The question of whether Chicago style requires a cover page has a nuanced answer that depends on the context of the document. The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), which governs the style, does not mandate a separate cover page for most professional or published works. However, the guidelines for student papers, often based on the related Turabian style, frequently include a separate title page as an exception to the general rule.
The Standard Rule: First-Page Title Block
The default Chicago style format, primarily intended for manuscripts submitted for publication, integrates the title information directly onto the first page of the text. This approach eliminates the need for a standalone cover page, streamlining the document’s presentation. The paper’s full title is centered several lines down from the top margin, typically about one-third of the way down the page.
The main text of the paper begins a few double-spaced lines below the title, maintaining the document’s overall double-spacing. In this standard format, the author’s name is often placed directly below the title or is sometimes omitted entirely if the author is identified elsewhere, such as in a journal submission system. This first-page title block is the accepted format when no specific instruction for a separate title page is provided by an editor or instructor.
The Student Paper Exception: When a Title Page is Required
While the official CMOS does not require a separate cover page, instructors frequently require a standalone title page for student submissions. This requirement is often based on Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, a version of Chicago style specifically tailored for students. The separate title page serves to clearly identify the student, the course, and the assignment details for the instructor.
This page must include the full title of the paper, centered and placed approximately one-third of the way down the page. Several lines below the title, the page should list the author’s name, followed by the course name and number, the instructor’s name, and the date of submission. All text on this separate title page should be double-spaced and centered. Students should always check their assignment prompt or syllabus, as the instructor’s specific requirements always take precedence over the general style guidelines.
Key Formatting Elements
Regardless of whether a writer uses the first-page title block or a separate title page, several formatting rules apply to the presentation of the title itself. The title must use headline-style capitalization, meaning that all major words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs) are capitalized. Minor words like articles and short prepositions are generally kept in lowercase unless they are the first word of the title or subtitle.
The entire document, including the title information, should be double-spaced. A standard, readable font such as 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri is recommended. Margins should be set to at least one inch on all sides of the page. If a separate title page is used, it is typically counted as page ‘i’ but does not display a page number, with the main text beginning on page 1.