Constructing An Appropriate Research Paper Title Page

Your research paper title page captures the attention of a reader immediately he lays hands on your paper. It will indicate your diligence or carelessness in compiling the paper. If the image portrayed from the title page is possible, you are likely to get a positive review. However, if it is negative, the approach will be cautious and eventually affect your overall score.
The title page must receive the attention it deserves. Here is a simple guide on constructing the best title page for your paper.

  • Formatting Style
    Each formatting style has a unique approach to the title page. For instance, using APA format, the title page must have a running header clearly indicated. The margins, including those at the header, must be one inch on all sides. MLA is different in that you are not required to include a running header. The margins are also not strictly stipulated as long as the page is presentable.
  • Author Details
    The name of the author must appear on both MLA and APA research paper title pages. Under APA, you are only supposed to include the name without the title. However, MLA does not come with such restrictions. Supervisors may also give varying details about the name format in each case. These special instructions must be followed. Where two authors are involved, you should separate their names using ‘and’. Should the number go beyond two, separate their names using a comma and ensure that ‘and’ separates the second last name from the last. You must also include your identification number or student number alongside your name.
  • Institution Details
    The name of the institution appears as the first entry when writing under MLA format. This differs with APA because the details of the institution appear after the title and even the name of the author. The department may be included in either case.
  • Formatting
    The front page must be very professional and formal. It must send a signal of a serious student. Research paper titles should not exceed twelve words especially when they are used on running headers. In case your title exceeds this number or is too long, find a shorter version that will not clutter the header.

A professional title page requires the use of a formal and consistent font. The recommended size is 12 unless stated otherwise. If the supervisor has issued unique instructions, they must be followed.

Proofread your draft

The proofreading part is important. You want to make sure that your audience understands what parts of the draft may need some help. You can have someone else look it over if you want. It is a great way of checking the flow and whether the piece makes sense. Sometimes when you are reading your own paper, you know what it is supposed to say, and that makes it hard to see the errors.

Create a flow

The use of transitional phrases is vital to the successful flow of your paper. Your paper is a roadmap and your destination is the thesis statement. Look at the signs that you are presenting to your reader. Is it clear that you are changing the subject? If you use transitional phrases, it tells the reader that you are moving on to the next part of your research paper. You are telling them that you are now going to suggest another reason to prove the main idea.

Evidence presentation method

In any paper and especially in this kind of paper, the evidence or proof is important. You want to prove to your audience that you aren’t making things up. You can do this and add credibility to what you are saying by quoting sources and using the evidence derived from studies. However, you need to make sure that you don’t just add a quote and think that is all you need to do.