MLA 및 APA에서 에세이 헤더 형식 지정 방법

네이선 아우영

시니어 회계사 at EY

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네이선 아우영

시니어 회계사 at EY

회계학 학사 학위를 취득하고, 회계학 석사 과정을 완료했습니다.

링크드인

네이선 아우영

시니어 회계사 at EY

회계학 학사 학위를 취득하고, 회계학 석사 과정을 완료했습니다.

링크드인

A well-formatted essay header might seem like a small detail, but it plays a big role in presenting your work with clarity and professionalism.

Whether you're writing for a school assignment, a college application, or a professional piece, getting your header right shows that you take your writing seriously.

Importance of Essay Headers

An essay header isn’t just a formality, it’s a key element that helps keep your work organized and professional. At a glance, it lets instructors, reviewers, or peers know exactly who wrote the piece, when it was submitted, and what course or context it’s for.

Headers also help maintain consistency across submissions, especially in academic settings where dozens (or hundreds) of papers are being reviewed. When formatted properly, a header adds structure to your document, making it easier to follow and refer to. It's a small touch that signals attention to detail—and that goes a long way.

What format should your essay header follow in MLA vs. APA?

The header in MLA typically includes your name, instructor, course, date, and the title; all aligned left on the first page. In APA you would include a running head, page number, title of the paper, author name, and affiliation on the title page.

Formatting Headers in Different Citation Styles

Different citation styles have their own formatting rules for headers, from what content to include, to where and how it should be placed. This section breaks down the header formatting for MLA and APA styles so you can stay consistent and professional with your essay presentation.

MLA (Modern Language Association) Format

MLA format is widely used in the humanities, especially for literature and language-related essays. It’s known for its clean, consistent structure—making header formatting easy to follow.

Header Placement

In MLA format, the header appears in the top right corner of each page and includes your last name followed by the page number.

To format it in:

Microsoft Word: Go to Insert > Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3. Then, type your last name before the number.
Google Docs: Go to Insert > Page numbers, choose the top-right option, then click in the header space and type your last name.

Example:
Garcia 1

First Page Heading

On the first page, MLA requires a separate heading aligned to the top left corner. This is not the same as the header that appears on every page. It should include the following, each on its own line:

Example:
Alicia Garcia
Professor Thompson
English 101
12 March 2025

This section only appears on the first page and helps identify the author, course, and submission date.

Title Formatting

MLA does not require a separate title page. Instead, the essay’s title should be centered on the first page, right after the heading.

Do not bold, italicize, underline, or use quotation marks.
Use title case (capitalize the first and important words).

Correct Title:
The Role of Symbolism in Modern Poetry

Incorrect Titles:
THE ROLE OF SYMBOLISM IN MODERN POETRY
“The role of symbolism in modern poetry”
the role of symbolism in modern poetry

APA (American Psychological Association) Format

APA format is commonly used in the social sciences, psychology, education, and other research-heavy disciplines. It includes specific rules for title pages, running heads, and headers.

Running Head

In APA 7th edition, student papers no longer require a running head unless specifically requested by an instructor. However, professional papers still use one.

If required, the running head is a shortened version of your paper’s title, in all capital letters, aligned to the top left.

Example for professional paper:
SOCIAL MEDIA AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Page Number

APA style requires page numbers on every page, including the title page. These should appear in the top right corner.

How to insert:

Word: Insert > Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3
Google Docs: Insert > Page numbers > top-right option

Title Page

APA essays must begin with a dedicated title page. The content should be centered and double-spaced, and include:

Essay title
Author’s full name
Institutional affiliation
Course name and code
Instructor’s name
Due date (Month Day, Year format)

Example:

The Impact of Technology on Learning

Alicia Garcia

University of Learning

PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology

Professor Thompson

March 12, 2025

How can you ensure your essay header is error-free and submission-ready?

Check that your header includes all required elements (name, course, date, etc.), uses correct spacing and font, and aligns with your instructor’s or style-guide’s requirements. Then preview on a printed page or PDF to catch formatting shift.

General Tips for Crafting Effective Headers

Even though citation styles like MLA and APA have their own rules, some best practices apply across the board. A strong header should be clear, consistent, and functional, helping readers identify, organize, and understand your work with ease.

Be Simple, but Informative

Your header should do one thing really well: provide key info without distraction. That means avoiding fancy fonts, extra symbols, or stuffing in details that don’t belong.

Clear Header Example:
Garcia 1

Cluttered Header Example:
Alicia Garcia – English 101 – Spring 2025 – Page 1

Stick to the essentials. Clean and readable always wins over creative but chaotic.

Maintain Consistency

Formatting should be uniform from start to finish. That means:

Same font and font size throughout
Consistent spacing
Matching alignment and style on every page

Tips to stay consistent:

In Microsoft Word, use the Styles tab and set a custom style for headers.
In Google Docs, apply your formatting once, then update the style (e.g., Normal text) and apply it across the doc.

Even minor inconsistencies (like bolding one header but not the rest) can throw off your entire presentation.

Be Unique

Your essay title should reflect the specific focus of your content, not just the general topic. A good title grabs attention and sets the tone, without being vague or overused.

Weak Title Example:
Essay on Social Media

Strong Title Example:
The Double-Edged Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

A strong title gives readers a clear preview of what’s inside, make it count!

Ensure Organization and Helpfulness

Headers aren’t just there for formality, they guide your reader. Well-formatted headers improve navigation and help instructors or reviewers know where they are in the document.

Helpful Header Example:
Garcia 4 — clearly identifies the author and page

Unhelpful Header Example:
Page Four — missing context

Clear headers make grading easier, peer reviews smoother, and your work more polished overall.

Why is the header more than just an administrative detail in your essay?

The header sets the tone and professionalism of your work: it signals you follow academic conventions, helps graders locate your submission, and when done correctly, avoids early deduction. A sloppy header can distract from strong content.

How Jenni Can Help You Format Better Essay Headers

A clean, consistent header shows your reader you care about structure and professionalism. Whether you're using MLA or APA, getting this small detail right can level up your entire essay.

Need a little help with formatting or structuring your draft? Jenni AI makes it easier to stay organized and on point, so your writing speaks loud without the clutter.