How to Put a Title and Author in an Essay
In academic writing, properly formatting the title and author of an essay is crucial for maintaining a professional and polished appearance. The title and author information are essential components that help readers identify the source of the work and understand its context. This article will guide you through the process of how to put a title and author in an essay, ensuring that your work adheres to the appropriate formatting guidelines.
Formatting the Title
The title of an essay should be concise, clear, and informative. It should accurately reflect the content and purpose of the essay. When formatting the title, follow these guidelines:
1. Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in a size that is easily readable, typically 12 or 14 points.
2. Center the title on the page, both horizontally and vertically.
3. Capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions unless they are the first word in the title.
4. Avoid using quotation marks, underlines, or italics for the title unless specified by the formatting guidelines.
Formatting the Author
The author’s name should be included in the essay’s title page or header, depending on the formatting style being used. Here are the guidelines for each style:
1. APA (American Psychological Association) Style:
– Place the author’s name directly after the title, on the same line.
– Separate the author’s name from the title with a comma and a space.
– Use a hyphen to separate the first and last name if the author’s name consists of more than one word.
– Example: “The Impact of Social Media on Youth Behavior: A Study by Jane Smith”
2. MLA (Modern Language Association) Style:
– Place the author’s name at the beginning of the essay’s title page or header.
– Separate the author’s name from the title with a colon and a space.
– Use a hyphen to separate the first and last name if the author’s name consists of more than one word.
– Example: “Jane Smith: The Impact of Social Media on Youth Behavior”
3. Chicago Style:
– Place the author’s name after the title, on the same line.
– Separate the author’s name from the title with a comma and a space.
– Use a hyphen to separate the first and last name if the author’s name consists of more than one word.
– Example: “The Impact of Social Media on Youth Behavior: Jane Smith”
Conclusion
Properly formatting the title and author in an essay is essential for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring that your work is easily identifiable by readers. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can effectively present your essay’s title and author information, contributing to a professional and polished final product.
