Examples of Running Heads in MLA and APA Styles

📚 Quick Study Guide: Running Heads in MLA & APA

• 📖 MLA Style (9th Edition):
  • ❌ No Running Head Required: Generally, MLA 9th edition does not require a running head for student papers.
  • 🔢 Page Numbers Only: The only header element needed is your last name and the page number (e.g., "Smith 1") in the upper right-hand corner.
  • 📝 Consult Instructor: Always confirm with your instructor, as some may still request a running head for specific assignments.
• 🎓 APA Style (7th Edition):
  • ✅ Professional Papers: A running head is required for professional papers submitted for publication. It includes a shortened version of the paper's title (max 50 characters, all caps) and the page number.
  • 🚫 Student Papers: For student papers, a running head is generally NOT required unless specifically requested by the instructor or institution. Only the page number (e.g., "1") in the upper right-hand corner is needed.
  • ➡️ Format (Professional): The running head appears in the header of every page, left-aligned with the text "RUNNING HEAD: SHORT TITLE" on the first page, and "SHORT TITLE" on subsequent pages, always with the page number right-aligned. (Note: APA 7th simplified this; now it's just the short title and page number on all pages, but the 'RUNNING HEAD:' prefix is gone).
  • 💡 Key Difference: The running head in APA is a concise version of your paper's title, not your name.

🧠 Practice Quiz: Running Heads

1. In APA 7th edition student papers, what is typically required in the header?

   A) A full running head with a shortened title and page number.

   B) Only the page number in the upper right-hand corner.

   C) The student's last name and the page number.

   D) The course name and page number.

2. Which of the following is true regarding running heads in MLA 9th edition student papers?

   A) A running head with the paper's title is always required.

   B) A running head with the author's last name and a shortened title is required.

   C) Running heads are generally not required, but the author's last name and page number are.

   D) Running heads are optional and depend on the paper's length.

3. For a professional paper written in APA 7th edition, what should appear in the header on every page?

   A) The full title of the paper and the page number.

   B) The author's full name and the page number.

   C) A shortened version of the title (all caps, max 50 characters) and the page number.

   D) The abstract of the paper and the page number.

4. An MLA 9th edition paper's header typically includes:

   A) A running head with the paper's title.

   B) The author's last name and page number.

   C) The instructor's name and page number.

   D) A full running head with the title and author's name.

5. What is the maximum character limit for the shortened title in an APA running head for professional papers?

   A) 25 characters

   B) 75 characters

   C) 50 characters

   D) 100 characters

6. If an instructor requests a running head for an MLA paper, what would be the most common format?

   A) A shortened title and page number, similar to APA.

   B) The author's last name, a shortened title, and page number.

   C) Just the author's last name and page number, as per standard MLA.

   D) It would be a unique format specified by the instructor, not adhering to standard guidelines.

7. Which style guide has simplified its running head requirements to generally exclude them for student papers in its latest edition?

   A) Chicago Manual of Style

   B) Turabian Style

   C) MLA Style

   D) APA Style