Chicago Style Cover Page: Format, Examples & Guidelines

A well-formatted cover page is a crucial part of academic writing in Chicago style. It sets the tone for your paper, provides essential details about the author and course, and ensures consistency with the Chicago citation style guide. In this guide, we’ll explore the elements of a Chicago style title page, how to format it correctly, and practical examples you can model for your assignments or research papers.

What is a Chicago Style Cover Page?

A Chicago style cover page, also known as a title page, is the first page of a research paper or essay following the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) or its student-oriented variant, Turabian. While the Chicago Manual does not strictly require a cover page for all papers, many instructors prefer it for formal submissions, particularly in humanities and social sciences.

The cover page provides the following key details:

• The title of your paper
• Author’s full name
• Course name and number
• Instructor’s name
• Date of submission

Including this information not only creates a professional appearance but also helps instructors and readers identify your work clearly.

Why Use Chicago Style?

The Chicago Manual of Style is widely used in academic writing because it offers flexibility and clarity. It is particularly favored in disciplines such as history, literature, and the social sciences, where detailed citations and footnotes may be required. Key benefits include:

1. Versatility: Works for books, essays, dissertations, and research papers.
2. Clear in-text citations: Uses either the author-date or notes-bibliography system. Learn more about Chicago style in-text citations.
3. Professional layout: Readers focus on content rather than getting lost in formatting inconsistencies.

For generating accurate citations, you can also use the Chicago Citation Generator, which automatically formats your references according to CMS rules. Chicago style also allows you to provide context or commentary in footnotes, making your research more expressive and informative.

Key Elements of a Chicago Style Title Page

 When formatting a Chicago style cover page, attention to detail is essential. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Title Placement

• Place your main title at the center of the page, approximately one-third down from the top.
• Use headline-style capitalization (capitalize all important words, avoid bold or italics unless instructed).
• Avoid underlining the title or adding decorative fonts.

Example:

Investigating Ethical Practices in Archeology

1.2 Author Name

• Your full name should appear centered below the title.
• Leave 2-4 blank lines for spacing.

Example:

Greg Harrington

1.3 Course Information

• Include course name and number below your name.
• Centered on the page, formatted the same way as your title and name.

Example:

Anthropology 240: Archaeological Method and Theory

1.4 Instructor Name

• Write the full name of your instructor, centered below the course information.
  

Example:

Professor Kanwaljit Gill

1.5 Date

• Place the submission date at the center below the instructor name.
• Format: Month Day, Year (e.g., October 21, 2018).

Example:

October 21, 2018

Plain Text Label: Visual diagram of title page with labeled fields (Title, Author, Course, Instructor, Date).

For formal academic projects such as dissertations, see the Dissertation Title Page for proper formatting.

Formatting Guidelines

 Consistency in formatting ensures your paper meets academic standards. For the Chicago style cover page:

• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Double-space all text on the cover page.
• Do not number the title page. Pagination starts on the first page of the main text.
• Capitalize significant words in headings, but avoid bold or underline.

For accuracy and formatting verification, you can also use the Paper Checker to ensure your title page is correct.

 Looking for professional guidance on Chicago style formatting? Our experts can help you craft a flawless title page, format your citations, and polish your research paper to perfection.

Types of Chicago Style Citations

Chicago style supports two primary citation systems:

1. Notes-Bibliography Style (NB): Common in humanities. References appear in footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography.
2. Author-Date Style: Common in sciences and social sciences. In-text citations include author and year, with a reference list at the end.

Understanding which system your instructor prefers is crucial, as it affects how you cite sources throughout your paper and ensures consistency with your cover page.

Chicago Style vs Turabian: What’s the Difference?

While Chicago style is the official format maintained by the University of Chicago Press, Turabian is a simplified version designed for students. Both formats follow similar rules for citations, headings, and layout, but Turabian provides student-friendly guidance for theses, dissertations, and research papers.

Key differences include:

• Level of Detail: Chicago is comprehensive and suitable for publication. Turabian simplifies certain rules for student papers.
• Title Page Requirements: Turabian emphasizes a formal title page more consistently than standard Chicago style.
• Citation Flexibility: Both support Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems, but Turabian may offer additional tips for in-text citations in academic papers.

For most university assignments, either style is acceptable, but always check your instructor’s preference.

Page Numbers and Headers in Chicago Style

Correct pagination is essential for clarity and professionalism. Chicago style uses Arabic numerals for all pages except the title page, which typically remains unnumbered.

• Title Page: No page number.
• First Page of Text: Starts with page 1. Include your last name and page number in the header if required.
• Subsequent Pages: Continue numbering consecutively.

Tip: In Microsoft Word or Google Docs, use the “Different First Page” option to omit numbering on the title page while continuing numbers in the main text.

Structuring Your Chicago Style Paper

 A typical Chicago-style research paper follows this structure:

1. Title Page / Cover Page – Centered title, author, course, instructor, date.
2. Body of the Paper – Organized into sections with clear headings.
3. Footnotes or Endnotes – For citations, depending on NB or Author-Date style.
4. Bibliography / Reference List – Complete list of sources cited.
5. Appendices – Optional, for supplementary material.

Following this structure ensures clarity and helps readers navigate your work.

Example of a Chicago Style Title Page

Here’s a model layout you can use as a template for your assignments:

[Centered on page, 1/3 down]
THE IMPACT OF DNA ANALYSIS ON PLANT GENETICS

[Below title, centered]
Julia Smith

[Course details, centered]
Master of Science in Molecular Genetics
Professor John Doe
December 18, 2025

This layout aligns with Chicago style best practices: clear, professional, and easy to follow.

Headings and Subheadings

Chicago style uses headline-style capitalization for headings and subheadings. Key rules include:

• Major headings (H1/H2) are centered or left-aligned, depending on your instructor’s requirements.
• Subheadings are flush left and may use smaller font or italics to indicate hierarchy.
• Avoid underlines or decorative fonts; maintain Times New Roman, 12 pt.
• Each heading should match the corresponding entry in your Table of Contents if included.

Visual Elements: Figures, Tables, and Captions

Incorporating visual elements helps illustrate key points. Chicago style recommends:

• Number figures and tables using Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2).
• Add a caption below each visual, describing content in 1–2 lines.
• Include a credit line in parentheses if citing external sources.

This approach ensures clarity and consistency while enhancing the professionalism of your paper.
Need help formatting your Chicago style title page or citations? Our academic experts provide step-by-step assistance to ensure your paper meets university standards.

Chicago Style Cover Page Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions students have about Chicago-style title pages:

Q.1. Does Chicago style require a title page?

Yes, while optional for some papers, most instructors prefer a cover page to maintain a professional format.

Q.2. Where do page numbers go in Chicago style?

Page numbers are top-right of the page, starting from the first page of text. The title page is not numbered.

Q.3. How do I cite multiple authors?

• Author-date: (Johns 1998; Smith 2001)
  
• Notes-bibliography: List all authors in footnotes and bibliography.

Q.4. How do I cite a source with no date?

Use n.d. (no date): Johns n.d. Protein Analysis on Plant DNA

Q.5. Can I use bold or italics on the title page?

No, Chicago style advises plain text, Times New Roman, 12 pt, no embellishments.

Q.6. How do I cite a website in Chicago style?

• Footnote: “Title of Page,” Website, accessed Month Day, Year, URL.
  
• Bibliography: Website. “Title of Page.” Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.

Q.7. How do I format block quotes?

• Indent half-inch, do not use quotation marks, and single-space unless instructed otherwise.

Q.8. Can Chicago style be used for all subjects?

It is preferred in humanities, social sciences, and history, but can also be used for technical or scientific papers if required by your institution.

Step-by-Step Guide to Chicago Style Cover Page

Checklist for your Chicago title page:

1. 1-inch margins on all sides
2. Times New Roman, 12 pt font
3. Double spacing throughout
4. Center title (one-third down)
5. Center author name below title
6. Course title below author name
7. Instructor name below course
8. Submission date at the bottom center
9. No page number on title page
10. Arabic numerals start from page 1 on the first page of text

Expert Tips for a Perfect Chicago Cover Page

1. Consistency is key: Make sure all text, font, and spacing match the rest of your paper.
2. Check your syllabus: Some instructors may request minor deviations in layout or content.
3. Use headline capitalization: Capitalize the first and last word of your title and all major words in between.
4. Leave enough space: Keep the layout visually balanced by spacing lines evenly.
5. Proofread thoroughly: Typos on the cover page create a poor first impression.

Tip: Struggling to format your Chicago style paper? Our essay help team can create a flawless cover page, in-text citations, and bibliography. 

Final Thoughts

A correctly formatted Chicago style cover page sets a professional tone for your academic paper. By following the guidelines outlined in this article—using proper title placement, spacing, fonts, and author/course information—you ensure your submission meets the highest academic standards.

Remember: clarity, consistency, and adherence to your instructor’s requirements are the keys to success. With this guide, you now have all the tools to create a polished Chicago style cover page, from layout to citations.