscal pressures..

The long-term fiscal pressures associated with climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; ageing populations and shrinking labour supply; and rising health care and social care costs continued to mount. Interest expenditures are now increasing significantly. The current geopolitical tensions are adding further new spending pressures, including in the defence area, as well as greater economic uncertainty.

Reconciling these pressures with already stretched public finances requires high quality budget institutions and strengthened public understanding

Budgets are about more than money. They are a statement of a nation’s priorities. Engagement and oversight of the budget process by Independent Fiscal Institutions, parliaments and the public is fundamental to democratic governance and trust in government. Empowering the public to understand fiscal challenges is essential for generating the will to solve them

Governments must have credible public financial management frameworks to build trust in budgetary governance and maintain enough fiscal space to be able to finance crisis responses when needed.

Governments must have credible public financial management frameworks to build trust in budgetary governance and maintain enough fiscal space to finance crisis responses when needed.

Each of the crises of recent years has shown the importance of preserving the resilience of public finances; countries need to be able to finance large and unexpected expenditures, such as in the aftermath of major natural disasters, to support a distressed sector or to address the consequences of a major pandemic. However, debt levels in OECD countries have risen significantly in recent years.  

General government expenditures amounted to 46.3% of GDP on average across OECD countries in 2021

Between 2019 and 2021 general government expenditures as a percentage of GDP increased by 5.4 percentage points, from 40.9% in 2019. This  increase is largely explained by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to significant economic disruption. This prompted  large-scale fiscal stimuluses, including increased spending on healthcare, social welfare programmes, and support for businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic, while at the same time GDP was falling.  

General Fiscal Balance

The fiscal balance is the difference between a government’s revenues and its expenditures. It signals if public accounts are balanced or if there are surpluses or deficits. Recurrent deficits over time imply the accumulation of public debt and may send worrying signals to consumers and investors about the sustainability of public accounts which, in turn, may deter consumption or investment decisions. Nonetheless, if debt is kept at a sustainable level, deficits can help to finance necessary public investment, or in exceptional circumstances, such as unexpected external shocks (e.g. pandemics, wars or natural disasters), can contribute to maintaining living conditions and preserving social stability. 

Related data

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Related policy issues

• Fiscal Frameworks Fiscal frameworks outline the government's fiscal intentions and explain how these will be implemented concretely. Well-designed fiscal frameworks provide clarity and stability in government fiscal operations, ensuring that spending on policy priorities of governments, like healthcare, education, and climate adaptation, are funded and sustainable. Additionally, they build resilience by helping governments prepare effectively for economic challenges. Learn more
• Fiscal federalism network The OECD Network on Fiscal Relations across Levels of Government, also known as the “Fiscal Network”, provides a platform for countries to engage on intergovernmental fiscal relations and fiscal decentralisation policy issues. Its core mission is to improve the efficiency, equity and stability of fiscal systems through cross-country policy analysis and international comparisons. The Network facilitates best practice sharing through high-level meetings and maintaining a comprehensive decentralisation database, informing policymaking and reforms. Through collaborative efforts like workshops and the Fiscal Federalism publication series, the Network enables policymakers to access and contribute to research and insights on managing financial relationships across government levels. Supported by a multidisciplinary OECD team, the Network emphasises concrete outcomes, offering members a structured environment to learn, share and apply successful policy strategies. Learn more
• Gender budgeting Gender budgeting is a public governance tool that governments can use to assess how budget decisions impact gender equality. When implemented effectively, gender budgeting helps expose how gender inequalities may have inadvertently become embedded in public policies and the allocation of resources and promotes budget measures that will be effective at closing gender gaps. Learn more
• Green budgeting Green budgeting uses the tools of budgetary policy making to provide policy makers with a clearer understanding of the environmental and climate impacts of budgeting choices, while bringing evidence together in a systematic and co-ordinated manner for more informed decision making to fulfil national and international commitments. Learn more
• Health budgeting Without a major policy shift, health spending is projected to outstrip both expected growth in the overall economy and in government revenues across OECD countries. Competing priorities for government spending are also squeezing health budgets. Urgent action is therefore needed to finance more resilient health systems while ensuring the fiscal sustainability of health systems. Learn more
• Parliamentary budget offices and independent fiscal institutions Our work with parliaments and independent fiscal institutions (IFIs) supports fiscal transparency and accountability. At a time when the sustainability of public finances is under close scrutiny, these oversight institutions play a crucial role in raising the quality of the debate on fiscal policy and ensuring that public budgets are managed effectively. Learn more
• Performance budgeting In an environment of budget constraints and high citizen expectations it is necessary to demonstrate that public expenditure is providing value for money and delivering on performance. The availability of good-quality performance information not only assists policymakers in making more informed budgetary decisions but also enables the broader public to hold the government accountable for delivering the outcomes promised to citizens. Learn more
• Public accounts Good management of public money is vital for good governance, ensuring essential services like healthcare and education run smoothly. Public accounts track government income and spending, they show how money is managed and if the government can fund these crucial services. Learn more
• Public debt management Prudent public debt management is critical for well-functioning national financial systems and helps to reinforce sound fiscal and monetary policies. Public debt portfolios, both in terms of their size and composition, have the potential to generate substantial risk to countries’ balance sheets and overall financial stability. The OECD promotes good practices in public debt and risk management and provides recommendations to assist policy makers in their efforts to adopt and implement prudent debt management policies. Learn more
• Spending Reviews Spending reviews are tools for systematically analysing the government’s existing expenditure. The OECD has found that spending reviews have proved to be an important tool for governments, not only to control total expenditure by making space for more resources, but also to align spending allocations with government priorities and to improve the effectiveness of policies and programmes. Learn more