Formatting an APA Title Page with Two Authors
When crafting an APA title page with two authors, precision and adherence to guidelines are essential. The title page serves as the reader’s first impression of your work, so it must be professionally formatted. Below is a step-by-step guide to ensure your title page meets APA standards.
1. Student Title Page vs. Professional Title Page
The structure of the title page differs slightly depending on whether the paper is for a student assignment or a professional manuscript.
Student Title Page:
- Elements: Page number, paper title, author names, institutional affiliation.
- Order:
- Page number (upper right corner).
- Paper title (centered, in bold).
- Author names (centered, first and middle initials followed by last name).
- Institutional affiliation (centered).
- Page number (upper right corner).
- Elements: Page number, paper title, author names, institutional affiliation.
Professional Title Page:
- Elements: Running head, page number, paper title, author names, institutional affiliation, author note.
- Order:
- Running head (left-aligned, in uppercase, followed by the page number on the right).
- Paper title (centered, in bold).
- Author names (centered, first and middle initials followed by last name).
- Institutional affiliation (centered).
- Author note (optional, centered, in a paragraph format).
- Running head (left-aligned, in uppercase, followed by the page number on the right).
- Elements: Running head, page number, paper title, author names, institutional affiliation, author note.
2. Including Two Authors
When there are two authors, their names should be listed in the order they appear in the byline. Use the ampersand (&) between the names.
Example (Student Title Page):
My Research Paper
John A. Doe & Jane B. Smith
University of Example
Example (Professional Title Page):
Running head: MY RESEARCH PAPER
1
My Research Paper
John A. Doe & Jane B. Smith
University of Example
3. Author Note for Professional Papers
If the paper is for professional submission, an author note may be included. This provides additional information about the authors, such as affiliations, acknowledgments, or contact details.
Example Author Note:
Author Note
John A. Doe, Department of Psychology, University of Example; Jane B. Smith, Department of Sociology, University of Example. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to John A. Doe, 123 Research Lane, Example City, State, 12345, E-mail: john.doe@example.edu.
4. Key Formatting Tips
- Font: Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
- Spacing: Double-space the entire title page.
- Alignment: Center all elements except the running head and page number.
- Capitalization: Use title case for the paper title (capitalize the first word, the first word after a colon, and all major words).
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect Name Order: Always list authors in the agreed-upon order.
- Missing Institutional Affiliation: Ensure both authors’ affiliations are included if they differ.
- Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency with font, spacing, and alignment.
By following these guidelines, your APA title page with two authors will be polished, professional, and compliant with the latest APA standards.
Can I list authors in any order on the title page?
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No, authors should be listed in the order agreed upon by all contributors, typically reflecting their level of contribution or alphabetical order.
Do both authors need to include their institutional affiliations?
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Yes, both authors’ institutional affiliations should be included, even if they are from different institutions.
Is the author note mandatory for student papers?
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No, the author note is typically required only for professional papers and is optional for student assignments.
