Where you put your name on an essay depends on which formatting style your instructor requires. The two most common styles in academic writing, MLA and APA, handle it differently: MLA places your name in a heading block on the first page of your text, while APA puts it on a separate title page. Here’s exactly how to set up each one.
MLA Format: Name on the First Page
MLA style does not use a separate cover page. Instead, your identifying information goes in the upper-left corner of the first page of your essay, starting one inch from the top. You’ll type four lines, each on its own line, double-spaced:
- Line 1: Your full name (first and last)
- Line 2: Your instructor’s name
- Line 3: The course name or number
- Line 4: The date
After that four-line block, hit Enter once (still double-spaced) and type your essay’s title, centered. Then begin your first paragraph on the next double-spaced line. The entire document should be double-spaced with no extra gaps between sections.
MLA also requires a running header on every page. This header sits in the upper-right corner, one-half inch from the top of the page, and contains your last name followed by a space and the page number. For example: Smith 1. Use your word processor’s header function to insert this so it repeats automatically on every page. Some instructors ask you to leave the header off the first page, so check your assignment guidelines.
APA Format: A Separate Title Page
APA style requires a full title page, and the layout is specific. For a student paper, you’ll center each of the following elements on the page, each on its own double-spaced line, in this order:
- Paper title: Placed three to four lines down from the top of the page, bold, with major words capitalized
- Your name: One blank double-spaced line below the title
- Department and school name: On the next line (for example, “Department of Psychology, University of Michigan”)
- Course number and name: On the next line (for example, “PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology”)
- Instructor name: On the next line
- Due date: On the next line, using whatever date format is standard in your country
If you have two authors, connect the names with “and” on the same line. For three or more authors, separate names with commas and put “and” before the last name.
The title page is numbered as page 1, with the page number in the top-right corner of the header. Student papers do not need a running head (a shortened version of the title in the header) unless your instructor specifically asks for one. Your essay text begins on page 2.
Chicago/Turabian Style
Chicago style, often called Turabian in classroom settings, gives you two options. You can either use a separate title page or place the title at the top of the first page of text, depending on what your instructor prefers.
If you’re using a title page, center the essay title about a third of the way down the page. Then, several lines below the title, center your name, your class information, and the date. The actual essay text starts on the next page. If your instructor doesn’t require a title page, you’ll simply type the title centered at the top of page one and begin your text below it, with your name and course details placed as your instructor directs.
How to Set It Up in Your Word Processor
Most word processors default to settings that don’t match academic formatting, so you’ll need to adjust a few things before you start typing.
In Google Docs or Microsoft Word, set your font to a readable 12-point typeface like Times New Roman. Change the line spacing to double (in Google Docs, go to Format > Line & paragraph spacing > Double; in Word, go to the Home tab and select 2.0 in the line spacing dropdown). Set all margins to one inch, which is the default in most programs but worth checking under Page Setup or Layout.
To add a header with your last name and page number in MLA, click into the header area (Insert > Header in most programs). Type your last name, add a space, then insert an automatic page number (Insert > Page Numbers > Top of Page, aligned right). This keeps the page numbers updating correctly as you add or remove text. In APA, you only need the page number in the header, not your name.
When Your Instructor Has Different Rules
Style guides provide the default, but your instructor’s assignment sheet overrides them. Some professors want a separate cover page even for MLA papers. Others want your student ID number, the date in a specific format, or a particular header style. Read the assignment instructions before formatting, and if the instructions conflict with the style guide, follow the instructions. When nothing is specified, MLA format with the four-line heading block is the safest default for most humanities and English courses, while APA with a title page is standard for social sciences and psychology courses.