How to Make a Running Head Title Page APA 7th Edition

Crafting Your APA 7th Edition Running Head and Title Page

Getting your academic paper formatted correctly is as crucial as the content itself. The American Psychological Association (APA) style guide, now in its 7th edition, has specific requirements for the running head and title page. These elements signal professionalism and adherence to academic standards. Let's break down how to get them right.

Understanding the Running Head

The running head is a shortened version of your paper's title. It appears on every page of your document, including the title page. Its purpose is to help readers quickly identify the paper's topic as they flip through pages.

Key APA 7th Edition Running Head Rules:

• Placement: Always in the header, aligned to the left margin.
• Content: A shortened version of your title, all in ALL CAPS.
• Length: Generally, no more than 50 characters (including spaces and punctuation). If your full title is shorter, you can use that.
• Page Number: The page number appears on the right side of the header, aligned to the right margin.

How to Create Your Running Head:

1. Shorten Your Title: Take your full title and condense it to its core meaning. For example, if your title is "The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Self-Esteem and Mental Well-being," a good running head could be "SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING."
2. Format in ALL CAPS: Convert your shortened title to all capital letters.
3. Set Up Your Header:

In Microsoft Word, go to the "Insert" tab, then click "Header" and choose "Edit Header." In Google Docs, go to "Insert," then "Header & page numbers," and select "Header."

1. Insert Running Head Text: Type your ALL CAPS running head into the left side of the header.
2. Insert Page Number:

In Word, with the header open, go to the "Header & Footer" tab, click "Page Number," choose "Current Position," and select a simple number format. Ensure it's right-aligned. In Google Docs, with the header open, click "Insert" > "Header & page numbers" > "Page numbers." Select the format that includes the running head on the left and page number on the right.

1. Different First Page (Optional but Recommended): For the title page, you often don't need the running head text, just the page number. APA 7th edition simplifies this. You do need the running head on the first page, but it's presented slightly differently. The running head text appears on the left, and the page number (which will be '1') appears on the right.

Word Tip: In the "Header & Footer" tab, check the box for "Different First Page." This allows you to set up the first page header separately. However, for APA 7th, the running head text is required on page 1. So, ensure the "Different First Page" option is unchecked if you want the running head text to appear on page 1. If you do use "Different First Page," you’ll need to manually add the running head text to the first page header. Google Docs Tip: The default header setup in Google Docs usually applies to all pages. Ensure your running head and page number are correctly placed on page 1.

The APA 7th Edition Title Page

The title page is the very first page of your paper. It provides essential identifying information about your work and you, the author. APA 7th edition has made this more straightforward than previous versions, particularly for student papers.

Key APA 7th Edition Title Page Rules:

• Placement: Centered on the page, typically starting about one-third of the way down.
• Components:

Title of the Paper: Bolded, centered, and in title case. Author's Name(s): First name, middle initial (if applicable), last name. Author's Affiliation: University or institution name. Course Number and Name: For student papers (e.g., PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology). Instructor's Name: Due Date:

How to Create Your Title Page:

1. Start on a New Page: Ensure your title page is the very first page of your document.
2. Set Margins: Standard 1-inch margins on all sides.
3. Font: Use the same font and font size as the rest of your paper (e.g., 12-point Times New Roman).
4. Double-Spacing: Everything on the title page should be double-spaced.
5. Add Running Head and Page Number: As described above, the running head (shortened title, all caps) goes on the left, and the page number '1' goes on the right.
6. Center Your Content:

Go to your word processor's paragraph settings and choose "Center alignment." Press "Enter" several times to move down the page. A common guideline is to start typing around the third or fourth double-spaced line from the top.

1. Type Your Title:

Bold: Select your title and make it bold. Title Case: Capitalize the first word, last word, and all principal words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns) of your title. Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), short prepositions (of, in, on, for), or short conjunctions (and, but, or) unless they are the first or last word. * Example: "The Influence of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance in College Students"

1. Add Author Information:

Leave a blank double-spaced line after the title. Type your full name (First Middle Initial. Last Name). Leave another blank double-spaced line. Type your institutional affiliation (e.g., University of California, Berkeley). Leave another blank double-spaced line. For student papers, include the course number and name. Leave another blank double-spaced line. Type the instructor's name. Leave another blank double-spaced line. Type the due date (Month Day, Year format).

Example Title Page Structure:

``` [Running Head Text] 1 [Blank Line] [Blank Line] [Blank Line] The Influence of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance in College Students [Blank Line] [Blank Line] [Blank Line] Your Full Name [Blank Line] [Blank Line] [Blank Line] Your University Name [Blank Line] [Blank Line] [Blank Line] PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology [Blank Line] [Blank Line] [Blank Line] Dr. Jane Smith [Blank Line] [Blank Line] [Blank Line] October 26, 2023 ```

Professional Paper Title Page (for Publication)

It's worth noting that APA 7th edition also specifies a title page format for professional papers intended for publication. This version omits the course number, instructor name, and due date, and includes an author note. For most student assignments, the student title page format is appropriate.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Incorrect Running Head Length: Too long or too short.
• Capitalization Errors: Not using all caps for the running head or incorrect title case for the paper title.
• Spacing Issues: Not double-spacing the title page or header.
• Alignment Problems: Running head/page number not left/right aligned, or title page content not centered.
• Missing Information: Forgetting key elements like course name or due date on student papers.

Ensuring your running head and title page are perfect can feel like a small detail, but it sets the stage for a polished, professional academic paper. If you're looking for an extra layer of polish or need help ensuring every detail of your APA formatting is spot-on, EssayGazebo.com offers professional editing and formatting services to give you confidence in your submission.