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) style guide is a widely adopted standard for academic writing, particularly in the social sciences. For students and professionals alike, adhering to its formatting rules is crucial for presenting clear, professional, and credible work. Among the key formatting elements are the running head and the title page. While the APA 7th Edition introduced some simplifications compared to previous versions, understanding these components remains vital. This guide will walk you through the precise steps to create an APA 7th Edition running head and title page, ensuring your papers are formatted correctly from the very first page.

The Running Head: What It Is and Why It Matters

The running head is a shortened version of your paper's title that appears at the top of every page, including the title page. Its primary purpose is to help readers quickly identify the document's subject matter, especially if pages become separated. In APA 7th Edition, the rules for the running head have been simplified, making it more accessible. For student papers, the running head is generally not required unless specifically requested by an instructor. However, for professional papers intended for publication, it is a standard requirement. We'll cover both scenarios.

Formatting the Running Head in APA 7th Edition

The most significant change in APA 7th Edition regarding the running head is its presentation on the title page. For professional papers, the running head still appears on every page, including the title page. For student papers, the running head is typically omitted entirely unless your instructor requires it. If it is required for a student paper, it will appear on every page, just like in a professional paper, but without the label 'Running head:'.

Here’s how to set it up:

• Page Number: The page number should be in the upper right-hand corner of every page, starting with '1' on the title page.
• Running Head Text (for professional papers): On the title page and all subsequent pages, the abbreviated title should appear in the upper left-hand corner. It should be in all capital letters and no more than 50 characters (including spaces). If your full title is longer than 50 characters, you'll need to create a concise version. For example, if your title is 'The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Self-Esteem and Mental Well-being,' a suitable running head might be 'SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING'.
• 'Running head:' Label (for professional papers only): On the title page only, the words 'Running head:' should precede the abbreviated title in the upper left-hand corner. This label is omitted on all subsequent pages. For student papers, if a running head is required, this label is never used.

Constructing the APA 7th Edition Title Page

The title page is the first impression your paper makes. APA 7th Edition offers a clear structure for both professional and student title pages. While the core elements are similar, there are key distinctions.

Title Page for Professional Papers

Professional papers, intended for publication or a scholarly audience, have a more detailed title page. It includes the running head, page number, and specific author information.

• Page Number: '1' in the upper right corner.
• Running Head: 'Running head: [ABBREVIATED TITLE]' in the upper left corner.
• Title: Centered on the page, in bold, and in title case. It should be placed about one-third of the way down the page.
• Author Name(s): Centered below the title, on separate lines if there are multiple authors. Include first name, middle initial (if applicable), and last name.
• Author Affiliation: Centered below the author's name(s). This is typically the department and university.
• Course Number and Name (Optional): Centered below affiliation.
• Instructor Name: Centered below the course information.
• Due Date: Centered below the instructor's name.
• Page Break: The abstract (if required) begins on the next page.

Title Page for Student Papers

Student papers have a simplified title page. The 'Running head:' label is omitted, and additional course information is included. The running head itself is also omitted unless specifically requested by the instructor.

• Page Number: '1' in the upper right corner.
• Title: Centered on the page, in bold, and in title case. Placed about one-third of the way down the page.
• Author Name(s): Centered below the title, on separate lines if needed.
• Course Number and Name: Centered below author names. Format: Course Number: Course Name (e.g., PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology).
• Instructor Name: Centered below the course information.
• Due Date: Centered below the instructor's name. Format: Month Day, Year (e.g., October 26, 2023).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with clear guidelines, formatting errors can creep in. Being aware of common pitfalls can save you time and ensure your paper meets APA standards.

• Incorrect Page Numbering: Ensure page numbers start with '1' on the title page and are in the upper right corner.
• Missing or Incorrect Running Head: For professional papers, ensure the abbreviated title is in all caps, under 50 characters, and preceded by 'Running head:' on the title page, and just the text on subsequent pages. For student papers, confirm if it's needed and if the 'Running head:' label should be used (usually not).
• Title Formatting Errors: The title should be bolded, centered, and in title case. Avoid using all caps or sentence case unless it's part of the actual title.
• Incorrect Author Affiliation: Ensure it includes the department and university.
• Misplaced Information: All elements on the title page should be centered, with appropriate spacing between them.
• Ignoring Instructor Guidelines: This is the most critical mistake. Always prioritize your instructor's specific formatting requests over general APA guidelines if they differ.

Practical Steps for Setting Up Your Document

Most word processors have built-in tools that make setting up the running head and title page much easier. Here’s a general approach using Microsoft Word, which is similar in other programs:

• Open a New Document: Start with a blank document.
• Set Page Margins: Go to 'Layout' > 'Margins' and select 'Normal' (1 inch on all sides).
• Insert Page Number: Go to 'Insert' > 'Page Number' > 'Top of Page' > 'Plain Number 1'. This places '1' in the upper right corner.
• Set Up Running Head (for professional papers or if required for students):
• - Go to 'Insert' > 'Header' > 'Edit Header'.
• - For the title page: Type 'Running head:' followed by your abbreviated title in all caps. Ensure it's left-aligned.
• - For subsequent pages: In the header options, uncheck 'Different First Page' if you want the running head to appear on page 1. If you need 'Running head:' only on page 1, you'll need to enable 'Different First Page' and then manually add the running head text to the header of the first page and the abbreviated title (without 'Running head:') to the header of the subsequent pages.
• - Important: If you are setting up a student paper and the running head is required but without the 'Running head:' label, simply type your abbreviated title in all caps in the upper left corner of the header for all pages.
• Format the Title Page:
• - Press Enter several times after the header to move down the page (aim for about one-third down).
• - Type your title, bold it, and center it. Press Enter for each new line of the title if it's long.
• - Below the title, add author names, affiliations, course information, instructor name, and due date, centering each line. Press Enter after each piece of information.
• Format Subsequent Pages:
• - Insert a page break ('Insert' > 'Page Break') after the title page.
• - The next page will automatically have the correct page number and running head (if set up correctly).

Final Review and Submission

Before submitting your paper, always perform a thorough review. Check that the page numbers are sequential, the running head is correctly formatted on all pages (or omitted as per instructions), and all title page information is accurate and properly aligned. A well-formatted title page and consistent running head demonstrate attention to detail and professionalism, contributing to the overall quality of your academic work.