But as inspired as the body of your research paper may be, your headings feel a little bland. Or worse—you can’t think of any headings at all.

Fortunately, headings can actually be some of the easiest parts of the paper once you get the hang of it. And I’m here to help you write headings in a snap with five simple tips that teach you the art of the research paper heading.

The Research Paper Heading: 5 Tips for Success

By simply following these five simple tips, you’ll be able to write one research paper heading after another to make the main ideas of your research paper easier for your readers to navigate.

Tip #1: Follow proper formatting rules

Most teachers typically choose one style guide and stick to it. The information will usually be in the syllabus or your assignment guidelines, or you can just ask. Most likely, it’ll either be APA or MLA, so those are the two we’ll talk about here.

These style guides are incredibly helpful because they make sure everything is formatted the same way. With consistent formatting, your paper becomes much easier to read.

With consistent formatting, your paper becomes much easier to read.
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This is going to be a quick summary of heading formatting, but if you need help with citations, references, or general formatting, check out the post below that’s relevant for your paper:

• The Stress-Free Guide to APA Essay Format
• The Stress-Free Guide to MLA Essay Format (8th Edition)

APA research paper headings

APA (American Psychological Association) formatting is used for a lot of the social sciences.

Research papers that follow this style guide are usually written as reports on experimental research, so the headings should reflect that.

But right now, we’re going to talk about how the headings and subheadings should look, not what that should say.

There are five different research paper heading levels in APA. Levels basically tell you whether something is a completely new section or a sub-section.

Here’s each APA heading level and how you should format it:

I know this table, and this information, can get a little dry, so let’s try an example.

Let’s say I was writing a research paper on the ways that hula hooping can improve a person’s health and fitness.

Some of my headlines might look like this:

Methods (Level 1)

Participant Population (Level 2)

Active adults. (Level 3)

Adults with active jobs. (Level 4)

Adults who go to the gym. (Level 4)

Moderate gym activity. (Level 5)

High gym activity. (Level 5)

Inactive adults. (Level 3)

The headings here are not very exciting, but they’re not supposed to be (more on that later). The important thing is that they are present and that they let the reader know what to expect from the content under each heading.

You don’t need to use every level. Some people get along just fine with three levels instead of five. It just depends on your content.

Bonus tip: It’s important to note that the Introduction section of an APA-style research paper never gets a heading.

Check out this example paper with APA headings to see how headings should look once applied within the text of an entire paper.

MLA research paper headings

MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting is typically used for essays and papers that deal with liberal arts and humanities topics. And like the liberal arts, it’s a bit more flexible with the rules.

MLA research paper headings can be numbered or unnumbered, as long as you keep it all consistent. If you number your headings, you don’t really have to worry about bolding or italicizing anything. But you should use headline-style capitalization.

Numbering could look something like this:

1. Methods

1.1 Participant Population

1.1.1 Active Adults

1.1.2 Inactive Adults

2. Results

If, on the other hand, you don’t want to number your headings, they’ll be formatted according to five different levels.

So here’s the same example I used in the APA formatting section, done in MLA:

Methods (Level 1)

Participant Population (Level 2)

Active Adults (Level 3)

Adults with Active Jobs (Level 4)

Adults Who Go to the Gym (Level 4)

Moderate Gym Activity (Level 5)

High Gym Activity (Level 5)

Inactive Adults (Level 3)

Check out this example paper with unnumbered MLA headings to see how headings should look once applied within the text of an entire paper.

Tip #2: Don’t get too creative

I know, the whole formatting thing can make you yawn a bit. And the actual words you use for your headings aren’t really going to be the works of creativity you may hope them to be.

Make each research paper heading clear. Trying to get too creative can do more harm than good. The point of headings for this type of assignment is to tell the readers exactly what they’ll find in the section below.

Make your research paper heading clear. Trying to get too creative can do more harm than good.
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You also might want to keep your headings relatively short. This helps with scannability and clarity as well.

Now, there are a few things you can do if you start getting a little too bored. First, use alliteration. Alliterative headings can be short and to the point while still showing that you have a great command of language.

For example, the heading Active Adults in the example above is alliterative. Another example from the same research topic could include Hula Hoopers’ Health.

Something else you can do is write all of your headings last. It’s easier to come up with a heading if you already know everything that’s going to be covered in that particular section.

Tip #3: Break up your text

Research paper headings serve multiple purposes. They make it easy for your readers to scan your paper for the parts they think are most important. Headings also help you break up the text so that it’s easier to read.

We’ve all been there. We’ve all encountered a web page or essay that was just a huge wall of text. Headings give readers a short break, so they don’t get overwhelmed by so much content.

Plus, it makes it easier for readers to find their spot again if they want to take a break and come back to reading later.

Tip #4: Use parallel structure

This tip is for headings and your writing in general. Parallel structure is when you write words with the same flow. Now, I realize that some of your headings are picked out for you, but in the ones you have control over, always use parallel structure.

Look at the headings for the tips in this post as an example. They all start with a command, and none of the verbs end in -ing. You can use -ing verbs, but in that case, you should make all of them -ing verbs.

Tip #5: Know where to turn for help

Although headings can be tough for some people, they’re not impossible to master—even if you’re really unsure right now. If having a second pair of eyes on your research paper makes you more comfortable, Kibin editors are always happy to help.

Are you ready to tackle your headings head-on? Then get to writing!

We like neatness. Tidiness. Orderliness.

And consistent formatting. Mmm.

So when your teacher asks you to use APA essay format for your paper and you have only the vaguest idea of what that means, you definitely want one of us in your camp.

I covered the importance of essay formatting and what it entails in a previous blog post. So go check it out if you haven’t already. I’ll wait here.

You good?

Cool.

In this post, we’re going to drill down into the specifics of APA formatting and how to ensure your essay looks just right.

What Is APA Essay Format?

“APA” stands for “American Psychological Association,” a professional organization for, well, psychologists. However, the organization’s official style guide, which is called the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, is used by students and professionals in a number of disciplines.

If your teachers ask you to use APA essay format, then they simply mean to use the formatting guidelines laid out in this manual. The manual tells you how to handle everything from the width of your essay’s margins to the citations for your sources.

Chances are, your library has a copy of the full Publication Manual for your perusal, which can be really handy when you have a very specific question.

But if you just want to quickly learn the basics and turn in a tidy, well-formatted essay, keep reading!

What Are the Most Important Elements of APA Essay Format?

General page setup

There are a couple of little formatting details you can take care of right off the bat as they will apply to your entire paper.

First, be sure you set your margins to 1 inch all the way around your document.

Secondly, be sure to choose a font that is clear and readable. The APA recommends 12-pt Times New Roman, but you could also go wild and use Helvetica, Georgia, Arial, or Calibri.

Last but not least, the entire document—from the cover page to the reference list—should be double-spaced with paragraphs indented 1/2 an inch.

Running head and page numbers

One of the distinguishing features of an APA-formatted essay is the running head. This is a short version of your title—fewer than 50 characters—that appears in the header of your document, justified with the left margin.

On the first page of your essay, usually the cover page, the running head is preceded by the words “Running head” followed by a colon. On subsequent pages, though, the running head is just the title.

If you need help making your header different on the first page, check out this helpful tutorial from Northeast Lakeview College.

Pro tip: Make sure that your running head is descriptive enough to give the reader some idea of the content. If the title of your paper is “Never Too Old: The Calming Effects of Blankies for College Students,” for instance, your running head should be something like “EFFECTS OF BLANKIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS” rather than “NEVER TOO OLD” or just “BLANKIES.”

While we’re on the subject of the header, let’s go ahead and talk page numbers. In APA style, you include the page number in the header of every page. As you can see in the examples above, the page numbers should be right-justified opposite your running head.

Cover page

Another key element of APA essay format is the cover page. While the use of a cover page is not unique to APA, the manual does specify a preferred layout, which includes not only the aforementioned running head, but also the following elements:

• The full title of your paper
• Your name
• The name of your school (or wherever you are doing your research/writing).

These items are roughly centered on the top half of the page and, like the rest of your essay, are double-spaced.

Abstract

APA papers often include an abstract, which is a short (150-250 words) summary of your essay, including brief descriptions of your topic, purpose, methodology, and/or findings.

The point of an abstract is to inform potential readers of your essay’s topic and purpose so that they can determine whether the essay is useful or relevant to their own research.

Whether you need to include an abstract depends partially on the whims of your instructor, so if you aren’t sure, just ask!

Assuming that you need to write one, let’s talk formatting.

You should center the word “Abstract” (no quotes, not bold or italicized) at the top of the page. Your abstract should be double-spaced with the first line justified with the left margin (usually, an abstract is a single paragraph, so there’s no need to indent).

While it’s not required, it’s not a bad idea to include keywords beneath your abstract if there’s a chance it will be included in a database as keywords make it easier to locate. Simply type “Keywords” below the abstract—indenting as though you’re starting a new paragraph—and then include a few relevant keywords, separated by commas.

Check out this example:

Main body

The title and intro

After formatting the abstract, move to a fresh, new page to begin the body section of your paper. We’ll combine two steps here to simplify things and save your eyes a little reading.

First, you need to restate the title of your paper. This serves as a label to signify the start of the actual paper.

I know, it seems sort of silly with the running head right there for all the world to see. But silliness aside, it is an APA requirement, so we’ll comply.

Then, it’s time to set up the introduction.

Intr …

Nope. Stop.

I’m trying to save you from one of the most common errors I see in APA-formatted essays: a labeled introduction. You see, the folks at the APA assume that readers are smart enough to know that the first section of a paper is the introduction. (And really, aren’t they right?)

Nothing will implode if you label it. Even professors mistakenly tell you to do so on occasion. But now, even if that happens, you can feel that swell of smug pride that comes with knowing how it’s supposed to be done.

Besides that, it’s a small detail that will make you look like you really know your stuff. Here’s how the first page of the body of your paper should look:

Headings

After your introduction, though, there’s a good chance that you will want to use headings for specific sections of your paper. Let’s look at how you should handle those.

In APA, there are five levels of headings. A level 1 heading is a “main” heading, such as “Literature Review” or “Methodology.” Level 2 headings are subheadings of level 1 headings, and level 3 headings are subheadings of level 2 headings, and so forth.

Each heading has its own specific format, as you can see in the table below.

Block quotations (40+ words in length)

Sometimes, you’ll find a particularly meaty quote that you cannot resist adding to your paper. Just remember that, if the quotation is more than 40 words in length, you need to create a block quotation.

In APA style, this means that you start the quotation on a fresh line, indenting the entire quotation by ½ inch. You do not include quotation marks around it, either.

The closing punctuation also goes immediately after the text of the quote, and no period goes after the parenthetical citation. Check out these examples from the APA blog to see block quotes in action.

Reference list

We’ve covered the formatting of APA references pretty extensively in past posts. Read APA Citation Made Simple (it includes a handy infographic!) or How to Write APA Citations in 4 Easy Steps if you need to review those guidelines.

However, there are a few formatting details to note for the overall page:

1. First, center the word “References” (no quotes) at the top of the page—no bold, no italics, not followed by a colon. (I see all of these variations pretty frequently.) Let me reiterate:

References

2. Next, be sure that you list your entries in alphabetical order according to the author’s last name (or whatever comes first in the entry).

3. Double-space the list, but do not leave an “extra” space between entries. Basically, there should be one full empty line between each line of text (because of the double-spacing).

4. Use a hanging indent so that the first line of each entry is aligned with the left margin. Second and subsequent lines are indented ½ inch.

Here’s an example reference list:

APA Essay Format: Putting It All Together (Plus Some Handy Resources)

Annnnd … that’s the end of the paper! You’re done formatting. You can totally remember all of this, right? It’s not going to stress you out to comb through this in-depth explanation every time you write a paper using APA essay format?

… yeah, I thought it might.

That’s why I made you a handy checklist:

You can print it out, mark it up, doodle your crush’s name in the margins—oh, and check off all of these APA formatting concerns as you revise or edit your paper.

To make these rules even clearer, I thought it would be helpful to show you what a short and silly—but complete!—essay looks like in APA format. Click the link below to open the paper in Google Docs.

Sample APA paper

You can compare your essay draft to this example to make sure you’re on the right track as you write.

You can also view an additional example at the Purdue OWL’s APA site.

The APA Style Blog is another fantastic and authoritative resource for all things style-related, including some lengthier discussions and rationales for some of the style guide’s more obscure rules and preferences.

Just remember: writing the actual content is the hard part. Formatting your essay is simply a matter of plugging the right information into the right locations.

Formatting your APA essay is simply a matter of plugging the right information into the right locations.
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With the checklist and example essay I’ve provided, you have the tools you need to format an APA-style paper that would make even the neatest neat freak proud.

Need a second set of eyes to make sure everything is just right? Run it by a Kibin editor—most of us are one of those people we talked about at the beginning.

Happy writing!

Maybe you’ve already written an introduction, maybe not. In either case, diving into your body paragraphs, crafting the perfect paragraph structures, is next on the agenda.

You might be wishing for a little pink-winged paragraph fairy to wave his magic wand and transform your outline into beautifully constructed paragraphs…

I had to face that hard reality, too, when writing this blog post. But it’s OK. Writing strong paragraphs with good structures is a process you can tackle. I promise.

The secret is in using “evidence” to support your main ideas and package it all in a fail-safe structure. In this blog post, I’ll break down the anatomy of the perfect paragraph structure. I’ll leave you with a blueprint to tackle all your academic paragraphs—no magic or cute little fairies needed.

Here’s a break down of the anatomy of the perfect paragraph structure.
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First, though, let’s look at why paragraph structure is so important. Ready?

Why Paragraph Structure Matters—A Lot

The right paragraph structure for body paragraphs is important for several reasons.

Thanks, Instructor Obvious, we probably figured that out from your essay prompt. The obvious aside, good paragraph structure allows you to group and organize your main ideas into body paragraphs. These paragraphs, then, “prove” your thesis statement.

They give your essay credibility—regardless of the type of essay you’re writing. They allow readers (and the most important reader—your instructor) to grasp your main ideas. Finally, your body paragraphs flush out the logic and support for your thesis statement.

And, yes, as Instructor Obvious so deftly pointed out, they do account for a major chunk of your essay grade.

To start crafting effective paragraphs, you first need to understand all the pieces that fit together to form a cohesive paragraph structure. Let’s jump in, shall we?

The Components of the Perfect Paragraph Structure

Every academic paragraph structure has three main components:

1. Topic sentence
2. Support sentences
3. Concluding sentence

A paragraph, according to Merriam-Webster.com, is “a part of a piece of writing that usually deals with one subject, that begins on a new line, and that is made up of one or more sentences.”

While that doesn’t help us much in terms of structure, it does highlight one key point: A paragraph deals with one main idea.

A paragraph deals with one main idea.
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Each paragraph in any academic essay should have one—and only one—main point. This highlights the first component of the perfect paragraph structure, the topic sentence.

The second component comprises the support sentences. These sentences establish the proof of, and develop, your main idea.

The third component, the concluding sentence, then brings the first two components together. It synthesizes the main idea with the proof to show why it matters.

I’ve put the three main components in a handy table for you with more detail about what each entails:

Let’s break those down even more and practice with an example paragraph.

Paragraph Structure Component #1: Topic Sentence

The topic sentence presents both the topic and the controlling idea of your paragraph. It also accomplishes three crucial things:

1. It connects to and supports your thesis statement.
2. It establishes what the paragraph is about.
3. It unifies the content of the paragraph.

Think of the topic sentence as a mini-thesis.
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Think of the topic sentence as a mini-thesis. Everything in the rest of the paragraph must relate back to it. A good topic sentence is clear and relevant to your thesis statement.

There’s one caveat here. Make sure the topic sentence is specific enough to connect to your thesis statement and provide a writable blueprint for the paragraph. But also make sure it’s broad enough that the details within it don’t make it hard to write an entire paragraph.

Let’s build an example of the first component of the perfect paragraph structure.

Assume my thesis statement says this:

The “over” position for toilet paper is superior because it is safer due to a shorter reach to unravel and grab tissue, it limits the spread of germs, and it is more visually appealing.

(I don’t know about you, but in my house, the position of toilet paper is a serious point of contention. It’s sparked many debates and heated “discussions.”)

My topic sentence might look something like this:

The “over” position for toilet paper is safer due to the shorter reach to unravel and grab the tissue.

Comparing against the three things a topic sentence should do, my example does the following:

  Connects to and supports the thesis statement.

  Establishes what the paragraph is about.

  Unifies the content of the paragraph (which you’ll see in the next section!).

This topic sentence sets up the lead-in to the details that form the support sentences, the second component of the perfect paragraph structure.

Paragraph Structure Component #2: Support Sentences

Support sentences are vital to supporting both your topic sentence and your thesis statement. These sentences will accomplish three things:

1. They add more detail to and/or explain your topic sentence.
2. They use concrete details as “evidence” to prove, clarify, or illustrate your main point.
3. They give your paragraph meaning.

How you develop the support sentences will depend on the type of essay you’re writing, though. While there are many approaches to paragraph development , answering a few questions can help you figure out what approach is best for your essay topic and structure.

• Will examples, details, or reasons support your point?
• Do you need to analyze information or argue a point?
• Will quoting research help establish your point?
• Do you have relevant statistics or other research data available?
• Can or should you tie in personal experience?

By answering these questions, you can start to shape how you will develop the paragraph to create the perfect paragraph structure. Use at least two concrete details to make your paragraph effective. You can use more—let your topic and the amount of support it needs dictate that for you.

If you need to analyze information from research, for example, your paragraph will likely be longer. While there’s no set number of sentences you need to include, aim for 5-8 sentences. This ensures you don’t make paragraphs too long but still have sufficient details and content to establish the main support for the topic sentence.

You also want to present support sentences logically and systematically. For example, you don’t want to present research first and then further explain your topic sentence. The paragraph development method you select will guide you in this process.

Now, let’s break the support sentences into two steps.

First, I want to further explain my topic sentence and add a little more detail. I might create a sentence that looks something like this:

Even though the distance is a matter of mere inches, research suggests it creates a safer environment.

Then, as the second step, I want to provide the evidence that supports my topic sentence and, by extension, my thesis, too. I’ll use research data and statistics to argue my point—that the “over” position for toilet paper is superior because it’s safer.

I might construct two additional support sentences that look like this:

A 2014 Bathroom Safety (BS) survey found that households using the “over” position had 75% fewer falls off the toilet. Further, according to the Consortium of Research About Paper Products (CRAPP), bathroom goers who use the “under” position are 30% more likely to suffer debilitating rotator cuff damage.

Notice how I’ve put “further” in bold? This highlights the importance of transitioning between your support sentences. Just throwing in a series of rapid-fire sentences hurts the flow of information. So make sure you use transitions well to create continuity and unity, which together will build good flow.

Comparing against what support sentences should do, my sentences do the following:

  Add more detail to the topic sentence.

  Use concrete details as evidence.

  Give the paragraph meaning.

Don’t just stuff facts or details into a paragraph, though. You need to show why the information is important.

Don’t just stuff facts or details into a paragraph, though. You need to show why the info is important.
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The concluding sentence allows you to do this in a nice neat bow to wrap up the paragraph.

Paragraph Structure Component #3: Concluding Sentence

The concluding sentence lets you show the “why.” You provided the “evidence,” but why do the details matter?

The concluding sentence accomplishes three things:

1. It shows the significance of the information.
2. It answers the “so what?” question.
3. It synthesizes your paragraph content with your topic sentence.

In other words, you want to use wording that reinforces the main idea in your topic sentence and draws the information you presented together with that main idea. This means using similar wording (but not just restating) from your topic sentence. It also means reinforcing the relevance of the paragraph to your thesis statement.

My example concluding sentence might look something like this:

Thus, while small, the shorter reach required with toilet paper in the “over” position ensures bathroom safety and prevents injury, making the “over” position superior.

Notice a few key things here that help reinforce the paragraph structure. First, I used a transitional word (“thus”) to shift into the concluding sentence.

Second, I used wording that mirrors my topic sentence (“shorter reach,” “ensures bathroom safety,” and “prevents injury”).

Third, the end of the sentence relates the paragraph back to my thesis statement with “making the ‘over’ position superior.”

Comparing against what a concluding sentence should do, my sentence does the following:

  Explains the significance of the information (answers the “so what?” question).

  Synthesizes the supporting details with the topic sentence.

  Connects to your thesis statement.

Now, let’s put it all together to view the final paragraph to see how the perfect paragraph structure looks with a full example:

That wasn’t so bad, was it? If you follow the simple steps I’ve outlined and choose the right method of paragraph development, you will craft the perfect paragraph structure every time.

See? You don’t need the paragraph fairy after all.

Perfect Paragraph Structure Checklist

Before I send you off into the wild to write perfect paragraphs for your next essay, here’s a checklist you can use to help keep your paragraph structure on track.

Need More Help Creating Perfect Paragraph Structure?

If you’re still feeling a little unsure about creating the perfect paragraph structure, check out this handout from the UNC Writing Center, try the P.I.E. approach, or read this blog on paragraph development.

If you’re feeling adventurous, look at some example essays that are similar to your assigned essay and compare them against the perfect paragraph checklist. This will give you an idea of what you should or shouldn’t do when crafting your own paragraphs for a specific essay type.

If you’ve got your first essay draft done and want reassurance or additional guidance, send your essay to a Kibin editor to check for paragraph structure and development (and a whole lot more!) because that’s how we roll (har har).

And if the Great Toilet Paper Debate is a hotly contested issue in your house, you can quiet those naysayers to the “over” position, too. A look at the image submitted with the patent for the first toilet paper holder clearly shows the “correct” position.

With that, I bid you adieu. Here’s to happy, stress-free writing AND safe bathroom expeditions!

Of course not! You weren’t raised in a barn, after all. (If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then, well, essay formatting might not be your biggest problem).

But if you’re turning in essays typed in Comic Sans or don’t know a style guide from an issue of Vogue or GQ, then you could probably use this primer on why essay formatting matters and some tips on improving your game when it comes to essay presentation.

So What Is Considered “Formatting,” Anyway?

Essay formatting is anything that has to do with the appearance, layout or even structure of your essay. Considerations that fall under the concept of formatting include

• font
• line spacing
• margin width
• paragraph indentation
• text justification

…and much, much more.

Ugh, you might say. Can’t I just open Word and start typing?

You can, of course. But if you want your essay to show up to the grading party (or beauty pageant, in the case of scholarship essays or other competitive endeavors) in its finest duds, then you need to pay a little attention to how you format and present your ideas.

Why Does Essay Formatting Matter?

Proper essay formatting is an essential part of essay writing. At its heart, an essay is an attempt to convince, inform, or move someone, and good formatting makes your audience more receptive to your message.

Here are four good reasons that you should care what your essay looks like:

-Proper essay formatting enhances readability.Your readers — whether that’s your instructor, your classmates, an admission committee, or your Kibin editors — will be able to evaluate and absorb your content much more readily if your essay has a consistent format and a tidy appearance.

I swoon when I edit an essay that’s been formatted well, because I can focus on the content rather than being distracted by poor spacing or other formatting errors that make documents difficult to read and follow.

-It demonstrates that you can follow instructions. Do you ever get the feeling that extensive essay formatting requirements are a test to see if you’ll jump through the hoops? Well, in some cases, they are. After all, it doesn’t affect your content if you indent four spaces at the beginning of a paragraph instead of ½ inch.

But if you want to pass that test, then it’s important that you demonstrate your ability to follow instructions. (I hate to tell you this, but this is one of those skills that you’ll need later in life when you’re building your first piece of IKEA furniture or trying to decipher line 45 of IRS form 584750B.)

-You practice being a member of a specific discipline. Formatting your essay according to a certain style guide or set of standards is not unlike playing dress-up. For example, if you write an essay for a psychology class, your instructor will likely request that you use the format prescribed by the American Psychological Association (APA), even if you’re nowhere near being an actual psychologist yourself.

When you do find yourself sitting in your own office under that framed diploma drafting an article for the Made-Up Journal of Unlikely Neuroses, though, you’ll be glad that you’ve had some practice with formatting your writing in your discipline’s preferred style.

-It enhances your credibility. First impressions matter. Just as a potential employer would make all kinds of (negative, I’m sorry to say) assumptions about you if you showed up to a job interview in jammies  — even if you were, on paper, the perfect candidate — your readers will do the same if you turn in a sloppy essay with no attempt at formatting — even if your content is knock-your-socks-off awesome.

In other words, proper essay formatting gives your audience the impression that you are competent and serious about your work, and it helps you practice skills that you’ll need later on in your personal and professional life.

If your essay is your product, then your formatting is the advertising that screams, “Take me seriously!”

Your essay formatting is the advertising that screams, “Take me seriously!”
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Now are you convinced that essay formatting matters? Great! Now, let’s look at some ways you can pull it off.

Essay Formatting Tips — The Dos and Don’ts

The following section will walk you through some of the most essential essay formatting considerations and provide guidance for executing them appropriately. I’ve included guidance from some of the most commonly prescribed style guides, including APA, MLA and the Chicago Manual of Style, as well as general advice that you can use when no style guide is specified.

Font

The font, or typeface, of your essay, is one of the most important elements of its overall presentation. Fonts are either serifed, meaning the characters have little ‘feet,’ or sans-serif, meaning they lack these feet.

Do: Pick a clean font that is easy to read both on the screen and on the printed page. The Modern Language Association, the Chicago Manual of Style and the American Psychological Association all recommend Times New Roman — 12 pt, please and thank you — because it is simple, readable and non-distracting. Georgia and Palatino are lovely serif fonts, too. If you want a sans-serif alternative, try Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica.

Don’t: Use decorative, elaborate or childish fonts (I’m looking at you, Comic Sans). A *~creative~* font will never make up for a lackluster paper and makes your essay more difficult to read.

Margins

The margins of your essay are the blank spaces that surround the text on all sides. You can think of the margin as a happy little fence that keeps your word-animals from straying. (No? Just me?)

Do: Leave enough space to allow the eyes to rest — 1 inch all the way around is a good standard recommended by most of the major style guides. This leaves an attractive amount of whitespace.

Don’t: Think your professor won’t notice if you increase the margins in an attempt to lengthen the page count of your essay. (No, really — they’re on to you.)  It actually doesn’t make a big difference in the long run, and your essay will stick out in a bad way if it has a four-lane highway running down each side of it.

Line Spacing

Line spacing refers to the amount of space between individual lines of text. Single-spacing means that there is no space between lines of text, while double-spacing leaves one full space between lines of text.

Do: Double-space essays unless otherwise specified. This enhances readability and leaves adequate space for corrections and comments when printed.

Don’t: Leave extra spaces between paragraphs that are already double-spaced. This leaves way too much white space and is totally unnecessary.

Paragraph Indentation

There are two possible ways to show paragraph breaks in essays. You can either indent the first line of the paragraph, or you can left-justify all of your text and leave a space between paragraphs. The rise of the Internet has made the latter more common, but most of the style guides used in the humanities and social sciences still prefer indented paragraphs.

Do: Indent paragraphs unless otherwise specified. The standard indent is ½ inch from the left margin or approximately 5-7 spaces.

Don’t: Mix styles. Leaving spaces between paragraphs is unnecessary if your paragraphs are indented.

Justification
Justification refers to how your text aligns with the margins. Left-aligned text means that it is all aligned with the left margin, and right-aligned text means that it is flush with the right margin. Justified text means that the text is flush along both margins.

You might assume that fully justified text — the style preferred by newspapers and magazines — creates the tidiest-looking page, but this isn’t always the case. It can leave unnatural and unsightly gaps between words as they s t r e t c h to fill the space.

Do: Left-align your text unless your style guide or instructor dictates otherwise.

Don’t: Fully justify your text unless you have a good reason to do so.

Bonus Essay Formatting Tip

Only use one space after a period (or exclamation mark, question mark, etc.) rather than two. Using two spaces was standard when documents were typed on typewriters, which left far more space between letters than digital fonts.

To help you remember and digest all of these essay formatting rules and suggestions, I’ve created a handy-dandy infographic for your viewing pleasure and future reference. You have my permission to frame it and hang it above your desk, in the bathroom…wherever you like to do your reading. I’m not judging.

By now, you should have a pretty good idea of how to make your essay, well, pretty. It may seem superficial when it’s your ideas, man, that really matter, but proper essay formatting is like the bow on top of a gift, the real dishes you break out for guests, and the swanky suit that says “I mean business.” With these tips, you can ensure that your essay has the visual appeal to pull your reader in so they notice that fantastic hook or your clever commentary.

If you’re still not sure that you’re on the right track with your essay formatting, scope out some essay examples to see how other students have handled essays of the same type or within your discipline.

And if you need specific help with formatting in accordance with one of the major style guides, check with your university library, which likely has a complete style guide (or a subscription to the online version). You can also visit the FAQ section of the MLA Style Guide website, the APA Style Blog, or the Chicago Manual of Style Q & A page for free essay formatting tips without a subscription.

The best way to ensure that your essay puts its best foot forward, formatting-wise, is to let someone else see it. Whether you use a trusted advisor, a friend or a Kibin editor, another set of eyes will help you ensure that your essay steps out in style.