APA Format Formatting Running Heads and Title Pages Catherine M. Parisian

An APA Formatted Paper Contains Four Major Sections  Title Page  Abstract  Main Body  References In this tutorial we will review how to set up your paper including the running head and the title page.

Begin to Format Your Paper  All text on the title page and throughout your paper must be double spaced in 12 point Times New Roman or similar font.  Open a new document in your word processing program (WPP); select all from the edit menu, and then set your font, font size, and line spacing.  When you select your line spacing be sure that your word processor is not set to “add space before [or after] paragraph.”

Running Head  APA requires a Running head.  The running head appears in the header and differs on the title page from the rest of your paper.  Begin by inserting a header from your WPP.  Choose a header that allows you to add text on both the right and the left margin; if it has a place for the text in the middle that is fine. We will leave the middle blank. In Word this header is called “Blank (three columns).”  While in the header menu, check the box marked “different first page” from the design tab.

Running head (continued)  Now you will be prompted to type the text of your header for the first page (your title page).  On this page, type in the right column of your header “Running head: SHORT TITLE OF PAPER.” Be sure to omit the quotation marks you see here.  Note that only the “R” is capitalized in “Running head:”  Also note that a colon follows “Running head:”  Note that your title is a shortened form and appears in all capital letters.

Running head (continued)  Your running head must also include the page number, right aligned.  To insert the page number, put your cursor in the right column of the header.  Choose “insert page number” “current position.”  The font in your running head must match the font of your paper.  Word requires that you set the font in your paper and the font in your header separately.  To change the font in your header:  Be sure that your cursor is in the header.  Select the “home” tab in your WPP.  Select all, and then change the font to Times New Roman 12 point.

Running head (continued)  Now you must format the running head for the rest of your paper. Remember APA requires it to appear differently on the first page.  To format the subsequent pages:  Insert a new page by holding down the control key and pressing the enter key.  You will see a blank header on the second page of your document.  Put your cursor in the left hand column of the header and type only the shortened title of your paper that you used on the first page in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS (like this). Leave “Running head:” off.  Insert the page number as you did on page one, and REMEMBER to change the font in your header again. The page numbers will not carry over from page one, nor will your font change. But when you make these changes here, they will carry through the rest of your paper.

Running Head Conclusion  If you have followed all instructions for creating your running header, the first two pages of your document will now look like this:

Now its time to format the title page (AKA page one)  Center the title in the upper half of page one.  Your title should be no more than twelve words in length.  All words must be spelled out, no abbreviations.  Your title may take up one or two lines but may not run onto three lines.  Beneath the title, type the author’s (s’) name(s), also centered, in the following format: First Name Middle initial. Last name.  Use no titles (Dr.) or degrees (Ph.D.)  Beneath the author(s) name(s)type the author’s(s’) affiliation(s)  If your paper is authored by more than one person, provide the names in the order of the amount of work contributed by each co-author. The one who did the most work is listed first. If all contributed equally, use alphabetical order by surname.

If you have followed all instructions properly, your title page will look like this

End of Running Head and Title Page All information in this presentation is based on the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association sixth edition, second printing and later. The first printing has errors in it. If you have a copy of the first printing, please consult this website 2e.pdfhttp://supp.apa.org/style/pubman-reprint-corrections-for- 2e.pdf If you have further questions regarding formatting your title page and running head, you may contact me at