How To Make A Running Head Title Page APA 7Th Edition

Understanding the APA 7th Edition Running Head and Title Page

The American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual is the go-to resource for academic writing in many fields, particularly the social sciences. Its 7th edition, published in 2019, introduced several updates aimed at simplifying formatting and making it more inclusive. Two fundamental elements of APA formatting are the running head and the title page. While seemingly minor, mastering these components is essential for presenting a professional, credible academic paper. The running head, a shortened version of your title, appears at the top of every page, while the title page provides key identifying information about your work. Getting these right demonstrates attention to detail and respect for scholarly conventions.

The Running Head: What It Is and Why It Matters

The running head serves as a concise identifier for your document, appearing in the header of each page, typically aligned to the left. Its primary purpose is to help readers quickly identify the document's topic, especially if pages become separated. In previous APA editions, the running head included the words "Running head:" followed by the shortened title. However, APA 7th Edition simplifies this significantly. For student papers, the "Running head:" label is entirely removed. The running head is now simply the shortened title, all in capital letters, positioned at the top left of every page. For professional papers (those intended for publication), the running head still appears in the header, but it includes the page number on the right. This distinction is important, so always clarify whether your instructor or publication requires a student or professional format.

Crafting Your Shortened Title for the Running Head

The shortened title, or running head, should be a clear and concise representation of your paper's main subject. APA 7th Edition recommends that it not exceed 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation. If your full title is already brief, you might be able to use it as is. However, most research papers have longer titles. When shortening, focus on the core theme. For instance, if your paper is titled "The Impact of Social Media Usage on Adolescent Self-Esteem and Body Image in Urban Environments," a suitable shortened title might be "SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADOLESCENT SELF-ESTEEM." Remember, it must be in all capital letters. Avoid abbreviations unless they are widely understood within your field. The goal is clarity and brevity, allowing readers to grasp the paper's essence at a glance.

Formatting the Title Page in APA 7th Edition

The title page is the first impression your paper makes. APA 7th Edition offers a more flexible approach compared to previous versions, especially differentiating between student and professional title pages. Both formats include essential information, but the student version omits the "Running head:" label and includes additional course information.

Student Title Page Elements

For student papers, the title page should include the following, centered on the page and double-spaced, starting about one-third of the way down:

• Title of the Paper: This should be bolded and placed in the upper half of the page. It should accurately reflect the content of the paper and be clear and concise.
• Author's Name(s): Your full name(s) as you wish them to appear.
• Affiliation: The name of the university, college, or institution where the work was completed. This is typically the department and the university (e.g., Department of Psychology, University of Example).
• Course Number and Name: For example, PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology.
• Instructor Name: The name of your professor or instructor.
• Due Date: The date the assignment is due.

Professional Title Page Elements

Professional papers, intended for publication, have a slightly different title page. The key differences are the inclusion of the running head (with page number) and the absence of course and instructor information. The elements are:

• Running Head: The shortened title in all caps, followed by the page number (usually 1) on the right.
• Title of the Paper: Bolded, centered, and placed in the upper half of the page.
• Author's Name(s): Your full name(s).
• Author Affiliation(s): The department and institution for each author.
• Author Note: This is an optional section for professional papers that provides additional information, such as acknowledgments, author contact details, or disclosure of funding sources. It appears on its own page after the title page.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your APA 7th Running Head and Title Page

Let's walk through the practical steps of setting up your document. Most word processors have built-in tools that make this process straightforward.

Setting Up the Running Head

This process varies slightly depending on your word processor (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs). Here's a general approach:

• Access the Header: Go to the 'Insert' tab and select 'Header.' Choose a blank header option.
• Insert Page Number: In the header tools, find the 'Page Number' option. Select 'Top of Page' and choose the 'Plain Number 2' (right-aligned) option for professional papers, or simply ensure the page number is present if required for student papers.
• Type Your Shortened Title: Click into the left side of the header. Type your shortened title in ALL CAPS. For student papers, this is all you need on the left. For professional papers, ensure it's to the left of the page number.
• Ensure Consistency: Verify that the running head appears on every page, including the title page (for professional papers). For student papers, the running head (shortened title) should appear on all pages except the title page, where only the page number is typically shown. However, some instructors may require the shortened title on the title page as well, so confirm this.
• Check Character Count: Make sure your shortened title is 50 characters or less.

Formatting the Title Page

Now, let's format the first page of your document:

• Page Number: Ensure the page number '1' is present in the header, aligned to the right. For student papers, the running head text is omitted from the title page header.
• Spacing: Double-space the entire document, including the title page.
• Vertical Alignment: Position your title information roughly one-third of the way down the page. You can achieve this by pressing 'Enter' several times.
• Centering: Center all text on the title page.
• Title: Type your full paper title. Make it bold. Capitalize major words (Title Case).
• Author Information: On the next double-spaced line, type your name(s).
• Affiliation: On the following double-spaced line, type your institutional affiliation (Department, University).
• Course Information (Student Papers): On subsequent double-spaced lines, add the course number and name, instructor's name, and due date.
• Professional Paper Specifics: If it's a professional paper, after the affiliation, you might include an Author Note on a separate page.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even with clear guidelines, mistakes can happen. Being aware of common errors can save you time and frustration.

• Forgetting the "Running head:" label: Remember, APA 7th Edition removes this for student papers. Only the shortened title (all caps) and page number are needed.
• Incorrect Capitalization: The shortened title must be in all capital letters.
• Exceeding Character Limit: Keep the shortened title to 50 characters or less.
• Incorrect Page Numbering: Ensure page numbers start from 1 on the title page (or the first page of text if no title page is used) and continue sequentially.
• Improper Spacing: The entire document, including the title page, must be double-spaced.
• Incorrect Placement of Information: Title page elements should be centered and vertically positioned appropriately.
• Confusing Student vs. Professional Formats: Always confirm which format is required. The inclusion of course details is the primary differentiator for student papers.
• Not Bolding the Title: The paper title on the title page should be bolded.

Final Checks and Best Practices

Before submitting your paper, take a moment for a final review. A quick check can catch errors that might detract from your work's professionalism. Read through your paper specifically looking at the header and title page. Does the running head appear correctly on every page (except possibly the title page for student papers)? Is the page numbering accurate? Is the title page formatted according to the student or professional guidelines? Ensure all text is double-spaced and elements are centered. If you're unsure about any detail, consult the official APA Publication Manual (7th Edition) or your instructor's specific guidelines. Attention to these details reflects your commitment to academic integrity and polished scholarship.