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

Crafting a perfectly formatted paper is crucial for academic success, and the title page, along with the running head, sets the initial impression. The APA 7th edition introduced significant changes, particularly regarding the running head, simplifying the process for most students. This guide will walk you through creating a flawless APA 7th edition title page and clarify when and how to implement a running head.

Understanding the APA 7th Edition Running Head

A running head is a shortened title of your paper that appears at the top of every page. Its primary purpose is to identify the paper for readers, especially in published works, and to assist editors and reviewers in keeping track of manuscripts.

Key Changes from APA 6th to 7th Edition

The most notable change in APA 7th edition is the distinction between student papers and professional papers regarding the running head:

• Student Papers: The vast majority of academic assignments (essays, research papers, lab reports, etc.) submitted by students DO NOT require a running head. This significantly simplifies the formatting process for students.
• Professional Papers: Manuscripts intended for publication (e.g., journal articles, dissertations, theses, professional reports) STILL require a running head.

Therefore, unless you are preparing a manuscript for professional publication or your instructor specifically requests it, you can skip the running head entirely for your student papers.

Formatting a Running Head (Professional Papers Only)

If you are preparing a professional paper that requires a running head, here are the specific rules:

• Placement: Appears in the header of every page.
• Alignment: Left-aligned.
• Content: A shortened version of your paper's title.
• Capitalization: All capital letters (ALL CAPS).
• Length: Maximum 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
• Page Number: The page number (starting with 1) should be right-aligned in the same header.

Example Running Head:

If your paper title is "The Psychological Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study," a suitable running head would be: SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH

Components of an APA 7th Edition Title Page

Whether you're writing a student paper or a professional manuscript, the title page is the first page of your document and serves as its identification. Here are the essential elements for an APA 7th edition title page:

For Student Papers:

1. Page Number: Top right corner, starting with "1".
2. Paper Title: Bold, centered, positioned in the upper half of the page, in title case.
3. Author Name(s): Centered, double-spaced below the title.
4. Institutional Affiliation: Centered, double-spaced below the author's name (e.g., Department of Psychology, University Name).
5. Course Number and Name: Centered, double-spaced below the institutional affiliation (e.g., PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology).
6. Instructor Name: Centered, double-spaced below the course.
7. Assignment Due Date: Centered, double-spaced below the instructor's name.

For Professional Papers:

1. Running Head: Left-aligned in the header, all caps, max 50 characters.
2. Page Number: Top right corner, starting with "1".
3. Paper Title: Bold, centered, positioned in the upper half of the page, in title case.
4. Author Name(s): Centered, double-spaced below the title.
5. Author Note (Optional but common): Provides additional information about the author(s), acknowledgments, disclosures, or contact information. It starts on a new double-spaced line below the author's affiliation, not typically included on student papers.
6. Institutional Affiliation: Centered, double-spaced below the author's name.

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

Let's break down how to create your title page using common word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

1. Set Up Page Margins and Font

Before you type anything, ensure your document settings are correct.

• Margins: All margins (top, bottom, left, right) should be 1 inch (2.54 cm).

In Word: Go to Layout > Margins > Normal (or Custom Margins to set manually). In Google Docs: Go to File > Page setup > Margins.

• Font: APA 7th edition allows for several accessible fonts. Choose one and use it consistently throughout your paper. Common choices include:

Times New Roman, 12pt Calibri, 11pt Arial, 11pt Georgia, 11pt Lucida Sans Unicode, 10pt In Word/Google Docs: Select the desired font and size from the Home tab (Word) or Format menu (Docs).

2. Insert Page Numbers

Page numbers are crucial and appear in the top right corner of every page, starting with "1" on the title page.

• In Word:

1. Go to Insert > Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3 (this places it on the right). 2. Ensure "Different First Page" is not checked if you are a student and not using a running head. If you are using a running head for a professional paper, check "Different First Page" after inserting the page number, then follow the running head instructions below.

• In Google Docs:

1. Go to Insert > Page numbers > Select the option with the number in the top right.

3. Add the Paper Title

The title is the most prominent element on your title page.

1. Positioning: Press Enter several times until your cursor is about one-third to halfway down the page.
2. Formatting: Type your paper title.

Make it bold. Center it (Home tab > Center alignment in Word; Format > Align & indent > Center in Docs). Use Title Case capitalization (capitalize all major words: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns). Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions unless they are the first word of the title or subtitle. Double-space your title if it spans multiple lines.

Example: The Impact of Digital Learning on Student Engagement: A Case Study

4. Add Author(s) and Affiliation

Below your title, you'll provide your name and institutional details.

1. Author Name(s): Press Enter once after your title (to ensure double-spacing). Type your full name (first name, middle initial(s), last name). If there are multiple authors, list them on separate lines. Center this text.
2. Institutional Affiliation: Press Enter once. Type your department followed by a comma, then your university/college name (e.g., Department of Psychology, University of Central State). Center this text.

5. Add Course, Instructor, and Date (Student Papers Only)

These details are specific to student submissions.

1. Course Number and Name: Press Enter once. Type your course number and name (e.g., ENGL 101: Academic Writing). Center this text.
2. Instructor Name: Press Enter once. Type your instructor's full name. Center this text.
3. Assignment Due Date: Press Enter once. Type the due date of the assignment in a clear format (e.g., October 26, 2023). Center this text.

6. Integrating the Running Head (Professional Papers Only)

If you do need a running head for a professional paper, here's how to add it, ensuring it only differs on the first page.

• In Word:

1. Double-click in the header area of your title page to open the Header & Footer Tools. 2. Check the "Different First Page" box in the Design tab. This allows you to have a unique header on page 1. 3. On the title page header, type your running head (ALL CAPS, max 50 characters) and left-align it. The page number should already be right-aligned. 4. Go to the header of the second page. You'll notice it's empty. Type your running head again (ALL CAPS, max 50 characters) and left-align it. The page number will also appear here. This ensures the running head appears on all subsequent pages. 5. Close Header and Footer.

• In Google Docs:

1. Double-click in the header area. 2. Check "Different first page" in the header options. 3. On the title page header, type your running head (ALL CAPS, max 50 characters) and left-align it. The page number should already be right-aligned. 4. Go to the header of the second page. It should be empty. Type your running head again (ALL CAPS, max 50 characters) and left-align it. 5. Click out of the header.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a running head on student papers: This is the most common error post-APA 6th edition. Unless explicitly told otherwise, do not include a running head for student papers.
• Incorrect capitalization for the running head: Remember, it's ALL CAPS for professional papers.
• Running head too long: Keep it under 50 characters, including spaces.
• Missing components: Ensure all required elements (title, name, affiliation, course, instructor, date) are present on your title page.
• Incorrect spacing or alignment: Double-check that all title page elements are centered and double-spaced as required.
• Inconsistent font: Use the same font and size throughout your entire document, including the title page.

Example APA 7th Edition Student Title Page

Here's a visual representation of how a student title page should look (imagine it centered vertically on the page):

``` 1

The Psychological Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

Jane Doe Department of Psychology, University of Central State PSYC 305: Developmental Psychology Professor Alex Smith November 15, 2023 ```

By following these specific guidelines, you can ensure your APA 7th edition title page and running head (if applicable) meet the highest academic standards. Attention to detail in formatting demonstrates professionalism and respect for scholarly conventions. If you find yourself overwhelmed by formatting complexities or need an extra pair of eyes, remember that services like EssayMatrix can assist with professional editing and formatting to ensure your paper is flawless.

Conclusion

A well-formatted APA 7th edition title page is a critical first step in presenting your academic work. While the running head is now largely reserved for professional papers, understanding its proper application is still valuable. By meticulously following these instructions, you'll create a polished and professional document that meets APA standards.