Front Matter Title Page Table of Contents Foreword and Preface Abstract

Front Matter

Depending on the subject matter of your research paper and the course requirements, you may need to include specific material before the body of your paper. This includes:
•    Title page
•    Table of contents
•    Foreword
•    Preface
•    Abstract
Always check with whomever requested the research paper (college instructor, work supervisor, and so on) to see if you are required to include front matter and, if so, which elements are required.

TITLE PAGE

Most high school and college research papers require a title page. Your title page should contain:
•    the title
•    your name
•    the name of the course
•    your instructor's name
•    the date
Here's how to arrange the information:
•    Title. Center your title one-third down the page. (Repeat the title on the first page, centered on the first line. Double space between the title and the first line of the text.)
•    Your Name. Place your name halfway down the page, prefaced by the word "by."
•   Course name, instructor's name, date. These go directly under your name. Double-space between lines.
If your instructor does not require a title page, your first page functions as a title page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The table of contents lists the main divisions of your paper. If you include a table of contents, be sure that the headings on the table of contents match the headings in each section of your paper. The table of contents appears directly after the title page. Type it up last so you will know the page numbers.

FOREWORD AND PREFACE

It is unusual to include a foreword or preface in a high school or college research paper.
•    In most cases, the foreword is written by an expert in the field and serves as an endorsement of the contents.
•    The preface, written by the author of the paper, explains how the paper came to be written and gives thanks to people who helped with research and other related matters.

ABSTRACT

An abstract is a brief summary of the contents of your paper. Objective in tone, abstracts are often included in technical or scholarly papers. An abstract usually runs between 100-125 words. It is presented on a separate page in one paragraph. Do not indent the first line.

Example
Abstract
How the Division within the Liberal Community was Reflected in the Nation, 1930-1950
Granville Hicks charged in the New Masses in 1937 that the Nation had abandoned its long-held position as unofficial organ of the Liberal Left when it deliberately selected anti-Stalinist reviewers for books dealing with Soviet Russia. The Nation called the charges unjustified. Fourteen years later, Hicks once again attacked the Nation, this time charging that the editorial section gave the Russians the benefit of every doubt
Hicks was correct in his charges and in this seesaw of beliefs and allegiances lies the main story of our time.The initial pull of Communism, drawing away, and resulting break-up of the Left determined the literary course of American radicalism.

End Matter

End matter may include visuals, such as charts and graphs, and a glossary.

VISUALS

Visuals include graphs, charts, maps, figures, and photographs. You can draw them by hand or prepare them on a computer. Place each graphic at the appropriate place in the text or group them at the end.
Warning!
Visuals that you did not create yourself must be credited the same way you would credit any outside source.

GLOSSARY

A glossary lists and defines technical terms or presents additional information on the subject. For example, if you are writing a research paper on Shakespeare, you might include a brief glossary of Shakespearean English, a glossary of films that tie in with the topic, or a glossary of notable Shakespearean actors or performances.

Presentation Format

Research papers follow a standard presentation format. They are never submitted in handwritten form. If you have a situation that prevents you from keyboarding your paper, be sure to speak to your instructor well in advance of the paper's due date. Follow these guidelines:

Paper stock Fonts

Use white paper, standard 8'/2 x 11" size. Use standard 12-point fonts such as Times Roman, Courier, or Helvetica. Avoid fancy, elaborate fonts, since they are difficult to read.

Spacing

Double-space the text. Leave a lll2" margin on the left side and 1" on the other sides. Your computer is preset for the correct margins.

Justification

Do not right-justify (align) your paper. The right margins should be ragged. Your computer will automatically justify your left margin.

Pagination

Number each page and write your name on the upper-right-hand corner. Do not place a number on the title page, but count it in the final number of pages you submit. Your computer software program creates an automatic page header. This inserts your name and the page number automatically on each page.

Indenting

 Indent five spaces at the beginning of each paragraph. Do not skip lines between paragraphs.

Order of pages

Arrange your pages in this order:
Title page (if required)
Outline (if required)
The body of the paper
Any relevant end matter
Works Cited


Binding
Check with your instructor for specific guidelines. Some instructors require research papers be presented in folders; others discourage this.

Additional Guidelines

Every scholarly field has a preferred style of presentation. Here are some of the standard style manuals for different fields.
•    Biology. Council of Biology Editors. Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 6th edition. New York: Cambridge University Press, latest edition.
•    Chemistry.  American Chemical Society. The SCS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors. Washington: ACS, latest edition.
•    English and the Humanities.  Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 4th edition. New York: Modern Language Association, latest edition.
•    Engineering.  Michaelson, Herbert B. How to Write and Publish Engineering Papers and Reports. 3rd Edition. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx, latest edition.
• Psychology. American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 4th ed. Washington: APA, latest edition.