When tackling a research paper in the social and behavioral sciences, adhering to the American Psychological Association's (APA) 6th Edition style guide ensures uniform and standardized formatting. This enhances readability and accessibility, making it easier for readers to grasp and engage with your work. One crucial aspect of this is the porteada, or title page, which sets the tone for your entire presentation. Let's explore the APA 6th Edition format for the title page with an example.
The APA 6th Edition style guide specifies the format for the title page to include your paper's title, your name, your institution's name, and pagination. It should also bear the running head, which appears at the header of every page. Here's an example:
Title Page Format
The title page should be the first page of your paper and should be formatted as follows:
Title
The title should be bold, Central align, and should not exceed 12 words in length. It should accurately and concisely reflect the content of your paper. For example: "Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Attention and Working Memory"
Title format: Center, bold, 12 words or less
Your Information
Your name should be centered below the title. Immediately below your name, type your institution's name—do not abbreviate. On the following line, type the course title, your section number (if any), and your instructor's name. The date should be written in the upper right-hand corner, written as (Month Day, Year). Lastly, the page number should appear in the upper right-hand corner, also. Here's how you can format it:
Jane Doe
Psychology Department, Anytown University
General Psychology (PSY 101), Section 001
Instructor: Dr. John Smith
(October 23, 2022)
1
Running Head and Page Numbers
The running head is a shortened version of your title page's title and appears at the header of every page. On the title page, the full title is centered at the top, followed by a short title (no more than 50 characters) in the header—this serves as your running head. Page numbers must appear in the upper right corner of every page, starting from the title page. Here's how you can format it:
Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Attention and Working Memory
Running head: MEDITATION & ATTENTION 1
Whilst there are specific rules involved in formatting the title page, remember that the purpose is to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. Embrace this guide as a tool to help you achieve that goal. Now, go ahead and format your title page with confidence!