How to Format an Essay Properly: Examples of Formatting

Definition of a Perfect Essay Format

A big challenge facing new college students is understanding the rules of academic writing. The numerous citation styles, formatting options, and courses can overwhelm a first-year student. In university, lecturers teach you to properly reference previous literature and how to navigate bibliographies and module handbooks.

Students find the proper essay format time-consuming since various options and standard essay examples exist. Common essay format types you’ll need to master are:

• Argumentative;
• Narrative;
• Comparison;
• English basic.

PapersOwl knows it can be tricky to figure out how to write an essay. We’ve compiled this how-to guide to ensure you are prepared for any type of academic work, even for a college application essay or research paper!

These guides will instruct you on the following:

• how to title your papers;
• how to format an essay;
• have font requirements;
• reference your sources;
• plan a good essay outline;
• and many other things.

Some academic essay formats may carry a particular theme or style to support the goal and include specific sections to meet your essay formatting requirements.

There are a few parts of the structure and a lot to discuss, so let’s dive right in!

Essay Structure

The structure of an essay is a series of guidelines that determine how your paper should be arranged. As a rule, all essays will have an introduction and a conclusion.

Essays or research papers must follow the introduction, body, and conclusion method. 

In the opening of your essay, the goal is to set up what you will discuss so it’s easy to follow. It should include the hook and the background information! It’s critical to be interesting yet appropriate so you don’t devalue your work. Most introductions will close with a thesis statement encompassing your paper’s body.

• In the first paragraph, introduce your subject and include a thesis statement!

The body of your paper may differ. Research papers, for instance, will include information related to the methods and results of your work. Body paragraphs of college essays should be about specifications and essential details of your thesis statement.

• Typical academic essays have three body paragraphs highlighting a few points supporting your thesis.

All academic papers must conclude with a verdict on the body and a few points to take home. The conclusion ties together the arguments in the body paragraphs and restates the thesis in light of the evidence presented.

• The conclusion offers the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader. This section can also suggest further areas of research or reflection, reinforcing the relevance of the discussion.

When plotting out the format of the essay, there are some tricks to improve your workflow:

• Using lists is a great way to break up long-winded text into scannable information that jumps out to the reader. Lists are also good for highlighting the main points.
• Write the primary headings first: an introduction, thesis statement, body of your essay, and conclusion.
• You can also use lists to set definitions.
• It is important to provide a terminology list to ensure that everyone in your audience is kept in the loop and can understand the terms you are using. This is vital when writing college essays for money. It helps guarantee that your audience can follow along regardless of their expertise.
• Identifying complex terms and offering concise explanations prevents miscommunication and ensures your reader fully grasps your argument. This is crucial if you publish your essay on social media platforms or must comply with formal MLA guidelines for academic submissions.
• To create a terminology list, identify any terms that may be unfamiliar to your reader and briefly explain each. This will help avoid confusion and ensure your message is effectively communicated.

The difference between MLA and APA essay format

When students first encounter a specialized citation site, they often wonder why they make mistakes. Basically, there are different guidebooks to use. Today, we will discuss the formatting styles of the Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA). Both formats share many similarities and have the means to cite references. However, there are also differences. Let’s see what the correct format is for your college essay!

The critical difference is that the APA format cares about when things happen. You’ll find the APA citation is more strict regarding dates. This is because, in the social sciences, research can be rendered obsolete. Imagine a study on homosexual relationships from the 19th century, for example. Academic writing formats from this period are different and could send a reader on the hunt for information that isn’t relevant. Adding the date of publication helps fellow scholars reference the modern era.

MLA format, on the other hand, considers essay formats to be timeless and focuses on who and where. This is typical for English-format scholarly articles. Much literature is considered timeless, and little significance is given to the era in which it was written.

APA includes:

• The author’s last name ensures proper attribution of the source.
• The publication date highlights the timeliness and relevance of the source material.
• (Exception!) When quoting directly, you must include the number of the page to guide readers to the exact location of the quote.
• A title page, including the essay’s title, the author’s name, and institutional affiliation, is typically centered in the upper half of the page.
• A running head with a shortened version of the title appears in the header of every page.
• Parenthetical citations that follow the format (Author, Year), ensuring quick reference to the source within the body of the paper.
• A references page at the end of the essay, listing all sources and works cited, is arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name.

MLA includes:

• The author’s last name is a key component in in-text citations and the Works Cited page.
• The page number appears in parentheses directly after the quote or paraphrased content to pinpoint the exact reference in the source material.
• The upper right corner has a header containing your last name followed by the document’s page number.
• An essay title in title case and centered on the first page, without bold or italicization, unless citing another work within the title.
• Unlike APA, there is no title page; the essay begins directly on the first page, with your name, instructor’s name, course, and date in the upper left corner.
• In-text citations are brief references that direct the reader to the full citation on the Works Cited page.
• A Works Cited page at the end lists all sources used in the paper that are double-spaced and follow alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
• Double-spacing throughout the essay, with no extra spaces between paragraphs.

Simple Essay Format Requirements

Getting used to essay formatting styles can take time and patience. We’ve listed out some typical requirements depending on your discipline. The following formatting elements are compliant with APA or MLA essay format.

Attention! We’re discussing essays that usually consist of a five-paragraph essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Size of paper:  The volume of your essay is given in a word count. In business, one page is 500 words, whereas, in academia, a page is typically 275 words double-spaced.

Font type and font size:  The suggested [read: required] font for your tasks is a 12-point Times New Roman. You’ll see the word “suggested” in the different style guides. We advise you to use your university’s requirements.

Spacing: APA and MLA both require double-spaced text, hence the shorter word count per page. This allows your professor to mark up your essay layout with ample space.

Margins:  Both types require one-inch margins (1”) all around your paper.

Header:  MLA does not require a particular header, but APA uses a running head. Headers contain a shortened title (less than 50 characters) and a page number.

MLA format essay

We also want to discuss each formatting style separately. Let’s start with the MLA format for the essay.

Formatting guidelines can be challenging to understand. Visualizing an MLA essay format can be difficult, so we recommend you check out a few before trying your own.

When formatting an essay in MLA style, it’s essential to ensure you match the format. Follow these rules:

• Font Size: 12pts Times New Roman
• Spacing:  use double spaces. No double spacing between paragraphs.
• Heading:  Put the heading on the first page of the essay. Your essay prompt, your name, your Professor’s name, your class for this essay, and the date.
• Margins: The top, bottom, left and right of the page must have a one-inch margin.
• Page Numbers: add the header to write your last name and the page number.
• Title:  Format it by entering the title centered and above the first line of your paper.
• Indentation: A half inch, and you can press “tab” to indent with each new paragraph.
• Align: Alignment is to the left side of the page and even throughout.

MLA format example:

Writer
Professor Smith
English 101
10 September 2024

The Impact of Social Media on Modern Communication

[Your Essay]

Works Cited

Johnson, Mark. The Digital Age of Connection. Harvard University Press, 2022.

Smith, Jessica. “Social Media and the Self: A Study of Online Behavior.” Journal of Communication Studies, vol. 10, no. 4, 2023, pp. 73-88.

APA Essay Format

APA format is common for any research paper in social sciences. To write a good essay in APA style, follow these steps:

• Font Size: Use 12-point Times New Roman for clarity and readability throughout the paper.
• Spacing: The entire essay, including the preliminary and reference pages, must be double-spaced with no extra spacing between paragraphs.
• No Extra Spacing: Unlike some styles, there should be no extra spacing between paragraphs or sections.
• Title Page: Place the essay’s title in bold and title case on the first page, centered. Below the essay title, include your name, the instructor’s name, the course title, and the submission date.
• Margins: The top, bottom, left, and right margins should all be set to one inch to ensure uniformity.
• Page Numbers: Include the page number in the upper right-hand corner of every page, beginning with the preliminary page. Do not add your last name to the page number in APA format.
• Title: Center the essay’s title above the introductory paragraph in the same font and size as the body text, without italics, bold, or underlining.
• Indentation: Begin each new paragraph with an indentation of half an inch. This can be done by pressing the “tab” key.
• Alignment: Ensure the text is aligned to the left side of the page, with even spacing throughout the essay. The text should not be justified, as APA requires left alignment for clarity and flow.
• References: The reference page should begin on a separate page at the end of your essay, formatted with the same font and spacing, and arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name.

Format an Essay in APA by this Example:

Title Page:

Writer
Professor Smith
Psychology 101
10 September 2024

The Influence of Social Media on Cognitive Development

Body: 

Cognitive Benefits and Challenges

Strategies for Balanced Use

Conclusion

References

Brown, T. (2024). Cognitive health and social media. Academic Press.

Johnson, M. (2022). Social media and cognitive development: A review. Journal of Educational Psychology, 45(2), 123-134.

Smith, J. (2023). Attention and overload: The cognitive impact of social media. Cognitive Science Review, 12(4), 567-580.

Chicago Format Style

There is also one more standard essay format we should talk about. It differs from the others!

The Chicago style is widely used in the humanities. The main difference is that the Chicago format requires footnotes. So, check carefully if you formatted your text correctly during the writing process! The common rules are:

• Title Page: The Chicago Format Style loves space. So, insert your title with regular text halfway down the page. If it’s a long title, ensure it has double space.

1. Center your full name in the middle.
2. Below, enter your college course title, instructor’s name, and the date in double-spaced separate lines.

• Margins: The one-inch margin on all sides of the page.
• Spacing: Double-space the entire essay.
• Leave no extra spaces, particularly between paragraphs and before punctuation.
• Font Size: 12pt Times New Roman.
• Page Numbers: The last name and page are in the heading of each page on the top right-hand side of the document. (Not just the heading on the first page of an essay!)
• No numbering of the preliminary page The text’s proper first page should start at 2.
• Footnotes: Paraphrased or quoted passages must have footnotes.
• Bibliography: Similar to an essay in MLA, in Chicago style, you gather the proper citation information and add it to the bottom of your page using the “footnote” option in Word. In-text citations are written in the “Author-Date System.”

Chicago Styles Example:

Title Page:

The Impact of Social Media on Modern Communication

Writer
University of Example
Course Title: Communication 101
Professor Jane Smith
Date: September 10, 2024

Introduction

Body

Positive Effects of Social Media

Negative Effects of Social Media

Conclusion

Bibliography

Brown, T. “Social Media and Mental Health: A Critical Review.” Journal of Social Issues 48, no. 3 (2024): 123-140.

Johnson, M. The Role of Social Media in Modern Communication. Cambridge University Press, 2022.

How to Format Title Page in Essay

• MLA does not mandate a title page and should not be included unless your instructor specifies it. Simply put your name, the teacher’s name, the course, and the date in your essay. That’s all there is to it.
• With APA, it’s different; title pages are required. Your title page will include at the top your running head, preceded by the words “running head”. It will also include the page number on the right side of the running head with your short title on the left of your essay. Then, in the dead center, state your name, course, institution, and date.
• The Chicago-style essay format also uses title pages in essay writing.

To sum up, here is the comfortable infographic so you can easily format the  preliminary page of your well-structured essay:

MLA Format:

• Title Page: Not required (unless instructed).
• Details to Include:
  • Your Name
  • Instructor’s Name
  • Course
  • Date

APA Format:

• Title Page: Required.
• Running Head:
  • On the top left: “Running head” followed by a short title.
  • On the top right: Page number.
• Center of the Page:
  • Title
  • Your Name
  • Course
  • Institution
  • Date

Chicago Essay Format:

• Title Page: Required in essays.
• Format similar to APA.

Different Fonts in Essay – How to Use Them?

It is important to use the correct font! When choosing your font, you must comply with the academic paper format. We may habit-bold any points we want to reinforce or use italics to make words stand out.

For instance, according to the APA style guide, you should use italics for the work titles and never use quotation marks. You should also be careful with bold-faced text and reserve it for your paper’s organizational headings. You may also use italics when using technical words where the meaning of a word may be confused.

Citing Sources in Essay: How to Format Citations Properly

Depending on your paper, you may need to reference various resources. Your text should always identify the content owner whenever possible. Here are some examples of citations in APA format:

How to format song titles in an essay?

Songwriter F.M. (Copyright year). Song title [Recorded by F.M. Last (performer’s name/musical group)]. On Album title [Medium of recording]. City, State of label: Record label name.

Turner, T. (1987). Where do we go? [Recorded by Tina Turner]. On Cassette Tape. Los Angeles, California: Do Right Records.

Format of movie titles

Producer, A. (Producer), & Director, A. (Director). (Release Year). Title of motion picture [Motion Picture]. Country of Origin: Studio

Roanoke, J. (Producer), & Mills, A. (Director). (2004). First Strike [Motion Picture]. United States: Miramax

Citing the title of a book in your essay

Last, F. M. (Year Published) Book. City, State: Publisher

Cortez, H. (1967). The Liquidators. New York, NY: Penguin House.

Format a poem

Cleveland, J. (1972). To the state of love or the senses festival. In H. Gardner (Ed.), The metaphysical poets (pp. 218-220). Harmonsworth: Penguin

Hardy, T. (1930). The collected poems of Thomas Hardy (4th ed.). London: Macmillan

Play title format

Playwright last name, First initial. (Year published). Play title. In Editor first initial. Last name (Ed.), Publication Title (Page numbers). Publication City: Publisher.

Miranda, L. (2016). Hamilton: an American musical. In J. McCarter (Ed.), Hamilton: the revolution (pp. 11-18). New York: Grand Central Publishing

How to Format Quotes in Essay?

Formatting quotes is another excellent resource for your paper essay writing format. When referencing other research, you can include direct quotes and cite them properly to give your work more authority.

APA and MLA differ in their methods for quotes in an essay, so be sure to look at examples before writing your perfect academic essay. Short quotes in MLA formatting should encapsulate the text with quotation marks indicating the author and page.

With APA, you should not use quotes and italicize the text with a lead-in statement, as Jones stated in a 2009 direct quotation.

In conclusion, understanding essay formatting styles is a large part of the university experience. Follow the advice in this guide to improve your skills and get better grades.

Feel free to use this essay format example as a template when asking yourself how to format an essay. You’ll get started quickly and have more time to fine-tune your work.

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