Your APA cover page is the first thing that your instructor will see when they read your nursing paper, so it’s important to make a good first impression. A well-formatted APA cover page shows that you are organized and professional, and that you have taken the time to follow the rules.
What is an APA cover page?
An APA cover page is a page at the beginning of your paper that includes all of the essential information about your paper, such as the title, author information, institutional affiliation, course information, instructor information, and date.
Why is it important to have a correctly formatted APA cover page?
A correctly formatted APA cover page is important for a few reasons. First, it shows that you are familiar with the APA formatting style, which is the standard formatting style used in academic papers. Second, it makes it easy for your instructor to find all of the important information about your paper. Third, it creates a professional and polished look for your paper.
What are the essential elements of an APA cover page?
The essential elements of an APA cover page are as follows:
- Title: The title of your paper should be clear, concise, and accurately reflect the content of your paper.
- Author information: Your author information should include your full name and student ID number.
- Institutional affiliation: Your institutional affiliation should include the name of your school and the department where you are enrolled.
- Course information: Your course information should include the course name and number.
- Instructor information: Your instructor information should include your instructor’s full name and title.
- Date: Your date should include the month, day, and year that you submitted your paper.
- Running head (optional): A running head is a condensed version of your paper title that appears at the top of each page of your paper. It is not required, but it is recommended for longer papers.
Formatting your APA cover page
Here are some tips for formatting your APA cover page:
- Use a standard paper size, such as 8.5″ x 11″.
- Set the margins to 1 inch on all sides.
- Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial.
- Set the font size to 12 points.
- Use double spacing.
- Center all of the text on the cover page, except for your name and the date.
- Place the title of your paper at the top of the cover page.
- Place your author information below the title.
- Place your institutional affiliation below your author information.
- Place your course information below your institutional affiliation.
- Place your instructor information below your course information.
- Place the date at the bottom of the cover page.
Tips for writing a strong APA title
Here are some tips for writing a strong APA title:
- Be clear and concise.
- Accurately reflect the content of your paper.
- Use keywords that readers are likely to search for.
- Avoid using all caps or excessive punctuation.
Examples of strong APA titles
Here are some examples of strong APA titles:
- The Impact of Nurse Staffing Levels on Patient Outcomes
- A Review of the Literature on the Effectiveness of Different Pain Management Strategies for Postoperative Patients
- The Role of the Nurse in Promoting Patient Safety in the Hospital Setting
- The Challenges and Rewards of Working as a Nurse in a Rural Community
Common APA cover page mistakes
Here are some common APA cover page mistakes to avoid:
- Forgetting to include all of the required elements.
- Using incorrect formatting.
- Typos and grammatical errors.
Conclusion
By following the tips and guidelines above, you can create an APA cover page that is accurate, professional, and engaging.
FAQs
What is the difference between an APA cover page and an APA title page?
An APA cover page is the first page of your paper and includes all of the essential information about your paper, such as the title, author information, institutional affiliation, course information, instructor information, and date. An APA title page is the second page of your paper and includes only the title of your paper.
Do I need to include a running head on my APA cover page?
A running head is not required on an APA cover page, but it is recommended for longer papers. A running head is a condensed version of your paper title that appears at the top of each page of your paper.
