Cover Page Formatting: APA, MLA, Chicago and Harvard Basics

Check these instructions before formatting

• required referencing or style system;
• whether a separate cover/title page is required;
• module code, course name and instructor details;
• student ID rules, especially for anonymous marking;
• word-count or declaration requirements; and
• font, spacing, margins and page-number instructions.

University templates can override generic internet examples. If the brief provides a cover-page template, use it exactly rather than trying to make the page look more “professional.”

APA student title page basics

APA student papers typically include the paper title, author name, institutional affiliation, course number and name, instructor name and assignment due date. Page numbering and spacing should follow the current APA rules used by your institution.

Do not automatically add a running head to a student paper unless your programme specifically requires it. Requirements can differ for professional manuscripts and student assignments.

MLA: often a first-page heading rather than a separate cover

MLA papers commonly begin with identifying information and the title on the first page rather than a separate title page. A separate page may still be required by an instructor, department or publication context.

This is why a universal “MLA cover page template” can be misleading. Check the current MLA guidance and the assignment instructions before inserting an extra page.

Chicago and Turabian title pages

Chicago/Turabian academic papers can use a separate title page, particularly when required by a course. Typical guidance places the title prominently and keeps identifying details separate from the main text. Page numbering conventions also differ between the title page and the body.

Chicago offers more than one citation system, so formatting the title page correctly does not determine whether your paper should use notes-bibliography or author-date citations.

Harvard: follow the institutional version

“Harvard” is not one centrally controlled layout. Universities publish their own author-date referencing and presentation rules, and cover-page requirements may be set by the school or module rather than the referencing style itself.

Use the official guide provided by your institution. If your assignment is anonymously marked, follow the specified student-ID convention and do not add your name merely because a generic template shows one.

Final cover-page checklist

• Is the page required at all?
• Does the title match the submitted assignment?
• Are name or student-ID details appropriate for the marking process?
• Are course, instructor and due-date details accurate?
• Have you followed the required spacing, margins and page-number rules?
• Does the rest of the paper use the same required style?

Cover-page accuracy is only one part of presentation. Use our in-text citation guide for source attribution and editing and proofreading for a broader formatting review.

Sources and further reading

• Purdue OWL — APA Style Guidelines Overview
• MLA Style Center — Formatting a Research Paper
• Chicago Manual of Style — Turabian Citation Quick Guide

APA, MLA and Chicago/Turabian cover pages compared

The instructor's template overrides a general style guide. When no custom template exists, identify the required citation style and whether the assignment is a student paper, professional manuscript, thesis or departmental report.

Copy-ready information checklist

Before formatting, collect the exact title, subtitle, your name as it appears in institutional records, institutional or departmental affiliation, course code and title, instructor's preferred name and the official due date. Confirm whether a student number is required and whether displaying it creates a privacy issue. Never add a logo, declaration or contact detail simply because an online template contains one.

APA 7 title-page template

Place the page number in the top-right header. Centre and double-space the following information in the upper half of the page:

Full Title of the Paper Student Name Department and Institution Course Code: Course Name Instructor Name Due Date

Use bold for the paper title. APA's official student-paper guide shows current font options and spacing details. A running head is generally a professional-paper feature, but the instructor may request one.

MLA 9 first-page template

MLA papers commonly begin the text on the first page rather than using a separate cover page. Place identifying details at the upper left, then centre the paper title before the opening paragraph:

Student Name Instructor Name Course Day Month Year

Paper Title

The header normally contains the student's surname and page number. If the instructor explicitly requests a separate title page, follow that instruction rather than inventing a hybrid.

Chicago/Turabian title-page template

Turabian offers student-focused Chicago guidance, but institutions often publish their own title-page template. A common arrangement places the title and subtitle roughly one-third down the page, with name, course, instructor and date lower on the page. Do not display a page number on the title page unless the local instructions require it, even though the page may count in pagination.

Format with document styles, not manual spacing

Use the word processor's margin, paragraph, line-spacing, alignment and header controls. Do not press Enter repeatedly to push the title downward, type spaces to centre text, or insert a page number manually. These tricks break when the font, paper size or export format changes and create accessibility problems.

Set the page size before final alignment. Most North American assignments use US Letter, while many other institutions use A4. Export to PDF only if the submission instructions request or accept it, and open the exported file to confirm that fonts, page numbers and line breaks remain correct.

Accessibility and privacy

Choose an approved readable font and maintain sufficient contrast. If a logo is mandatory, include useful alt text in an accessible source document and keep the visual decorative when it conveys no new information. Do not place sensitive personal information on a public sample or file name. A student number may be necessary inside a secure portal but inappropriate in a shareable portfolio.

Common mistakes and fixes

Final submission check

Compare the title page with the assignment rubric line by line, then verify the first text page, headings, in-text citations and reference list. Formatting only the cover correctly does not make the paper compliant.

Use the APA style guide or the comparison of in-text citation styles for the rest of the document. Official resources include the APA student-paper setup guide, MLA formatting guidance and Turabian student tip sheets. Editing and proofreading support can check consistency without replacing the student's work.

Set up the page in Microsoft Word or Google Docs

In Microsoft Word, choose the required paper size and set margins through Layout. Use Home → Paragraph for line spacing, indentation and space before/after paragraphs. Insert the page number through the Header & Footer tools. Apply built-in heading styles to the paper body so the hierarchy remains accessible and consistent.

In Google Docs, use File → Page setup for page size and margins, Format → Line & paragraph spacing for double spacing, and Insert → Page numbers for the header. If the institution requires a Word file, download as .docx and reopen it in Word or the submission preview because layout can shift during conversion.

For both applications, turn on formatting marks temporarily. They reveal repeated spaces, manual line breaks and extra paragraph marks. Remove those layout hacks and replace them with proper paragraph or page-break settings.

Dissertation and departmental title pages

A thesis or dissertation cover page is usually governed by the graduate school, not a general APA or Chicago example. The template may specify capitalization, degree wording, month of graduation, committee information, copyright page and exact vertical placement. Use the institution's current template and sample, and do not change a required statement for stylistic reasons.

Check whether the repository needs a different public-facing version from the examined manuscript. Personal identifiers, signatures and embargo information may require special handling.

Prevent submission errors

Name the file according to the course rule, save a final local copy and confirm the file type. Open the upload preview and check that page 1 is actually the intended cover, page numbers continue correctly and no comments or tracked changes remain. Record the submission receipt. If the portal converts the document to PDF, inspect the converted version for shifted lines or missing fonts before the deadline where the system permits replacement.

The cover page creates the first impression, but markers grade the complete document. Reserve time to check citations, figures, appendices and references rather than spending the entire final hour adjusting the title vertically.

Copy the assignment details exactly

A cover page is administrative as well as visual. Use the official course title, unit code, instructor name, assignment title, student identifier and due date exactly as required. Do not add sensitive information that the brief does not request. If anonymous marking is used, a name may be prohibited even when a generic template includes it.

Before submission, open the exported PDF and check that the title page remains one page, text has not shifted, headers begin where required and no tracked changes or comments are visible. Word processors can replace fonts or alter page breaks during export, so the editable file alone is not proof of the final appearance.

When no formal style is assigned, use a restrained institutional template and prioritize legibility over decoration.

Accessibility and professionalism

Use real text rather than an image of a title page so assistive technology can read it. Maintain adequate contrast, avoid tiny decorative fonts and set the document language correctly. A logo should appear only if the institution's template requires or permits it; enlarging branding does not improve academic credibility. File names also matter: use the requested naming convention and remove labels such as “final-final2.” These small controls help the marker identify, open and navigate the submission without distraction.

One controlling rule

When an example conflicts with the current assignment sheet, follow the assignment sheet and keep a copy. Generic style guides explain conventions; the institution decides how this submission is identified and marked. That distinction prevents a visually polished cover page from failing a local requirement.