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A header for an essay is an important part of APA or MLA formatting guidelines . In this article, we’ll find out the purpose of an essay header, how to format it, and the APA and MLA essay header variations.

A properly formatted header helps your professor quickly and easily identify your essay. In APA format , the essay header also carries a gist of your larger topic, providing the reader with basic information about your essay in one glance.

Let’s take a more detailed look at how to write a header for an essay.

Ensure top-notch essay formatting! Get started

What is a header in an essay?

A header for an essay is a line of text typically included at the top of the page. The content of the header depends on your essay header format. The MLA essay header includes your last name whereas the APA essay header includes a shortened title of your essay.

The use of a header is especially important in longer essays, as it helps professors navigate the document with ease. The page number helps them locate specific information quickly and the author’s name helps them associate each essay with the student who wrote it. 

MLA essay header

The Modern Language Association (MLA), often used in literature and humanities essays, requires a specific type of header. It consists of your last name, followed by a space and then the page number. Thus, the MLA essay header helps the instructor easily associate your work with you amidst a sea of other assignments.

The header for an MLA format essay is typically placed in the top right-hand corner of each page of the document. The information is right-aligned, double-spaced, and is usually preceded by a 0.5-inch margin. 

Here’s an essay header example to help you understand:

It is important to note that the MLA essay header is not the same as a title page. The title page is a separate page that includes the essay title, your name, the course title, and the date of submission. The MLA format essay header is simply a standardized way to format page numbers and your personal information within the document itself.

APA essay header

The American Psychological Association (APA) usually requires a header to be included in both student and professional essays. The APA essay header includes an abbreviated title of the essay along with the page number.

The title should be in all capital letters and should not be more than 50 characters long. It should be included on the top left corner of the page. The page number should be included opposite the title, in the top right corner of the page.

Take a look at this essay header example:

It is important to note that running head in an APA essay header is optional for students but compulsory for professionals. While the header must be present in both types of APA essays, the elements differ.

How to write a header for an essay

1. To activate the header for an essay, double-right-click on the top of the page.

If you need additional help with headers and other formatting guidelines, you can also consider working with a professional essay editing service .  

Want to keep reading? Here are the newest articles we’ve worked on:

• How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the header and title exactly the same, should i use my full name in the mla header, what are running apa headers.

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APA 7th Edition Style Guide: Headings in APA

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What are headings?

Headings, sections, subsections, or levels of subordination are a style of dividing your research paper into major parts, then minor subsections. Most college papers do not need headings, especially if you are only producing two to five pages. However, if your professor requests you use headings or your are writing an especially long or detailed paper, then use headings to help readers navigate your text. Follow the APA style rules for creating the correct level of heading. Always start with a level one heading and drill down to the last subsection possible (five) in order as seen below. Instructions and examples for headings are available on p. 47- 49 of the new APA 7th Edition manual.

Levels of Headings

Additional Headings Resources

• APA Style: Headings This page of the APA Style Blog provides more details about styling paper section headings in APA style.
• Heading Levels Template: Student Paper APA Style 7th Edition This example student paper clearly illustrates how to style section headings including the paper title and the Introduction section (which should not be labeled Introduction as APA assumes all papers begin with an introduction section).

Proper Title Case vs. lowercase paragraph heading

Proper title case is using both uppercase and lowercase letters in a title. It calls for the major words to be capitalized while any small conjunctions are made smaller, i.e., 

The Title of this Paper is Lengthy

Lowercase paragraph heading calls for the first word to be capitalized along with any proper nouns contained within the heading, i.e., 

        The title of this heading is much shorter and all lowercase except for the first word.

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7th Edition APA Style: How to Use APA Headings in Your Paper

APA headings and subheadings give your paper the structure it needs to differentiate and separate sections –  much like how we’ve structured this article.  Sounds simple, right? Not exactly. 

Like a reference list, in-text citations, footnotes, and abstract, APA headings require correct formatting. More so since the American Psychological Association (APA) released the 7th edition of their style guide. 

In this article, we’ll go through the different APA heading levels and their formats. You will also have access to APA headings examples and insight on  APA capitalization rules  so you can nail APA heading formatting without breaking a sweat. 

Table of Contents

What Are APA Headers? 

As mentioned earlier, APA headers separate and differentiate your paper’s sections. They are crucial in scholarly works because: 

• They give structure to your report. 
• Readers and your adviser or restructure can quickly identify the sections of your paper. 
• When properly formatted and used, they can provide a visual aid to improve the flow of information in your paper. 

The APA headers are divided into five levels (more on this later!).

APA 6th Edition vs. 7th Edition: Is There A Difference In Headings?  

Before diving down to APA’s unique headings system, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the style guide edition. And, we hate to break it to you. There are a lot of changes between the APA 6th edition vs. 7th edition, but since we’re only talking about headings, we’re not going to outline all the differences. 

Luckily for you, there are not a lot of changes in the APA style 7th edition headings. 

• For the capitalization and style, you should write the headings in title case and boldface. 
• Formatting of the first level (main level of heading) and second level headings are almost identical to the 6th edition, except for the new title case and boldface rules. 
• The third, fourth, and fifth-level headings of the 7th edition APA are distinguished by using periods, indentation, and italics. 

To better understand these changes, you can refer to the table below.  

In addition to these formatting changes, the 7th APA style guide also dictates that student papers do not need a running head.

What Are the Different APA Heading Levels? 

Now that you know what APA headings are and the difference between the headings of APA 6th and 7th editions, let’s talk about the levels. 

APA headings levels are divided into five – Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5. In a hurry? You can check the comparison table below.

Expert Insight:  Title case means capitalizing the first letter of words with at least four or more letters. These words are typically proper nouns, pronouns, adverbs, nouns, and adjectives. However, keep in mind that the first word in a header is always in upper case, even if the first word is an article like “ the”  or  “a.”

Level 1 

Level 1, or the first level of heading, represents the main section of your paper. For instance, if your paper topic discusses the effects of social media platforms on university students, the header “Method” should be in level 1. 

In a 7th APA style, the structure should be:

The text after Level 1 will be a new paragraph and not on the same line as the heading. 

Expert Insight:  Does the Level 1 format look familiar? That’s because it has the same structure as the Paper Title element (APA 7 title page) in the APA cover page format.

What if the next portion of your paper discusses the sampling method you’ve used? In that case, the first level of subsection should be the second level of headings or simply Level 2. Why? This is because the “sampling method” is a cluster of the main level “Method.”

The structure of a Level 2 header is, however, different. Instead of having the “Sampling Method” centered, you’ll flush it to the left. A Level 2 header will be in bold, and the paragraph will start in a new line. 

Here’s how a Level 2 APA is formatted:

Tip:  When in doubt, remember that APA sub-headings or subsections should be related to the subsequent header.

Level 3 

The third level of headings, or Level 3, further expounds the information you’ve shared in Level 2 or “Sampling Method.” In this case, your level 3 will be “Procedure.”The formatting of Level 2 and Level 3 are pretty similar.

As a matter of fact, there is one key difference a Level 3 header will be in bold italic. The alignment, boldface, and title case will remain the same. 

You should format a Level 3 APA header like this:

Level 4 

You will need to use the fourth level of headings or Level 4 if there are other details from the Level 3 “Sampling Method” that you need to discuss further. In our APA example, that Level 4 will be the “Participant Recruitment.”

The format of Level 4 is distinct from levels 1, 2, and 3 because: 

• It is indented. 
• The paragraph is in line with the heading. 
• You will add a period at the end of the heading. 

To better understand an APA Level 4 heading format, here is an example:

You’ve probably caught on that Level 5 is a subheading of Level 4, and you are correct! If “Participant Recruitment” warrants more information, you can use the fifth level of headings for either “Tools” or “Compensation.”

The formatting of Level 5 is a bit similar to Level 4; the only difference is that you’ll use a boldface italic. Other elements like indent and period will remain the same. 

APA Heading Examples 

If you combine the levels, your paper should look like this:

How to Choose the Right APA Heading to Use?

With five levels to choose from, selecting which one you should use for your paper can be daunting. Here are some tips: 

• Use the Level 1 APA header when it is an important part of the paper. For instance, method, conclusion, and results. 
• Use the Level 2 heading when the subsections are related to the first level. 
• You should apply a Level 3 header when the APA subheadings are related to Level 2. 
• Level 4 headers should be used in your paper if the sections are directly correlated with Level 3. 
• Lastly, you should use Level 5 headers when the information is related to Level 4. 

How Do You Organize Headings in APA 7? 

Now that you are familiar with all the five-level headings in APA 7. The question now is, how do you arrange them? The rule of thumb for organizing APA 7 headers is to always start with Level 1, followed by subsequent headings of equal importance. 

Does that mean that the levels should only be used once? Not technically. You can have all the number of levels in a section as long as you follow the progression, wherein Level 1 always comes first. 

Tip:  Don’t mistake section labels and APA headings or vice versa. Section labels or special headings are different from regular headings. Not only are they formatted differently, but they also appear at the top section of the paper, below the pagination or page number. You will always find them at the start of a new page. 

Additional APA 7 Header Guidelines 

On top of the format or structure of the level headers, you should also watch out for the following: 

• Text, including the headers, should be double-spaced.
• Font size and typeface should stay consistent throughout your article. For instance, if you’ve used Times New Roman 12pt in your headers, the text should also have the same typeface and size. 
• Depending on your teacher’s requirements, you may or may not need labels (letter or number) for the headers. When in doubt, ask for clarification. 
• There should be at least two APA subheadings in your paper. If you only have one, consider adding more sections in your paper or use no subheadings at all. 

APA Headings FAQ

How to create table of contents in apa format.

In APA 7th edition, it is not required to have a table of contents, but in case your adviser requires one, you can easily do so whether you are using Google docs or Microsoft Word. 

In Google Docs: 

• Set the headers in the correct header size. Click the “Normal Text” dropdown and choose Header 1 for Level 1 APA headings, Header 2 for Level 2, and so on. 
• Go to Insert>Table of Contents. 

Note:  Keep in mind that APA 7th style guide dictates that the headings and text should have the same font size and typeface. So, after printing the table of contents, make sure to revert the levels to the correct size. 

In Microsoft Word: 

• Highlight the level heading 
• Select Update the Heading
• Match the heading size with the level heading. For instance, if you have a Level 1 Header, select Header 1. 
• Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents.  
• Input how many headings you will need. 

Tip:  Ensure you set the levels in the correct format before creating the table of contents. All levels no longer have a lower case heading. The only thing you should watch out for is the alignment, boldface, italics, and period.

Do You Have to Use All the APA Headers?

No, you don’t have to use all five APA headers in your paper. The headers and the number of subsections will highly depend on your writing style and subject matter. 

Is There an Introduction Heading? 

No, there isn’t an “introduction heading.” This is because the first paragraphs of a paper are already understood as the introduction section. 

Heading in the Right Direction 

The format of APA headings and subheadings can be confusing at first. But remember, APA capitalization rules for the 7th APA edition mean using title case for all heading levels; no more uppercase and lowercase headings. And you can distinguish the third, fourth, and fifth-level headings through italicization, period, and indentation. As for the text after the heading, only levels 4 and 5 will have the paragraph in line with the headings. 

Don’t forget that running headers are no longer required in student papers! But just to be on the safe side, make sure to always ask your instructor.

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Heading Levels

Learn how to use headings in an APA Style paper, including how to format the five heading levels and use them to effectively organize your paper.

Academic Writer

© 2023 American Psychological Association.

Headings are used in APA Style writing to separate a paper into sections. Headings are the sign-posts, guiding the reader through the document. There are 5 heading levels in APA. Always begin with level 1 and proceed to level 2. 

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HEADINGS should not be confused with HEADERS. Headers include the page number and your abbreviated title that run along the top margin of each page of your paper (abbreviated title may or may not be used--check with your instructor).

Headings divide the body of your paper up into smaller, more manageable sections for your reader.  Headings are usually only necessary for longer papers--confirm with your instructor if they want you to use headings.  Although there are 5 levels of headings, you might only need to use 2 or 3 levels, depending on length and especially complexity of the paper.

Some instructors might provide specific headings for you to use--always follow your instructor's directions (even if it conflicts with what APA requires).

Visit the APA Style website for more detailed instructions on using headings, and/or the APA Style Manual, p. 47-49.

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Table of Contents

Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, apa headings and subheadings.

• © 2023 by Jennifer Janechek - IBM Quantum
• headings when there are at least two subsections within a larger section.
• using subheadings only when the paper has at least two subsections within a larger section

APA headings and subheadings refers to the rules for formatting sections of documents in the 7th Edition of the American Psychological Association’s Publication Manual .

A research paper written in APA style should be organized into sections and subsections using the five levels of APA headings. 

Related Concepts:

Notice how sections contain at least two smaller subsections in the example below:

Design  

Participants. , demographics..

Characteristics.

Limitations

Starting with the first level of heading, the subsections of the paper should progressively use the next level(s) of heading without skipping any levels. Major sections of the paper’s main body, including the Method, Results, and Discussion sections, should always be formatted with the first level of heading. However, keep in mind that the Introduction section, which is preceded by the full title of the paper, should be presented in plain type. Any subsections that fall under the major sections are formatted with the next level of heading.

Note that all paragraphs of the main body, including those that fall under subsections of a larger section, still maintain the pattern of indentation, use Times New Roman font, 12 pt., and are double-spaced. There are no extra lines or spaces between paragraphs and headings.

How are the five levels of APA-style headings formatted?

Format each of the five levels of APA-style headings as demonstrated in the example below. Note that while the example features headings titled “First Level,” “Second Level,” and so on, each heading in your paper should be named according to the section it describes. 

First level

The first level of heading is bolded and centered, and the first letter of each word in the heading is capitalized. The paragraph text should be typed on the following line and indented five spaces from the left.

Second level

The second level of heading is bolded and situated flush left, and the first letter of each word in the heading is capitalized. The paragraph text should be typed on the following line and indented five spaces from the left.

Third level

The third level of heading is bolded, indented five spaces from the left, and followed by a period. Capitalize only the first letter of the first word in the heading and of proper nouns. The first paragraph following this heading should be typed on the same line as the heading.

Fourth level

The fourth level of heading is bolded, italicized, indented five spaces from the left, and followed by a period. Capitalize only the first letter of the first word in the heading and of proper nouns. The first paragraph following this heading should be typed on the same line as the heading.

Fifth level

The fifth level of heading is italicized, indented five spaces from the left, and followed by a period. Capitalize only the first letter of the first word in the heading and of proper nouns. The first paragraph following this heading should be typed on the same line as the heading.

Method  (1st level)

Design (2nd level)

        Participants (3rd level)

        Demographics. (4th level)

              Age Group. (5th level)

Limitations  (2nd level)

• For student papers, include only the page number in the top right margin of every page of the paper
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APA Heading Format: All 5 Levels Explained Plus Examples

Headings are tools used in documents to organize information. They group information into categories based on content and organize those categories into sections and subsections throughout a document. Organization is key to helping the reader understand what they are reading. APA heading format is ultimately designed for clarity and purpose to help writers maintain a clear flow throughout their document.

There are various types of heading styles across different industry style guides, but APA has very clear guidelines on heading styles. With documents formatted using APA style, headings are especially useful because there is a lot of information presented in those documents. From capitalization to bold type to alignment, APA heading format helps you to organize your document with an easy-to-follow structure.

Why should you use headings?

Without headings, works in the behavioral and social sciences, such as sociology, history, psychology, and business, would become cumbersome to read and understand. Separating information into sections that flow smoothly through the document ensure that the information you are presenting is clear in meaning and purpose. The APA style blog states , Headings help writers highlight the important content in their work, and they also help readers easily find the information they need.

Imagine reading a 200-page dissertation without having headings to identify specific topics and key information. Without the headings, you would have a difficult time knowing where a section started for a specific historical figure or event. With the headings, however, finding a section for those specifics would be simple.

Definitions for terms used in heading styles

Before we get into the current defined heading styles in APA 7th edition, it's important to understand the terminology used when referring to text styling.

• Boldface: This means the text has thick, heavy lines. Using boldface type helps the text to stand out, as can be seen by the headings used in this article.
• Flush Left: Flush means to be in line with. In the case of headings and text, flush left means that the text starts at the very left margin, no indent and no spaces before the text begins. As you may have guessed, flush right would mean that the text starts at the right margin.
• Title Case: Title case means that the first letter of each word is capitalized, while the rest of the letters are lowercase. The exception is usually articles (e.g., "the" or "a") and words with fewer than four letters. Note that the first word is always capitalized no matter how many letters it has.
• Italic: Google Fonts describes italic type as a type style that's almost always slanted and is designed to create emphasis in text. Originally based on semi-cursive forms, italics are a direct contrast to the upright style.
• Indented: Indenting text means starting the text one half inch from the left margin.
• Inline: This means that the heading is on the same line as the paragraph text that follows it, rather than the paragraph text starting on a different line.

APA 7th edition heading format

APA 7th edition defines the required heading format using five distinct levels.

Level 1 headings are designed to identify the main, high-level sections or the title of your work. They are centered, boldface, and title case. Note that the centering is based on the margins, not the page. Check the indents and margin settings to ensure that there are no indents on the Level 1 heading line.

Example: If your work was about the history of Blue Bell ice cream, the paper title would show up like this:

The Unbelievably Delicious History of Blue Bell Ice Cream

Notice that "The" at the beginning of the title is capitalized even though it's only three letters long and is an article. In addition, do not use an "Introduction" heading. The beginning of the paper is automatically assumed to be the introduction.

Level 2 headings are used for the first subsections within a Level 1 section. Remember that the topics of equal importance should use the same heading level . This means that if you have two experiments each with their own Methods and Results, you would use the same heading levels for the Methods and Results sections for both experiments.

To show what the Level 2 heading would look like in continuing with our example above, the first subsection in the history of Blue Bell ice cream would appear like this:

Early Starts in Brenham, Texas

From the early starts, you might then discuss the growth phase of Blue Bell Creameries, with another Level 2 heading of:

Business Boom in the 1980s

Because both of these subsections describe definite periods of time within the business's history, they deserve to be the same heading level.

Level 3 headings are nested as subsections of a Level 2 subsection. Not every work will require three or more heading levels, so you are not obligated to use them. If you were to describe three significant events in the early days of Blue Bell ice cream, you would use a Level 3 heading for each one, like this:

From Butter to Ice Cream

Name Change

Giving Up on Butter

You want to avoid having only one of any heading level, meaning that if you only have one Level 3 heading, you should opt instead to not use the Level 3 heading and simply keep that content in with the Level 2 subsection.

Level 4 is the first of the heading levels to be indented rather than flush left or centered. Indenting can easily be done if you are using a word processing program. This is usually accomplished by pressing the tab key. APA recommends not using spaces to create indentation. Instead, use the tab key default or manually move the indent using the ruler functions. For example:

Homemade Vanilla. This was the first flavor of ice cream made by the Brenham Creamery Company in 1910.

Dutch Chocolate. This was the next flavor made by the Brenham Creamery Company and was a natural follow up to the vanilla.

Level 5 headings are subsections of Level 4 headings and further group information to maintain organization of ideas throughout a paper. Maintain the indent, boldface type, and inline paragraph text, but italicize the heading:

Interacting With the Local Population. Take a tour of the Blue Bell Creamery to see the inner workings of the factory, shop at the Country Store, and get a taste of the best ice cream in America.

Marketing Strategy. The wide range of flavors Blue Bell has developed over the years are a testament to the success of their business model and their tenacity in the marketplace.

While Level 5 headings aren't common, they can come in handy in works that are extensive or have many facets that require good organization.

APA heading format changes

The APA style guide has undergone changes over the years, just like all other style guides. APA's goal has been to continue to make updates to improve clarity in APA-formatted documents. APA 6th edition made many improvements over APA 5th edition headings. In the 5th edition, there was more use of centered text and italics. For example, a level 5 heading was centered and all uppercase. This was often seen as confusing, because the level 1 heading was centered with uppercase and lowercase letters. Essentially, the level 5 heading stood out more than the level 1 heading.

In APA 6th edition, the APA aimed to improve the flow of heading styles from top to bottom. The level 1 headings were centered and boldface, with mixed case capitalization. Level 2 was flush left and boldface, with mixed case capitalization as well. From there, the remaining levels were indented and lowercased, with variations in italics and boldface type.

A few years later, the APA updated the heading styles once more to be even more clear. You can see that the headings have been adjusted to follow three basic rules:

• All title case
• All boldface
• Italics and then indents differentiate between levels

APA defines five heading levels, but you don't have to use all five levels. It's up to you how many levels your work needs to be properly organized. The key is to maintain the order of the headings, from level 1 through to level 5.

With this information, you have the tools you need to properly organize your next document in a way that is sure to keep your reader engaged and informed. Start with an outline, and model that outline when creating your headings, sections, and subsections to create a document that flows well.

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Incorporating Headings in Academic Essays and Papers

A consistent structure is a big thing when writing an academic essay or paper. The framework for writing an academic paper encompasses using headings and subheadings to divide the content into manageable chunks or sections.

When writing longer essays and research papers (10 pages and above), breaking the test into different but related sections might be helpful to avoid unnecessary strained transition sentences. 

The headings are the first thing the readers look at when reading the essay. They are akin to the headlines in a magazine or webpage. Subheadings are the additional subtopics or headings immediately after the main title or header. Headings are meant to grab the readers' attention, but the subheadings make them draw the readers deeper into the topic.

A subheading is a mini-headline given to a section or paragraph within the main text. They are often smaller than the main heading but larger than the paragraph text.

While headings can be used in most academic papers of different lengths (even those less than ten pages), subheadings are reserved for shorter sections within a larger section. If you have a paper with just three main points and the first point has three subpoints, you can use subheadings to organize the subpoints under the main point.

When used in an essay, research paper, or other longer papers, the headings and subheadings should be formatted such that they are distinguishable from the contents of your text.

Let's dig deeper and see how to make headings and subheadings in an essay.

Why Use Headings and Subheadings in Essays and Research Papers

Headings and subheadings capture the readers' attention, making it easier to sell your ideas to those who skim through written pieces first to determine whether it is worth their time.

Using headings and subheadings helps organize your thoughts. They enable readers to focus on the critical aspects of the essay or research paper. In an essay or research paper, each subheading is considered a mini-essay with thoughts limited to a specific element or perspective of the topic.

Using headings and subheadings informs your readers about where they are in the paper. Also, these subheadings act as signposts or directions that orient the readers to your thoughts in the paper.

The subheadings ensure that your thoughts are structured and that you remain focused on the topic within a limited area. For instance, if you are writing a mental health essay or research paper, you can have a subheading dealing with risk factors and another dealing with the impacts of stigma on mental health.

Subheadings also make the research process easier because you can organize your research around them. This way, you can approach your research systematically and limit its scope. You can then scrutinize and organize the scholarly resources rather than focus on the entire research pile.

Having subheadings in essays or research papers makes writing the paper easier. You can plan, draft, and polish each essay section independently. Doing so helps you to write the paper with ease. Consequently, you can fight off writer's block by putting points of argument under each subheading and organizing it later when you are psyched up to write.

Features of a Good Subheading for an Essay or Research Paper

In research writing, it is imperative to have a refined heading and subheading. We discussed how to do this when we wrote about titling an essay and other academic papers. However, certain features make a subheading or a heading stand out. A good subheading can be many things, but let's sample some of the outstanding features it must have. Here are some aspects that make an excellent subheading and heading:

• A good subheading is brief, concise, and focused. Shorter headings and subheadings give meaning and enhance the readability of a research paper or essay.
• It must have a line space between it and the content.
• It contains the keywords that relate to the thesis and topic, telling the reader precisely the main idea of the section's content.
• Its wording matches the rest of the subheadings and headings
• Can create a flow that summarizes the work independently at a glance
• Is ten words or less and refined to have meaning on its own
• It stands out from the rest of the text in terms of styling and formatting
• It engages the readers such that it gives clues about what to expect
• Uses signposting words to realign the interests of the readers
• Are they relevant to the text
• It uses parallel structures for consistency

How to Make Subheadings in An Essay or Paper

If you are like many students who wonder about how to integrate subheadings into an essay, this section clarifies everything. First, however, there are some crucial tips that you need to consider.

Remember, a subheading expands your heading and comes after the latter. While both hook the audience by grabbing their attention, the subheading enables your readers to delve deeper into the topic. Subheadings are used to divide an otherwise large chunk of paper into sections or chapters.

Subheadings are primarily written in sentence cases and should never be in capital letters. Therefore, you should capitalize the first letter of the subheading of your essay. This is unlike the heading in the title case, meaning that all the major words (nouns, adverbs, pronouns, and adjectives) and words with four or more letters have their first words capitalized. Subheadings subordinate the higher levels. To make a good subheading, here are the tips.

1. Choose the correct length

A good essay subheading should be easy to read. Precisely, it should take a few seconds to read. Our experts recommend keeping the subheading between 4 to 10 words, the standard length of subheadings in academic writing. Ensure as well that it fits a single line. If your subheading runs over, it will be ambiguous and might alter the structure of your essay or paper.

2. Limit the information

You only have a few words to impress your readers. Therefore, only bring in the most crucial information you want to use to bait your readers. Avoid examining every aspect and focus on one aspect of the topic. As long as you have aroused the reader's curiosity to explore your essay, that's it!

3. Maintain Consistency

When you use headings and subheadings in an essay or academic paper, ensure that each maintains the same level. You should not skip subheading levels. And if the first subheading is the only subheading, you are better off eliminating it and maintaining the heading. An excellent strategy to maintain this consistency is planning your essay, which you can do by creating an outline .

4. Number appropriately. It is a must

APA or MLA format does not allow you to label headings and subheadings with numbers or letters. However, there are some instances, such as when writing a dissertation or thesis, where you will most likely be required to use multilevel numbering for the headings and subheadings. Therefore, when you number the headings and subheadings, ensure that it is in a consistent format that you can later use when referring to them elsewhere, for instance, in a table of contents. Microsoft Word automates the process of numbering by choosing the heading styles.

5. Be persuasive

A good subheading should coax the readers to read the text. It should give them an appetite to devour your paper. And it should be persuasive because it does the work of signposting the ideas to expect in a subsection.

6. Ensure Progression

When writing the subheadings, ensure they each add new information to your text to avoid repetitive subheadings. It would be wise to ensure that each subheading addresses a unique aspect of the topic instead of echoing the previous subheadings discussed. As you edit your paper, guarantee that the subheadings progress and add new and relevant information to engage the readers.

7. Stay away from puns, contractions, and idioms

Although tempting, avoid using corny words, jokes, and puns in your subheadings. You should not use contractions as well. Introducing these aspects can make your subheadings and headings ambiguous, deterring the readers from reading the content.

8. Ensure they are relevant and engaging

As you write the subheadings, ensure that they are relevant to the content of your essay. Eliminate any irrelevant subheadings in your essay. Think about the vital information you must include and how you need to format it into a separate section. The strategy helps write subheadings that address your essay's real issues. The subheadings should also give the readers a clue of what to expect to grab their attention further.

9. Include Keywords and Phrases

When writing the subheadings, you should include relevant keywords and phrases that attract the readers' attention. In addition, the keywords and phrases should be related to your topic and thesis statement.

10. Format them well

If you are writing an academic paper (research paper or essay), ensure that your subheadings and headings are formatted per the citation and formatting styles. Later in this article, we look at how to format subheadings and headings in MLA and APA, which are the most common styles. You can also acquaint yourself with other academic writing styles such as Chicago, Vancouver, Oxford, Bluebook, or Harvard.

If you intend to write an A essay, consider reading our guide on writing first-class essays to integrate other factors that professors look for when assigning higher grades for essays.

Related Read:

• How to write an introduction .
• Using headings and subheadings in the dissertation literature review.

Headings and Subheadings in APA

In APA formatting and citation style, headings are used in essays and research papers to separate and classify paper sections. The headings are meant to guide the readers through the document. Headings and subheadings are organized in subordination levels, with each section of the paper starting with the highest heading level.

You can organize headings into five different levels in APA. However, it would help if you used the headings in order beginning from level 1, regardless of the number of heading levels.

Below is how to organize the levels:

• Heading 1 is bold, centered, and written in the title case. This can include the main elements of the paper, such as Literature Review , methods, conclusion, discussion, recommendations, etc.
• Heading 2 is flush left, in boldface, and written in title case. These are the headings directly under heading 1. So, for example, under methods (level 1), you can have subsections such as sampling strategy, data analysis, or data processing as level 2.
• Heading 3 is flush left, in boldface italics, and title case.
• Heading 4 is indented, in boldface, and written in title case.
• Heading 5 is indented, in boldface italics, and title case.

You can use at least two subheadings in APA or non at all. If there is just one subheading, the top-level heading is enough, so do away with it.

When writing a paper in APA , the first paragraph is automatically understood as the introduction. Therefore, there is no need to start with the heading "introduction." The paper's title, which is centered and bolded, becomes the de facto level 1 heading. If your introduction has subsections, you can use headings within the introduction beginning with level 2 headings for the first level subsection, level 3 for the subsections of level 2 headings, and so on. After writing the introduction, use the level 1 heading for the following main section of the paper. Headings should be descriptive and concise. They should be well-formatted and clearly worded for visual and content appeal.

Formatting Headings and Subheadings in APA

When writing headings and subheadings in APA, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The headings in APA are never labeled with numbers or letters
• You should not use more than one subsection within a section
• Ensure that the APA headings and subheadings are descriptive and concise
• Use as many headings and subheadings as you may require
• Headings 3-5 should all be indented and terminated with a period.
• Headings levels 1 and 2 should be formatted in sentence cases.
• Ensure that the first word in the heading level 3-5 is capitalized.
• Begin a paragraph below levels 1 and 2. However, levels 2-5 begin in line with the headings.
• There should be double line spacing for the APA heading.

MLA headings and subheadings enhance a paper's coherence, soundness, and quality. Using the hierarchy of 5 heading levels in APA should be easier now that we have explained everything.

Headings and Subheadings in MLA

MLA headings are sometimes confused with the header. While the MLA heading is found on the first page and serves the purpose of identifying information, the header is the identifier located on top of every document page.

Using section headings in MLA help improve the readability of the document. Students are mainly not required to use headings when writing essays and papers.

Formatting Headings and Subheadings in MLA

• The font should be readable, most preferably Times New Roman or Arial
• Use double-line spacing
• Every new paragraph after the headings or subheadings should have a half an inch indent.
• All the headings and subheadings must be written in the title case
• You should not include a period after the MLA headings and subheadings
• The title is the main heading. It should be center-aligned and written in sentence case. It should never be italicized, bold, underlined, or put into quotation marks unless when referring to works within it.
• All headings that succeed the title of the document are subheadings.
• The subheadings have five different levels, just like in APA formatting.
• The subheadings are styled as per their order of prominence.

Unlike APA, MLA allows the use of font styling to differentiate the levels of the subheadings. However, the styling of the subheadings should be consistent so that the readers can follow the structure of the essay or paper.

Every subheading should appear in the same size, format, and style for easier identification as one reads your text. The subheadings in MLA papers or essays should flush to the left margin to avoid confusing them with block quotes. Avoid online one level for the internal levels. For instance, if you have a level between 1 and 5, you should ensure that there is more than one instance. If you have one level 2 subheading, ensure that you also have a second level 2 subheading. Above all, every heading and subheading must have content or text beneath them. The content should support the thesis statement of your paper.

Related reading:

• Writing case study answers for business and nursing classes . 
• Analytical essay writing steps and tips. 

Levels of subheadings in MLA formatting

• Level 1 is bold, flush, or aligned with the left margin
• Level 2 is italicized, flush, or aligned with the left margin
• Level 3 is bold and center-aligned
• Level 4 is italicized and center-aligned
• Level 5 is underlined, flush, or aligned with the left margin

Ensure you use the correct subheading level to help you navigate through your essay or paper. It also helps to know what to be added to the automatic table of contents. Use the subheadings as illustrated below:

• Subheading 1 for the first subsection after the chapter title
• Subheading 2 for the subsections that are directly under Subheading 1
• Subheading 3 for the subsections that are directly under Subheading 2
• Subheading 4 for the subsections that are directly under Subheading 3
• Subheading 5 for the subsections that are directly under Subheading 4

Take some time and watch this video by Dr. Andy Jonson illustrates how to use headings and subheadings in academic writing.

Below are some sample questions, expert answers, and recommendations for essay subheadings and headings.

Should essays have subheadings?

Although shorter essays are written in continuous, flowing, and paragraphed texts and do not need subheadings, longer essays are carefully structured using headings and subheadings.

An essay or research paper can have headings and subheadings (subtopics) if it is long enough to accommodate different sections. Nevertheless, when writing the headings and subheadings, they should be relevant and consistent with the topic and contribute to the overarching goal of the essay or research paper (the thesis statement). A good length for a heading or subheading should be ten words or less. While standard essays do not use subheadings, they assuredly improve the structure of extended essays.

Subheadings subordinate the headings (the title of the essay). They should be persuasive, descriptive, and conversational. They should elaborate on what is in the headline and capture the importance of the topic. Maintain consistency when writing them.

Can introductions have subheadings?

For short papers, no. However, you can include sub-sections for longer papers with appropriate headings and subheadings. For instance, when writing a proposal, dissertation, or thesis, you can have sections and subsections for the problem statement, background information, research questions, hypothesis, aims/objectives, and paper overview.

Can a conclusion have a subheading?

You should not include subheadings in the concluding paragraphs of an essay unless for more extended research papers.

Can subheadings in essays be questions?

No, section headings and subheadings must not be phrased as questions in MLA, APA, or Harvard formatting styles.

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Headings – Definition, 3 Formats & A Guide For Word

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Headings immediately provide structure and help the reader to find their way around your academic writing . They start a paragraph , chapter, or page and tell you what the following content is about. Learn how to write them, how long they should be, the difference between them and titles, and much more. With this article, you will learn how to write an effective heading that will get the reader’s attention and encourage them to continue reading.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Headings in a nutshell
• 2 Definition: Headings
• 3 Headings vs. titles
• 4 Different style guides
• 5 What to pay attention to
• 6 Add a heading in Word
• 7 Technical terms in headings

Headings in a nutshell

Headings are labels used in written content to organize and make it easier to read. They are like signs on a road, telling you what’s ahead or how to find something. In books, articles, or websites, they help break down the text into sections, each focusing on a different topic or idea. They typically come in different sizes, with the most important heading (the main title ) being the biggest, and subheadings getting smaller as they detail more specific points. This structure helps readers quickly find the information they’re interested in and understand the overall flow of the content.

Definition: Headings

When writing academic essays or research papers , you should maintain a logical flow of ideas throughout the work. This is when headings as textual markers come into play. They can be found in documents, web pages, and other written materials that indicate the hierarchy, structure, and organization of content. They organize text into sections and subsections, making it easier for readers to navigate information. Furthermore, they demonstrate the relative importance of different sections through varying levels, such as “Heading 1” for main titles, followed by smaller subtitles for detailed breakdowns. They enhance accessibility, allowing users, especially those with disabilities, to understand the structure of the content more easily. In web content, they also play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO) by helping search engines understand and rank the page content, making it more discoverable to users. Essentially, they are about structuring content to improve readability , navigability, and comprehension.

Special headings

Special headings are specific types that serve unique purposes within a document or publication. These are typically used in academic papers, research articles, reports, or other formal documents to organize and present information in a structured manner. Here are some of the common ones:

• Paper title

Headings vs. titles

Section titles and titles play a crucial role in the writing process of academic works in university, school, and even work. However, these two terms serve different purposes. Read on to find out what sets them apart.

Subheadings

Subheadings, or subtitles, are titles used within a document to organize content into sections, making it easier for readers to navigate and understand the material. In an academic context, subheadings are crucial for structuring papers, reports, and articles. They help break down complex information into manageable parts, highlight key topics, and provide a clear content roadmap.

Main title: The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Biodiversity

Subtitle: Effects on Coral Reefs

This part could delve into how rising temperatures and ocean acidification affect coral reefs, including bleaching events.

Subtitle:  Changes in Marine Species Distribution

Here, the focus could be on how climate change alters the geographical distribution of marine species.

Different style guides

There are various style guides used by universities worldwide. However, each of them has its guidelines on formatting, etc. Below, we provide a brief overview of the three most important style guides and their specifications for formatting headlines.

Note: It is important to know in advance that headline-style capitalization refers to a formatting style in which the first and last words are capitalized.

Chicago Style

For the APA style heading format, the following rules apply:

• Level 1: Centered, boldface, title case
• Level 2: Flush left, boldface, title case
• Level 3: Flush left, boldface, italicized, title case

For the MLA style heading format, the following rules apply:

• Level 1: Flush left, boldface, title case
• Level 2: Flush left, title case
• Level 3: Flush left, italicized, title case

For the Chicago Style heading format, the following rules apply:

• Level 1: Centered, boldface or italicized, headline-style capitalization
• Level 2: Centered, regular type, headline-style capitalization
• Level 3: Flush left, boldface or italicized, headline-style capitalization

What to pay attention to

There are certain aspects, when creating a proper section title, you should pay attention to. Below, we’ll explain this and afterward you’re a pro when crafting your paper.

Be descriptive

No repetition.

For your academic essays, you should incorporate some descriptive headings to provide the reader with clear information for easy understanding. When used effectively, the lecturer, or reader will peruse your document and know what it’s about simply by reading the headlines.

Some tips on how to be as descriptive as possible are:

• Be specific by focusing on the section
• Use key terms for more searchability and comprehension
• Avoid ambiguity to prevent confusion
• Wrong: “Products”
• Correct: “Latest Smartphone Models Released in 2024”

The first one is too vague and does not provide specific information about the section’s content. In contrast, the second one clearly describes the information and sets appropriate expectations for the reader.

Chapters cannot have the same content; therefore, the section titles can’t be the same, too. Knowing how to write a headline that is as descriptive as possible will help arrange your ideas and give the reader an easy time. Having the same title twice can dilute your work and immensely affect your grading.

Essential tips on how to write a headline without repetition are:

• Varying the lengths
• Using transition words
• Using the thesaurus to get synonyms
• Wrong: Multiple sections titled “Features”
• Correct: “Camera Features” and “Battery Life Features”

In the first example, it is unclear which features are being discussed in each section. The second examples are unique and refer to different paper sections, which helps in differentiating the content and improves the overall clarity.

Add a heading in Word

Firstly, you open up the document in Microsoft Word you’d like to create headlines for. Right at the beginning, you will see the Home tab, where you can also set the font and size. Right in the middle, you will find a fold-out column titles Styles that allows you to format your text into any headline you like (refer to the picture below). If you click on the arrow , you’ll see there are more types of section titles , if there isn’t one you like.

That’s how easily you format a headline in a Word document.

Note: You can change the format by simply hovering over the style while marking the text. You do not have to click on the heading style to find out how it’ll look.

If you want to take it one step further, you can even create your own style when folding out the Styles tab. You have two choices here. One involves changing an existing headline, whereas the other option involves creating an entirely new one.

• Click on “Create a Style” and then “Modify” to create a new style
• Right-click on an already existing style and customize it by selecting “Modify”

See the images below for a visual representation.

Technical terms in headings

Technical and jargon terms used in headlines of documents may not be understandable to every reader except those familiar with the languages. An example is site language, most commonly found in search engine optimization (SEO).

Different heading levels are used to communicate the site structure to Google. There are different heading ranks and they are referred to as follows:

• H1 = Most important; typically used for the main title of a page/article
• H2 = Section titles; used as content headings
• H3 = Subsection titles; divides the content within a paragraph
• H4 to H6 = Least important; additional, optional levels for structuring

What is a heading?

A heading is a title or label used in written content to organize and indicate the structure of the information. It helps readers navigate through the text and understand its main topics and subtopics.

What is an exemplary heading?

Here’s an example when writing about time management techniques and strategies aimed at enhancing productivity and efficiency in various aspects of life, such as work, school, or personal activities.

• “Effective Strategies for Improving Time Management Skills”

What is the difference between a heading and title?

• A title stands for the whole reading and incorporates its content in a phrase or two.
• A heading only crowns and captures the content of a section or chapter.

Why are headings important in writing?

They convey an overview of what the entire paper is about. The reader is supposed to find out what the entire document is about by going through the sections assigned.

How long should headings be?

A rule of thumb is to never go past one line because it’ll be too long. A good, understandable headline for your sections or paragraphs should intrigue the reader to read more and not be too long to bore them.

I’m so happy with how my dissertation turned out! The order process was very...

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Generate accurate APA citations for free

• Knowledge Base
• APA Style 6th edition
• APA headings and subheadings (6th edition)

APA headings (6th edition) | How to use and format (example)

Published on November 7, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk .

A paper is usually divided into chapters and subsections. Each chapter or section has its own heading, and these headings provide structure to a document. As well as many other APA format requirements , there are specific guidelines for formatting headings to ensure that all papers are uniform and easy to read.

Table of contents

Apa heading formatting, apa headings example, using heading levels, aligning word’s heading styles to apa style, setting up in google docs.

The APA formatting guidelines for each heading style are outlined in the table below. APA recommends using 12pt. Times New Roman font for both the body text as the headings.

* Capitalize the first word of the title and all major words (including words that have four or more letters). Example: The Effects of Autism on Listening Skills. ** Capitalize the first word of the title and proper nouns (just as you would capitalize a sentence). An example: Teenagers with autism in the United States.

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The example shows the different heading levels according to APA style. Hover over the different headings to see the specific APA formatting guidelines. You can also download the APA heading Template to add the correctly formatted APA heading styles to Word.

Download APA Headings Template

The Effects of Smartphones on the Attention in Classrooms

This research aims to gain insight into the relationship between smartphones and students’ attention in classrooms. This chapter further discusses the research method, the sampling method and the data analysis procedure.

Research Method

In addition to an extensive literature review, 40 interviews were conducted for this study. The goal of conducting interviews was to find out how students looked at the use of smartphones in the classroom.

Sampling Method

A non-probability sample was used to gather participants for this research. The driving factors behind this decision were cost and convenience.

Procedure. Participants were given an introductory text prior to the survey. In this introductory text, the participants were informed that all answers would be processed anonymously.

Participant recruitment. Students who participated in this study were recruited through posts on the school’s Facebook page. As an incentive, students who participated were granted an exemption for writing an essay.

Participant assessment. Participants were selected based on their age and gender to acquire a representative sample of the population. Furthermore, students had to share additional demographic information.

Data Analysis

The interviews collected for this research were transcribed and then coded. Next, the coded interviews were analysed and compared. The statistical program SPSS was used to perform the analysis.

First Hypothesis

The first hypothesis was tested using a regression analysis that used attention in classrooms as the dependent variable and the use of smartphones as the independent variable. The results of this analysis showed that the attention of the student decreases when a smartphone is used.

Using the right heading levels not only helps readers navigate your paper, but also enables you to automatically generate an APA style table of contents in Word.

Use as many heading levels as you need. Some papers only have three heading levels, whereas others use all five. It’s also possible for one section (e.g. “methods”) to have more subheadings than other sections. When writing your paper or thesis, you will often use these heading levels:

Heading 1 : Use heading 1 for the main elements of your paper, such as the “methods,” “results,” “conclusion” and “discussion” sections.

Heading 2 : Use heading 2 for the subsections underneath heading 1. For example, under “methods,” include sections describing the “participant selection,” “experiment design’ and “procedure.”

Heading 3:  The heading 2 subsections (e.g. “procedure”) can be split up further into subsections such as “data collection” and “data processing.” Use heading 3 for these subsections.

Heading 4 and 5:  Depending on your paper, you can also use heading 4 and 5 for subsections that fall underneath heading 3 and 4, respectively.

Instead of formatting every heading individually, use Word’s built-in headings feature, which you can find in the toolbar at the top of your document. This is the easiest and fastest way to format all the headings in your paper.

By default, Word’s heading styles do not follow APA style. However, you can change the default settings by right-clicking on the heading style and selecting “modify.”

You can also download the Scribbr APA Heading Word template . When attaching this template to your Word document the correctly formatted APA headings are added and the heading formatting will automatically apply on all existing headings.

To attach the APA heading template to your Word document go ‘tools’ and ‘Templates and Add-ins’. Next, attach the downloaded template to the document and check the box ‘automatically update heading styles’.

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This video will demonstrate how to format different APA heading levels in Google Docs.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2020, November 07). APA headings (6th edition) | How to use and format (example). Scribbr. Retrieved June 24, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/6th-edition/archived-headings/

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How to Write Essay Titles and Headers

The deadline for your latest writing assignment is mere minutes away. You’re rushing to get the final details together and suddenly realize you’ve forgotten a title. You quickly throw something random on top of the page and submit it to your teacher.

You’re not satisfied with your title, but you vow to do better next time. And you will!

You’ve learned from your mistake: essay titles are not a last-minute detail. They’re an integral part of any piece of written work and should be planned out earlier on in the writing process.

Titles lead to your reader’s first impression of your essay, and the headings help organize your thoughts and make the essay easier to read. Let’s take a look at how you can turn your titles from an afterthought into a well-thought-out writing element.

How Do You Write a Great Title?

People DO judge a book by its cover, and they will judge your essay by its title. So writing a strong title is an important part of starting your writing off on the right foot.

Your essay title has two main functions:

• Inform your reader
• Spark your reader’s interest

Additionally, keep in mind these three pointers:

Be clear and concise

Vague titles do not inform the reader. Provide a specific description of what your focus will be. Your audience wants to know precisely what they will be reading.

Bad Example: Oceans

Good Example: Disappearing Ocean Life in the Pacific Rim

Offer an exciting tidbit or interesting fact

If your title is boring, readers will not want to keep reading. Offer them something that will get attention.

Bad Example: How Consumers are Wrongly Spending Money

Good Example: The Seven Million Dollar Mistake

Everyone may be writing a college admissions essay, but don’t title yours: My College Admissions Essay . No matter what the prompt, make your title something that stands out from the stack.

Bad Example: My Research Project

Good Example: Relocating the Human Race to Mars

How Do You Create a Great Header?

Essay headers are often overlooked by writers, but they can really help your readers as they journey through your essay. While the title may get the reader hooked, the headers keep them moving smoothly through your paper. They enhance readability and help explain what is most relevant in the essay.

Each essay header should answer these two questions:

• What will I learn?
• What is the focus?

When readers approach a new section of your essay, they will have a better reading experience if they have a small preview of what’s to come.

Writing a useful header should be relatively easy. Read through your paragraphs and see what the main idea of is. From here, make a list of sub-topics that are discussed in each section. The best way to do this is to pull from the main points you listed out in your outline (which you, of course, remembered to do!).

Remember the following details about writing a header:

Be simple, but informative

You don’t want to give away all of your ideas here, but you need to give some guiding information.

Bad Example: Eating Too Many Fatty Foods Can Increase Your Cholesterol Levels

Good Example: How Your Diet Affects Your Health

Be consistent throughout your essay.

Choose a pattern and stick with it throughout the entirety of the assignment. If you start off by having a heading for each paragraph, keep it that way until the end. Also, make sure the format remains the same. If your first heading is in the form of a question, all of the rest should be as well.

Bad Example: Beaches, What is Up With Littering?, I Want to Clean Up the Planet

Good Example: Neglected Beaches, Effects of Litter, Motivated Activists

Just like when you are writing a title, there are generic headings you can lean on to get it done quick and easy. But don’t use these. Your conclusion shouldn’t have the header, "Conclusion." Come up with something unique for each part of your essay to keep your reader from feeling fatigued as they read on.

Bad Example: Conclusion

Good Example: Will the Pandas Survive?

Be organized and helpful

Your essay should be scannable. This means that if someone needs information fast, they can find it without having to read every word of your piece.

Although titles and headers are often neglected, they are very important to your pieces of writing. They grab your reader’s attention from the start and keep them focused throughout the rest of your essay. Taking the time to craft great titles and headers can advance your writing to the next level.

Don’t overlook the title and section headers when putting together your next writing assignment. Follow these pointers for keeping your writing organized and effective.

101 Standout Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

Need a topic for your upcoming argumentative essay? We've got 100 helpful prompts to help you get kickstarted on your next writing assignment.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

APA Headings and Seriation

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

APA Style uses a unique headings system to separate and classify paper sections. Headings are used to help guide the reader through a document. The levels are organized by levels of subordination, and each section of the paper should start with the highest level of heading. There are 5  heading levels  in APA. Regardless of the number of levels, always use the headings in order, beginning with level 1. The format of each level is illustrated below:

Thus, if the article has four sections, some of which have subsections and some of which don’t, use headings depending on the level of subordination. Section headings receive level one format. Subsections receive level two format. Subsections of subsections receive level three format. For example:

Method  (Level 1)

Site of Study  (Level 2)

Participant Population  (Level 2)

Teachers  (Level 3)

Students  (Level 3)

Results  (Level 1)

Spatial Ability  (Level 2)

Test One  (Level 3)

     Teachers With Experience.  (Level 4)

     Teachers in Training.  (Level 4)

     Teaching Assistants .  (Level 5)

Test Two  (Level 3)

Kinesthetic Ability  (Level 2)

In APA Style, the Introduction section never gets a heading and headings are not indicated by letters or numbers. For subsections in the beginning of a paper (introduction section), the first level of subsection will use Level 2 headings — the title of the paper counts as the Level 1 heading. Levels of headings will depend upon the length and organization of your paper. Regardless, always begin with level one headings and proceed to level two, etc.

Special headings called section labels are used for certain sections of a paper which always start on a new page.

• Paper title
• Appendix A (and so on for subsequent appendices)

These labels should be positioned on their own line at the top of the page where the section starts, in bold and centered. 

APA also allows for seriation in the body text to help authors organize and present key ideas. For lists where a specific order or numbered procedure is necessary, use an Arabic numeral directly followed by a period, such as:

On the basis of four generations of usability testing on the Purdue OWL, the Purdue OWL Usability Team recommended the following:

• Move the navigation bar from the right to the left side of the OWL pages.
• Integrate branded graphics (the Writing Lab and OWL logos) into the text on the OWL homepage.
• Add a search box to every page of the OWL.
• Develop an OWL site map.
• Develop a three-tiered navigation system.

Numbered lists should contain full sentences or paragraphs rather than phrases. The first word after each number should be capitalized, as well as the first word in any following sentence; each sentence should end with a period or other punctuation.

For lists that do not communicate hierarchical order or chronology, use bullets:

In general, participants found the user-centered OWL mock up to be easier to use. What follows are samples of participants' responses:

• "This version is easier to use."
• "Version two seems better organized."
• "It took me a few minutes to learn how to use this version, but after that, I felt more comfortable with it."

Authors may also use seriation for paragraph length text.

For seriation within sentences, authors may use letters:

On the basis of research conducted by the usability team, OWL staff have completed (a) the OWL site map; (b) integrating graphics with text on the OWL homepage; (c) search boxes on all OWL pages except the orange OWL resources (that is pending; we do have a search page); (d) moving the navigation bar to the left side of pages on all OWL resources except in the orange area (that is pending); (e) piloting the first phase of the three-tiered navigation system, as illustrated in the new Engagement section.

Authors may also separate points with bullet lists:

On the basis of the research conducted by the usability team, OWL staff have completed

• the OWL site map;
• integrating graphics with text on the OWL homepage;
• search boxes on all OWL pages except the orange OWL resources (that is pending; we do have a search page);
• moving the navigation bar to the left side of pages on all OWL resources except in the orange area (that is pending);
• piloting the first phase of the three-tiered navigation system, as illustrated in the new Engagement section.

If your bulleted list is part of the sentence and is not preceded by a colon, treat the bullets like a part of the sentence, adhering to standard capitalization and punctuation. This option is helpful for complex or longer bulleted sentences that may be more difficult to read without the aid of punctuation. For items in a bulleted list that are phrases rather than sentences, no punctuation is necessary.

Crafting the Perfect Headline: 50+ Examples of Proper Heading for Essay

Master the art of crafting a proper heading for essay with our tips and examples to engage readers and enhance your writing.

Writing an essay can be a daunting task, but nailing the perfect headline, or proper heading for an essay , can set the tone for success. Think of your essay’s heading as a first impression. It’s what grabs the reader's attention and gives them a hint of what to expect. In this article, we’ll dive deep into how to craft an effective heading, why it’s crucial, and some tips and tricks to make your heading stand out. Let's embark on this journey to mastering the art of the proper heading for essay writing!

Why is a Proper Heading for an Essay Important?

A proper heading for an essay isn't just a title; it's a snapshot of your entire paper. It serves several critical functions:

• Engages the Reader: A well-crafted heading draws readers in, making them want to read more.
• Provides Clarity: It gives a clear idea of the essay's topic and scope.
• Sets the Tone: The heading sets the mood for the essay, whether it's serious, humorous, analytical, or persuasive.

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, essays with clear and engaging headings were 60% more likely to be read from start to finish than those with vague or boring titles. This stat underscores the importance of investing time in creating a proper heading for an essay.

Key Components of a Proper Heading for Essay

Crafting a proper heading for an essay involves a few key components:

• Clarity: Ensure your heading is straightforward and easy to understand.
• Relevance: The heading should accurately reflect the content of your essay.
• Brevity: Keep it concise. A long, convoluted heading can be off-putting.
• Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords to help with search engine optimization (SEO) if your essay is going online.

Types of Essay Headings

Different types of essays require different approaches to headings. Let’s explore some common types:

Analytical Essay

For an analytical essay, your heading should indicate the specific aspect or theme you’re analyzing.

• Example: "The Role of Symbolism in 'The Great Gatsby'"

Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay heading should present the central argument or question.

• Example: "Is Capital Punishment Justifiable in Modern Society?"

Descriptive Essay

For a descriptive essay, your heading should hint at what you’re describing.

• Example: "A Serene Evening by the Beach"

Narrative Essay

A narrative essay heading should introduce the story or experience you're sharing.

• Example: "My Unforgettable Trip to the Amazon Rainforest"

Expository Essay

An expository essay heading should clearly state what you’re explaining or informing.

• Example: "Understanding the Basics of Blockchain Technology"

Compare and Contrast Essay

For this type, your heading should mention the subjects being compared.

• Example: "Online Learning vs. Traditional Classroom Education"

Persuasive Essay

A persuasive essay heading should present the stance you’re taking.

• Example: "Why Organic Farming is the Future of Agriculture"

Tips for Crafting a Proper Heading for Essay

Creating the perfect heading isn’t always easy, but here are some tips to help:

• Start with a Working Title: Don’t stress about the final title initially. Start with a working title and refine it as you go.
• Use Action Words: Action words can make your heading more dynamic and engaging.
• Be Specific: Vague headings can be confusing. Be as specific as possible about what your essay covers.
• Avoid Jargon: Unless your audience is familiar with specific jargon, keep your language simple and accessible.
• Get Feedback: Don’t hesitate to ask peers or mentors for feedback on your heading.

50 Examples of Proper Headings for Different Types of Essays

• "Analyzing the Use of Irony in 'The Catcher in the Rye'"
• "The Symbolism of the Green Light in 'The Great Gatsby'"
• "Examining the Theme of Isolation in 'Frankenstein'"
• "The Role of Social Class in 'Pride and Prejudice'"
• "The Impact of Colonialism in 'Heart of Darkness'"
• "Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished?"
• "The Benefits of Universal Healthcare"
• "The Case for Renewable Energy"
• "Why School Uniforms Should Be Mandatory"
• "The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence"
• "A Walk Through Central Park in Autumn"
• "The Bustling Streets of Tokyo at Night"
• "The Serene Beauty of the Swiss Alps"
• "A Day in the Life of a Farmer"
• "The Vibrant Culture of Rio de Janeiro"
• "My Journey to Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking"
• "A Memorable Summer Vacation in Greece"
• "The Day I Met My Best Friend"
• "An Unexpected Adventure in the Wilderness"
• "The Night I Learned the True Meaning of Family"
• "The History and Evolution of the Internet"
• "How Solar Panels Work"
• "The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet"
• "The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health"
• "Understanding the Basics of Quantum Computing"
• "Traditional vs. Online Education: Which is Better?"
• "The Differences Between Urban and Rural Living"
• "Comparing the French and American Revolutions"
• "Electric Cars vs. Gasoline Cars: Pros and Cons"
• "Public Transportation vs. Private Cars"
• "Why Everyone Should Practice Meditation Daily"
• "The Importance of Voting in Local Elections"
• "Why Recycling Should Be Mandatory"
• "The Benefits of Learning a Second Language"
• "Why We Should Reduce Our Carbon Footprint"

Cause and Effect Essay

• "The Effects of Climate Change on Polar Bears"
• "How Technology Has Changed the Workplace"
• "The Causes and Consequences of World War II"
• "The Impact of Fast Food on Health"
• "The Effects of Social Media on Communication Skills"

Definition Essay

• "What Does It Mean to Be Happy?"
• "The True Definition of Success"
• "What Is Feminism?"
• "Defining the Concept of Freedom"
• "The Meaning of Courage"

Process Essay

• "How to Bake a Perfect Chocolate Cake"
• "The Process of Applying for College"
• "Steps to Start Your Own Business"
• "How to Create a Budget"
• "The Process of Writing a Research Paper"

FAQs About Proper Heading for Essay

What is a proper heading for essay.

A proper heading for essay is a concise, engaging title that accurately reflects the content and tone of the essay. It serves to grab the reader’s attention and provide a snapshot of what the essay is about.

How long should a proper heading for essay be?

Ideally, a proper heading for essay should be between 5 to 10 words. It should be long enough to convey the main idea but short enough to be easily readable and memorable.

Can I use a question as a heading for my essay?

Yes, using a question can be an effective way to engage readers and pique their interest. Just ensure the question is relevant to your essay’s content.

Should I include keywords in my essay heading?

Absolutely! Including keywords can improve the SEO of your essay if it’s published online, making it easier for readers to find.

Can the heading for my essay be creative or humorous?

Yes, as long as it fits the tone and content of your essay. A creative or humorous heading can make your essay stand out and engage readers.

Examples of Effective Headings

To further illustrate the point, here are some examples of effective headings for various types of essays:

• "Deconstructing the Hero’s Journey in 'Star Wars'"
• "The Case Against Single-Use Plastics: An Urgent Call for Change"
• "The Enchanting Beauty of Kyoto’s Cherry Blossoms"
• "From Lost to Found: My Journey Through Italy"
• "The Rise of Renewable Energy: A Path to a Greener Future"
• "Public Schools vs. Private Schools: Which is Better for Students?"
• "Why We Should Embrace Remote Work as the New Normal"

Generate the Perfect Essay Title Instantly

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Don’t let a lacklustre title hold you back. Boost your essay’s appeal and start generating perfect titles today!

Conclusion: The Art of the Proper Heading for Essay

In conclusion, a proper heading for essay is more than just a title. It’s a powerful tool that can set the stage for your writing, engage your audience, and convey the essence of your essay. By following the tips and guidelines provided in this article, you can master the art of crafting effective and compelling headings for any type of essay.

Remember, the heading is the first thing your readers see, so make it count. With a bit of creativity and careful thought, you can create headings that not only attract readers but also give them a clear idea of what to expect from your essay. Happy writing!

Online Learning Resources

Academic skills office, academic skills.

• Introduction
• Academic essays
• Thesis statement
• Question analysis
• Sample essay
• Introduction paragraphs
• Beginner paragraphs
• Perfecting Paragraphs
• Academic paragraphs
• Conclusion paragraphs
• Academic writing style

Using headings

• Using evidence
• Supporting evidence
• Citing authors
• Quoting authors
• Paraphrasing authors
• Summarising authors
• Tables & figures
• Synthesising evidence
• About academic reading
• Identify your purpose for reading
• Some reading techniques
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Headings are standard for some written forms (e.g. report writing, case studies). However, lecturers can be divided about whether they allow/prefer you to use headings in your academic essays. Some lecturers prefer headings while others don’t want you to use headings. You will need to check your lecturer’s preference. If you do use headings, then use them wisely and correctly.

About using headings

Most students who have just completed secondary studies come to university with the firm belief that you should not use headings in essay writing. The use of headings in formal writing was once restricted to business style writing, such as report writing. However, in more recent times, headings are often used in formal academic writing such as books and journals. Also, texts on the Internet are easier to read on screen if they have headings.

Headings are signposts that focus the reader on the most important content in a piece of writing, and are usually connected to the set question. Provided that they are well structured, a few headings make longer pieces of writing easier to write and easier to read (for the marker). Look at headings systems in your unit reading material, and you will get a ‘feeling’ for their structure and suitability.

It’s easy to see why you need a few rules to help you develop a good system of headings. Compare the following sets of headings then answer the questions that follow:

Read this description of a well-structured set of headings:

• The heading system is clear and logical
• The sub-headings are all at the same level and in the same font style
• The wording of the headings and sub-headings is alike
• If you used this heading system, the reader would not be confused

This description applies to:

Correct! When you see headings set out like this, it becomes obvious that you need to create a plan for your headings before you start. Heading set 1 follows the rules and is logical, whereas Heading set 2 breaks the rules and would send the reader on a ‘chase’ to work out what the writer means. So, take a couple of minutes to work out a consistent plan for using headings and apply it to all of your essays.

In general, you are expected to use headings correctly so that your writing is clear, and it is obvious that you have answered the set question. There are rules to help you to do this.

Click on the links to see more details and examples.

Graded heading system

BEFORE YOU START YOUR ESSAY, HAVE A CLEAR AND LOGICAL HEADING HIERARCHY.

Work out a system of headings that you can use with all of your essays. Headings should be graded at levels to show a clear order of importance (e.g. level 1 – most important; level 2 – next important and so on). You will mainly use one to three levels of headings in your essay, depending on the length of your assignment. For example, most 2000 word essays may only require 3-5 level 1 headings (i.e. a level 1 heading every 2-3 pages). Remember that the aim of using headings is to keep your reader on track. Too many headings and too many levels creates confusion.

When you design a heading system, show the relative importance of headings with the type size, position (e.g. centred or left justified), using boldface, underlining or capital letters. You can follow a recommended pattern or make up your own system—so long as it is clear and consistent. Example: Level 1: CAPITALS , bold, 14pt, centred, space below Level 2: Lowercase , bold, 12pt, left justified, space below Level 3: Lowercase , italics, 12pt, left justified, no space below

Information in logical sections

USE HEADINGS FOR SECTIONS IN YOUR DOCUMENT (NOT FOR EACH PARAGRAPH).

The key to working out your essay sections is to work from your question analysis. Consider the following question:

Many lecturers now approve of the use of headings in academic essays. Consider whether the benefits outweigh the problems for the writers and markers. Identify and discuss the key rules for using headings appropriately in academic essays. (2000 words)

Example of a heading plan for this question:

Level 1 headings INTRODUCTION BENEFITS OF USING HEADINGS PROBLEMS WITH USING HEADINGS RULES TO GUIDE HEADING USAGE CONCLUSION

Level 2 headings (example from one section) The heading RULES TO GUIDE HEADING USAGE could have the following level 2 headings:

Heading hierarchies (3 paragraphs)

Effective wording of headings (2 paragraphs)

Effective wording of headings

WHEN YOU DESIGN YOUR HEADINGS SYSTEM, MAKE SURE THAT THE WORDING IS CONSISTENT.

Use three basic principles to word your headings:

• Keep headings brief (avoid two and three liners)
• Make them specific to the written work that follows
• Follow a PARALLEL structure

For example:

• If you use a question as a heading, then follow that pattern for that heading level and for that section (e.g. if your level 1 heading is What are the rules for heading levels?, then the next level 1 heading would need to be a question also: How do you word headings effectively?).
• If you use a phrase starting with an ‘ing’ word, then follow that pattern for that heading level and for that section (e.g. Designing heading levels; Wording headings effectively).
• If you use a noun phrase, then continue to use noun phrases for that level and for that section (e.g. Design of heading levels; Effective wording of headings).
• You can change your heading style between levels, but you must be consistent at level 1 then in each section (i.e. all level 1 headings should follow the same pattern; each level 2 heading in a section should follow the same pattern.)

Correct punctuation for headings

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW AND APPLY PUNCTUATION RULES TO YOUR HEADINGS.

Headings can be single words or short phrases and DO NOT require a full stop unless you have used a question as a heading—a question mark is then required. The use of capital letters may follow either of the following approaches provided that you are consistent:

• Minimal capitalisation—only the first word of a title and any proper nouns and names are capitalised (e.g. Punctuation rules for Australian texts)
• Maximal capitalisation—all words are capitalised EXCEPT for articles (e.g. a, an, the), prepositions and conjunctions (e.g. Punctuation Rules for Australian Texts)

INTRODUCE THE TOPIC OF YOUR HEADING IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH FOLLOWING YOUR HEADING.

When you place a heading in the text, it is a signpost for a section of writing. You need to begin the following paragraph with a sentence that introduces the reader to the heading topic and then announce what will be coming in that section in the essay—just as you do in the essay introduction. A heading is not part of the text of your paragraph, so you should not refer to it with a pronoun reference (e.g. this, these, that).

This means that the wording of the heading matches the information of the following section. Do not make the heading part of the first sentence.

What NOT to do

There is much to learn from what is NOT wanted. Following are some of the common mistakes made in the use of headings in formal written work:

Click on the links to see more details.

• DO NOT use headings in smaller documents (i.e. less than a 1000 words)
• DO NOT use too many headings
• DO NOT change the style of heading levels midway through your writing (work out your system and stick to it)
• DO NOT number headings in an essay unless you are asked to
• DO NOT put headings on individual paragraphs (normally a heading applies to a number of paragraphs in a section)
• DO NOT leave a heading at the bottom of a page by itself (‘widowed’ heading)
• DO NOT ‘stack’ headings (e.g. a level 1 heading followed by a level 2 heading without any text in between)
• AVOID using ‘isolated/lone’ headings (e.g. using only one sub-heading with no other sub-headings of that type following)
• AVOID writing headings more than one line long
• AVOID using definite articles (e.g. a, an, the) to begin headings (e.g. ‘ An example problem’ should be ‘Example problem’)

Headings for essay planning

Designing a good headings system is also very helpful for setting up a plan for writing as you can quickly see whether you have included and balanced all of the parts of a question. Make sure your headings match the information you signal in the outline statement of your introduction paragraph.

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