How to Format a Research Paper? | RISE Research
How to Format a Research Paper? | RISE Research
Shana Saiesh
Shana Saiesh
Most students spend hours writing their research paper but do not pay enough attention to formatting. Then they lose points on something completely fixable, a missing running head, a wrong citation style, a bibliography titled "References" when it should say "Works Cited."
Formatting is not the interesting part. But this is one thing that you can absolutely get right every single time.
This article goes over all the basics you need to know.
First Question: Which Format Do You Actually Need?
Usually your instructor, your department, or the journal you are submitting to demand that your paper be written following the conventions of a particular style/format. Oftentimes, it comes down to APA, MLA or Chicago style.
The general pattern that holds across most schools is compiled here:
Field | Standard Format |
Social sciences, psychology, education | APA |
Humanities, literature, arts, languages | MLA |
History, philosophy, theology, some arts | Chicago |
Sciences and engineering (journal submissions) | Varies by journal, check submission guidelines |
When submitting to a journal for publication, always check that journal's specific author guidelines.
The Basics All Three Share
Before moving on to the differences, there are a few things that are the same in APA, MLA, and Chicago style:
Recommended Font: 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Arial
Margins Size: 1 inch on all sides
Spacing Type: Double-spaced throughout the main body
Paragraph Indents: 0.5 inches for every new paragraph
Page Numbers: All three need page numbers, but they are placed differently.
If you follow all the above guidelines, then congratulations! You are almost done.
APA Format
APA Style is primarily used in the behavioral sciences, including psychology, education, and nursing. It is also used in business, engineering, and communications.
Structure of an APA paper:
Section | What Goes Here |
Title page | Paper title, your name, institution, course, instructor, date |
Abstract | 150 to 250 word summary of the paper (if required) |
Body | Introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion |
References | Every source cited, alphabetical by author last name |
Key APA style rules:
For in-text citation, APA style requires Author and year to be mentioned at the end of the sentence or quote: (Garcia, 2022)
For direct quote, APA style also requires page number to be mentioned at the end of the sentence or quote: (Garcia, 2022, p. 45)
APA style requires the title of the references to be in bold, centered, and to be named "References"
APA style requires a hanging indent of 0.5 inches for all references, with the first line of every entry flush left
APA style requires journal titles and book titles to be in italics, but article titles are to be in regular font
APA style requires a running head to be placed
MLA Format
The MLA format comes from the Modern Language Association and applies to research papers in the arts and humanities. It is one of the most used formats, particularly for high school and undergraduate students.
Structure of an MLA paper:
Section | What Goes Here |
First page heading | Your name, instructor's name, course, date (flush left) |
Title | Centered, title case, no bold or underline |
Body | No required internal sections beyond introduction and conclusion |
Works Cited | All sources used, alphabetical by author last name |
Key MLA rules:
No title page unless requested by the instructor
Header on every page with your last name and page number in the top right corner (Smith 1)
In-text citations use Author and page number format (Smith 45)
No comma between author and page number
The reference page has the title "Works Cited," centered and not in bold or underlined
Block quotes are used for direct quotations longer than four lines and are indented 0.5 inches on both sides and do not use quotation marks; the citation is placed at the end after punctuation
Chicago Format
Chicago style is probably the most comprehensive style, but at the same time, it is the most flexible style of all. Turabian style is recommended for students, which is Chicago without all the elements not applicable to students.
Chicago style has two citation systems, but the choice of which one to use depends on your field of study or your instructor's preference.
System | Used In | How It Works |
Notes and Bibliography | History, humanities, arts | Footnotes or endnotes, plus a bibliography at the end |
Author-Date | Social sciences, some sciences | In-text citations like APA, plus a reference list |
Key Chicago rules:
Title page includes the paper's title, your name, and course information.
No page number and no running head on the title page.
Double spacing for the main text and single spacing for block quotes, table titles, and figure captions.
Page number starts from the second page and is placed in the top right.
Footnote example (Notes and Bibliography): ¹ John Smith, The Impact of AI (New York: Publisher, 2024), 45.
Bibliography entry:
Smith, John. The Impact of AI. New York: Publisher, 2024.
Side-by-Side Citation Comparison
Same source, three formats. Author: John Smith. Article: "The Impact of AI on Education." Journal: Journal of Modern Learning, vol. 15, 2024, pp. 43-60.
Format | In-Text Citation | Reference Entry |
APA | (Smith, 2024) | Smith, J. (2024). The impact of AI on education. Journal of Modern Learning, 15, 43–60. |
MLA | (Smith 45) | Smith, John. "The Impact of AI on Education." Journal of Modern Learning, vol. 15, 2024, pp. 43–60. |
Chicago (Author-Date) | (Smith 2024, 45) | Smith, John. 2024. "The Impact of AI on Education." Journal of Modern Learning 15: 43–60. |
Check out our comprehensive guide to bibliographic citations.
Common Mistakes Worth Avoiding.
Not using the correct title for your reference page. APA style has the title "References." MLA style has the title "Works Cited." Chicago style has the title "Bibliography" for the Notes style and "Reference List" for the Author Date style.
Not using a hanging indent for your reference page. All three styles require a hanging indent for reference entries. First line flush left and all other lines indented 0.5 inches.
Mixing the styles in your paper. Choose one and use it throughout your paper. APA and MLA have many similarities and differences in the rules. Mixing the two styles creates errors in both.
Not italicizing correctly. In all three formats, journal names and book titles should be italicized. Article titles and chapter titles should not be italicized but instead be enclosed in quotation marks.
Forgetting page numbers in in-text citations for direct quotes. In both APA and MLA formats, when you quote directly from a source, you must include a page number in your in-text citation. A paraphrased quote does not need a page number, but a direct quote must include a page number.
If You Are Submitting to a Journal
This is particularly true for students who are conducting original research for publication in a journal. Journals have their own set of formatting guidelines that override all others, including APA, MLA, or Chicago style. Before you start formatting anything, make sure you click on "Author Guidelines" or "Instructions for Authors."
Some common journal requirements include word count limits, abstract length, heading formats, and reference styles. The Journal of Emerging Investigators has its own submission template available on their website. So does Frontiers for Young Minds. So it is important to be mindful and follow the formatting guidelines as per the journal you are submitting to.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that genuinely set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research's official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
FAQs/ PAA
Q: How do I know which format to use?
A: Ask your instructor. If you are submitting to a journal, check their author guidelines page.
Q: Does font really matter?
A: Yes. 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Arial are standard across all three formats. Using a decorative or unusually sized font signals that you did not follow the guidelines.
Q: What is the difference between a bibliography and a works cited page?
A: A Works Cited page (MLA) lists only sources you actually cited in the paper. A Bibliography (Chicago) can include sources you consulted but did not directly cite. APA's References list is like Works Cited: only what you cited.
Q: Do I need an abstract?
A: In APA, an abstract is sometimes required, sometimes optional. Check with your instructor. MLA and Chicago do not typically require one for student papers.
Q: Can I use citation generators?
A: Yes, for a first draft. But always check the output manually. Generators make errors, especially with unusual source types. Scribbr and Purdue OWL are the most reliable free references for checking citations by hand.
Author: Written by Shana Saiesh
Shana Saiesh is a sophomore at Ashoka University pursuing a BA (Hons.) in English Literature with minors in International Relations and Psychology. She works with education-focused initiatives and mentorship-driven programs, contributing to operations, research, and editorial work. Alongside her academics, she is involved in student-facing reports that combine research, strategy, and communication.
Most students spend hours writing their research paper but do not pay enough attention to formatting. Then they lose points on something completely fixable, a missing running head, a wrong citation style, a bibliography titled "References" when it should say "Works Cited."
Formatting is not the interesting part. But this is one thing that you can absolutely get right every single time.
This article goes over all the basics you need to know.
First Question: Which Format Do You Actually Need?
Usually your instructor, your department, or the journal you are submitting to demand that your paper be written following the conventions of a particular style/format. Oftentimes, it comes down to APA, MLA or Chicago style.
The general pattern that holds across most schools is compiled here:
Field | Standard Format |
Social sciences, psychology, education | APA |
Humanities, literature, arts, languages | MLA |
History, philosophy, theology, some arts | Chicago |
Sciences and engineering (journal submissions) | Varies by journal, check submission guidelines |
When submitting to a journal for publication, always check that journal's specific author guidelines.
The Basics All Three Share
Before moving on to the differences, there are a few things that are the same in APA, MLA, and Chicago style:
Recommended Font: 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Arial
Margins Size: 1 inch on all sides
Spacing Type: Double-spaced throughout the main body
Paragraph Indents: 0.5 inches for every new paragraph
Page Numbers: All three need page numbers, but they are placed differently.
If you follow all the above guidelines, then congratulations! You are almost done.
APA Format
APA Style is primarily used in the behavioral sciences, including psychology, education, and nursing. It is also used in business, engineering, and communications.
Structure of an APA paper:
Section | What Goes Here |
Title page | Paper title, your name, institution, course, instructor, date |
Abstract | 150 to 250 word summary of the paper (if required) |
Body | Introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion |
References | Every source cited, alphabetical by author last name |
Key APA style rules:
For in-text citation, APA style requires Author and year to be mentioned at the end of the sentence or quote: (Garcia, 2022)
For direct quote, APA style also requires page number to be mentioned at the end of the sentence or quote: (Garcia, 2022, p. 45)
APA style requires the title of the references to be in bold, centered, and to be named "References"
APA style requires a hanging indent of 0.5 inches for all references, with the first line of every entry flush left
APA style requires journal titles and book titles to be in italics, but article titles are to be in regular font
APA style requires a running head to be placed
MLA Format
The MLA format comes from the Modern Language Association and applies to research papers in the arts and humanities. It is one of the most used formats, particularly for high school and undergraduate students.
Structure of an MLA paper:
Section | What Goes Here |
First page heading | Your name, instructor's name, course, date (flush left) |
Title | Centered, title case, no bold or underline |
Body | No required internal sections beyond introduction and conclusion |
Works Cited | All sources used, alphabetical by author last name |
Key MLA rules:
No title page unless requested by the instructor
Header on every page with your last name and page number in the top right corner (Smith 1)
In-text citations use Author and page number format (Smith 45)
No comma between author and page number
The reference page has the title "Works Cited," centered and not in bold or underlined
Block quotes are used for direct quotations longer than four lines and are indented 0.5 inches on both sides and do not use quotation marks; the citation is placed at the end after punctuation
Chicago Format
Chicago style is probably the most comprehensive style, but at the same time, it is the most flexible style of all. Turabian style is recommended for students, which is Chicago without all the elements not applicable to students.
Chicago style has two citation systems, but the choice of which one to use depends on your field of study or your instructor's preference.
System | Used In | How It Works |
Notes and Bibliography | History, humanities, arts | Footnotes or endnotes, plus a bibliography at the end |
Author-Date | Social sciences, some sciences | In-text citations like APA, plus a reference list |
Key Chicago rules:
Title page includes the paper's title, your name, and course information.
No page number and no running head on the title page.
Double spacing for the main text and single spacing for block quotes, table titles, and figure captions.
Page number starts from the second page and is placed in the top right.
Footnote example (Notes and Bibliography): ¹ John Smith, The Impact of AI (New York: Publisher, 2024), 45.
Bibliography entry:
Smith, John. The Impact of AI. New York: Publisher, 2024.
Side-by-Side Citation Comparison
Same source, three formats. Author: John Smith. Article: "The Impact of AI on Education." Journal: Journal of Modern Learning, vol. 15, 2024, pp. 43-60.
Format | In-Text Citation | Reference Entry |
APA | (Smith, 2024) | Smith, J. (2024). The impact of AI on education. Journal of Modern Learning, 15, 43–60. |
MLA | (Smith 45) | Smith, John. "The Impact of AI on Education." Journal of Modern Learning, vol. 15, 2024, pp. 43–60. |
Chicago (Author-Date) | (Smith 2024, 45) | Smith, John. 2024. "The Impact of AI on Education." Journal of Modern Learning 15: 43–60. |
Check out our comprehensive guide to bibliographic citations.
Common Mistakes Worth Avoiding.
Not using the correct title for your reference page. APA style has the title "References." MLA style has the title "Works Cited." Chicago style has the title "Bibliography" for the Notes style and "Reference List" for the Author Date style.
Not using a hanging indent for your reference page. All three styles require a hanging indent for reference entries. First line flush left and all other lines indented 0.5 inches.
Mixing the styles in your paper. Choose one and use it throughout your paper. APA and MLA have many similarities and differences in the rules. Mixing the two styles creates errors in both.
Not italicizing correctly. In all three formats, journal names and book titles should be italicized. Article titles and chapter titles should not be italicized but instead be enclosed in quotation marks.
Forgetting page numbers in in-text citations for direct quotes. In both APA and MLA formats, when you quote directly from a source, you must include a page number in your in-text citation. A paraphrased quote does not need a page number, but a direct quote must include a page number.
If You Are Submitting to a Journal
This is particularly true for students who are conducting original research for publication in a journal. Journals have their own set of formatting guidelines that override all others, including APA, MLA, or Chicago style. Before you start formatting anything, make sure you click on "Author Guidelines" or "Instructions for Authors."
Some common journal requirements include word count limits, abstract length, heading formats, and reference styles. The Journal of Emerging Investigators has its own submission template available on their website. So does Frontiers for Young Minds. So it is important to be mindful and follow the formatting guidelines as per the journal you are submitting to.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that genuinely set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research's official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
FAQs/ PAA
Q: How do I know which format to use?
A: Ask your instructor. If you are submitting to a journal, check their author guidelines page.
Q: Does font really matter?
A: Yes. 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Arial are standard across all three formats. Using a decorative or unusually sized font signals that you did not follow the guidelines.
Q: What is the difference between a bibliography and a works cited page?
A: A Works Cited page (MLA) lists only sources you actually cited in the paper. A Bibliography (Chicago) can include sources you consulted but did not directly cite. APA's References list is like Works Cited: only what you cited.
Q: Do I need an abstract?
A: In APA, an abstract is sometimes required, sometimes optional. Check with your instructor. MLA and Chicago do not typically require one for student papers.
Q: Can I use citation generators?
A: Yes, for a first draft. But always check the output manually. Generators make errors, especially with unusual source types. Scribbr and Purdue OWL are the most reliable free references for checking citations by hand.
Author: Written by Shana Saiesh
Shana Saiesh is a sophomore at Ashoka University pursuing a BA (Hons.) in English Literature with minors in International Relations and Psychology. She works with education-focused initiatives and mentorship-driven programs, contributing to operations, research, and editorial work. Alongside her academics, she is involved in student-facing reports that combine research, strategy, and communication.
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