One of the main components of a research paper is the title page. This section is not one of the optional ones and is strictly included in all research documents. The title page of a research paper is to be framed as per the style used for documentation. And each style has its unique way of presenting the title page. You will be expected to know how to frame the research paper title page as per the style asked for by your instructor.

The title page is expected to give some formal information about the research paper and the author of the research paper, to the reader. The information included in the title page is somewhat the same for most of the documentation styles, but the layout is completely different for each style. Knowing the unique aspects of the title pages of each format is important.

• MLA style: The most peculiar feature of MLA style research paper title page is that it is not a separate one. It is a part of the first page of the research paper. On the top left hand side of the paper, you can give your name, the name of your instructor, the course you are attending and the date. On the top right hand corner, you must type your surname and page number. A few spaces below the date, centrally aligned would be the title of the research paper. Right below the title, leaving double-space, you can start typing your research paper. It is just as simple as this to frame the title page in an MLA style research paper.

• APA style: In an APA style title page, the most important feature is the running head. This appears at the top right hand corner followed by the page number. The running head is a part of the title, which can stand on its own. It should be the most prominent part of the title. Towards the middle of the page, aligned centrally, would be the complete title of the research paper, your name and the name of the course. A few spaces below you must type the name of your instructor and the date. An APA style research paper title page would be a separate sheet attached to the main document.

• Chicago style: On a Chicago style title page, the title would come first. This would appear towards the middle of the top half of your title page. It will be followed by your name, which will be placed at the centre of the title page. A few spaces below, you must give the name of the course, the name of your instructor and the date. All the information would be centrally aligned.

Each style has its own specifications regarding the formatting of the various components of a research paper. The research paper title page, being one of the most prominent parts of the document, is definitely unique to each style. Hence you must prepare it as per the instructions given in your assignment guidelines. If you wish to get your title page prepared by experts, you may try our experienced academic writers for the purpose. You can get your title page or the whole research paper prepared to your satisfaction by our writers.

APA or the American Psychological Association has developed a particular style of documentation which is known as the APA style. This is widely used for the documentation purposes of research findings in subjects like sociology. This style has strict guidelines on the methods of formatting the research paper. The method of citing the sources used for the research is also unique for APA style.

APA style uses in-text citations, also known as parenthetical references. The details to be given in the in-text citations include the surname of the author as well as the year of publication. This appears right next to the cited information. The information is to be separated from the text by brackets. If you are directly quoting a paragraph, you will need to include the page number also in the in-text citation. Separate the information using commas. This style of citation is also known as the author-date system referring to the information given on the author and the date of publication.

A references list is to be attached to the end of the research paper. This has to be a separate page, unlike an MLA style research paper where the works cited page can be a continuation of the research paper. The heading should be given as ‘References’. Giving appropriate heading is absolutely necessary while citing sources because each style has its own unique method of doing it. The sources used should be listed under this heading. The list should be arranged in the alphabetical order with reference to the last names of the authors. Use double-spacing between lines. The pattern to be used for the reference page would be: Author, (date of publication), Title of the book, Place of publishing: Publisher, Page number.

APA style does not permit the use of footnotes for the purpose of citing the sources. That is one aspect that sets the style apart from the other documentation styles. It does allow the use of footnotes for the purpose of giving additional information on the discussed matter but while using footnotes, you should make sure that you don’t accidentally include any bibliographic information in it.

Even though these are the methods for citing articles and books, the method of citing other sources like internet sources, television documentaries or interviews would be different. It is necessary that you keep the respective style manual in hand for reference while handling a research paper assignment. It will not be enough to have it in your school library as you might need to refer to it at various stages of your research paper writing.

You also need to pay attention to the assignment guidelines and the instructions given regarding any alterations in the citation methods suggested by the style manual. Each instructor would have his or her own preferences regarding the formatting and citation of the research paper. The guidelines should be your first concern while citing the sources. If there are no specifications regarding the citation in your assignment guidelines, then you should follow the instructions in the style manual for the purpose of formatting your research paper.

Each part of a research paper assignment is to be formatted according to the guidelines of the style used for the assignment. You should also consider the specific alterations mentioned in the guidelines of your assignment before formatting the research paper. The research paper title page, being the first page of the completed document, will give your audience or readers information about the writer and the title of the assignment. APA style has a very unique way of formatting the title page.

Most of the information given on the title page of a research paper is the same for all styles. But the presentation pattern changes with each style. And that exactly is what you should be careful about. The wrong kind of presentation on a title page will create a very negative impression about your submission. Everything from the details given to the spacing and the alignment will count. Hence each of them should be arranged carefully.

Unlike MLA style, APA style requires a separate title page which would be attached as the first page of the main document. The details to be provided on the title page include the title of the research paper, the name of the writer, the course title, the professor’s name and the date of submission. But the most unique aspect of an APA style research paper title page is the use of a ‘running head’. This is the most informative portion of the title of your research paper which would appear on all pages next to the page number. Note that the running head would only be a part of the main title.

The running head appears on the top right hand side of the title page, with the page number printed right next to it. This should be aligned to the right. A few spaces below, towards the center of the page, you will key in the complete title of the research paper. Towards the bottom of the page you should add the name of the author of the document, the name of the course, the instructors name and the date of submission. Other than the running head, all the other information should be aligned centrally.

Even though these are the basic rules regarding the presentation of an APA style research paper title page, if there are any specific instructions given in the assignment guidelines regarding the title page, it would rule over the style guidelines. Hence it is important for you to study the guidelines of your research paper assignment well enough before preparing the title page.

The title page is the simplest one of all the documents which come together to make a research paper. There is nothing that could go wrong with a research paper title page. Hence no excuses will be encouraged if you fail to put together a perfect title page for your assignment. If you are finding the alignment and spacing too confusing and wish to avail some help with preparing the title page, our academic writers will be able to assist you.