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How to Write and Format a Chicago Style Paper [With Examples]

3-minute read

• 18th August 2023

Are you working on a Chicago style project but struggling with the question, “just what is it?!”

Fear not, this post will walk you through Chicago style basics.

What Is Chicago Style?

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) is a comprehensive style guide primarily used by professional writers, publishers, and researchers. It covers various forms of writing, including books, journals, magazines, and other publications. It’s often the go-to style for publishers and editors. CMoS is also known for its emphasis on scholarly writing and is suitable for a wide range of disciplines, including history, literature, the arts, and social sciences.

However, there’s an important distinction between Chicago style and Turabian style , which is essentially a simplified version of CMoS used in scholarly writing. Turabian omits some of the complexities and focuses on the needs of academic writers, especially those in the humanities and social sciences.

With either style, it’s essential to consult the relevant edition of the style guide specified by your institution or publication: either The Chicago Manual of Style or A Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian (currently in its ninth edition).

How Are Chicago Style Citations Formatted?

CMoS emphasizes two primary documentation systems : the notes and bibliography system (often used in the humanities) and the author–date system (preferred in the sciences and social sciences). When formatting a CMoS/Turabian paper, you’ll need to adhere to the guidelines associated with your chosen documentation system.

Notes and Bibliography System:

●  In this system, you’ll use footnotes or endnotes to cite sources within the text.

●  A corresponding bibliography is included at the end of the paper, listing all sources in alphabetical order.

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●  Citations typically include author names, titles, publication details, and page numbers.

Author–Date System:

●  In the author–date system, you’ll incorporate in-text citations within parentheses.

●  A reference list is included at the end of the document, providing full details for each cited source.

●  Citations include author’s last names, publication year, and page numbers (if applicable).

What Does Turabian Style Formatting Look Like?

A well-structured Turabian Style paper should adhere to the following formatting guidelines :

•   Title page : Include the title of your paper, your name, the course name/number, instructor’s name, and the date on a separate page, starting a third of the page down. Alternatively, write the title on the first page.
•   Margins : Apply one-inch margins on all sides.
• Indentation and spacing : Indent paragraphs and double-space the main text.
• Font : Use a legible 12-point font (e.g., Times New Roman).
• Page numbers : Number all pages consecutively in the top right corner, starting with the first page. Alternatively, page numbers may be placed at the bottom center of the page.
• Headings and subheadings : Use headline-style capitalization for headings and subheadings, with different levels distinguished.
• Footnotes or in-text citations: Implement your chosen citation system consistently throughout the paper.
• Bibliography or reference list : Include a comprehensive list of all sources used, following Chicago style citation guidelines for your chosen system.

How Should I Choose Which Chicago Style Documentation to Use?

It’s crucial to find out which specific CMoS system is preferred by your institution, publisher, or field of study. Always consult your assignment guidelines or style manual to determine whether you should use the notes and bibliography system or the author–date system. This choice will significantly impact how you format your citations and references.

Remember that mastering CMoS takes practice. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to crafting polished, professionally formatted papers that meet the expectations of your academic or professional audience.

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Turabian Student Paper-Formatting Tip Sheets

Official Chicago style, in easy-to-use, printable PDF paper-writing tip sheets for students, teachers, and librarians. Guidelines are per Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations  (9th ed.) and are fully compatible with  The Chicago Manual of Style  (17th ed.).

[Important: Directions from your teacher, instructor, or dissertation office overrule these guidelines.]

• Margins and Page Numbers
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables and Figures
• Introduction or Conclusion
• Sections and Subheads
• Chapter Opening Page
• Figure and Figure Caption
• Bibliography
• Parenthetical Citations
• Reference List

Chicago Style Guide - 17th Edition

• Chicago Style
• Title Page and Pagination
• Quotations and Signal Phrases
• Bibliography
• Chicago's Citation Parts
• Articles - Online
• Articles - Print
• Blogs and Social Media
• Government Publications
• Elders & Knowledge Keepers
• Other Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Generative AI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT, DALL·E 2)
• Author/Date (Scientific) System
• Need More Help?

Useful Links

• Chicago Manual of Style Online - Quick Guide
• Douglas College Library - Chicago Style Guide (PDF)
• Purdue OWL - Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.)
• SFU Library - Chicago/Turabian (17th ed.) Citation Guide

Avoid Plagiarism

• Camosun Academic Integrity Guide
• Camosun Plagiarism Guide
• Douglas College Learning Centre - Paraphrasing Without Plagiarizing
• Purdue OWL - Avoiding Plagiarism
• SFU Library - Plagiarism Tutorial

Chicago Style Sample Research Paper

Formatting and Sample Paper

The formatting guidelines listed on this page, provide general best practices for formatting your work using the Chicago style. Detailed information about formatting your title page , using quotes and signal phrases , and creating a bibliography , can be found by navigating to various sub-pages of this "Formatting Your Paper" page.

Learning how to correctly format your research paper into Chicago style can seem overwhelming, especially if the style is new to you. One of the best ways to help visualize what your paper needs to look like is by checking out an example of a paper that has already been formatted correctly.

View this  sample Chicago style research paper   ( notes and bibliography/humanities system ) from Purdue OWL for examples on how to format:

• A title page
• Headers and page numbers
• A bibliography

For a sample paper in the Chicago author/date style , visit the "Author/Date (Scientific) System" page in this guide.

Paragraphs and Spacing

The first line of all new paragraphs should begin with an indent . You can use either the tab key or your word processor's indentation tool to make your indentations–just be sure to be consistent and use the same process throughout your paper.

Your paper should be double spaced throughout its main body , with the following exceptions: 

• Block quotations , table titles , and figure captions should be single-spaced . 
• ​An extra line of space should be inserted both before and after a block quotation. 

Entries in the bibliography and footnotes/ endnotes are single spaced within entries , but double-spaced between entries (unless your instructor prefers double-spacing throughout).​

Footnotes and Endnotes

• Notes can be either  footnotes   (placed at the  foot   (bottom) of the same page  as the referenced text) or  endnotes   (listed on a  separate sheet at the end  of the essay, before the bibliography).
• Other than placement in your document, footnotes and endnotes are  structured in exactly the same way .
• Notes are  numbered consecutively  throughout the paper. Most word processing programs (such as MS Word) handle footnotes automatically.
• Follow your instructors’ directions when deciding whether to use footnotes or endnotes.

To insert a footnote in a Microsoft Word document:

• Place the cursor after the text you want to cite.
• Click on the " References "   tab.
• In the " Footnotes " section , click on the " In sert Footnote " button.
• A superscript number 1 will appear after the text you want to cite.
• A superscript number 1 will also appear at the bottom of page.
• At the bottom of the page next to the superscript number, enter the citation information for your resource (see the citation examples in this guide for how to create footnotes).
• Repeat these steps to insert and consecutively number your footnotes.

Some instructors may ask you to use endnotes, instead of footnotes. For information on inserting endnotes, see the  Microsoft Office Tutorial .

• << Previous: Chicago Style
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• Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024 10:37 AM
• URL: https://camosun.libguides.com/Chicago-17thEd

Chicago style guide: Chicago style page formatting

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How to format a Chicago-style paper

Your teachers expect to receive papers that are properly formatted and laid out. Use the following guidelines when setting up your paper. It is easiest if you use the correct settings from the beginning; otherwise you will have to go back and reformat your paper.

Overall page layout

• One inch margins on sides, top and bottom.
• Use Times or Times New Roman 12 pt font.
• Double-space the text of the paper.
• Use left-justified text, which will have a ragged right edge. Do not use fully (newspaper-style) justified text.
• Use a 1/2" indent for paragraph beginnings, block quotes and hanging (bibliography) indents.
• Number the pages in the top right corner of the paper, beginning with the first page of text. It's a good idea to include your last name as well, in case pages become separated. Number straight through from the first text page to the final bibliography page but do not count any pages after the end of the text as part of your page count. (A five-page paper may also have a cover page, two pages of notes and one page of bibliography which is nine pieces of paper.)
• Ask your teacher if it is ok to print two-sided.
• Center the title of your paper in the middle of the page, halfway down.
• Center your name directly under the title.
• Your teacher's name, course title and block, and date should be written in three lines and centered at the bottom of the page.
• Use Times or Times New Roman 12 pt font for the title page. Do not try to make your cover page decorative by using bold , underline , or creative fonts.
• Do not put a page number on the cover page, and do not count it as part of the total page count.

Assemble your paper in the following order

• Cover/title page
• Body of the paper
• Appendix (if needed)

Bibliography

Names and numbers

• Use full names of people and agencies/legislation the first time you use them. For agencies, include the acronym in parentheses after the full name when first used, e.g. Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA).
• After the first time you can refer to people by their last name or agencies/bills by their acronyms for the rest of the paper.
• Write out numbers lower than 100. (“All nine members of the Supreme Court...”)

Footnotes and endnotes

Caution: If you are writing your paper in Google Docs, you MUST use footnotes. Google Docs does not have a way to make Endnotes, and if you use the Endnote Generator add-on it will make a mess of your paper!

• Footnotes go at the bottom of the page where the reference occurs; endnotes go on a separate page after the body of the paper. Both use the same formatting guidelines.
• Within the essay text: put the note number at the end of the sentence where the reference occurs, even if the cited material is mentioned at the beginning of the sentence.
• The note number goes after all other punctuation.
• Be sure to use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) nor Roman (i, ii, iii).
• Put the word Notes (not Endnotes) at the top of the page with your endnotes. Use Times/Times New Roman 10 pt font.
• Single space each entry; double space between entries.
• Indent the first line of each note.
• Never reuse a number - use a new number for each reference, even if you have used that reference previously.
• Be sure to look at shortened form examples for sources you refer to more than once.
• To cite multiple sources in a single note, separate the two citations with a semicolon. Never use two note numbers at the end of a sentence.
• Your bibliography should go on a separate page, with the word Bibliography centered at the top of the page in Times/Times New Roman 12 pt font. Do not use bold or large size font for the heading.
• Be sure to use proper formatting - note and bibliography styles are different.
• Use a "hanging indent" - the first line of the citation begins at the margin, subsequent lines are indented.
• If your source has no author, alphabetize by title within the authors - don't make a separate list.
• Don't separate primary and secondary sources unless your teacher requests it.

Watch out for these common errors:

• Note format uses first name last name, bibliography uses last name, first name.
• In your notes, do not reuse numbers! Each citation gets a new number.
• Pay attention to indents. Notes use a first line indent, a bibliography uses a hanging indent.
• A bibliography goes in alphabetical order by author (or title if there is no author). Notes are numbered and are listed in the order the sources are used.
• Don't put Works Cited at the top of your bibliography - that is MLA style.

General citation components

Overall, all citations should include information that will allow the reader to identify and locate a source. this generally includes the following:  author, title, and publication information (publisher, date, url, etc.)  you should be looking for and providing all the above information that is available to you to allow your reader to track your sources. use the tabs above to see specific source citation formats and examples. , citing your sources.

The library subscribes to NoodleTools, a citation management tool. You can get to it in one of two ways:

1. Go to your Menlo gmail and click on the 9-box "waffle" menu. Scroll down to NoodleTools. 

2. Go to the NoodleTools home page  and log in with Google using your Menlo Gmail username and password.

Can't decide whether your source needs a citation?  Click here to hear Dr. Hanson explain when citations are needed.  Click here to view a flowsheet that will guide your choices.

Google Docs formatting tips

Formatting page breaks and page numbers in Google Docs

Inserting Chicago style footnotes in Google Docs

Citation checklist

Do you want to be sure you've formatted your research paper correctly? Click the link below to download a Chicago style citation and formatting checklist. 

• Citation formatting checklist
• Middle school citation checklist
• Next: Sample pages >>
• Last Updated: May 8, 2024 12:51 PM
• URL: https://library.menloschool.org/chicago

Chicago Style Guide, for 17th Edition

Paper formatting.

• Style Handbooks
• Footnotes vs. Endnotes
• Books / E-books
• Interviews / Personal Communications
• Audiovisual Materials
• Shortened Citations
• Author-Date References
• Books / E-Books
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Interviews / Personal Communication
• Website / Webpage

View sample paper

Note-- This paper is written using the footnote/endnote style. The same general formatting rules apply to the author/date format.  

General Formatting

• 1" margins on all four sides
• Times New Roman; 12 pt. font
• Block quotes
• Table Titles
• Figure Captions
• Use a 1/2” indent for paragraph beginnings, block quotes and bibliographic indents.
• Bibliographic and notation entries should be single spaced internally, but contain a space between each entry.
• Page numbers should be placed in the header of the first page of text, beginning with number 1. Continue your page numbers till the end of your bibliography.
• Longer publications should use Subheadings.
• Cover/Title page
• Body of the paper
• Appendix (if needed)
• Endnotes (if using endnote style)

Bibliography

Title/Cover Page

• ​Center the title of your page around half-way down.
• If your paper has a subtitle, end the title line with a colon and place the subtitle on the next line.
• Center your name directly under the title.
• Center your teacher’s name, course title, and date, in three separate lines, directly underneath your name.
• Do not bold, underline, or otherwise decorate your title.
• Do not put a page number on your cover page and do not include it in your page count total.

Names and Numbers

• Use the full name of any person or agency the first time you reference them in a paper. For agencies, include the acronym in parentheses after the full name when first used, e.g. Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). After that, you may choose to use only a person’s last name, or agency acronym.
• Write out any numbers lower than 100.

  Footnotes/Endnotes

• Footnotes will always appear at the bottom of the page where the reference occurs and endnotes go on a separate page after the body of the paper.
• Place the note number at the end of the sentence in which the reference occurs and after any punctuation; remember to superscript it.
• If using endnotes, title the top of the first page as ‘Notes’ in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Do not embolden the title.
• All notes should be typed in 12pt font using Times New Roman.
• Within the notes themselves, numbers are full-sized, and are followed by a period.
• Indent the first line of any footnote 1/2” from the margin. Other lines will be flushed left (this formatting is opposite of the bibliography).
• Notes should be typed using single-space, but different notes should contain a space between them.
• Only use Arabic numerals, not Roman.
• Never reuse a number.
• Use a shortened citation for sources you refer to more than once.
• If citing multiple sources in a single note, separate each citation with a semicolon.
• Never use two note numbers at the end of a sentence (see above).
• If citing the same work again immediately after you've already cited it, use ibid .
• The bibliography should start on a new page, and be titled ‘Bibliography’ at the top in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Do not embolden the title.
• Use proper formatting for each type of source and always using a hanging indent. The first line of the citation will begin on the margin, subsequent lines are indented (opposite of a footnote/endnote).
• The bibliography must be ordered alphabetically.
• Entries should be typed single-space with a blank line between each separate citation.
• If you have multiple bibliographic entries from the same author, it is acceptable to use what is called the ‘3-em’ dash to replace the name of the content creators. For Example:

Judt, Tony.  A Grand Illusion ?  An Essay on Europe. New York: Hill and Wang, 1996.

—.  Reappraisals: Reflections on the Forgotten Twentieth Century. New York: Penguin Press, 2008.

—, ed.  Resistance and Revolution in Mediterranean Europe, 1939-1948. New York: Routledge, 1989.

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• Last Updated: Apr 29, 2024 3:49 PM
• URL: https://research.wou.edu/chicago

Chicago Research Paper Formatting

Chicago manual of style (cmos - 17th edition).

• Finding Sources for Your Paper
• Additional Resources
• Sample Papers

You are going to love this! Save this template somewhere safe or e-mail it to yourself. Then resave it immediately with the name of your new document. This will keep your template safe and ready to reuse again for future assignments.

The templates provided will be sufficient for most student Chicago Style papers. For more information on formatting, please check out The Chicago Manual of Style Online Resources for Students page at  https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/help-tools/Resources-for-Students.html . 

• Purdue Owl Author Date Sample Paper Sample paper is downloadable.
• Purdue Owl Notes Bibliography Sample Paper Sample paper is downloadable.
• Turabian: Student Paper-Writing Tip Sheets Official Chicago style, in easy-to-use, printable PDF paper-writing tip sheets for students, teachers, and librarians. Guidelines are per Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (9th ed.) and are fully compatible with The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.).
• << Previous: Home
• Next: Finding Sources for Your Paper >>
• Last Updated: Apr 17, 2024 11:25 AM
• URL: https://libguides.polk.edu/chicago

Polk State College is committed to equal access/equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance .

How to Format Your Research Paper

• APA 7 Paper Format
• MLA Paper Format

Writing Your Paper: Chicago

Chicago style papers.

• Hanging Indents
• Ask a Librarian

Chicago Style Resources

• How Do I Format My Class Paper in Chicago Style? If your instructor has specific requirements for the format of your research paper, check with them before preparing your final draft. The most common formatting is presented here.

Things to know before you begin:

• Font:  Times New Roman  
• Font Size:  12 point
• Margins:  1 inch
• Paragraphs: All paragraphs should be indented.
• Spacing: All of the text in the body of your paper should be double-spaced.

Typical Chicago style papers have three sections:

• Bibliography

See the tabs below for a breakdown of how each portion should be formatted.

• Sample Papers

Below you will find an example of an accurately formatted CMOS paper. 

• Sample Paper Chicago Style - PDF Click here to see a sample of an accurately formatted CMOS paper.
• Sample Paper Chicago Style - Word Click here to see a sample of an accurately formatted CMOS paper.

• Your title should be centered and place a third of the way down the page. Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
• Capitalize all the words in your title. If there is a subtitle, place it on the second line.
• Place your course name first, then your name, then the due date of the paper. This should be double-spaced and placed in the bottom third of your paper. 

• Start the body of your paper on the first line of a new page.
• Insert the page number in the top right corner of the page using the header function.
• CMS uses footnotes. Place the footnote after any punctuation. Each number must have an entry at the bottom of the page.

• Center the word "Bibliography" on the first line of a new page.
• Your citations should be alphabetical.
• Each entry is single-spaced with one blank line separating entries.
• Be sure to use a hanging indent for any citations that require more than one line.

Need help formatting your Chicago/Turabian style citations using the 17th edition of the  Chicago Manual of Style ? Click the image or link below to go to the citation guide.

• Chicago Style Citations

Need help learning what hanging indents are and how to create them using Google Docs or Microsoft Word? 

• Hanging Indents This page gives a brief description of what they are, where to find information on when and how to properly use them, and also video tutorials on how to create them.

Need help learning what footnotes are and  how to create them  using Google Docs or Microsoft Word? 

• Footnotes This page gives a brief description of what they are, where to find information on when and how to properly use them, and also video tutorials on how to create them.
• << Previous: MLA Paper Format
• Next: Footnotes >>
• Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024 2:49 PM
• URL: https://necc.mass.libguides.com/formatting

To cite this LibGuide use the following templates:

APA : Northern Essex Community College Library. (Date updated). Title of page . Title of LibGuide. URL

MLA : Northern Essex Community College Library. "Title of Page." Title of LibGuide, Date updated, URL.

Chicago Citation Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper

• About Chicago Style
• In-text Citations Using Author-Date
• Notes and Bibliography
• Book with Personal Authors
• Book with Editor(s)
• Book with Organization as Author
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Articles
• Websites, Blogs, Social Media
• Legal and Public Documents
• Formatting Your Paper
• Submit Your Paper for Chicago Review

The Chicago Manual of Style does not specify a specific font type and size. 

A Manual for Writers by Kate Turabian suggests using either 12-point Times New Roman font or 10-point Arial font.

Line Spacing & Margin Suggestions

Use double-spacing throughout the body of the paper.

Single space after periods between sentences. 

Indent the first line of each paragraph. 

Leave 1 in. margins on the top, bottom, and sides.  

Sample Paper

• Chicago Style Paper Template Use this template as a start for your Chicago Style paper.

Chicago/Turabian Style Paper Format

The following guidelines are suggested:

While the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Ed. does not specify font size or style the IRSC librarians recommend Times New Roman size 12 font. 

Title page

• Include your paper title (centered) about a third of the way down the page
• About three-quarters of the way down the page include your name, your professor's name, date, and the name of your class (Check with your professor to see what specific information they want on the title page)
• Omit a header and page number on the cover page (use the Different First Page header option found on the Design menu)

Body of the paper:

• Add a header after the cover page. The header should contain the page number (starting with 2)
• Double-space the entire paper and use 1-inch margins
• Insert a footnote each time you use information from a source in your paper (found on the References menu)
• If you use sections like "Abstract, Introduction, Discussions", center the section title on the page

Bibliography:

• Type the world Bibliography in the center of the page
• The bibliography will be on a separate page from the body of the paper
• The citations on the bibliography page are single spaced
• There will be an extra space between each citation 
• << Previous: Legal and Public Documents
• Next: Submit Your Paper for Chicago Review >>
• Last Updated: Jan 23, 2024 10:51 AM
• URL: https://irsc.libguides.com/chicago

College-wide Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition

• CHICAGO RESEARCH PAPER
• CITING BOOKS
• CITING ARTICLES
• CITING WEBSITES

Chicago Manual of Style Guides

The chicago manual of style's website.

Chicago Manual of Style , 17th Edition, is available at EFSC campus Libraries

Ask A Librarian

EFSC Librarians available :

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Service available from Other Florida Librarians:

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An EFSC Librarian will respond within 24 hours . 

CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE 17TH Ed, Research Paper

The Chicago Style offers two types of citations: bibliography style and reference list style. This guide assists with the bibliography style. Please consider your instructor's assignment requirements.

Your Chicago-style research paper should have the following components:

1. Chicago-style title page

2. The body of the paper with correct margins, in-text citations, etc.

3. Endnotes or footnotes

4. Bibliography 

Paper-Formatting Tip Sheets   (Margins, Title page, Citations, Crafting a paper & more)

Please contact an Eastern Florida State College Librarian if you experience any barriers to accessing these materials or need research help. Cocoa 321-433-7662 Melbourne 321-433-5576 Palm Bay 321-433-5275 Titusville 321-433-5036

"College-wide Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition" by Marian Smith.  CC by 4.0 .

• Next: CITING BOOKS >>
• Last Updated: Jan 11, 2024 11:15 AM
• URL: https://libguides.easternflorida.edu/ChicagoStyle

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FAQ: How should a title page be formatted in Chicago Style?

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2023 Views: 145980

Formatting a title page.

Here are some tips for formatting a title page in Chicago style:

• The title should be centered a third of the way down the page.
• Your name and class information should follow several lines later.
• For subtitles, end the title line with a colon and place the subtitle on the line below the title.
• Include your name, class information, and date. 

Example Title Page

More Information

• Citation Quick Guide  (Chicago Manual of Style)
• Chicago Style Guide  (Shapiro Library)
• Chicago Style Sample Paper (SNHU Academic Support)

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.

Campus Students

To access Academic Support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.

Online Students

To access help with citations and more, visit the Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:

• Academic Support Overview: Getting Help with your Schoolwork This link opens in a new window
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Cover Page – APA, MLA & Chicago Style With Examples

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In the academic and professional realms, the presentation of written work is nearly as crucial as the content itself. The most popular guidelines are the APA, MLA, and Chicago style. Each has its unique specifications and nuances, particularly when it comes to crafting the cover page , a pivotal aspect that provides the first impression of any document. This article delves into the distinct features and requirements with examples .

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Cover page in a nutshell
• 2 Definition: Cover page
• 3 When is a cover page used?
• 4 Essentials of a cover page
• 6 Cover page for students

Cover page in a nutshell

What is a cover page? A cover page is also called the title page and is the first page of an academic essay or other kinds of academic papers. It displays its title, the author’s name, and other relevant information, serving as an introduction or a preview of what’s inside. Think of it like the cover of a book, giving a glimpse of what the content is about.

Definition: Cover page

The cover page serves as a representation of the author. The format will differ based on the style you choose. It typically contains:

• Name of the author
• Name of the professor
• Name of the student’s educational establishment
• Due date of the paper

The topic of the paper and the course name are always included on the title page, regardless of the format used. As the name suggests, it is placed at the front of the paper and is the first thing your professor will see when they receive your paper. When writing an academic paper, you have to adhere to certain established standards. A cover page is required for many papers, as it introduces the professor to the project. In this article, we will look at the different types and their formats.

When is a cover page used?

A cover page is used in various academic, professional, and publishing contexts to provide a clear and organized introduction to a document. Its usage can vary based on the style guide in reference. Here’s a brief overview of when it is used in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles .

• APA style always requires a title page for both student papers and professional articles or studies. You can read more in our article about the APA format title pages.
• Title of the paper, author’s name, institutional affiliation, course name and number (for students), instructor’s name (for students), and due date
• MLA style does not typically require a title page for research papers , unless specifically requested by the instructor. Instead, essential details are usually placed in the top-left corner of the first page.
• Title, name of the author, instructor’s name, course, and date

Chicago style

• Its usage depends on specific publication or institutional requirements. For formal publications and individual assignments, a title page is typically preferred.
• Title, author’s name, often the specific class or course information, and date of submission

Essentials of a cover page

A cover page requires:

• A running head
• The title of your academic paper
• The name of your university
• The name of the author or authors

Besides these requirements, your professor may ask you to add extra information . As mentioned earlier, you should refer to the latest guidelines to see how the cover should be formatted. With APA style, you have to use 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1-inch margins.

The running head has to be left-aligned, and it should be capitalized. Besides the ‘running head,’ your header should have a maximum of 50 characters.

The title of your paper should also be properly formatted. It should be in the title case, meaning the first letters of every word is capitalized. The only words that should not be capitalized are small words like articles and prepositions . The title should be no more than 12 words in length. For the title, you should use whole words only. Avoid contractions and abbreviations.

The names of the authors should also be properly formatted. If multiple authors were involved in writing the paper, they should all be mentioned, along with the institutions they are affiliated with. Students with different affiliations should be listed separately.

The cover page should not be spruced up unnecessarily. Its only objective is to provide the reader or professor with essential information. Don’t use colored paper, colored text, or fancy images to make it look more attractive. That will only make you appear less professional.

There are as many kinds of cover pages as there are academic writing formats. The most commonly used cover page formats are MLA , APA , and Chicago . The difference lies in their format and content. Here is an overview of each of these types.

APA cover page

The APA format cover page should start with the running head, positioned at the top left of your paper. The page number is on the top right. Your paper title is to be in title case, in the upper half of the page. For the title, you simply respect the rules for capitalization in titles . APA recommends that your title should be 12 words in length or less, and it should not include any abbreviations or contractions. Words that serve no purpose should also be left out. The title can take up one or two lines.

The information for an APA format cover is below the title of your paper, then the names of the authors and their institutional affiliations are listed. The author’s name should include first name, middle initial(s), and last name. The titles of the author(s) and their educational qualifications should not be included in this part of the paper. The institutional affiliation is included under the author’s name, and it shows where the researcher carried out the research.

For more information, read our article about the APA cover page .

MLA cover page

When using an MLA format cover page, it is not required. Your instructor will let you know whether they require a cover. For some assignments, a cover can make your paper look more professional, so you should always consider adding one. For MLA, you will have to include:

• School or university name
• Title of your paper
• Name of the class
• Name of your professor
• Date of submission

Note: Different instructors may have different style requirements. You may need to add other details to the cover page.

Like in APA, the format cover page is double-spaced and the letters are centered on the page. The name of your university should be typed first, after which you can skip down to a third of the page and add the title of the research paper. From here, you can skip several lines and add the rest of the details. These details should be on the bottom half of the page.

Chicago style cover page

Usually, the Chicago style does not require a cover. However, they may be requested for individual assignments. In this case, the Chicago cover page includes the title of your page, the name of the author, the name of your teacher, the course title, and the due date. The title should be typed at about one-third of the way down the page. Some professors accept covers using 11 pt. Arial font, but the most widely used font is 12 pt. Times New Roman. You should generally avoid using fancy fonts or underlining the text. You can only use bold for the title and subtitle. The page should be double-spaced. The page number should not be included in a Chicago style cover page.

Cover page for students

Creating a student cover page involves considering the essential elements that offer a concise overview of the work, while also adhering to any style or formatting guidelines in place. Here’s a general outline of what should be included.

• Title of the document/paper Ideally placed at the center of the page Should be specific and concise, capturing the essence of the paper
• Student’s name Usually positioned under the title Full name is recommended unless specified otherwise
• Course name and code Essential for academic submissions to ensure the paper reaches the correct instructor or department
• Instructor/professor’s name Specify the honorific title (e.g., Dr., Prof.) if applicable
• Date of submission Can be written in different formats (e.g., September 21, 2023, or 21-09-2023) depending on institutional or style guide preferences
• Institution Name Name of the school, college, or university
• Class or section If applicable Especially useful for larger courses with multiple sections
• Assignment number or type Optional E.g., “Assignment 1”, “Final Project”, “Research Paper”, etc.

Formatting tips

Use a readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Typically, a 12 pt. font size is recommended. Details on the cover are usually double-spaced for clarity. Ensure you have standard margins (typically 1 inch, so 2.54 cm, on all sides) unless specified otherwise by your institution or style guide. Most of the details are typically centered on the page, but some style guides might have different requirements. Always refer to specific institutional guidelines or the requested style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) as they may have distinct stipulations for page composition.

How do you write a title page for an essay?

The title page of your academic essay should be simple and straightforward, and it should only consist of text. For the cover page design, you should consult the latest manual of your institution. You may be required to use a certain style of formatting, such as APA, or MLA. The requirements for an APA title page differ from the requirements of an MLA title page .

Does the title page count as one page?

The title page will take up a whole page of your essay. However, it does not count as one page in terms of the page count for your essay . The table of contents and bibliography are also not included in the word/page count of your essay.

How do you format the names of multiple authors?

If more than one person was involved in writing the paper, all the names should be clearly indicated. The format used will depend on the affiliations of the authors and the institution that they’re working with. For an APA cover page, the authors should be listed below the title of the paper. List their first names, middle initials, and last names with any titles and qualifications.

Is a cover page always required?

The cover page is typically required when you use the APA citation style. With the MLA and Chicago formats, your instructor will advise you on whether you have to include a cover. However, more often than not, MLA formatting does not require a title page.

Will you be penalized for adding a cover page when it is not required?

No instructor will penalize you for including a cover page when it is not strictly required. You should consider adding one if you are uncertain whether it is required for your academic writing work. Nevertheless, you should check with your institution anyway to ensure that you’re fulfilling all requirements.

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