Look, I get it. You're staring at that blank document wondering if your Chicago style title page will pass muster. Been there. Last semester, I watched a classmate lose points because she centered her title vertically and added a fancy border. Total nightmare. Turns out, the Chicago manual of style title page has very specific rules – but once you know them, it's actually dead simple.
What Exactly Makes a Chicago Format Title Page?
Unlike MLA or APA, the Chicago title page is refreshingly minimal. If you're imagining decorative elements or institutional logos, stop right there. Here's the dirty little secret: Chicago style doesn't require a title page at all. But when instructors ask for one, they mean the specific format outlined in the manual.
Definition: A Chicago Manual of Style title page is a standalone page containing ONLY your title, name, course info, and date – all centered horizontally and vertically on the page.
I made the mistake of adding my professor's email address on my first attempt. Don't be like me. Here's what actually belongs:
| Element | Formatting Rules | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|
| Full Title | Centered, top third of page. Title case. No bold/underline | Agricultural Revolutions in 19th Century England |
| Your Name | Centered beneath title. First and last name | James Wilson |
| Course Info | Course title/number. Optional: instructor name | HIST 302: European Economic History |
| Date | Month Day, Year format. Spell out month | May 15, 2024 |
Spacing and Positioning Tricks They Don't Tell You
Nobody mentions the vertical centering part until it's too late. Here's how I handle it in Word:
1. Go to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins
2. Set top margin to 2" (gives breathing room)
3. Type elements with ENTER between each
4. Highlight all text > Paragraph > Center alignment
5. Layout > Page Setup > Layout tab
6. Under "Vertical alignment," choose Center
Saw someone try to manually space it with 20 ENTER keys last week. Cringed so hard.
Pro Tip: Use Times New Roman 12pt – no exceptions. Even if you think Garamond looks classier (it does), Chicago demands TNR.
Free Tools vs Paid Templates: What Actually Works
After wasting $12 on a "premium" template bundle, I realized most are garbage. Here's the breakdown:
- Microsoft Word Templates: Surprisingly decent. Search "Chicago" in templates. Avoid ones with headers/footers.
- Google Docs Chicago Template by Purdue Owl: Free and reliable (but double-check spacing)
- LaTeX: Perfect if you're tech-savvy. Use
\documentclass[12pt]{article}+\begin{titlepage} - TemplateLab's Chicago Title Page: Paid ($7) but has helpful annotations
Honestly? Unless you're writing daily, the free ones work fine. I keep a blank Chicago template saved for emergencies.
Warning: Avoid Canva for Chicago title pages. Their designs add graphical elements that violate CMoS guidelines. Learned this the hard way.
Chicago vs. APA Title Pages: Spot the Differences
Mixed these up once and got roasted. Never again. Here's how they differ:
| Feature | Chicago Style Title Page | APA Title Page |
|---|---|---|
| Page number | None | Top right ("1") |
| Running head | Not used | Shortened title |
| Institutional affiliation | Optional (course info) | Required |
| Author note | Never included | Sometimes required |
| Positioning | Vertically centered | Top half of page |
See why confusing them is disastrous? My philosophy professor still teases me about my "identity crisis title page."
When Course Requirements Override Chicago Manual
Here's the kicker: Some professors demand deviations. Dr. Evans at Northwestern insists on:
- Word count at bottom right
- Secondary title (ugh)
- Header with student ID
Always check syllabus first! Submit pure Chicago format at your own risk.
Student Mistakes I've Seen (And Made)
During my TA days, these errors showed up constantly:
- The Phantom Page Number: Forgetting to disable "show header/footer"
- Creative Typography: Using script fonts (looks pretty but forbidden)
- Date Format Fail: Writing "15/05/2024" instead of "May 15, 2024"
- Vertical Spacing Overkill: Making the title float near the top
- Course Soup: Listing every class taken that semester
Worst offense? A student once included their Instagram handle. For real.
Does Your Thesis Need Special Formatting?
Graduate students listen up: University repositories often modify Chicago rules. UCLA requires:
- Degree name below author name
- Copyright statement at bottom
- Specific margin widths (1.5" left)
Always check institutional guidelines first. Generic Chicago title page won't cut it.
Chicago Title Page Q&A: Real Student Questions
Do I need a Chicago style title page for short papers?
Nope. Unless specified, anything under 5 pages just needs your name and title on first text page (top left). Saved me hours in undergrad.
Can I add my university's logo?
Only if required. Standard Chicago format prohibits graphics. My poli-sci professor called logos "academic doodling."
Should the date be submission date or draft date?
Submission date. Changed my draft date once and looked like I plagiarized myself. Awkward.
What if my title is super long?
Divide into title and subtitle on separate lines. Max 2 lines total. No shrinking font!
Do online submissions need different formatting?
Export as PDF! Word files shift elements. Learned this after my title moved off-center on my professor's Mac.
Chicago Style Title Page Checklist
Run through this before submitting:
- ☑️ NO page number or header
- ☑️ Title centered horizontally/vertically
- ☑️ Times New Roman 12pt throughout
- ☑️ Standard capitalisation (no ALL CAPS)
- ☑️ Exactly 4 elements: Title, Name, Course, Date
- ☑️ Dates spelled out (May 15, not 5/15)
- ☑️ Margins: 1" all sides (unless thesis)
- ☑️ PDF format for digital submission
Tape this to your monitor. Saved my GPA twice.
Why Professors Actually Care About Format
It's not about being pedantic. A proper Chicago manual of style title page signals:
- You follow precise academic conventions
- You respect disciplinary standards
- You pay attention to documentation
In other words: It makes them trust your research before page one. Worth the 10-minute setup.
Troubleshooting Common Software Issues
Technology fights dirty with Chicago formatting:
Google Docs Problem: Vertical centering moves when you print.
Fix: File > Print > More settings > Margins > Custom > Set all to 1"
Word Problem: Header ghost appears after centering.
Fix: Double-click header area > deselect "Link to Previous"
LaTeX Problem: Date formatting shows European style.
Fix: Add \usepackage[us]{datetime} to preamble
Still stuck? Email your university writing center. They fixed my corrupted template in 5 minutes flat.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple
The beauty of the Chicago format title page is its austerity. No fussing over graphics or complex layouts. Just clean, centered information.
Remember that peer who spent two hours designing an "artistic" title page? Yeah, he got points off for unnecessary elements. Meanwhile, my plain-Jane version scored perfectly.
Next time you prepare a Chicago style title page, embrace the minimalism. Your professor will thank you – and more importantly, you'll avoid those sneaky point deductions.
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