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The Modern Language Association (MLA) does not require you to create a cover page when you complete your research paper, but some instructors may require it.
If your instructor requires your paper to have a cover page, here is how to make it (very easy). This cover page should include: your school name, your research paper title, your name, your class, your professor name and your paper due date.
How to Format Your MLA Cover Page:
- This page is double spaced and the letters are centered.
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font size: 12
- The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
- Type the name of your university, college or high school.
- Skip to about one-third of the page and type your research paper title, include a subtitle if you have.
- Skip several lines down and type your name, your course name and number, your instructor name and your paper due date.
Sample MLA Format Cover Page:
Sample MLA Format Cover Page
Alternate First Page (Important):
If your instructor requires a cover page, you would omit the main heading on your first page.
Here is an example of the first page if a cover page is used. You still need your last name and page number on the first page and every other page.
Sample MLA Format First Page with Cover Page
Sample MLA Paper:
Visit here for a sample paper with the cover page. The cover page can vary slightly. This paper also has the outline page for your sample.
yeah thanks mrs. story
Thank you for the example of the cover page.
thank mrs story
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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / MLA Format / Creating an MLA title page
Creating an MLA title page
If you are writing a research paper in MLA style 9th edition for a class, then you may need to include an MLA format title page. An MLA title page is the cover of your paper, and they aren’t always required. So, how do you make a title page that adheres to the MLA formatting guidelines, and how do you know when you need one?
This page contains all the information you need to know to make the perfect MLA title page, so that you can prove that you are an expert researcher and get the best possible grade. This MLA sample paper will show you how the rest of your paper should be formatted.
Here’s a run-through of everything this page includes:
Title page vs. MLA heading on first page
Title page / cover page, first page: mla heading (no title page), troubleshooting.
The current edition of the Modern Language Association (MLA) handbook does not require a title page , but your teacher, professor, or other reader may require one. In this case, you will need to know the differences between a title page and an MLA heading, and which one to use depending on your reader’s preferences. Other citation styles look slightly different, like this APA title page .
A title page, or a cover page, is a single page that comes before your MLA abstract (if required) and the content of your paper. It introduces your paper and quickly shows a reader the following information about your paper:
- author name (your name, since you wrote the paper)
- course information (if applicable)
It does not include any of the research paper itself.
First page with MLA heading
MLA format recommends adding an MLA heading to the first page of your paper. This contains the same information as a title page, but the information is formatted differently and is on the same page on which your actual research paper begins.
Unless otherwise specified by your instructor or teacher, this should be how you format your first page.
Before you start typing your MLA research paper title page, you will need to gather some information.
What you will need
If you are creating an MLA heading on the first page of your essay instead of a title page, you will need most of the same information, but you will format it differently.
To create a title page, you need to include:
- The name of your high school, college, or university (if applicable)
- The title of your paper
- The subtitle of your paper (if you have one)
- Your first and last name
- Your teacher or professor’s name (if applicable)
- The class name or course number (if applicable)
- The date the paper is due (in “day month year” format)
Formatting guidelines
Follow these formatting guidelines when typing your MLA title page:
- Double-spaced
- Times New Roman font
- Size 12 font
- The first letter of each word should be capitalized, with the exception of very short words such as the, and, of, or, a, an, for, in , etc. However, the first word should always be capitalized.
- Do not include a page number heading on your title page
Step-by-step instructions
Here are the steps you need to take to create the perfect MLA title page:
- At the top of the page, type the name of your high school, college, or university (if applicable).
- Skip down approximately one-third of the page and type the title of your research paper using title case.
- If you have a subtitle, type it on the line following the paper title.
- Skip down to the bottom third of the page and type your first and last name.
- On the following line, type the course name and number (if applicable).
- On the following line, type your instructor’s name (if applicable).
- On the following and final line, type the due date of your paper in “day month year” format.
Although it’s important to know how to create an MLA essay title page in case your instructor requires it, in most cases you will use an MLA heading on the first page of your paper instead.
Remember, you should only create a title page if your instructor requests it .
Otherwise, use these guidelines to create an MLA heading. If you create a title page, then you usually won’t need an MLA heading on your first page, but you should ask your instructor for their specific requirements.
To create an MLA heading on your first page, you will need to include some of the same information you would use for a title page, including:
- Left-justified text for MLA header
- Centered text for title
- Right-justified text for page number header
- In the top left corner of the first page of your essay, type your first and last name.
- On the following line, type the due date of your paper in “day month year” format.
- On the following line, switch from left-justified text to centered text and type the title (and the subtitle on the same line, if you have one) of your paper in title case. Do not italicize, underline, or place your essay title in quotation marks. Do not use quotation marks unless you are referring to other works in your title and need to enclose the referenced works in quotation marks.
- Your research paper should begin on the following double-spaced line.
- Create a right-justified text header one-half inch from the top of your paper that includes your last name and the page number.
- All pages of your paper should be numbered with your last name and the numerical page number. The page including your MLA header, title, and the beginning of your essay is page one (1).
- Your instructor may specify not to include a last name and page number header on your first page. Always follow your instructor’s guidelines.
Solution #1: What should I do if my paper is a group project?
If you have written a collaborative paper with multiple authors, list each author on your MLA title page or in your MLA heading in alphabetical order, with line breaks between each.
If your paper has multiple authors, omit the name from your page numbers in the upper-right corner of your MLA-format paper.
Example MLA heading for a group paper:
Example MLA title page for a group paper:
Solution #2: What should I do if my paper isn’t for a specific class?
If your paper is a thesis project for your degree, for example, or not for a specific class, you can omit that information from your MLA title page or MLA header.
Solution #3: Does my paper need a subtitle if I use a full MLA title page?
While an MLA title page allows for a subtitle beneath the title of your paper, it is NOT required to have a subtitle or make one up for your MLA title page.
If you didn’t intend to have a subtitle for your paper, there is no need to add a subtitle. Just leave that area of your MLA title page blank.
Solution #4: Will my MLA title page be part of my final page count?
A title page is not typically included in a paper’s final word count. Check with the teacher or professor assigning the paper to be sure, but it is highly unlikely a title page will count as a full page of your final paper.
Published October 25, 2020. Updated June 4, 2021
Written by Grace Turney , freelance writer and artist. Grace is a former librarian and has a Master’s degree in Library Science and Information Technology.
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The title page in MLA style gives basic information such as the name, the instructor’s name, the course name and number, the title of the paper, and the submission date. MLA style does not recommend using a title page unless specifically requested by your instructor; instead, it suggests creating a header.
The difference between a title page and a header in MLA style is that a title page appears as a page on its own before the main paper copy. A header, on the other hand, appears on the same page where paper copy begins.
Include the following elements on a title page. Follow the order as given below.
The university name
The title and subtitle of the paper
The course name and number
The instructor’s name
The submission/due date
If you are not required to create a title page, and only need a header, the following elements should be included in the header, in the order as listed:
While MLA does not generally recommend the use of a title page, some courses or professors may require it. The title page should include the university name, title of the paper, your name, the instructor’s name, the course name, and the submission or due date.
Formatting title page
MLA style does not have any specific guidelines for formatting a title page. However, you can use the below suggestions to format your title page if you are required to create one for your paper.
Page margins
All margins (top, bottom, left, and right) should be set at 1 inch.
The font should be clear and easy to read. A good option is Times New Roman font in size 12 pt.
Text on the title page should be double-spaced.
Elements of a title page
Include the following elements on the title page. Follow the order as given below.
Add a few blank lines before and after the title of the work. The title should be in title case and centered.
Beginning on the title page, the paper should also include a running head. The running head includes the your last name and the page number. This should be placed in the “header” area of the paper so that it is present on each page. Use the page number feature in your word processor so that the page number is generated automatically.
Example title page
Chegg University
Relationship Between Students and Their Teachers
Ishithaa Gopi
Psychology 127
Professor John Smith
21 September 2021
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Purdue Online Writing Lab College of Liberal Arts
Academic Cover Letter Sample
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When you're applying for a faculty position with a college or university, the cover letter is your first chance to make a strong impression as a promising researcher and teacher. Below you'll find some strategies for presenting your qualifications effectively in an academic context.
November 2, 1998
Dr. Naomi Sellers Chair, English Search Committee Box 58 Baxter College Arcadia, WV 24803
Dear Dr. Sellers:
I am writing to apply for the position as assistant professor of English with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition that you advertised in the October MLA Job Information List. I am a graduate student at Prestigious University working on a dissertation under the direction of Professor Prominent Figure. Currently revising the third of five chapters, I expect to complete all work for the Ph.D. by May of 1999. I believe that my teaching and tutoring experience combined with my course work and research background in rhetoric and composition theory make me a strong candidate for the position outlined in your notice.
As my curriculum vitae shows, I have had excellent opportunities to teach a variety of writing courses during my graduate studies, including developmental writing, first-year writing for both native speakers and second language students, advanced writing, and business writing. I have also worked as a teaching mentor for new graduate students, a position that involved instruction in methods of composition teaching, development of course materials, and evaluation of new graduate instructors. Among the most satisfying experiences for me as a teacher has been instructing students on an individual basis as a tutor in our university Writing Lab. Even as a classroom instructor, I find that I always look forward to the individual conferences that I hold with my students several times during the semester because I believe this kind of one-on-one interaction to be essential to their development as writers.
My work in the composition classroom has provided me with the inspiration as well as a kind of laboratory for my dissertation research. My project, The I Has It: Applications of Recent Models of Subjectivity in Composition Theory, examines the shift since the 1960s from expressive models of writing toward now-dominant postmodern conceptions of decentered subjectivity and self-construction through writing. I argue that these more recent theoretical models, while promising, cannot have the liberating effects that are claimed for them without a concomitant reconception of writing pedagogy and the dynamics of the writing classroom. I relate critical readings of theoretical texts to my own pedagogical experiments as a writing teacher, using narratives of classroom successes and failures as the bases for critical reflection on postmodern composition theory. After developing my dissertation into a book manuscript, I plan to continue my work in current composition theory through a critical examination of the rhetoric of technological advancement in the computer-mediated writing classroom.
My interest in the computer classroom has grown out of recent experience teaching composition in that environment. In these courses my students have used computers for writing and turning in notes and essays, communicating with one another and with me, conducting library catalogue research and web research, and creating websites. I have encouraged my students to think and write critically about their experiences with technology, both in my class and elsewhere, even as we have used technology to facilitate our work in the course. Syllabi and other materials for my writing courses can be viewed at my website: http://machine.prestigious.edu/~name. In all of my writing courses I encourage students to become critical readers, thinkers, and writers; my goal is always not only to promote their intellectual engagement with cultural texts of all kinds but also to help them become more discerning readers of and forceful writers about the world around them.
I have included my curriculum vitae and would be happy to send you additional materials such as a dossier of letters of reference, writing samples, teaching evaluations, and past and proposed course syllabi. I will be available to meet with you for an interview at either the MLA or the CCCC convention, or elsewhere at your convenience. I can be reached at my home phone number before December 19; between then and the start of the MLA convention, you can reach me at (123) 456-7890. I thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
First Lastname
Points to Remember
- Use the form of address and title of the contact person as they appear in the job notice.
- Refer to the job title as it appears in the notice, and state where you learned of the position.
- Mention your major professor by name, especially if he or she is well known in your field. Also, mention your expected completion date.
- Make a claim for your candidacy that you will support in the body of the letter.
- For a position at a small undergraduate college, emphasize teaching experience and philosophy early in the letter.
- Describe your dissertation and plans for future research. Emphasize links between your teaching and research interests.
- Mention specific teaching experience that is relevant to the job notice or is otherwise noteworthy.
- Refer to relevant materials available on the web.
- State your willingness to forward additional materials and to meet for an interview.
- Mention any temporary changes in contact information.
- How to setup your software
- Sample MLA Paper – normal paper
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- APA Format Guidelines
- MLA Format Cover Page
The Modern Language Association (MLA) does not require you to create a cover page when you complete your research paper, but some instructors may require it.
If your instructor requires your paper to have a cover page, here is how to make it (very easy). This cover page should include: your school name, your research paper title, your name, your class, your professor name and your paper due date.
How to Format Your MLA Cover Page:
- This page is double spaced and the letters are centered.
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font size: 12
- The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
- Type the name of your university or college.
- Skip to about one-third of the page and type your research paper title, include a subtitle if you have.
- Skip several lines down and type your name, your course name and number, your instructor name and your paper’s due date.
Sample MLA Format Cover Page:
Sample MLA Format Cover Page
Alternate First Page:
If your instructor requires a cover page, you would omit the main heading on your first page. Here is an example of the first page if a cover page is used. You still need your last name and page number on the first page and every other page.
Sample MLA Format First Page with Cover Page
Sample MLA Paper:
Visit here for a sample paper with the cover page. The cover page can vary slightly. This paper also has the outline page for your sample.
If you find this website useful, please share with a friend:
How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages.
In word select the header then go to: Header & Footer>Page Number>Format Page Numbers>Page Numbering>Start at page>Set to 0
How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages. I am using windows. Also, the page numbers are not working for me either. Please help me.
How should I start the page after my cover page?
https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/
Thank you so much Stephen !!! Helped a lot in my written assignments 🙂
Great site ! Thank you so much. Just returned to school to complete my bachelors and needed a little refreshing. Has all the information I needed !
Thanks so much for all of the great information! I have not used MLA before and was a little panic stricken. I have found all of my answers here. This is now saved to my favorites so I can use it regularly. Thanks again!
Should the lines on the cover page be double spaced?
Thanks so much for the picture of the cover page it has helped a lot. But, I was wondering do I still need to put my Title at the top of every page after the header?
Hello Lydia. You do not.
After your cover page, your next page’s heading should look like the “Alternate First Page” above.
After the “Alternate First Page” => your next pages should have “The Inner Pages” heading: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/
Sample paper: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-sample-paper-with-cover-page-and-outline/
hey Lydia you don’t need to but if you want to you can
Thank you so so much. I love the simplicity of the website, very easy to understand. I finally have a cover page for my paper!!
I love this website!! It helped so many times with all my essays. I’m working on a college one and this was very useful. Thank you soo much. And thanks for the examples im a visual person I needed that 🙂
Hi Kaylin, I am glad you find this site useful. Take care!
By the way (sorry i forgot!) for the coverpage, would the text font be 12 times new roman???
You can set everything 12, Times New Roman. Or you can set the Title a little larger than 12, that should work too.
In the example above, I have the title larger than 12.
Here is an example with everything set at 12.
Thank you so much for your help on this useful website! I found it very organized and I’m very glad that I came across this particular article. Thanks!!!!!!!:)
I have a question regarding the cover page and the following pages. If I have a cover page as the example provided, do I still need the heading on the next page? And should the pages after that contain my last name on the top left as the header does on the on the previous pages? or do I not need the header at all if I have the cover page and just my name?
Excellence question, Stella! I have updated this article with information on the first page if a cover page is used. Please see “Alternate First Page” above.
You can omit the main heading but you still need your last name and page number on the first page and all subsequent pages. Take care!
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- Creating an MLA title page
MLA Title Page | When You Need One & How to Format It
Published on July 12, 2021 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 2, 2021.
In MLA style , a title page is usually not required for your paper. Instead, MLA recommends including a header on your first page listing your name, your instructor’s name, the course name and number, and the submission date, followed by the title of your paper.
However, you should include a separate title page instead in these cases:
- Your instructor requires it
- The paper is a group project (i.e. you need to list multiple authors)
The formats for a separate title page and a first-page header are shown below. You can also use our templates in Word or Google Docs.
Word template Google Docs template
Table of contents
Mla title page format, creating an mla header, frequently asked questions about mla format.
To create an MLA format title page, list the following on separate lines, left-aligned at the top of the page:
- Your co-authors’ names, each on its own line, if it’s a group project
- Your instructor’s name
- The course name and number
- The submission date
Then leave a few blank lines and list the title of the paper, centered and in title case, halfway down the page. All text should be double-spaced and in the same font as the rest of the paper.
Most MLA papers will instead list this information in a header , which appears on the same page as your opening paragraphs instead of on a separate page before them. In the header, left-aligned, list
Then on the next line, write the title of your paper, centered and in title case. On the line after that, start your first paragraph. The header and title should be double-spaced, like the rest of the paper.
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Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:
- Your instructor requires one, or
- Your paper is a group project
In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.
If you’re working on a group project and therefore need to list multiple authors for your paper , MLA recommends against including a normal header . Instead, create a separate title page .
On the title page, list each author on a separate line, followed by the other usual information from the header: Instructor, course name and number, and submission date. Then write the title halfway down the page, centered, and start the text of the paper itself on the next page.
MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman , since it’s easy to read and installed on every computer. Other standard fonts such as Arial or Georgia are also acceptable. If in doubt, check with your supervisor which font you should be using.
MLA Style is the second most used citation style (after APA ). It is mainly used by students and researchers in humanities fields such as literature, languages, and philosophy.
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- Cover Letter
How to Format a Cover Letter: Layout Examples for 2023
You learned how to format a letter at school, but it was ages ago. No time for a trip down memory lane. See the types of cover letters & pick the best cover letter format with us.
As seen in:
Most applicants know nothing about the cover letter format—layouts are sloppy, and the contents basically put readers to sleep.
What if I told you that in 7 minutes, you’d be the only one to learn how to wake everyone up?
This guide will show you:
- Cover letter format example better than 9 out of 10 others.
- What types of cover letters are that you can use to find a new job.
- How to format a cover letter to impress employers with your attention to detail.
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- And ideas for a modern or traditional but always proper cover letter format.
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Here’s how to format a cover letter step by step:
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- Start With a Personal Salutation and a Strong Opening
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Cover Letter Format Example
Digital Marketing Specialist
4710 Oak Way
Omaha, NE 68102
402-214-2558
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/mary.chao
Omaha, 01/28/2019
Ashley Alameda
Head of Marketing
Avanix, Inc.
2509 Hall Valley Drive
Omaha, NE 72662
- Dear Ashley,
Two months ago, I hit a goal I never thought I'd reach. I pushed SEO traffic to 20 million monthly views. One year ago, traffic for our four sites—all of which I manage through a team of 25 employees—rested at just 4 million per month. Upper management challenged me to lead the team toward doubling our traffic. We hit that goal in just six months, blowing away our sales revenue forecasts in the process.
I know your main upcoming challenge will be to grow revenue from your new website. With over seven years of experience in SEO and social media marketing, and as someone who is passionate about staying on the leading edge of tech, I'm confident I can repeat the growth I achieved with XYZ as your new Digital Marketing Manager.
In my current position, I successfully lead creative strategy and internal development teams. Specifically, I have:
- Skyrocketed Inbound Marketing ROI by 43%.
- Reduced Cost Per Lead by 35%.
- Boosted Landing Page Conversion Rates by 55%
What impresses me most about your online marketing strategy is that you’ve managed to build a self-reliant team aligned with two basic key metrics only: traffic and conversions. This perfectly reflects my core professional values.
I'm adept at reading Google and user search intent, then translating that into measurable returns. Can we schedule a call to discuss ideas for growing your revenue by 25% in 2018?
How to Format a Cover Letter?
Let me walk you through how you can format your cover letter equally well:
1. Choose the Best Type of Cover Letter
Before you get down to writing, you should learn what types of cover letters are. Otherwise, you might end up using the wrong one.
You can use cover letters for a variety of purposes. Experts name the three types of cover letters: the application cover letter, prospecting cover letter, and networking cover letter. Less common types include the email cover letter and referral cover letter.
Let’s have a closer look at these six types of cover letters:
Types of Cover Letters
- Application cover letter is the most popular cover letter type. You send it alongside your resume to a recruiter or hiring manager in response to a job ad. An application letter could also be sent together with a CV since both a resume and a CV are equally essential components of a job application.
- Prospecting cover letter (a.k.a. cold contact cover letter or a letter of intent ) asks about available openings at the companies that interest you. You can send this type of cover letter to businesses that don’t openly advertise their vacancies.
- Networking cover letter can be used to ask the individuals in your business network for support with your job search. The point of this type of cover letter is to inquire about job openings, career advice, or help with finding a new job.
- Email cover letter is a shorter version of the cover letter types mentioned above. Instead of attaching a separate cover letter to an email, you write the letter's content directly in the email message. The email cover letter is less formal and more condensed.
- Referral cover letter is used when someone you know refers you for a position. In this cover letter type, you should introduce yourself and name the person who referred you. Adding a reference list to your resume wouldn’t hurt either.
So, which types of cover letters would assist you in landing a job interview?
Theoretically, every single one can help. But practically, it depends on your work profile, experience, and the company itself.
Some businesses may have a policy of hiring people through open job advertisements—in such cases, sending even the fanciest prospective cover letters won’t get you a job outside the normal recruitment process. However, there’s no harm in trying different types of cover letters for jobs.
Need a closer look at the differences between a cover letter and a letter of intent? Check here: Is a Letter of Intent or a Cover Letter Better for You?
2. Format Your Cover Letter for a Job Application
Now that you know everything about different types of cover letters, you can move on to writing the one you need. Start with the basic formatting first. Start with the basic formatting before you get down to writing. You’ll benefit from the effort you’ll put into creating your cover letter template. Here’s everything you need to know:
- Pick a legible cover letter font , like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana, and keep it between 10 and 12 font-size points.
- Set margins to 1 inch on each side of the page.
- Adjust cover letter spacing : double spacing between paragraphs and 1–1.15 between lines.
- Left-align all contents.
- Limit the length of your cover letter to one page.
- Save your cover letter in PDF. It’s the best electronic cover letter format because it keeps the cover letter layout intact.
- Name the cover letter file by YourName—JobTitle—CoverLetter.pdf.
Are you sending a cover letter via email? Here’s exactly what you need to format your electronic letter: Email Cover Letter Writing Guidelines
3. Create a Professional Cover Letter Header
You need to have specific details handy to write a cover letter header . And they are:
- Your full name, mailing address, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile handle.
- Date of writing
- Hiring manager’s or recruiter’s name, job title, company name, and location.
Addressing the cover letter right is the single most important thing in cover letter writing . Fail at this stage, and your application is good to go (to the trash).
Here’s the correct way of formatting the cover letter header:
Professional Cover Letter Format—Heading
Leave a slightly larger space between your contact information and the date of writing.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
4. Start With a Personal Salutation and a Strong Opening
There’s excellent research that shows nothing activates our brains as much as hearing or seeing our own name. So open your cover letter with the correct name, and you’ll get the attention you deserve.
You can look for the name in the job description, company website, or LinkedIn. Call the company and ask for the hiring manager’s name if you're struggling.
Cover Letter Format—Salutation
- Dear Ms. Jones,
- Dear Ashley Jones,
By no means open the cover letter with “ To Whom It May Concern ” or “ Dear Sir or Madam .” Nothing screams generic more than these two. Go for “Dear [XYZ Team] Hiring Manager” or “ Dear Hiring Manager ” if all strategies have failed.
Now that you have the recruiter’s attention, use one of those opening strategies:
- Mention a significant (yet relevant) accomplishment you’re proud of
- Discuss something you love about the company you’re applying to
- Comment on the recent award or news the company was honored by
- Showcase your passion, skill, or other outstanding quality
See this example of a powerful opening paragraph:
Cover Letter Format Example—Opening
5. make an offer and explain your motivation in the central paragraphs.
In the main parts of your cover letter , focus on what you have to offer, not what you want out of a job. And then make them feel special. Let your cover letter say why exactly you want to join them, not any other company.
These points should help you figure out how to sell yourself in the cover letter :
- Read the job ad carefully. Identify the key challenges your future employer is facing. Then, explain how you can help them.
- Emphasize how your expertise will help solve their problems. You can use bullet points to break up the text and highlight your achievements with numbers.
- Explain your motivation. Once your employer understands they want you, they’ll want to know why you want them.
Format of a Cover Letter—Body
What impresses me most about your online marketing strategy is that you’ve managed to build a self-reliant team aligned with two basic key metrics only: traffic and conversions. This perfectly reflects my core professional values.
Are you intimidated by those achievements? You must be at the beginning of your journey then. Read more: Cover Letter Writing Tips for No-Experience Candidates
6. Use a Clear Call to Action
The hiring manager wants to give you a shot already, so don’t let them change their mind. Finish your cover letter with a compelling call to action. This is how:
- Reiterate your value and sum up your qualifications in a single sentence.
- Ask for a call or a meeting.
- Restate that you can help them achieve their objectives.
How to Format a Cover Letter—Call to Action
7. finish with a professional sign-off.
A cover letter closing format is the same as any other formal business letter. Write “Sincerely” and sign off with your full name one or two lines underneath.
Optionally, include a digital copy of your handwritten signature in your sign-off. It will add a professional touch.
Proper Cover Letter Format
Now that you’re stocked with cover letter formatting tips see what the best cover letter looks like :
If you want a format that focuses on what’s important in a cover letter, you’re right to choose Cascade. The darker sidebar covers the boring, leaving your hiring manager with the juicy and plenty of white space they can rest their eyes on.
Looking at Cubic, you can tell it was made for C-suite professionals. It’s elegant. It’s neat. It’s perfect. The heading is designed to highlight your position, so use it to your advantage if you’re a senior candidate with an impressive resume.
Are you recruiting to the creative industry? Then Iconic is a perfect cover letter format for someone with a knack for design and communication. Iconic will help you tell your story thanks to a sleek layout that feels complete.
Sometimes you want things to be uncomplicated, and you want to be direct and put your thoughts down uninterrupted. The Primo cover letter format gives you just that.
Entry-level candidates—here’s something just for you. A splash of color and square icons will add personal vibes to your cover letter. It is precisely what employers are looking for in candidates like yourself.
Key Takeaway
In this article, you’ve learned about the different types of cover letters and how you should format your cover letter to appear as professional as possible. Do you need a reminder of the main points?
In a nutshell, this is how to format a cover letter:
- Use one-inch margins, single line spacing, and 11 to 12 pt font.
- In the top-left corner, put your contact details, city and date, and the employer's contact details.
- Open with a personal salutation.
- In the body of your letter, open with the hook, make an offer, and explain your motivation.
- Finish with a clear call to action.
- Sign off with a “sincerely” and your full name.
All check? Then you can be sure your cover letter for a job is formatted perfectly.
Want to learn more about cover letter setup? Have additional questions we didn’t answer above? Drop me a line in the comments, and I’ll be happy to chat!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cover Letter Formats
How to format a cover letter correctly.
Even if you know what a cover letter should say , it’s still important to structure the message correctly:
1. Put your contact information at the top of the letter.
2. Address the cover letter to the hiring manager.
3. Add today’s date.
4. Use a professional cover letter greeting and the hiring manager’s name.
5. Open the letter with a hook .
6. Explain why you’re a good fit for the position in a few bullet points.
7. Finish the letter with a call to action .
8. Add a cover letter closing and sign the letter.
To properly format a cover letter, use popular cover letter fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, and set the font to 11–12 points. Remember to keep the margins 1-inch wide on all sides. The spacing of the cover letter should be 1–1.15 between lines and double between paragraphs. Your cover letter should fit on one A4 page . Use white space to separate different parts of the letter—it’ll also make it easier for the recipient to read.
How to format a cover letter for an internship?
Candidates applying for an internship can use a business cover letter format . The main difference is that instead of referring to their work experience , they should put emphasis on their academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities , and relevant knowledge they learned while studying—very similar to an entry-level cover letter .
This is how you should format a cover letter for an internship:
1. Put your name, field of study, and contact information at the top.
2. Address the cover letter to the hiring manager or internship coordinator.
3. Add the date.
4. Use a professional greeting and the hiring manager’s name.
5. Introduce yourself and provide an attention-grabbing accomplishment .
6. Explain why you’re interested in the internship and how well you fit the position.
7. Provide relevant examples of academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal projects, etc.
8. Finish with a call to action.
9. Add a cover letter closing and sign the letter.
Remember to use a cover letter template matching your internship resume . And don’t forget to get into the details of cover letters for internships here.
What’s a good cover letter email format?
A good email cover letter format, or an online cover letter format, is shorter and less formal than a classic cover letter format. You can use such a format when the job advertisement doesn’t specifically request a cover letter. This way, you can introduce yourself and present your qualifications for the job without spending extra time on making the layout for your cover letter or choosing a Word cover letter template .
Follow our guide to read more about the best email cover letter format .
What’s the APA format for a cover letter?
The APA format for cover letters is used when submitting a manuscript for publication. It’s quite different from a formal cover letter for a job .
APA-format cover letter for journal submissions includes:
- Title of the manuscript
- List of authors
- Assurances stating that the authors agree with the content of the manuscript and the order of authorship
- Assurances stating that the corresponding author takes responsibility for informing other authors of any editorial changes made to the manuscript
- List of closely related manuscripts that have been submitted to the same or another journal
- Information about conflicts of interest that could be seen as influencing the research
- Request for review
- Verification related to the ethical treatment of human or nonhuman participants
- Copy of permissions needed to reproduce the copyrighted material
- Contact information of the corresponding author
The APA-format cover letter must be addressed to the journal editor. APA, which stands for American Psychological Association, also defines the format of resumes for jobs in the psychology field .
What’s the MLA format for a cover letter?
MLA-format cover letters follow the Modern Language Association style of academic writing. They can be used when applying for research positions or academic jobs. The difference between a business cover letter and an academic cover letter is that MLA cover letters emphasize the author’s scholarly work, such as a thesis, dissertation, or research. You can send an MLA-formatted cover letter with an academic CV or a Ph.D. resume .
How to write an MLA-formatted cover letter:
1. Add your full name and contact information at the top of the letter.
2. List the employer’s address.
3. Add the current date.
4. Address the letter to the hiring director or the hiring committee.
5. Mention the job you’re applying for in the first paragraph.
6. Highlight why you’re a good fit for the position.
7. Explain how your thesis, dissertation, or research relates to the offered position.
8. Mention how your background can help you fit into the academic institution or organization.
9. Finish your MLA-format cover letter with a call to action by proposing a meeting or a phone conversation.
10. End with ‘Sincerely,’ your full name, and credentials.
What’s a T-format cover letter?
A T-format cover letter is a business cover letter that compares job requirements and a candidate’s qualifications. The name stems from the T-shape lines that divide the page into two columns. The T-format cover letter can be easier to scan than a classic cover letter format.
Follow these steps to use the T format for a cover letter:
- Pick a basic cover letter template or create one by yourself.
- Start writing by adding your contact information, date, company information, and salutation.
- Follow with the opening paragraph to introduce yourself.
- Add a table with two columns and two rows.
- Label the columns ‘Job Requirements’ and ‘My Experience,’ or something similar.
- On the left side, add bullets with job requirements that mirror the ones listed in the job advertisement.
- On the right, provide examples from your experience to prove that you have the skills needed for the job.
- End the cover letter with a short closing paragraph and a professional salutation.
Some career experts claim that a T-format cover letter can help you sell yourself to the recruiter better than a classic cover letter format.
How to write a cover letter in block format?
A block format cover letter is the most common cover letter format. All the information on the page is aligned to the left side, and the text uses single-line spacing, with double-spacing between paragraphs. Most free cover letter templates for G-Docs and other programs follow the block format.
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This page is double spaced and the letters are centered. · Font: Times New Roman · Font size: 12 · The first letter of each word should be
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Jan 6, 2022 - Mla format cover letter download template. Cover letter is a must for every resume. It is the first concern that a recruiter or a hiring