- Link to facebook
- Link to linkedin
- Link to twitter
- Link to youtube
- Writing Tips
How to Structure the Table of Contents for a Research Paper
4-minute read
- 16th July 2023
So you’ve made it to the important step of writing the table of contents for your paper. Congratulations on making it this far! Whether you’re writing a research paper or a dissertation , the table of contents not only provides the reader with guidance on where to find the sections of your paper, but it also signals that a quality piece of research is to follow. Here, we will provide detailed instructions on how to structure the table of contents for your research paper.
Steps to Create a Table of Contents
- Insert the table of contents after the title page.
Within the structure of your research paper , you should place the table of contents after the title page but before the introduction or the beginning of the content. If your research paper includes an abstract or an acknowledgements section , place the table of contents after it.
- List all the paper’s sections and subsections in chronological order.
Depending on the complexity of your paper, this list will include chapters (first-level headings), chapter sections (second-level headings), and perhaps subsections (third-level headings). If you have a chapter outline , it will come in handy during this step. You should include the bibliography and all appendices in your table of contents. If you have more than a few charts and figures (more often the case in a dissertation than in a research paper), you should add them to a separate list of charts and figures that immediately follows the table of contents. (Check out our FAQs below for additional guidance on items that should not be in your table of contents.)
- Paginate each section.
Label each section and subsection with the page number it begins on. Be sure to do a check after you’ve made your final edits to ensure that you don’t need to update the page numbers.
- Format your table of contents.
The way you format your table of contents will depend on the style guide you use for the rest of your paper. For example, there are table of contents formatting guidelines for Turabian/Chicago and MLA styles, and although the APA recommends checking with your instructor for formatting instructions (always a good rule of thumb), you can also create a table of contents for a research paper that follows APA style .
- Add hyperlinks if you like.
Depending on the word processing software you’re using, you may also be able to hyperlink the sections of your table of contents for easier navigation through your paper. (Instructions for this feature are available for both Microsoft Word and Google Docs .)
To summarize, the following steps will help you create a clear and concise table of contents to guide readers through your research paper:
1. Insert the table of contents after the title page.
2. List all the sections and subsections in chronological order.
3. Paginate each section.
4. Format the table of contents according to your style guide.
5. Add optional hyperlinks.
If you’d like help formatting and proofreading your research paper , check out some of our services. You can even submit a sample for free . Best of luck writing your research paper table of contents!
What is a table of contents?
A table of contents is a listing of each section of a document in chronological order, accompanied by the page number where the section begins. A table of contents gives the reader an overview of the contents of a document, as well as providing guidance on where to find each section.
Find this useful?
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
What should I include in my table of contents?
If your paper contains any of the following sections, they should be included in your table of contents:
● Chapters, chapter sections, and subsections
● Introduction
● Conclusion
● Appendices
● Bibliography
Although recommendations may differ among institutions, you generally should not include the following in your table of contents:
● Title page
● Abstract
● Acknowledgements
● Forward or preface
If you have several charts, figures, or tables, consider creating a separate list for them that will immediately follow the table of contents. Also, you don’t need to include the table of contents itself in your table of contents.
Is there more than one way to format a table of contents?
Yes! In addition to following any recommendations from your instructor or institution, you should follow the stipulations of your style guide .
Share this article:
Post A New Comment
Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.
5-minute read
Free Email Newsletter Template (2024)
Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...
6-minute read
How to Write a Nonprofit Grant Proposal
If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...
9-minute read
How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation
Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...
8-minute read
Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement
Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...
7-minute read
Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization
Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...
Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio
Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...
Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.
Have a language expert improve your writing
Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.
- Knowledge Base
- Dissertation
- Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples
Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples
Published on 15 May 2022 by Tegan George .
The table of contents is where you list the chapters and major sections of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, alongside their page numbers. A clear and well-formatted table of contents is essential, as it demonstrates to your reader that a quality paper will follow.
The table of contents (TOC) should be placed between the abstract and the introduction. The maximum length should be two pages. Depending on the nature of your thesis, dissertation, or paper, there are a few formatting options you can choose from.
Download Word doc Download Google doc
Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text
Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.
Table of contents
What to include in your table of contents, what not to include in your table of contents, creating a table of contents in microsoft word, table of contents examples, updating a table of contents in microsoft word, other lists in your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, frequently asked questions about the table of contents.
Depending on the length of your document, you can choose between a single-level, subdivided, or multi-level table of contents.
- A single-level table of contents only includes ‘level 1’ headings, or chapters. This is the simplest option, but it may be too broad for a long document like a dissertation.
- A subdivided table of contents includes chapters as well as ‘level 2’ headings, or sections. These show your reader what each chapter contains.
- A multi-level table of contents also further divides sections into ‘level 3’ headings. This option can get messy quickly, so proceed with caution. Remember your table of contents should not be longer than 2 pages. A multi-level table is often a good choice for a shorter document like a research paper.
Examples of level 1 headings are Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, and Bibliography. Subsections of each of these would be level 2 headings, further describing the contents of each chapter or large section. Any further subsections would be level 3.
In these introductory sections, less is often more. As you decide which sections to include, narrow it down to only the most essential.
Including appendices and tables
You should include all appendices in your table of contents. Whether or not you include tables and figures depends largely on how many there are in your document.
If there are more than three figures and tables, you might consider listing them on a separate page. Otherwise, you can include each one in the table of contents.
- Theses and dissertations often have a separate list of figures and tables.
- Research papers generally don’t have a separate list of figures and tables.
The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing
The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.
Correct my document today
All level 1 and level 2 headings should be included in your table of contents, with level 3 headings used very sparingly.
The following things should never be included in a table of contents:
- Your acknowledgements page
- Your abstract
- The table of contents itself
The acknowledgements and abstract always precede the table of contents, so there’s no need to include them. This goes for any sections that precede the table of contents.
To automatically insert a table of contents in Microsoft Word, be sure to first apply the correct heading styles throughout the document, as shown below.
- Choose which headings are heading 1 and which are heading 2 (or 3!
- For example, if all level 1 headings should be Times New Roman, 12-point font, and bold, add this formatting to the first level 1 heading.
- Highlight the level 1 heading.
- Right-click the style that says ‘Heading 1’.
- Select ‘Update Heading 1 to Match Selection’.
- Allocate the formatting for each heading throughout your document by highlighting the heading in question and clicking the style you wish to apply.
Once that’s all set, follow these steps:
- Add a title to your table of contents. Be sure to check if your citation style or university has guidelines for this.
- Place your cursor where you would like your table of contents to go.
- In the ‘References’ section at the top, locate the Table of Contents group.
- Here, you can select which levels of headings you would like to include. You can also make manual adjustments to each level by clicking the Modify button.
- When you are ready to insert the table of contents, click ‘OK’ and it will be automatically generated, as shown below.
The key features of a table of contents are:
- Clear headings and subheadings
- Corresponding page numbers
Check with your educational institution to see if they have any specific formatting or design requirements.
Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.
Write yourself a reminder to update your table of contents as one of your final tasks before submitting your dissertation or paper. It’s normal for your text to shift a bit as you input your final edits, and it’s crucial that your page numbers correspond correctly.
It’s easy to update your page numbers automatically in Microsoft Word. Simply right-click the table of contents and select ‘Update Field’. You can choose either to update page numbers only or to update all information in your table of contents.
In addition to a table of contents, you might also want to include a list of figures and tables, a list of abbreviations and a glossary in your thesis or dissertation. You can use the following guides to do so:
- List of figures and tables
- List of abbreviations
It is less common to include these lists in a research paper.
All level 1 and 2 headings should be included in your table of contents . That means the titles of your chapters and the main sections within them.
The contents should also include all appendices and the lists of tables and figures, if applicable, as well as your reference list .
Do not include the acknowledgements or abstract in the table of contents.
To automatically insert a table of contents in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:
- Apply heading styles throughout the document.
- In the references section in the ribbon, locate the Table of Contents group.
- Click the arrow next to the Table of Contents icon and select Custom Table of Contents.
- Select which levels of headings you would like to include in the table of contents.
Make sure to update your table of contents if you move text or change headings. To update, simply right click and select Update Field.
The table of contents in a thesis or dissertation always goes between your abstract and your introduction.
Cite this Scribbr article
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
George, T. (2022, May 15). Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 12 August 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/contents-page/
Is this article helpful?
Tegan George
Other students also liked, dissertation title page, how to write an abstract | steps & examples, thesis & dissertation acknowledgements | tips & examples.
Have a language expert improve your writing
Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.
- Knowledge Base
- Dissertation
- Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples
Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples
Published on May 15, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.
The table of contents is where you list the chapters and major sections of your thesis, dissertation , or research paper, alongside their page numbers. A clear and well-formatted table of contents is essential, as it demonstrates to your reader that a quality paper will follow.
The table of contents (TOC) should be placed between the abstract and the introduction . The maximum length should be two pages. Depending on the nature of your thesis , paper, or dissertation topic , there are a few formatting options you can choose from.
Download Word doc Download Google doc
Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text
Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes
Table of contents
What to include in your table of contents, what not to include in your table of contents, creating a table of contents in microsoft word, table of contents examples, updating a table of contents in microsoft word, other lists in your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the table of contents.
Depending on the length of your document, you can choose between a single-level, subdivided, or multi-level table of contents.
- A single-level table of contents only includes “level 1” headings , or chapters. This is the simplest option, but it may be too broad for a long document like a dissertation.
- A subdivided table of contents includes chapters as well as “level 2” headings, or sections. These show your reader what each chapter contains.
- A multi-level table of contents also further divides sections into “level 3” headings. This option can get messy quickly, so proceed with caution. Remember your table of contents should not be longer than 2 pages. A multi-level table is often a good choice for a shorter document like a research paper .
Examples of level 1 headings are Introduction, Literature Review , Methodology , and Bibliography. Subsections of each of these would be level 2 headings, further describing the contents of each chapter or large section. Any further subsections would be level 3.
In these introductory sections, less is often more. As you decide which sections to include, narrow it down to only the most essential.
Including appendices and tables
You should include all appendices in your table of contents. Whether or not you include tables and figures depends largely on how many there are in your document.
If there are more than three figures and tables, you might consider listing them on a separate page. Otherwise, you can include each one in the table of contents.
- Theses and dissertations often have a separate list of figures and tables.
- Research papers generally don’t have a separate list of figures and tables.
Don't submit your assignments before you do this
The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students. Free citation check included.
Try for free
All level 1 and level 2 headings should be included in your table of contents, with level 3 headings used very sparingly.
The following things should never be included in a table of contents:
- Your acknowledgements page
- Your abstract
- The table of contents itself
The acknowledgements and abstract always precede the table of contents, so there’s no need to include them. This goes for any sections that precede the table of contents.
To automatically insert a table of contents in Microsoft Word, be sure to first apply the correct heading styles throughout the document, as shown below.
- Choose which headings are heading 1 and which are heading 2 (or 3)!
- For example, if all level 1 headings should be Times New Roman, 12-point font, and bold, add this formatting to the first level 1 heading.
- Highlight the level 1 heading.
- Right-click the style that says “Heading 1.”
- Select “Update Heading 1 to Match Selection.”
- Allocate the formatting for each heading throughout your document by highlighting the heading in question and clicking the style you wish to apply.
Once that’s all set, follow these steps:
- Add a title to your table of contents. Be sure to check if your citation style or university has guidelines for this.
- Place your cursor where you would like your table of contents to go.
- In the “References” section at the top, locate the Table of Contents group.
- Here, you can select which levels of headings you would like to include. You can also make manual adjustments to each level by clicking the Modify button.
- When you are ready to insert the table of contents, click “OK” and it will be automatically generated, as shown below.
The key features of a table of contents are:
- Clear headings and subheadings
- Corresponding page numbers
Check with your educational institution to see if they have any specific formatting or design requirements.
Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.
Write yourself a reminder to update your table of contents as one of your final tasks before submitting your dissertation or paper. It’s normal for your text to shift a bit as you input your final edits, and it’s crucial that your page numbers correspond correctly.
It’s easy to update your page numbers automatically in Microsoft Word. Simply right-click the table of contents and select “Update Field.” You can choose either to update page numbers only or to update all information in your table of contents.
In addition to a table of contents, you might also want to include a list of figures and tables, a list of abbreviations, and a glossary in your thesis or dissertation. You can use the following guides to do so:
- List of figures and tables
- List of abbreviations
It is less common to include these lists in a research paper.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
Research bias
- Anchoring bias
- Halo effect
- The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
- The placebo effect
- Nonresponse bias
- Deep learning
- Generative AI
- Machine learning
- Reinforcement learning
- Supervised vs. unsupervised learning
(AI) Tools
- Grammar Checker
- Paraphrasing Tool
- Text Summarizer
- AI Detector
- Plagiarism Checker
- Citation Generator
All level 1 and 2 headings should be included in your table of contents . That means the titles of your chapters and the main sections within them.
The contents should also include all appendices and the lists of tables and figures, if applicable, as well as your reference list .
Do not include the acknowledgements or abstract in the table of contents.
To automatically insert a table of contents in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:
- Apply heading styles throughout the document.
- In the references section in the ribbon, locate the Table of Contents group.
- Click the arrow next to the Table of Contents icon and select Custom Table of Contents.
- Select which levels of headings you would like to include in the table of contents.
Make sure to update your table of contents if you move text or change headings. To update, simply right click and select Update Field.
The table of contents in a thesis or dissertation always goes between your abstract and your introduction .
Cite this Scribbr article
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
George, T. (2023, July 18). Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/table-of-contents/
Is this article helpful?
Tegan George
Other students also liked, how to write an abstract | steps & examples, how to write a thesis or dissertation introduction, how to write effective headings, get unlimited documents corrected.
✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts
- Privacy Policy
Home » APA Table of Contents – Format and Example
APA Table of Contents – Format and Example
Table of Contents
APA Table of Contents
The APA (American Psychological Association) Table of Contents is a structured outline that provides an overview of the content of a research paper or manuscript. It is typically included in the front matter of the document and lists the major sections and subsections of the paper, along with their page numbers. The Table of Contents is an important organizational tool that helps readers navigate the document and locate specific information quickly and easily.
How to Make APA Table of Contents
Here are the steps you can follow:
- Create a new page for the table of contents. The page number should be the Roman numeral “i”.
- Center the title “Table of Contents” at the top of the page.
- List all the headings and subheadings in your paper in order. Be sure to include all major sections and subsections.
- Align the page numbers to the right margin of the page.
- Use dot leaders to connect the headings to their respective page numbers. Dot leaders are a row of dots that help guide the reader’s eye from the heading to the page number.
I. Introduction ……………………………………………………… i
II. Literature Review ……………………………………………….. 1
A. Subheading ………………………………………………………… 2
B. Subheading ………………………………………………………… 3
III. Methodology ………………………………………………………….. 4
A. Participants ………………………………………………………… 5
B. Procedure …………………………………………………………… 6
IV. Results ……………………………………………………………………. 8
V. Discussion ……………………………………………………………… 10
VI. Conclusion …………………………………………………………….. 12
How to Make APA Table of Contents in MS Words
To create an APA table of contents in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:
- Start by typing out your document in Microsoft Word.
- Once you have finished typing your document, place your cursor at the beginning of your document.
- Click on the “References” tab in the top menu bar.
- Click on the “Table of Contents” option on the left-hand side of the menu bar.
- Choose one of the APA table of contents styles from the drop-down menu that appears. There are two options for an APA table of contents: “APA 6th Edition” and “APA 7th Edition.”
- Once you have chosen your preferred APA table of contents style, click on it to insert it into your document.
- Now you need to format your headings to be included in the table of contents. Select the heading you want to include in your table of contents.
- Click on the “Styles” option in the top menu bar.
- Choose the appropriate heading style from the drop-down menu that appears. You can choose from “Heading 1,” “Heading 2,” “Heading 3,” etc.
- Repeat the previous two steps for each heading you want to include in the table of contents.
- Once you have formatted all the headings, go back to the “References” tab in the top menu bar.
- Select the “Update Table” option from the drop-down menu that appears.
- Choose whether you want to update the page numbers only or the entire table of contents.
- Click “OK” to update your table of contents.
Your APA table of contents is now complete!
APA Table of Contents Format
Here’s the general format for creating a table of contents in APA style:
- Start a new page after the title page and abstract.
- Type “Table of Contents” at the top of the page, centered.
- List all the major sections of your paper, including the introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Indent each level of subheading, using either the tab key or your word processor’s formatting tools.
- Use the same font and size for the table of contents as you did for the rest of the paper.
- Align page numbers on the right side of the page, directly after each section and sub-section.
- Include any appendices and references in the table of contents, if applicable.
Here is an example of an APA-formatted table of contents:
Table of Contents Format
Introduction ………………………………………. 1
Literature Review ………………………………… 2
Methods ………………………………………….. 6
Participants ……………………………………. 6
Procedure ……………………………………….. 8
Results ………………………………………….. 10
Discussion ………………………………………. 15
Appendices ………………………………………. 20
References ………………………………………. 21
APA Table of Contents Example
Here is an example of an APA-style table of contents:
I. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………. 1
II. Literature Review …………………………………………………………….. 3
A. Background………………………………………………………………… 3
B. Theoretical Framework ………………………………………………… 5
C. Empirical Studies………………………………………………………… 7
III. Methodology …………………………………………………………………. 10
A. Research Design ………………………………………………………… 10
B. Participants ……………………………………………………………….. 11
C. Materials ………………………………………………………………….. 12 ‘
D. Procedure …………………………………………………………………. 14
IV. Results …………………………………………………………………………. 16
V. Discussion ……………………………………………………………………… 19
A. Summary of Findings …………………………………………………. 19
B. Implications ………………………………………………………………. 21
C. Limitations and Future Directions ………………………………… 23
VI. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………. 25
VII. References …………………………………………………………………… 27
VIII. Appendices ………………………………………………………………….. 31
When to use APA Table of Contents
You should use an APA TOC when:
- You are writing a research paper or a thesis that is more than 5 pages in length.
- Your document has multiple headings and subheadings that require organization and clarification for the reader.
- You want to make it easy for readers to find specific sections or information within your document.
- You want to comply with the APA style guidelines for formatting and referencing.
- Your document contains complex information that requires a clear structure to make it more comprehensible for the reader.
Advantages of APA Table of Contents
The American Psychological Association (APA) style table of contents has several advantages, including:
- Easy navigation: A well-organized table of contents makes it easy for readers to find the information they need quickly and easily. This is especially important in longer documents such as academic papers, theses, and dissertations.
- Standardized formatting: The APA style table of contents follows a standardized formatting style that is familiar to many academic readers. This makes it easier for readers to understand the structure and organization of the document.
- Consistency : By using the APA style table of contents, authors can ensure that the document is consistent and follows a clear organizational structure. This can help readers to better understand the content and stay focused on the main points.
- Professional appearance : A well-formatted APA style table of contents can enhance the professional appearance of the document. This is particularly important in academic and research settings where a professional appearance can increase the credibility of the work.
- Compliance with academic standards : Many academic institutions require the use of the APA style for academic papers, theses, and dissertations. By using the APA style table of contents, authors can ensure that their work complies with these academic standards.
About the author
Muhammad Hassan
Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer
You may also like
Data Analysis – Process, Methods and Types
How to Cite Research Paper – All Formats and...
What is a Hypothesis – Types, Examples and...
APA Research Paper Format – Example, Sample and...
Research Paper Title – Writing Guide and Example
Research Paper Outline – Types, Example, Template
- Formatting Guides
APA Table of Contents Writing Guide (+ example)
- Speech Topics
- Basics of Essay Writing
- Essay Topics
- Other Essays
- Main Academic Essays
- Research Paper Topics
- Basics of Research Paper Writing
- Miscellaneous
- Chicago/ Turabian
- Data & Statistics
- Methodology
- Admission Writing Tips
- Admission Advice
- Other Guides
- Student Life
- Studying Tips
- Understanding Plagiarism
- Academic Writing Tips
- Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing
- Essay Guides
- Research Paper Guides
- Basics of Research Process
- Admission Guides
- Dissertation & Thesis Guides
Table of contents
Use our free Readability checker
Today we are going to learn how to make a proper APA table of contents. However, let’s start with some backstory to understand the formatting standards according to the latest APA 7th edition .
In an APA style paper , a table of contents is commonly used in longer research papers or dissertations to provide an organized outline of the document's structure. It helps to increase readability and navigation greatly. Even though a table of contents is not officially required by the APA guide, you may be asked by the instructor to include one. That’s why we compiled this guide on how to format a table of contents in APA style. Read our detailed instructions to arrange a contents page. Or you can always ask StudyCrumb to " write my paper for me " and get comprehensive help with your work, including assistance with formatting.
Table of Contents APA: Basics
In the present APA table of contents guide, we will show the most convenient and recommendable format for an APA paper. The first thing that you need to remember — it can not exceed two pages in size. So if the table is a must according to the instructor, you may have to exclude some section headings to fit in. It is good to optimize your paper with subheadings, but don’t get obsessed with it. Here are some of the major formatting rules according to APA Style:
- Include at least 2 levels of headings — level 1 and level 2.
- Use up to 5 levels of headings if it fits the structure.
- Apply indents to highlight different levels of headings.
- Locate it right after the abstract, before the intro part. (Read more information if you still wonder on how to write an abstract APA .)
- Use a 12 pt Times New Roman font.
- Keep the headings in the table left-aligned.
- Capitalize all the headlines.
- Make sure that margins from all sides are 1 inch long.
In all other regards, your formatting sticks to the plain text format. Don’t include any unnecessary formatting or highlighting. And don't be afraid to ask your instructor about it if you have any doubts or questions. At any time, you can buy essay quickly, remember about it.
APA Table of Contents Example
Nevertheless, there is nothing more representative than a proper APA table of contents sample. Pay attention to the length of indents for different heading levels. Check out our sample right below.
Note, there is no fixed standard for the length of indents that you make to highlight every level of headlines. Make sure that your headlines look readable and easy to distinguish.
Looking for annotated bibliography example APA ? We have got you covered! Open one more of our blogs.
How to Make APA Table of Contents in Word
Microsoft Word is the most likely software for formatting APA style tables of content. That’s why right now, we will learn how to generate automated ones. It is a very simple operation, and you only have to remember easy 3 steps:
- Format the headings first
- Apply an APA style format
- Keep your table updated.
And now, look closer at each individual step, so it will be much easier to remember. So, let’s go! Buy APA format paper entirely from scratch if you have troubles at this point.
Format Your Headings
Before starting working with headings, make sure that all of them are in line with the general formatting style. Normally, the table of contents is generated after the text is finished and proofread. So don’t be in a hurry, even though the contents are located in the very beginning of the text. Make sure that your piece is flawless and doesn’t contain misspellings. Try an online typing test to hone your typing skills quickly. Formatting headings is easy — just highlight the heading first. Then, find a top panel featuring heading styles and make a right click on the one you want to choose. After it, select Please update Heading X to match selection. Do it with every heading that you have. Assign each one with Heading 1 — Heading 5 roles.
Create Table of Contents in APA Formats
One more step and our APA paper with table of contents is as good as ready. From the very beginning, type the page name, keep it centered and aligned to the top. Remember about 1-inch long indents. Make the heading bold to increase readability and navigation. Then choose the “ Table of Contents ” option from the “References” menu that is located on the top panel. In the new window, choose the number of heading levels that will be displayed. As you remember, you need at least 2 and not more than 5 levels of headings.
Keep Table of Contents Consistent
From this point, all the highlighted headings will be automatically synchronized with your table of contents. In case if you make changes to the actual heading, you may also change it in your list in one click. Just make a right click on it and choose the “Update Field” option. In Microsoft Word, you can choose to update either one element or all elements at a time. We recommend updating all the elements to keep your paper consistent and good-looking. Hiring a bibliography writer to work on your table of contents might be helpful as well.
We hope our blog explained all those formatting tricks in a most understandable way. Check out other articles if you have any other questions about academic writing. Good luck with your writing!
Whether it is an APA-style paper or an opinion essay, be sure it will be delivered timely and composed with skill and diligence. Check out the writing service and give yourself a little break from writing! Contact us when you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. is there a size limit for a table of contents in apa style.
Yes, your table of contents should not be bigger than two pages long. If it is larger, consider deleting it entirely or some of the headlines to fit in.
2. Where in the text is the table of contents located in APA style paper?
The table of contents is located after the Acknowledgment but before the Introduction paragraph.
3. How many heading levels is it required to have in a table of contents?
You need to include at least 2 levels and not more than 5 levels of headings. Just analyze the text and come up with the right format for your paper.
Emma Flores knows all about formatting standards. She shares with StudyCrumb readers tips on creating academic papers that will meet high-quality standards.
You may also like
- How it works
How to Create the Best Table of Contents for a Dissertation
Published by Owen Ingram at August 12th, 2021 , Revised On September 20, 2023
“A table of contents is an essential part of any article, book, proceedings, essay , and paper with plenty of information. It requires providing the reader’s guidance about the position of the content.”
When preparing a dissertation , you may cram as much information into it as appropriate. The dissertation may be an extremely well-written one with a lot of valuable information to offer. Still, all that information could become perplexing if the reader cannot easily find the information.
The length of dissertations usually varies from a few pages to a few hundred pages, making it very difficult to find information that you may be after.
Instead of skimming through every page of the dissertation, there is a need for a guideline that directs the reader to the correct section of the dissertation and, more importantly, the correct page in the section.
Also read: The List of Figures and Tables in the Dissertation .
What is the Table of Contents in the Dissertation?
The table of contents is the section of a dissertation that guides each section of the dissertation paper’s contents.
Depending on the detail level in a table of contents, the most useful headings are listed to provide the reader concerning which page the said information may be found.
The table of contents is essentially a list found at the beginning of a dissertation , which contains names of the chapters, section titles and/or very brief descriptions, and page numbers indicated for each.
This allows the reader to look at the table of contents to locate the information needed from the dissertation. Having an effective table of contents is key to providing a seamless reading experience to the reader.
Here in this article, we will uncover every piece of information you need to know to write the dissertation’s abstract.
This article helps the readers on how to create the best table of contents for the dissertation. An important thing to note is that this guide discusses creating a table of contents in Microsoft Word.
Looking for dissertation help?
Researchprospect to the rescue then.
We have expert writers on our team who are skilled at helping students with dissertations across a variety of disciplines. Guaranteeing 100% satisfaction!
Styles for Dissertation Table of Contents
Making an effective table of contents starts with identifying headings and designating styles to those headings.
Using heading styles to format your headings can save a lot of time by automatically converting their formatting to the defined style and serves as a tool to identify the heading and its level, used later when creating a thesis table of contents .
Each heading style already has predefined sizes, fonts, colours, spacing, etc. but can be changed as per the user’s requirements. This also helps once all headings have been created and you intend to change the style of a certain type of heading.
All that is needed to change the style of a type of heading is automatically reflected on all headings that use the style.
Below is how the styles menu looks like;
To allocate a style to a heading, first select a heading and then click on one of the styles in the ‘Styles’ menu. Doing so converts the selected heading to the style that is selected in the Styles menu.
You can style a similar heading level in the same style by selecting each heading and then clicking on the style in the Style menu.
It is important to note that it greatly helps and saves time if you allocate styles systematically, i.e., you allocate the style as you write.
The styles are not limited to headings only but can be used for paragraphs and by selecting the whole paragraph and applying a style to it.
Changing Appearance of Pre-Defined Styles
To change the appearance of a style to one that suits you,
- You would need to right-click on one of the styles to open a drop-down menu.
- Select ‘Modify’ from the menu. This would display a window with various formatting and appearance options. You can select the most appropriate ones and click ‘OK.’ The change that you made to the style reflects on all headings or paragraphs that use this style.
Further changes can be made to headings, but using styles is an important step for creating the table of contents for the thesis. Once this step is completed, you can continue to create a thesis table of contents.
Also Read: What is Appendix in Dissertation?
Things to Consider when Making APA Style Table of Contents
- The pages before the body of the dissertation, known as the ‘Prefatory Pages,’ should not have page numbers on them but should be numbered in the Roman Numerals instead as (i, ii, iii…).
- Table of Contents and the Abstract pages are not to contain any numbers.
- The remaining pages would carry the standard page numbers (1,2,3…).
- The section titles and page numbers in the dissertation table of contents should have dotted lines between them.
- All the Prefatory pages, Sections, Chapter Titles, Headings, Sub Headings, Reference Sections, and Appendices should be listed in the contents’ thesis table. If there are a limited number of Tables or Figures, they may be listed in the dissertation’s table contents.
- If there are many figures, tables, symbols, or abbreviations, a List of Tables, List of Figures , List of Symbols, and List of Abbreviations should be made for easy navigation. These lists, however, should not be listed in the thesis table of contents.
- The thesis/dissertation must be divided into sections even if it is not divided into chapters, with all sections being listed in the table of contents for the thesis.
Generating Dissertation Table of Contents
First, to generate the Table of Contents, start by entering a blank page after the pages you need the table of contents to follow.
- To do so, click on the bottom of the page you want before the Table of Contents.
- Open the ‘Insert’ tab and select ‘Page Break’.
- This will create a page between the top and bottom sections of the Table of Contents area.
By the time you reach this section, you would have given each heading or sub-heading a dedicated style, distinguishing between different types of headings. Microsoft Word can automatically generate a Table of Contents, but the document, particularly the headings, needs to be formatted according to styles for this feature to work. You can assign different headings levels, different styles for Microsoft Word to recognize the level of heading.
How to Insert Table of Contents
- Place the cursor where you want to place the Table of Contents on the page you added earlier.
- On the ‘References’ tab, open the Table of Contents group. This would open a list of different Table of Contents designs and a table of contents sample.
- You can select an option from the available Table of Contents or make a Custom Table of Contents. Although the available Table of Contents samples is appropriate, you may use a custom table of contents if it is more suitable to your needs. This allows you to modify different formatting options for the Table of Contents to satisfy your own
Updating the Table of Contents
As you proceed with editing your dissertation, the changes cause the page numbers and headings to vary. Often, people fail to incorporate those changes into the Table of Contents, which then effectively serves as an incorrect table and causes confusion.
It is thus important to update the changes into the table of contents as the final step once you have made all the necessary changes in the dissertation and are ready to print it.
These changes may alter the length of the thesis table of contents , which may also cause the dissertation’s formatting to be altered a little, so it is best to reformat it after updating the table of contents.
To update the table of contents,
- Select ‘Update Table’ in the References tab.
- This would open a dialogue box. Select ‘Update Entire Table’ to ensure that all changes are reflected in the contents table and not just the page numbers. This would display all changes and additions you have made to the document (Anon., 2017).
Using this guide, you should understand how to create the best table of contents for the dissertation. The use of a Table of Contents, while being important for most written work, is even more critical for dissertations, especially when the proper methodology of creating the table of contents is followed.
This includes the guidelines that must be considered to correctly format the table of contents so that it may be shaped so that it follows the norms and is effective at helping the reader navigate through the content of the dissertation.
The use of Microsoft Word’s Table of Contents generation feature has greatly helped people worldwide create, edit, and update the table of contents of their dissertations with ease.
Here in this article, we will uncover every piece of information you need to know how to write the dissertation’s abstract .
Are you in need of help with dissertation writing? At ResearchProspect, we have hundreds of Master’s and PhD qualified writers for all academic subjects, so you can get help with any aspect of your dissertation project. You can place your order for a proposal , full dissertation paper , or individual chapters .
Is it essential to add a table of content to the dissertation?
Yes, it is important to add a table of content in a dissertation .
How to make an effective table of contents for the dissertation?
Using heading styles to format your headings can save a lot of time by automatically converting their formatting to the defined style and serves as a tool to identify the heading and its level, used later when creating a thesis table of contents.
How do I update the table of contents?
You may also like.
This brief introductory section aims to deal with the definitions of two paradigms, positivism and post-positivism, as well as their importance in research.
Have you failed dissertation, assignment, exam or coursework? Don’t panic because you are not alone. Get help from our professional UK qualified writers!
USEFUL LINKS
LEARNING RESOURCES
COMPANY DETAILS
- How It Works
- University of Michigan Library
- Research Guides
Microsoft Word for Dissertations
- Table of Contents
- Introduction, Template, & Resources
- Formatting for All Readers
- Applying a Style
- Modifying a Style
- Setting up a Heading 1 Example
- Images, Charts, Other Objects
- Footnotes, Endnotes, & Citations
- Cross-References
- Appendix Figures & Tables
- List of Figures/Tables
- Chapter and Section Numbering
- Page Numbers
- Landscape Pages
- Combining Chapter Files
- Commenting and Reviewing
- Tips & Tricks
- The Two-inch Top Margin
- Troubleshooting
- Finalizing Without Styles
- Preparing Your Final Document
- Take a break
Automatic Table of Contents
An automatic Table of Contents relies on Styles to keep track of page numbers and section titles for you automatically. Microsoft Word can scan your document and find everything in the Heading 1 style and put that on the first level of your table of contents, put any Heading 2’s on the second level of your table of contents, and so on.
If you want an automatic table of contents you need to apply the Heading 1 style to all of your chapter titles and front matter headings (like “Dedication” and “Acknowledgements”). All section headings within your chapters should use the Heading 2 style. All sub-section headings should use Heading 3 , etc....
If you have used Heading styles in your document, creating an automatic table of contents is easy.
- Place your cursor where you want your table of contents to be.
- On the References Ribbon, in the Table of Contents Group , click on the arrow next to the Table of Contents icon, and select Custom Table of Contents .
- We suggest that you set each level (Chapters, sections, sub-sections, aka TOC 1, TOC 2, TOC 3) to be single-spaced, with 12 points of space afterwards. This makes each item in your ToC clump together if they're long enough to wrap to a second line, with the equivalent of a double space between each item, and makes the ToC easier to read and understand than if every line were double-spaced. See the video below for details.
- If you want to change which headings appear in your Table of Contents, you can do so by changing the number in the Show levels: field. Select "1" to just include the major sections (Acknowledgements, List of Figures, Chapters, etc...). Select "4" to include Chapters, sections, sub-sections, and sub-sub-sections.
- Click OK to insert your table of contents.
The table of contents is a snapshot of the headings and page numbers in your document, and does not automatically update itself as you make changes. At any time, you can update it by right-clicking on it and selecting Update field . Notice that once the table of contents is in your document, it will turn gray if you click on it. This just reminds you that it is a special field managed by Word, and is getting information from somewhere else.
Modifying the format of your Table of Contents
The video below shows how to make your Table of Contents a little easier to read by formatting the spacing between items in your Table of Contents. You may recognize the "Modify Style" window that appears, which can serve as a reminder that you can use this window to modify more than just paragraph settings in the ToC. You can modify the indent distance, or font, or tab settings for your ToC, just the same as you may have modified it for Styles.
By default, the Table of Contents tool creates the ToC by pulling in Headings 1 through 3. If you'd like to modify that -- to only show H1's, or to show Headings 1 through 4 -- then go to the References tab and select Custom Table of Contents . In the window that appears, set Show Levels to "1" to only show Heading 1's in the Table of Contents, or set it to "4" to show Headings 1 through 4.
Bonus tip for updating fields like the Table of Contents
You'll quickly realize that all of the automatic Lists and Tables need to be updated occasionally to reflect any changes you've made elsewhere in the document -- they do not dynamically update by themselves. Normally, this means going to each field, right-clicking on it and selecting "Update Field".
Alternatively, to update all fields throughout your document (Figure/Table numbers & Lists, cross-references, Table of Contents, etc...), just select "Print". This will usually cause Word to update everything in anticipation of printing. Once the print preview window appears, just cancel and double-check that it updated things.
- Bipolar Disorder
- Therapy Center
- When To See a Therapist
- Types of Therapy
- Best Online Therapy
- Best Couples Therapy
- Managing Stress
- Sleep and Dreaming
- Understanding Emotions
- Self-Improvement
- Healthy Relationships
- Student Resources
- Personality Types
- Sweepstakes
- Guided Meditations
- Verywell Mind Insights
- 2024 Verywell Mind 25
- Mental Health in the Classroom
- Editorial Process
- Meet Our Review Board
- Crisis Support
A Table of Contents in APA Format
General guidelines.
- Table of Contents
APA style does not require a table of contents, but there are cases where you may need to include one. For example, your instructor may specify that your paper must be submitted with a table of contents. A table of contents can be particularly helpful in cases where your paper is lengthy or covers a lot of material, such as a thesis paper or dissertation. Research papers, in particular, may benefit from the addition of a table of contents.
APA style is the official publication style of the American Psychological Association. APA style is used in psychology courses as well as other social science classes including those in social science, behavioral sciences, and education.
The table of contents serves as a basic roadmap of your paper. It should list all of the major headings and subheadings within the body of your paper. For a standard psychology paper, it might include listings for the introduction, method, results, and discussion sections of your paper.
While the APA may not specify guidelines for a table of contents, you should use the basic APA format for formatting your table of contents:
- Use one-inch margins on all sides
- Use 12-point Times New Roman font
- Double-space
Since APA does not require a table of contents, you should always refer to your instructor’s guidelines when deciding whether or not to include one.
It is also important to note that the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association was published in 2020, and included updated guidelines on many topics.
For example, while the previous edition of the style manual required a running head on each page of a paper, the 7th edition has eliminated that requirement on student papers unless your instructor specifies to include it. Always ask first.
If you are using a standard APA paper format, your table of contents should include the following sections:
- Introduction
The above format may work well for a standard lab report or research paper. However, your table of contents will look much different if you are writing something such as a critique, essay, or case study.
Notice, that the table of contents does not include the abstract or acknowledgments pages. When applicable, it should list the appendices and the lists of tables and figures.
The exact order of your paper depends largely on the type of paper you are writing. In general, your paper should be presented in the following order:
- Main Body of Paper
Table of Contents Format
Because there is no standard format for a table of contents in APA style, you should always defer to the provided guidelines for your assignment.
If your instructor does not have a preferred format, consider using the following:
- Title the page “Table of Contents” and center the title at the top of the page.
- Most papers should include at least two levels of headings, up to five levels.
- Level one headings will be for main topics, such as chapter titles like "Chapter One; Name of Chapter," or research sections like "Method," "Results," and "Discussion."
- All level-one headings should be flush-left and sub-headings should be indented five spaces deeper than the last.
- All heading levels should be in title case, capitalizing the first letter of each word. The font type, style, and size stay the same for each level.
- The page number for each heading is formatted flush-right. Include dot leaders between the headings and the page number to improve readability.
While you might not think that following APA format is important, it is one of those areas where students can lose points for making small errors. It pays to spend a little extra time and attention making sure that your paper is formatted in proper APA style.
- If you need help, you can get assistance from your school's writing lab.
- Getting your own copy of the latest edition of the APA publication manual can be very helpful.
- Always refer to any instructions or guidelines that were provided by your course instructor.
- There is a helpful feature in most word processors that you can use to pre-format your paper in APA style. It takes a little effort to set it up, but well worth it in the end, especially for longer documents. You can save the style to apply to your future papers saving you the effort next time.
For those writing a paper to submit for publication, check with the publisher for any specific formatting requirements that they may have.
American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) ; 2020.
By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."
Table of Contents: Guidelines for an A+ Dissertation
- Icon Calendar 19 June 2024
- Icon Page 984 words
- Icon Clock 6 min read
Rules that guide academic writing are specific to each paper format. However, some rules apply to all styles – APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. Basically, one of these rules is the inclusion of a table of contents (TOC) in an academic text, particularly long ones, like theses, dissertations, and research papers. Before starting a TOC, students or researchers should observe some practices regardless of different paper formats. Moreover, the process includes putting a particular TOC on a new page after the title page, numbering the first-level and corresponding second-level headings, and indicating the page number of each entry. Hence, scholars need to learn how to write a good table of contents in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard styles.
General Guidelines
When organizing academic texts, such as theses, dissertations, and other research papers, students observe academic writing rules as applicable. Generally, the different paper formats – APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard – have specific standards that students must follow strictly. In this case, one of the rules is the inclusion of a table of contents (TOC) in the document. By definition, a TOC is a roadmap that scholars provide in their composition, outlining each portion of a paper. In other words, it enables readers to locate specific information in documents or revisit favorite parts within completed texts. To make a good table of contents, writers ensure it is accurate, consistently formatted, clearly organized with proper headings and subheadings, and includes correct page numbers for all major sections and subsections. Moreover, this part of academic papers provides readers with a preview of the document’s text.
What Is a Table of Contents and Its Purpose
According to its definition, a table of contents (TOC) is a structured list that can be found at the beginning of books, reports, or other documents and provides key details on their chapters, sections, and major topics, along with their corresponding page numbers. The main purpose of writing a table of contents is to provide a clear and organized overview of a document’s text and help readers to understand its organization and flow of a material, making it easy to navigate (Heard, 2022). In this case, writers place their table of contents immediately after the title page and acknowledgments but before the main body of an entire work. Moreover, in lengthy or complex compositions, such as essays, research papers, theses, or dissertations, scholars often need to reference only specific information without reading them (Lewis et al., 2021). To achieve this purpose, they review a TOC page of a particular work under analysis and efficiently access the parts they need. Overall, a well-designed table of contents significantly improves the reader’s experience by providing a valid roadmap to a particular document’s text (Stadtlander, 2022). Besides, a dissertation table of contents should include all major sections, such as the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, references, and appendices, along with their respective subsections and corresponding page numbers. In turn, here is an example template for writing a dissertation table of contents:
Difference Between a Table of Contents and an Outline
In essence, a TOC is a description of first-level headings (topics) and second-level headings (subtopics) within the paper’s body. For a longer document, writers may also include third-level titles to make the text good to read. To create a table of contents in Word, writers use the “References” tab to select “Table of Contents” and choose a style, ensuring that their document’s headings are formatted with the appropriate heading styles. Ideally, the length of papers determines the depth that authors go into detailing their writing in TOCs. For example, popular table of contents designs include hierarchical lists with indented subsections, dot leaders connecting titles to page numbers, and clear, consistent formatting with bold or italicized headings to distinguish different levels (Fitzpatrick, 2021). Basically, this feature means that shorter texts may not require third-level headings. In contrast, an essay outline is a summary of the paper’s main ideas with a hierarchical or logical structuring of the text. Unlike a TOC that only lists headings and subheadings, outlines capture these headings and then describe a written composition briefly under each one. As such, an outline provides a more in-depth summary of essay papers compared to a TOC.
Criteria | Rule |
---|---|
Font and Style | Use a readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri) and a consistent font size (12-point). Use bold or italics sparingly for section titles. |
Alignment and Indentation | Left-align main headings. Indent subsections to reflect hierarchy (e.g., 0.5 inches for each level). |
Spacing | Single or 1.5 line spacing within entries. Double space between major sections. |
Capitalization | Use title case (capitalize major words) for section titles. Ensure consistent capitalization style. |
Page Numbers | Align page numbers to the right margin. Use dot leaders to connect section titles to page numbers. |
Headings and Subheadings | Distinguish different levels of headings (e.g., main headings in bold, subheadings in regular font). Use numbering for chapters and sections (e.g., 1. Introduction, 1.1 Background). |
Consistency | Apply formatting rules consistently throughout an entire TOC. Ensure formatting matches the rest of the document. |
Lists of Figures and Tables | Follow same formatting rules as a main TOC. Place these lists immediately after a TOC page. |
Margins | Use standard document margins (e.g., 1-inch margins on all sides). Ensure it fits within margins without overcrowding. |
Templates and Styles | Use predefined styles or templates to ensure consistency. Adjust styles as necessary for specific requirements. |
- Easing a Document Navigation: Allows readers to quickly locate specific sections or chapters without having to search through an entire work.
- Providing an Overview: Offers a clear and structured outline of a paper’s text, helping readers understand the scope and organization at first glance.
- Improving Readability: Breaks down a written document into manageable sections, helping readers to follow and comprehend its content.
- Promoting Easy Reference: Enables readers to reference specific parts of a document easily, which is particularly useful for lengthy works, like dissertations, reports, or manuals.
- Making a Professional Presentation: Adds a level of professionalism and polish to a completed work, demonstrating attention to detail and careful organization.
- Aiding in Document Structuring: Helps writers to organize their thoughts and structure their papers logically, ensuring a coherent flow of information.
- Saving Time: Saves readers time by providing direct access to the sections they are interested in, improving overall efficiency.
- Supporting Academic and Technical Standards: Meets the requirements of academic and technical writing standards, which often mandate a TOC for comprehensive documents.
- Facilitating Review and Editing: Assists reviewers and editors in navigating a completed paper quickly, making the review and editing process more efficient.
- Enhancing Accessibility: Makes an entire document more accessible to a wider audience, including those who may need to find information quickly for research or reference purposes.
General Format
Section | Description |
---|---|
Title Page | The title of an entire document with an author, institution, and date. |
Abstract | A brief summary of a document’s content. |
Acknowledgments | Section to thank those who helped in the creation of this document. |
Table of Contents | A list including all sections and subsections with page numbers. |
List of Figures or Illustrations | A list covering all figures in this document with page numbers. |
List of Tables | A list presenting all tables in this document with page numbers. |
List of Abbreviations | Definitions of abbreviations used in this document. |
List of Symbols | Descriptions of symbols used in this document. |
Chapters and Sections | The paper’s main content organized as chapters and sections. |
Introduction | Overview, research problem, objectives, and significance. |
Literature Review | Summary of existing research related to a study topic. |
Methodology | Methods used for research, including data collection and analysis. |
Results | Presentation and analysis of research findings. |
Discussion | Interpretation of results, implications, and comparison with existing literature. |
Conclusion and Recommendations | Summary of findings, conclusions drawn, and suggestions for future research. |
Reference List | A list acknowledging all sources cited in a finished document and according to APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, or other referencing formats. |
Appendices | Additional materials, such as surveys, detailed data, and supplementary information. |
How to Write a Table of Contents in APA
When writing a TOC in the APA format, writers should capture all the headings in the paper – first-level, second-level, and even third-level. Besides this information, they should also include an abstract, references, and appendices. The correct way to format a table of contents is to list all main sections and subsections in a logical order, use clear and consistent headings, indent subsections, align page numbers to the right with dot leaders connecting the titles to them, and ensure it matches the overall document style and layout (Lang, 2017). Notably, while a TOC in the APA style has an abstract, this section is not necessary for the other formats, like MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. Hence, an example of a TOC written in APA format is indicated below:
How to Write a Table of Contents in MLA
Unlike papers written in the APA style, MLA papers do not require a table of contents unless they are long enough. In this case, documents, like theses, dissertations, and books organized in the MLA format should have a TOC. For example, a table of contents in a book is a list of the chapters and major sections, along with their corresponding page numbers, providing an organized overview of its structure and text (Silvia, 2015). Even where a TOC is necessary, there is no specific method that a writer should use when writing it, and its structure is left to the writer’s discretion. To write a table of contents, writers list the main sections and subsections of their documents in the order they appear, using consistent formatting and including corresponding page numbers for each entry. However, when they have to include a TOC in their compositions, the information they capture should be much more than what would appear in the APA paper. Hence, an example of writing a TOC in MLA format is:
To create a good table of contents, writers ensure it is well-organized, accurately lists all sections and subsections with corresponding page numbers, and is formatted consistently for clarity and ease of navigation. In the case of writing a research paper, an example of an MLA TOC should be:
How to Write a Table of Contents in Chicago/Turabian
Like the MLA style, a Chicago/Turabian paper does not require writing a table of contents unless it is long enough. When a TOC is necessary, writers should capitalize on major headings. In this case, authors do not need to add a row of periods (. . . . . . . .) between the heading entry and the page number. Writers should use a table of contents format that lists all main sections and subsections in proper order, with clear headings, correct indentation for hierarchy, dot leaders connecting titles to right-aligned page numbers, and consistent formatting throughout (Stadtlander, 2022). Then, the arrangement of the text should start with the first-level heading, then the second-level heading, and, finally, the third-level title, just like in the APA paper. In turn, all the information that precedes the introduction part should have lowercase Roman numerals. Besides, the row of periods is only used for major headings. Therefore, an example of writing a TOC in Chicago/Turabian format is:
How to Write a Table of Contents in Harvard
Like in the other formats, writing a table of contents in the Harvard style is captured by having the title “Table of Contents” at the center of the page, in the first line. Basically, it comes after the title page and captures all the sections and subsections of Harvard papers. In other words, writers must indicate first-level headings in a numbered list. For example, to create a good table of contents, writers list the document’s main sections and subsections in the order they appear, apply consistent formatting, and include corresponding page numbers for each heading (Heard, 2022). Further on, scholars should align titles to the left side and capitalize them. In turn, if there is a need to show second-level headings, authors should list them under corresponding first-level headings by using bullet points. However, it is essential for students not to disrupt the numbering of first-level headings. Besides, writers should align second-level headings to the left side and indent them by half an inch and capitalize on a choosen piece. As a result, an example of writing a TOC in Harvard format should appear as below:
Common Mistakes
- Inconsistent Formatting: Using different fonts, sizes, or styles within a single TOC.
- Incorrect Page Numbers: Page numbers in a TOC do not match actual text pages.
- Missing Sections: Omitting important sections or subsections from a TOC.
- Overly Detailed Entries: Including too much detail makes a particular TOC hard to read.
- Lack of Subheadings: Not breaking down major sections into subheadings for clarity.
- Unclear Section Titles: Using vague or unclear titles does not reflect a completed text accurately.
- Improper Indentation: Incorrectly indenting headings and subheadings makes their hierarchy unclear.
- Inconsistent Capitalization: Using different capitalization styles for headings and subheadings.
- Failure to Update: Not updating a completed TOC after making changes to some sections of a final work.
- Missing List of Figures/Tables: Not including lists for figures and tables if they are present in a research paper.
- Ignoring Styles/Templates: Not using document styles or templates for doing a good TOC leads to inconsistency.
- Overly Long Titles: Including overly long section titles makes an entire TOC difficult to read.
Any TOC is an essential component of any academic paper, particularly for long documents, like theses, dissertations, and research papers. When students are writing a TOC, they should be careful to follow the applicable format’s rules and standards. Regardless of the format, writers should master the following tips when doing a TOC page:
- Write a TOC on a new page after the title page.
- Indicate first-level headings of the document in a numbered list.
- Indicate second-level headings under the corresponding first-level heading.
- If applicable, indicate third-level headings under the corresponding second-level heading.
- Write a specific page number for each heading.
- Put the provided content in a two-column table.
- Title the page with “Table of Contents.”
Fitzpatrick, R. (2021). Write useful books: A modern approach to designing and refining recommendable nonfiction . Useful Books Ltd.
Heard, S. B. (2022). The scientist’s guide to writing: How to write more easily and effectively throughout your scientific career . Princeton University Press.
Lang, T. A. (2017). Writing a better research article. Journal of Public Health and Emergency , 1 , 1–13. https://doi.org/10.21037/jphe.2017.11.06
Lewis, K. B., Graham, I. D., Boland, L., & Stacey, D. (2021). Writing a compelling integrated discussion: A guide for integrated discussions in article-based theses and dissertations. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship , 18 (1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2020-0057
Silvia, P. J. (2015). Write it up: Practical strategies for writing and publishing journal articles . American Psychological Association.
Stadtlander, L. (2022). Editorial: Rewriting a social science dissertation into a journal article and getting it published. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences , 16 (1), 94–102. https://doi.org/10.5590/jsbhs.2022.16.1.07
To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles
MIT Essay Prompts: Free Examples of Writing Assignments in 2024
- Icon Calendar 26 August 2020
- Icon Page 2576 words
How to Cite a Dictionary in MLA 9: Guidelines and Examples
- Icon Calendar 24 August 2020
- Icon Page 1342 words
- Langson Library
- Science Library
- Grunigen Medical Library
- Law Library
- Connect From Off-Campus
- Accessibility
- Gateway Study Center
Email this link
Thesis / dissertation formatting manual (2024).
- Filing Fees and Student Status
- Submission Process Overview
- Electronic Thesis Submission
- Paper Thesis Submission
- Formatting Overview
- Fonts/Typeface
- Pagination, Margins, Spacing
- Paper Thesis Formatting
- Preliminary Pages Overview
- Copyright Page
- Dedication Page
- Table of Contents
- List of Figures (etc.)
- Acknowledgments
- Text and References Overview
- Figures and Illustrations
- Using Your Own Previously Published Materials
- Using Copyrighted Materials by Another Author
- Open Access and Embargoes
- Copyright and Creative Commons
- Ordering Print (Bound) Copies
- Tutorials and Assistance
- FAQ This link opens in a new window
Table of contents
The Table of Contents should follow these guidelines:
- All sections of the manuscript are listed in the Table of Contents except the Title Page, the Copyright Page, the Dedication Page, and the Table of Contents.
- You may list subsections within chapters
- Creative works are not exempt from the requirement to include a Table of Contents
Table of contents example
Here is an example of a Table of Contents page from the Template. Please note that your table of contents may be longer than one page.
- << Previous: Dedication Page
- Next: List of Figures (etc.) >>
- Last Updated: Jul 18, 2024 9:46 AM
- URL: https://guides.lib.uci.edu/gradmanual
Off-campus? Please use the Software VPN and choose the group UCIFull to access licensed content. For more information, please Click here
Software VPN is not available for guests, so they may not have access to some content when connecting from off-campus.
- Discoveries
- Right Journal
- Journal Metrics
- Journal Fit
- Abbreviation
- In-Text Citations
- Bibliographies
- Writing an Article
- Peer Review Types
- Acknowledgements
- Withdrawing a Paper
- Form Letter
- ISO, ANSI, CFR
- Google Scholar
- Journal Manuscript Editing
- Research Manuscript Editing
Book Editing
- Manuscript Editing Services
Medical Editing
- Bioscience Editing
- Physical Science Editing
- PhD Thesis Editing Services
- PhD Editing
- Master’s Proofreading
- Bachelor’s Editing
- Dissertation Proofreading Services
- Best Dissertation Proofreaders
- Masters Dissertation Proofreading
- PhD Proofreaders
- Proofreading PhD Thesis Price
- Journal Article Editing
- Book Editing Service
- Editing and Proofreading Services
- Research Paper Editing
- Medical Manuscript Editing
- Academic Editing
- Social Sciences Editing
- Academic Proofreading
- PhD Theses Editing
- Dissertation Proofreading
- Proofreading Rates UK
- Medical Proofreading
- PhD Proofreading Services UK
- Academic Proofreading Services UK
Medical Editing Services
- Life Science Editing
- Biomedical Editing
- Environmental Science Editing
- Pharmaceutical Science Editing
- Economics Editing
- Psychology Editing
- Sociology Editing
- Archaeology Editing
- History Paper Editing
- Anthropology Editing
- Law Paper Editing
- Engineering Paper Editing
- Technical Paper Editing
- Philosophy Editing
- PhD Dissertation Proofreading
- Lektorat Englisch
- Akademisches Lektorat
- Lektorat Englisch Preise
- Wissenschaftliches Lektorat
- Lektorat Doktorarbeit
PhD Thesis Editing
- Thesis Proofreading Services
- PhD Thesis Proofreading
- Proofreading Thesis Cost
- Proofreading Thesis
- Thesis Editing Services
- Professional Thesis Editing
- Thesis Editing Cost
- Proofreading Dissertation
- Dissertation Proofreading Cost
- Dissertation Proofreader
- Correção de Artigos Científicos
- Correção de Trabalhos Academicos
- Serviços de Correção de Inglês
- Correção de Dissertação
- Correção de Textos Precos
- 定額 ネイティブチェック
- Copy Editing
- FREE Courses
- Revision en Ingles
- Revision de Textos en Ingles
- Revision de Tesis
- Revision Medica en Ingles
- Revision de Tesis Precio
- Revisão de Artigos Científicos
- Revisão de Trabalhos Academicos
- Serviços de Revisão de Inglês
- Revisão de Dissertação
- Revisão de Textos Precos
- Corrección de Textos en Ingles
- Corrección de Tesis
- Corrección de Tesis Precio
- Corrección Medica en Ingles
- Corrector ingles
Select Page
How To Write a Table of Contents for Academic Papers
Posted by Rene Tetzner | Mar 17, 2021 | How To Get Published | 0 |
How To Write a Table of Contents for Academic Papers Although every author begins a writing project with the best of intentions and an ideal outline in mind, it often proves difficult to stick to one’s initial plans as the text begins to unfold and its complexities grow in number and depth. Sometimes a document quickly exceeds the word limits for a project, and at others certain important aspects are neglected or turn out a good deal shorter than intended. Drafting a working table of contents for your writing project can provide an excellent tool for keeping your discussion on track and your text within length requirements as you write.
A working table of contents should begin with a title. This title may change as you draft your text, but a working title will help you focus your thoughts as you devise the headings and plan the content for the main parts, chapters, sections and subsections that should be added beneath it. All headings, whether numbered or not, should be formatted in effective and consistent ways that distinguish section levels and clearly indicate the overall structure of the text. These headings can also be altered as your writing advances, but they will provide an effective outline of what you need to discuss and the order in which you think the main topics should be presented. At this initial stage, it is also a good idea to write under each heading a brief summary of or rough notes about what you hope to include in that part of the document, and you can continue to add, adjust and move material around within and among the sections as your table of contents and ultimately your text progresses. Reminders of how long (measured in words, paragraphs or pages) the entire text and each of its parts should ideally be may also prove helpful.
Once you have your annotated table of contents drafted, it will serve as an informative list of both content and order that can be productively consulted as you write. Assuming you construct your working table of contents as a computer file in the same program you intend to use for writing the entire document, you can also use the table of contents as a template for composing the text as a whole, replacing your rough notes under each heading with the formal text as you draft it. This practice lends an immediate physical presence to the guidance provided by your table of contents because you are literally working within that outline, which can be especially wise if you tend to run on or become distracted by new ideas as you write.
Finally, your working table of contents can become your final table of contents if one is required for your project. If you would like to use the working table of contents in this way and are also using it as a template, be sure to rename the file and save a separate copy before you begin adding the formal text of your document. Then you can simply delete your summaries and rough notes from the original table of contents to make your final one, leaving only the headings, to which you can add relevant page numbers as required.
You might be interested in Services offered by Proof-Reading-Service.com
Journal editing.
Journal article editing services
PhD thesis editing services
Scientific Editing
Manuscript editing.
Manuscript editing services
Expert Editing
Expert editing for all papers
Research Editing
Research paper editing services
Professional book editing services
Related Posts
Choosing the Right Journal
September 10, 2021
Example of a Quantitative Research Paper
September 4, 2021
What Is a Good H-Index Required for an Academic Position?
September 3, 2021
Acknowledgements Example for an Academic Research Paper
September 1, 2021
Our Recent Posts
Our review ratings
- Examples of Research Paper Topics in Different Study Areas Score: 98%
- Dealing with Language Problems – Journal Editor’s Feedback Score: 95%
- Making Good Use of a Professional Proofreader Score: 92%
- How To Format Your Journal Paper Using Published Articles Score: 95%
- Journal Rejection as Inspiration for a New Perspective Score: 95%
Explore our Categories
- Abbreviation in Academic Writing (4)
- Career Advice for Academics (5)
- Dealing with Paper Rejection (11)
- Grammar in Academic Writing (5)
- Help with Peer Review (7)
- How To Get Published (146)
- Paper Writing Advice (17)
- Referencing & Bibliographies (16)
WTO / Personal / Lists / Free Table of Contents Templates (for Microsoft Word)
Free Table of Contents Templates (for Microsoft Word)
Whether you are writing a book, large essay, dissertation, or other longer academic papers, you will have to include a table of contents. It will act as a roadmap for the reader to each portion of your writing. It helps the reader to locate specific information in a document or revisit their favorite parts easily within the text. A well-structured TOC should simplify the way the reader finds what they are looking for and should always be placed on a separate page, just after the first page of an academic paper and after the abstract.
Depending on the type of writing , you may find that different documents require different styles of a TOC. Some may require numbers, while others may require a non-numbered TOC. It is, therefore, the writer’s duty to check the type of TOC they are required to include in their writing.
Free Table of Contents Templates
Simple templates
What is a Table of Contents?
A Table of Contents (TOC) is an organized list of all the parts of a document or book organized in the order in which the parts appear.
The TOC usually contains the titles, chapters, figures, and major sections of a document clearly labeled by their page number. It should be added last or updated after completing the whole document or book to capture all the contents accurately.
The Purpose of table of contents
If a book, business proposal, business report , or publication is long enough to include chapters, then a TOC will likely be included at the beginning of the book, report, or publication.
The TOC provides a sequential list of the book’s organizational structure, most commonly denoting the title, chapter number, and the starting page location. The chapter, page number, and title will help guide the reader in finding specific sections.
Basically, it serves two main purposes; one is to provide the reader with a general overview of what is contained in the document and how the content is organized, and the other is to enable the reader to go directly to the specific section of an on-line document.
Key Elements of a Table of Contents
The TOC is where one lists the chapters and major sections of their document, together with their page numbers. A clear and well-out table is very important as it indicates a quality paper is structured.
The key elements that should be included in the TOC are:
- The page titles
- Clear headings and subheadings
- The page numbers that show where in the document each section can be found
When creating your table, make sure to include all level one and two headings. You may also decide to include level three headings, although they are optional to include and should not be included in the TOC has reached its maximum length of two pages.
Level One: CHAPTER 2: Literature Review
Level Two: 2.1 Overview of Information
Level Three: 2.1.1 Discipline of Knowledge
Ensure that you use clear headings throughout your document to make your table easy to understand. Keep in mind that the reader will see the table first before reading through your document.
Other things to include in your table include the appendices and tables. Including these two, however, depend largely on how many there are in your document.
If there are more than three tables and figures, you might consider listing them on a separate page. Else, you can include them in your table.
Steps to Create a Table of Contents in MS Word
For you to create a TOC in Microsoft Word, you must first define what you’d like to include in this part. First, start off by applying the different heading styles throughout your document.
Once you’ve done that, follow these steps to insert a TOC in MS Word automatically:
Add a title on the TOC page. Ensure that you follow the standard format specific to your document or as per your department’s guidelines.
Put your cursor where you want the table to go. The table is usually included between the abstract and the introduction.
In the ribbon, find the reference section and locate the TOC section. Use the search tab on the ribbon to search for the table.
Click the arrow that is next to the TOC icon and select Custom Table of Contents. Here, select the level of heading that you would like to include in your table and also make the necessary adjustments to each level by clicking the modify button.
Click on Custom table of contents.
After you’ve made sure that everything is OK. Click OK, and your TOC will be automatically generated.
Tips on Preparing Table of Contents
It is recommended that you use your TOC template last after to make sure that it provides a clear overview of your document. You can still draw up a mock TOC in your early stages of writing to help you formulate a structure and think through your topics and how you are going to research.
Make sure that all the heading levels are properly defined in your document before inserting the template.
Remember that the reader will most likely go through your table first before diving into the document to get an overview of what to expect. Make sure that your TOC is clear and that it captures your entire document.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the TOC is basically a snapshot of the headings, tables, and page numbers in a document and does not automatically update itself as you make changes. Anytime you make changes to your document, you can update it by simply right-clicking on it and selecting the update field.
No, the TOC is usually included between the abstract and the introduction.
Yes, the maximum length of a TOC should be two pages, regardless of the type of document you are writing.
Regardless of your document’s type or size, using a TOC can help direct the readers to exactly where they want to be. Other than making your document more reader-friendly , the table also makes it easier for the author to go back and change or update contents throughout their document if necessary. By default, MS Word generates a TOC when you use the first three built-in heading styles, i.e., Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3. To apply the different heading styles, simply select the style from the “Home” tab, or you can use a TOC template. Once you’ve properly defined the heading styles, follow the procedure given above to insert your table automatically.
About This Article
Was this helpful?
Great! Tell us more about your experience
Not up to par help us fix it, keep reading.
Analysis , Education
40 free venn diagram templates [2, 3, and 4-circle].
Charts , Personal
Printable resting heart rate charts by age (men & women).
Charts , Education
20 printable periodic tables – editable – word, pdf.
Education , Reports
30 free book report templates – how to outline (format), thank you for your feedback.
Your Voice, Our Progress. Your feedback matters a lot to us.
Graduate College Formatting Guide
- Page Numbers (Microsoft Word)
- Page Numbers (Google Docs)
- Page Breaks and Section Breaks
- Headings, Subheadings, and Table of Contents (Microsoft Word)
- Headings, Subheadings, and Table of Contents (Google Docs)
- Inserting Tables and Figures
- Comments and Track Changes
- References, Bibliography, Works Cited
- Landscape Pages & Special Materials
Setting the Normal Style
Set the "normal" style of font.
Before we can set up headings, we'll need to define the format of the text that isn't a heading. The "styles" in word set some default formatting for text. Setting up the "Normal" style will create a default font setting to keep the text uniform throughout the document. The Styles pane is located under the HOME tab.
Right click on the "Normal" style to open the Modify option.
This will open a Modify Style Dialog Box. Start by changing the Paragraph formatting. This is located by selecting the Format drop down in the bottom left of the Dialog Box.
There are two things that should be set under the Paragraph settings. Under the INDENTS AND SPACING tab, check to turn on "Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style." Under the LINE AND PAGE BREAKS tab, check to turn on the "Widow/Orphan Control."
Once both of those have been set and you click "okay," you'll be returned to the Modify Style Dialog Box. Now we can set the font formatting. Select the font you wish to use throughout the document, change the font size to 12 point, ensure the line spacing is double spaced, and select the option to remove space between paragraphs (this is indicated by two lines pointing towards each other).
Adding Headings & Subheadings
Inserting headings and subheadings.
Using the same technique we can create a standard for the various types of headings and subheadings used across the thesis. The Thesis & Dissertation Manual generally follows APA style for heading levels. In order to keep headings consistently correct and link the Table of Contents, the Styles function in Word is used. This is going to show you some examples of the formatting required for the headings and how to use the various heading levels. We'll also see how to use styles and update your Table of Contents.
Modifying Heading Levels to Match Required Formatting
Level 1 headings.
Chapters will be linked to Heading Level 1. If you choose not to have chapters, you will use level 1 for your major headings (typically: Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, etc.). They should be typed in title case, center aligned, and bold. The number of the chapter can be in Arabic or Roman numerals or spelled out so long as it is consistently done throughout the document. The heading should be on one line, so if you are using chapters, it should look something like this:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Once you have formatted a chapter heading, select the text of the chapter heading then right click on Heading 1 in the Styles pane and select "Update Heading 1 to Match Selection."
Adding More Level 1 Headings
Once you have formatted the first heading and updated the style, you simply need to type the new level 1 heading in title case and then, with your cursor in line with the heading, click on the heading 1 button in the styles pane to format it and link it for your table of contents. Make sure to use this feature every time to ensure all headings are properly linked to your table of contents.
Level 2 Headings
Subsections of your major headings should be the next level down. Level 2 headings will be left aligned, bold, and title case. They should look like this:
Level 2 Heading
Once you have formatted a level 2 heading, select the text of the heading then right click on Heading 2 in the Styles pane and select "Update Heading 2 to Match Selection."
Adding More Level 2 Headings
Once you have formatted the first heading and updated the style, you simply need to type the new level 2 heading in title case and then, with your cursor in line with the heading, click on the heading 2 button in the styles pane to format it and link it for your table of contents. Make sure to use this feature every time to ensure all headings are properly linked to your table of contents.
Level 3 Headings
If you wish to further subsection your paper, you will use level 3 headings. Level 3 headings will be bold italic, left aligned, and title case. They should look like this:
Level Three Heading
Once you have formatted a level 3 heading, select the text of the heading then right click on Heading 3 in the Styles pane and select "Update Heading 3 to Match Selection."
Adding More Level 3 Headings
Once you have formatted the first heading and updated the style, you simply need to type the new level 3 heading in title case and then, with your cursor in line with the heading, click on the heading 3 button in the styles pane to format it and link it for your table of contents. Make sure to use this feature every time to ensure all headings are properly linked to your table of contents.
Level 4 & 5 Headings (and beyond)
It is common to find the first 3 heading levels in papers that are as long as a thesis or dissertation. Occasionally, you may find the need to go beyond those levels. It is important to note that for the thesis and dissertation, only the first 3 headings should be included in the table of contents. It is also recommended that you only use the styles function for the first 3 headings because they stand alone on their own line of text. The next heading levels will begin on the same line as the paragraph that starts that section which means that the style function will not work properly. If you were to link the heading, the entire paragraph will appear in your table of contents.
This means that you will need to, carefully, ensure you are formatting the headings manually. Each level should be consistently formatted the same way. APA has standards for levels 4 & 5 which are described here. For heading levels beyond level 5, you should pick a consistent formatting that clearly indicates they are a subsection of the level 5 heading. It is also recommended that you carefully evaluate if this level of heading is truly necessary for your writing.
Level 4 Heading
Level 4 headings will begin on the same line of the paragraph that makes up the section. It will be indented 0.5", much like a normal paragraph indent. The heading will be in title case and bold font with a period at the end of the heading:
Level Four Heading Here. Start the first sentence of the paragraph that follows the heading on the same line and continue typing. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc at pellentesque massa. Sed nec urna nec est efficitur iaculis. Etiam efficitur velit id dignissim eleifend. Duis euismod, nisi sed cursus sodales, sem nisi porttitor ante, eu dignissim justo tortor nec mauris.
Level 5 Heading
Level 5 headings will begin on the same line of the paragraph that makes up the section. It will be indented 0.5", much like a normal paragraph indent. The heading will be in title case and bold italic font with a period at the end of the heading:
Level Five Heading Here. Start the first sentence of the paragraph that follows the heading on the same line and continue typing. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc at pellentesque massa. Sed nec urna nec est efficitur iaculis. Etiam efficitur velit id dignissim eleifend. Duis euismod, nisi sed cursus sodales, sem nisi porttitor ante, eu dignissim justo tortor nec mauris.
Table of Contents
Once you have added headings and used the styles feature, you will be able to use the word function to "generate" a table of contents. You will need to type "Table of Contents" in bold font, centered at the top of the page you will be inserting your table of contents onto. Then, place your cursor on the next line
From the References tab, click on Table of Contents and select Custom Table of Contents...
From the pop up window, you will want to change the tab leaders to (none) rather than the default. The rest of the default settings will be fine, so click ok once you've done so.
This will populate your table of contents.
From here, you will need to open the style pane to modify some of the formatting of the table of contents.
You will need to locate TOC 1 and click on it, and select "modify" from the drop down list.
TOC 1 style should be bold. If you've properly set up your "normal style" of font (see above), this should be the only modification to your TOC styles that you need to make. If the text is not properly set up and you need to further format it, you can do so from this window.
If set up correctly, your table of contents should look like the image below.
- << Previous: Page Breaks and Section Breaks
- Next: Headings, Subheadings, and Table of Contents (Google Docs) >>
- Last Updated: Jul 23, 2024 9:44 AM
- URL: https://guides.lib.uni.edu/grad-college-format
The Graduate School
University information technology (uit), main navigation, formatting requirements: preliminary pages.
- Submission Procedure
- Policies for Theses and Dissertations
- Coauthored Theses and Dissertations
- Approval Requirements
- Publication Requirements
Copyright Page
Statement of thesis/dissertation approval, dedication, frontispiece, and epigraph, table of contents and list of figures/tables, acknowledgements.
- General Formatting Requirements
- Parts Composed of Related Chapters
- Headings and Subheadings
- Tables and Figures
- Footnote and Reference Citations
- Appendix or Appendices
- References or Selected Bibliography
- Documentation Styles
- Writing Styles
- Print Quality
- Accessibility in the PDF
- Electronic Version Submitted for Thesis Release
- Distribution of Theses and Dissertations
- Alternate Text
- Color Contrast
- Accessibility Issues in Table Construction
- Heading Space
- Double Space
- Single Space
- Previously Published, Accepted, and Submitted Articles as Chapters of a Dissertation
- Alternate Figure/Table Placement
Preliminary pages are, in order, the title page; copyright page; statement of thesis/dissertation approval; abstract; dedication (optional); frontispiece (optional); epigraph (optional); table of contents; lists of tables, figures, symbols, and abbreviations (necessary only in certain situations); and acknowledgments (optional). Table 2.1 lists all the possible preliminary sections in order and if they are required or not.
The preliminary pages are counted in sequence (except the copyright page, which is neither counted nor numbered). Any page with a main heading on it (title page, abstract, table of contents, etc.) is counted, but no page number is typed on the page. Second pages to the abstract, table of contents, lists, and acknowledgments are numbered with lower case Roman numerals centered within the thesis margins and .5” from the bottom of the page. See the preliminary pages in this handbook for an example.
Order of preliminary pages, indicating which are mandatory and where page numbers should be included.
Page | Required | Counted | Visible Page Number |
---|---|---|---|
Title Page | Mandatory | Yes | No |
Copyright Page | Mandatory | No | |
Statement of Thesis/Dissertation Approval | Mandatory | Yes | No |
Abstract | Mandatory | Yes | First page no, additional pages yes |
Dedication | Optional | Yes | No |
Frontispiece | Optional | Yes | No |
Epigraph | Optional | Yes | No |
Table of Contents | Mandatory | Yes | First page no, additional pages yes |
Lists of Tables, Figures, Symbols, or Abbreviations | Mandatory if between 5–25 | Yes | First page no, additional pages yes |
Acknowledgments | Optional | Yes | First page no, additional pages yes |
Preface | Optional | Yes | First page no, additional pages yes |
Note : Page numbers in the preliminary pages appear centered on the bottom of the page in lower case Roman numerals. This differs from page numbers in the text, which appear on the top right of the page and use Arabic numerals.
SEE Sample Preliminary Pages
The title page is page i (Roman numeral) of the manuscript (page number not shown).
The title of the thesis or dissertation is typed in all capital letters. The title should be placed in the same size and style of font as that used for major headings throughout the manuscript. If longer than 4 1/2 inches, the title should be double spaced and arranged so that it appears balanced on the page. The title should be a concise yet comprehensive description of the contents for cataloging and data retrieval purposes. Initials, abbreviations, acronyms, numerals, formulas, super/subscripts, and symbols should be used in the title with careful consideration of clarity and maximizing search results for future readers. Consult the manuscript editors if in doubt.
The word “by” follows the title. The full legal name of the author as it appears in CIS follows after a double space. The name is not typed in all capital letters. These two lines of text are centered between the title and the statement described in the following paragraph.
The statement “A thesis submitted to the faculty of The University of Utah in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of” appears single spaced in the middle of the title page (see Figure 2.1). For doctoral candidates, the phrasing reads “A dissertation submitted. . . ”
The appropriate degree follows the statement. The space between the statement and the degree should be the same size that is between the author’s name and the statement. In the event the name of the degree differs from the name of the department, e.g., Master of Science in Environmental Humanities, the words “Master of Science” are placed below the statement, followed by “in” and then the degree program; the lines of the degree name and program are double spaced (see Figure 2.2). Thus, a student receiving a doctorate in history need use only the words “Doctor of Philosophy.” A student receiving a doctorate in Geophysics must put “Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics.”
Below the degree field, the full name of the department is listed on the title page. “The University of Utah,” is listed a double space below the department name.
The date appears on the title page a double space below “The University of Utah.” Only the month and year appear, with no punctuation separating them. The month indicates the last month in the semester the degree is granted: fall semester, December; spring semester, May; summer semester, August.
Again, the spaces below the title, the full legal name, the statement, and the degree should be of equal size.
The second page is the copyright page, which is uncounted and unnumbered. A copyright notice appears in every copy of the thesis or dissertation. The notice, as illustrated in Figure 2.3, is centered within the side margins and the top and bottom margins of the page.
Copyright © Student’s Full Legal Name 2022
All Rights Reserved
There is a double space between the two lines.
The statement of thesis/dissertation approval is page ii (Roman numeral) of the manuscript (page number not shown). This statement is prepared as shown in Figures 2.4 (for master’s students) and 2.5 (for doctoral students).
The statement of thesis/dissertation approval signifies that the thesis or dissertation has been approved by the committee chair and a majority of the members of the committee and by the department chair and the dean of The Graduate School. The names of any committee members who did not approve or digitally sign the forms for the thesis or dissertation are not dated. The dates entered should match the date when you received notification that the committee member electronically signed the form.
The full name of the student, as it appears on the title page and copyright page, must be used.
As with the digital signature forms, full legal names of committee members must be listed. The full legal names of committee members and department chair or dean can be found on your CIS page under the Committee tab. Neither degrees nor titles should be listed with the names of faculty members. No signatures are required.
Abstract Page
The abstract is page iii, unnumbered; if there is a second page, it is page iv, and a number appears on the page. The abstract is a concise, carefully composed summary of the contents of the thesis or dissertation. In the abstract, the author defines the problem, describes the research method or design, and reports the results and conclusions. No diagrams, illustrations, subheadings, or citations appear in the abstract. The abstract is limited to 350 words (approximately 1.5 double-spaced pages). A copy of the abstract of all doctoral candidates is published in Dissertation Abstracts International. The word ABSTRACT is placed 2 inches from the top of the page in all capital letters. Following a heading space, the abstract text begins, with the first line indented the same size space as for the paragraphs in the remainder of the manuscript. The text of the abstract must be double spaced.
If a manuscript is written in a foreign language, the abstract is in the same language, but an English version (or translation) of the abstract must precede the foreign language abstract. The two abstracts are listed as one in the table of contents. The first page of each version is unnumbered but counted. If there is a second page to each version of the abstract, the page number (lower-case Roman numeral) is centered between the left and right margins and between the bottom of the page and the top of the bottom margin.
The dedication is an optional entry; enumeration continues in sequence, but no page number appears on the page. It follows the abstract and precedes the table of contents. Often only one or two lines, it is centered within the top and bottom margins of the page and within the thesis margins. It is not labeled “Dedication” and is not listed in the table of contents.
Frontispiece and Epigraph
These are infrequently used entries. The frontispiece is an illustration that alerts the reader to the major theme of the thesis or dissertation. An epigraph is a quotation of unusual aptness and relevance.
Contents or Table of Contents
The table of contents follows the abstract (or dedication if one is used). The word CONTENTS (or TABLE OF CONTENTS) is placed 2 inches from the top of the page in all capital letters. Following a heading space, the table of contents begins. The table of contents, essentially an outline of the manuscript, lists the preliminary pages beginning with the abstract (page iii). It does not list a frontispiece, dedication, or epigraph if these are used, nor is the table of contents listed in the table of contents; these pages are, however, counted. The list of figures and list of tables, if used, are included (see the Table of Contents in this handbook for a sample using numbered chapters; see Figures 2.6, 2.7, and 2.8 for additional options).
All chapters or main sections and all first-level subheadings of the manuscript are listed in the table of contents. No lower subheadings levels are to appear in the table of contents. Beginning page numbers of each chapter or section listed are lined up with each listing by a row of evenly spaced, aligned period leaders. The numbers, titles, and subheadings of chapters or sections used in the table of contents must agree exactly in wording and capitalization with the way they appear on the actual page.
The table of contents reflects the relationship of the chapters and subheadings. Chapter titles appear in all capital letters, as do titles of appendices. First-level subheadings can be headline style or sentence style in capitalization. Subheadings are neither underlined nor italicized in the table of contents. If the table of contents continues to a second page, it begins 1 inch from the top of the page, and it is not labeled “Table of Contents Continued.” Main headings are followed by a double space in the table of contents; all subheadings are single spaced. The words “Chapters” and “Appendices” are used as referents only, printed above the list of entries. The word “Chapter” or “Appendix” is not repeated with each entry.
List of Figures / List of Tables
The enumeration continues in sequence; no number appears on pages with main headings (those in all caps). A list of tables, a list of figures, a list of symbols, a list of abbreviations, or a glossary may be used. All lists follow the table of contents. The title is placed 2 inches from the top edge of the page in all capital letters: LIST OF TABLES. Following a heading space, the list begins. A list of tables or a list of figures is required if there are 5 to 25 entries. Lists with fewer than 5 entries or more than 25 are not included. It is not permissible to combine a list of tables and figures. The word “Table” or “Figure” is not repeated with each entry.
As noted for entries in the table of contents, the listing of tables and figures must agree exactly in wording, capitalization, and punctuation with the table title or figure caption. (An exception to this rule occurs if the table title appears in all capital letters on the table itself; table titles in the list of tables are not typed in all capital letters.) Capitalization styles may not be mixed. In the case of long titles or captions, the first sentence must convey the essential description of the item. The first sentence alone then is used in the list. Long captions may not be summarized.
The table or figure number begins at the left margin and is followed by the title or caption. The page on which each table or figure appears is at the right margin. As in the table of contents, the page numbers are lined up with each entry by a row of evenly spaced, aligned periods (period leaders). If a table or figure occupies more than one page, only the initial page number is listed. If the title or caption of a table or figure appears on a part-title page preceding the table or figure, the page number in the list refers to the number of the part-title page.
If a list continues to a second page, the second page of text begins 1 inch from the top of the page. The second page is not labeled “List of Tables Continued” or “List of Figures Continued.” Individual entries are single-spaced with a double space between each entry.
A list of symbols and abbreviations or a glossary does not replace defining terms, symbols, or abbreviations upon their first occurrence in the text. When introducing terms, always introduce terms upon their first usage in the document.
The enumeration continues in sequence; no number appears on the first page. Acknowledgments are optional. If a preface is used, the acknowledgments are added to the end of the preface without a separate heading. The word ACKNOWLEDGMENTS is placed 2 inches from the top of the page in all capital letters. Following a heading space, the acknowledgments begin. The text of the acknowledgments must be double spaced. In the acknowledgments, students may wish to recognize special assistance from committee members, friends, or family members who may have helped in the research, writing, or technical aspects of the thesis or dissertation. Research funding, grants, and/or permission to reprint copyrighted materials should be acknowledged. Individuals employed to prepare the manuscript are not acknowledged.
The enumeration continues in sequence; no number appears on the first page. This is an optional entry. The word PREFACE is placed 2 inches from the top of the page in all capital letters. Following a heading space, the preface begins. The text of the preface must be double spaced. A preface includes the reasons for undertaking the study, the methods and design of the researcher, and acknowledgments. Background data and historical or other information essential to the reader’s understanding of the subject are placed in the text as an introduction, not in the preface. Theses and dissertations generally do not contain a foreword (i.e., a statement about the work by someone other than the author).
- TemplateLab
- Art & Media
Table of Contents Templates
21 table of contents templates & examples [word, ppt].
A table of contents, often abbreviated as a TOC, is found at the beginning of a book or long document, listing all of the chapters or section titles. A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number they need to find it.
Table of Contents
- 1 Table of Contents Templates
- 2 What is a Table of Contents?
- 3 What is included in a Table of Contents template?
- 4 Table of Contents Examples
- 5.1 Keep the layout simple
- 6.1 Using a Table of Contents template (Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages)
- 6.2 Creating a manual table of contents
- 7 Table of Contents Desings
- 8 How to create a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word
- 9 How to create a Table of Contents in Google Docs
- 10 What is the purpose of a table of contents template?
With this in mind, it is essential that the table of contents template looks visually appealing whilst being easy to use. You can download one of our blank table of contents templates to begin designing your table of contents to be efficient and simple for readers. You can then edit this on MS Word, Google Docs or Apple Pages.
What is a Table of Contents?
A table of contents template is used at the beginning of a lengthy document, such as a dissertation or research paper , or at the beginning of a textbook. The table is a critical part of any extensive research, as it helps the reader to navigate their way through.
A table of contents serves several purposes, with the main purpose being to help the reader easily find information using the correct page number.
Without it, readers can become overwhelmed and thus lose interest in the text itself. When completing research, it can be demotivating to have to sift through pages and pages of irrelevant text before finding what you actually need. That’s why a table of contents template is so essential when writing a long essay, or creating a textbook.
What is included in a Table of Contents template?
A table of contents essentially informs the reader of the book or document’s outline. It tells the reader how many chapters there are, what each section of the book is about, how long the book or document is, and where they can find specific sections or chapters using page numbers.
Here are the three key things you need to include:
- Chapter names
- Specific sections within each chapter
- Page numbers
Additional features to include
Of course, there are many other features you can include to customize your table of contents. These include:
- Different heading levels and indentations
- A brief description of each chapter
- Create hyperlinks to take the reader directly to the page they need
A table of contents no longer needs to be a simple list of chapters and page numbers. There are many ways to make the content templates more engaging for readers.
Table of Contents Examples
What makes a good table of contents template?
It sounds quite simple to just write a list of all the chapters in a book or essay, along with their page numbers along dotted lines.
However, a good table of contents is more than just that. A good table of contents must be perfectly precise, ensuring that each page number is accurate. It must be formatted in a clear and concise way so that readers are not confused visually. This can be done using simple a heading style, to prevent overwhelming the reader from the first page.
Keep the layout simple
It can be tempting to squash each line on the table of contents together to fit it all on one page. However, a good table of contents template for a long document will use indents to keep information clear and organized. It may even take up more than one page to keep things easy to read.
A good table of contents template is also visually engaging. Using a colorful table of contents may help your document to stand out from other, similar documents, and can help researchers to choose your writing over another’s. Using a unique heading format, along with a pleasing color, can be a great way to design and customize your table of contents template.
How to create a table of contents
There are many types of table of contents and table of contents templates to use. Whether you use MS Word, Google Docs or Apple Pages to write your online document, you can edit a table of contents template using any of these word processors.
The Basic Format
Depending on your preference, you may opt for a classic, basic table of contents template. This will simply list both the heading of each section or chapter of the document, along with the corresponding page numbers along dotted lines. This table of contents format is both easy to create and use.
Adding Detail
However, for your table of contents template, you may choose to name individual sections and then write the chapters included within that section underneath, using different heading levels.
This style is still a very simple design for a title page, and I recommend using one of these formats when creating your table of contents and using a table of contents template. MS Word, Google Docs and Apple Pages all offer these format options.
Using a Table of Contents template (Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages)
Using a table of content template helps to eliminate the standard, boring look of a table of contents. With a table of contents template, you can simply download and input your data using MS Word, Google Docs or Apple Pages.
Remember, the table of contents is likely the first page that readers will see, so you can engage them further by using a unique design for your table of contents page.
It is likely that many academics have looked at many articles or documents before yours, so using an accessible and user-friendly table of contents template will help to keep them engaged in their research and your document.
Creating a manual table of contents
However, you can create a table of contents manually using a word processor, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs or Apple Pages.
This is an efficient way to create your table of contents, but you are more limited in terms of how visually appealing the table will look. The overall table of contents layout is more restricted by what MS Word, Google Docs or Apple Pages offers.
Table of Contents Desings
How to create a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word
Many people choose to use MS Word to create their table of contents pages. This word processor offers a lot of features to help create the perfect table of contents.
Although I recommend using a table of contents template to format your document, using a word processor such as MS Word or Google Docs is also a simple way to present the table of contents.
MS Word in particular offers built-in heading styles, as well as a range of options for the table of contents layout. You can also download a Microsoft Word table of contents template to input your data using MS Word.
- Apply the desired heading styles group. In MS Word, you can use one of the built-in ‘heading styles’ from the ‘home’ tab for your table of contents. Using a heading style is a great way to get started with a table of contents. However, using custom styles can help your table of contents to stand out, and using a table of contents template can make your title page look more unique. To find a heading style in MS Word, simply select the text that you want to format, and choose a heading from the ‘ Styles’ section on the ‘ Home ’ tab.
- Insert your table of contents. This step only takes a few simple clicks with MS Word. Click the ‘ References’ tab, and then select ‘ Table of Contents .’ From here, you can choose one of the layouts from the menu. This will create a table of contents in your document. You can edit the font style and size to your desired preference. The built-in styles offered by MS Word are great, and often suit a classic TOC style. An excellent feature that MS Word uses are clickable links within the table of contents. It essentially helps to create hyperlinks for you. Once the table of contents appears in your document, you can hover over each section with your cursor, press CTRL and click , and it will take you to the correct place in the document.
- Update the table of contents. If you create the table of contents whilst the document is still unfinished, then you will need to edit and update your table of contents. To do this, simply click on the ‘ References ’ tab. From here, you can choose to update the page numbers only, or update the entire table, by selecting either option.
How to create a Table of Contents in Google Docs
The most popular word processors to create a table of contents are MS Word, Google Docs and Apple Pages. If you prefer to use Google Docs for your writing, the process of creating a table of contents here is even easier.
Google Docs is a great place to write and edit academic work as an online document, as the work saves automatically if you have an internet connection.
Personally, I use Google Docs for all of my academic writing, and I did so throughout university. MS Word is equally as useful, but creating a table of contents in Google Docs is a really straightforward process.
- Choose your preferred location for your table of contents on the document.
- Click ‘Insert’ and choose ‘Table of contents.’
- Decide on your chosen table of contents format.
And that’s it! Google Docs makes creating a table of contents a really simple process. A benefit of using Google Docs is that it will automatically update the entire table for you once you add additional headings. All you have to do is ‘refresh’ the page.
What is the purpose of a table of contents template?
If you are writing a long document, such as a thesis or any kind of research paper, or if you’re planning on writing a non-fiction book of your own, then you will definitely benefit from using a table of contents template.
- Accessible for the reader. A table of contents template provides the reader with structure and organization when they are reading your work. It helps them to access specific information easily using the correct page number, saving them time and making your document organized and helpful for them. A table of contents template provides a greater user experience for the reader than if they were to read a document without one.
- Reflects the quality of your work. A table of contents is an essential part of any piece of non-fiction writing, so it is important that your table of contents reflects the rest of your document. If the table is messy and difficult to read, users will immediately be put off by the rest of your work. Using a table of contents template helps to eliminate this issue.
- An important tool for students to navigate. In university, students must become familiar with using a table of contents. Research can be daunting, especially when students first begin university. They must learn not only how to create a table of contents in their own work, but also how to use a table of contents when researching the work of others.
Using a table of contents template in class is a great resource to help students understand and navigate longer pieces of writing or difficult textbooks. You can download our templates, choose to ‘ print ‘ document, and use these as table of contents examples in class for your students.
Whether you’re an academic, a student, or a writer, a table of contents template is a crucial part of the formatting process. It can be easy to forget about, but this simple page at the beginning of your document or book can make all the difference to a reader’s experience.
You can download one of our free table of contents templates to save time manually creating a table of contents yourself. You can then input your data using MS Word, Google Docs or Apple Pages. Make your work accessible, appealing, and clear by selecting the best table of contents template for you.
More Templates
Graph Paper Templates
Cover Page Templates
All About Me Templates
Reference Page Templates
Essay Outline Templates
Homework Planners
- Risk Management Manual of Examination Policies
- Section 22.1: Examination Documentation Modules
Complete Manual , Complete Manual
Current Year Updates:
July 2024 Updates Only - ZIP April 2024 Updates Only March 2024 Updates Only January 2024 Updates Only
Prior Year Updates:
November 2023 Updates Only October 2023 Updates Only May 2023 Updates Only February 2023 Updates Only
PDF Help ZIP Help
Table of Contents Index
Part I: Basic Examination Concepts and Guidelines Part II: CAMELS Part III: Other Examination Issues Part IV: Administrative and Enforcement Actions Part V: Examination Reports Part VI: Appendix - Examination Processes and Tools
Part I: Basic Examination Concepts and Guidelines
Section | Title | Audio | Run Time (Hrs/Mins) | Last Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
1.1 | Audio unavailable | N/A | 03/2022 |
Part II: CAMELS
Section | Title | Audio | Run Time (Hrs/Mins) | Last Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
2.1 | 01:36 | 08/2022 | ||
3.1 | 00:06 | 01/2024 | ||
3.2 | Audio unavailable | N/A | 07/2024 | |
3.3 | 01:27 | 03/2024 | ||
3.4 | 00:25 | 03/2012 | ||
3.5 | 00:24 | 12/2019 | ||
3.6 | 00:22 | 02/2023 | ||
3.7 | 00:45 | 03/2012 | ||
3.8 | 00:31 | 06/2019 | ||
4.1 | 01:42 | 03/2022 | ||
4.2 | 02:08 | 03/2015 | ||
4.3 | 01:51 | 12/2004 | ||
4.4 | 00:36 | 12/2004 | ||
4.5 | 00:20 | 02/2019 | ||
4.6 | 00:09 | 12/2004 | ||
5.1 | 0:41 | 07/2018 | ||
6.1 | 02:40 | 04/2024 | ||
7.1 | 02:04 | 07/2018 |
Part III: Other Examination Issues
Section | Title | Audio | Run Time (Hrs/Mins) | Last Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
8.1 | 04:44 | 12/2004 | ||
9.1 | 01:13 | 04/1998 | ||
10.1 | 01:04 | 11/2017 | ||
11.1 | 04:04 | 01/2018 | ||
12.1 | 02:16 | 02/2002 |
Part IV: Administrative and Enforcement Actions
Section | Title | Audio | Run Time (Hrs/Mins) | Last Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
13.1 | 00:11 | 04/2016 | ||
14.1 | 00:23 | 11/2023 | ||
15.1 | 01:03 | 03/2024 |
Part V: Examination Reports
Section | Title | Audio | Run Time (Hrs/Mins) | Last Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
16.1 | Audio unavailable | N/A | 04/2024 | |
16.2 | 00:51 | 01/2018 | ||
17.1a | Audio unavailable | N/A | 01/2022 | |
17.1b | Audio unavailable | N/A | 01/2022 | |
17.2 | 00:37 | 01/2018 | ||
18.1 | 01:11 | 12/2004 | ||
19.1 | 00:01 | 02/2002 |
Part VI: Appendix - Examination Processes and Tools
Section | Title | Audio | Run Time (Hrs/Mins) | Last Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
20.1 | Audio unavailable | N/A | 04/2021 | |
21.1 | Audio unavailable | N/A | 10/2023 | |
21.2 | Audio unavailable | N/A | 05/2023 | |
22.1 | Audio unavailable | N/A | 04/2024 | |
23.1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
(Note 1) The MP3 files may not be complete copies of the PDF files due to the exclusion of charts and tables that do not convert well to audio presentations. Therefore, the content in the PDF version takes precedence over the content in the Audio version.
Last Updated: July 29, 2024
Pardon Our Interruption
As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:
- You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
- You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
- You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
- A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .
To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.
Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.
- View all journals
- Explore content
- About the journal
- Publish with us
- Sign up for alerts
Volume 632 Issue 8024, 8 August 2024
Bleak outlook.
The cover shows an artistic rendition of the effects of mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The five mass bleaching and mortality events experienced by the reef between 2016 and 2024 were driven by high sea surface temperatures. In this week’s issue, Benjamin Henley and colleagues reconstruct summer sea surface temperatures back to the seventeenth century and reveal that the recent bleaching events occurred in waters that were the warmest for 400 years. The researchers used geochemical records from coral skeletons to reconstruct the temperatures back to 1618. Their findings suggest that warming temperatures will cause increasingly more frequent and intense bleaching and mortality events — potentially to the point that the reef will struggle to recover.
Cover image: Deb Henley
Hybrid conferences should be the norm — optimize them so everyone benefits
The option to attend meetings remotely provides career benefits to parents, carers, people with disabilities and others facing barriers to travel.
Advertisement
How South Africa can move on from power cuts
The country can tackle its energy crisis by diversifying its energy sources, using storage systems and continually optimizing its grid.
- Donah Simiyu
Research Highlights
How neurons make a memory.
Loosely packaged DNA might make these nerve cells better able to encode memories.
Black holes made from light? Impossible, say physicists
Long-theorized ‘ball lightning’ black holes formed from light would require much too much energy.
Stunning trial shows twice-yearly shots can prevent HIV infection
Injections of the drug lenacapavir protected sexually active women and girls in Africa from the virus.
Charged-up butterflies draw pollen through the air
Moths also accumulate static charge during flight that allows them to harvest pollen from flowers several millimetres away.
News in Focus
Seventh patient ‘cured’ of hiv: why scientists are excited.
A man in Germany is HIV-free after receiving stem cells that are not resistant to the virus.
- Smriti Mallapaty
DeepMind hits milestone in solving maths problems — AI’s next grand challenge
AlphaProof showed its prowess on questions from this year’s Mathematical Olympiad — a step in the race to create substantial proofs with artificial intelligence.
- Davide Castelvecchi
Effort to ‘Trump-proof’ US science grows, but will it succeed?
Unions are joining the Biden administration’s campaign to promote scientific integrity and protect government scientists from political interference.
- Jeff Tollefson
‘Ocean ranching’ has led to a pink-salmon boom — but there might be a catch
Unintended interbreeding between hatchery-bred and wild-born pink salmon could reduce resiliency of fish stocks.
- Alix Soliman
India budget: Modi bets big on nuclear energy and space
The government has focused on areas of national pride and applied science, as many researchers expected.
First map of an ice shelf’s bottom reveals mysterious melt patterns
High-resolution images of the underside of a formation in Antarctica could help researchers to refine projections of sea-level rise.
Your nose has its own army of immune cells — here’s how it protects you
Detailed profile of the immune cells in the upper airway could help to improve nasal vaccines.
Blood tests could soon predict your risk of Alzheimer’s
Scientists are closing in on biomarkers that reflect the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and could improve treatments.
- Alison Abbott
From Vikings to Beethoven: what your DNA says about your ancient relatives
Scientists are using consumer-genomics databases to link living people to ancestors from the recent and not-so-recent past. But the meaning of these connections isn’t always clear.
- Ewen Callaway
Books & Arts
Book review, never underestimate rna: how a molecule went from bit player to star of the show.
An insider’s story of the discoveries that revealed the dazzling abilities of RNA, and the therapeutic possibilities that emerged.
- John Mattick
Maxine Singer obituary: biologist who shaped genetic engineering and fought discrimination
Biochemist who helped to draw up guidelines for recombinant-DNA technology and championed women in science.
- Georgina Ferry
We need to prepare our transport systems for heatwaves — here’s how
Melting roads and buckling rails are disrupting travel, with the most vulnerable populations affected the worst. A concerted approach is needed to keep people moving as the world gets hotter.
- Satish V. Ukkusuri
- Sang Ung Park
- Natalia Romero
Our local research project put us on the global stage — here’s how you can do it, too
A collective of researchers in South Korea, working on the genetics of immune diseases, share the lessons they’ve learnt about harnessing regional knowledge to support large-scale research.
- Jong-Il Kim
Correspondence
Basic neuroscience is integral to transgender people’s health care.
- Doug P. VanderLaan
- Philippa Hüpen
Shore up renewable energy in wake of Brazil’s devastating floods
- Aline C. Pan
- Juliana Klas
China’s robotaxis need regulation
Slow productivity worked for marie curie — here’s why you should adopt it, too.
Do fewer things, work at a natural pace and obsess over quality, says computer scientist Cal Newport, in his latest time-management book.
- Anne Gulland
Technology Feature
Quantum computing aims for diversity, one qubit at a time.
The fast-growing discipline needs more scientists from under-represented groups. A raft of initiatives is rising to the challenge.
- Amanda Heidt
Collection:
Where I Work
The real clicker heroes: how i train rats to sniff out explosives.
Clever, cat-sized rodents are learning to clear land mines with the help of Bahati Abuu.
- Linda Nordling
News & Views
How does the spliceosome dismantle itself.
Precursor messenger RNA is edited into its final form by an RNA–protein assembly called the spliceosome. Structural evidence provides insights into how the spliceosome is disassembled when its job is complete.
Cancer spread in the liver is unlocked from within
How spreading tumour cells gain the ability to grow in organs away from where they originated is not fully understood. The discovery that normal liver cells help invading tumour cells to thrive in this organ sheds light on this process.
- Katharina Woess
- Direna Alonso-Curbelo
How to help students enjoy physics lessons
Pupil and teacher characteristics underpinning successful physics classes, and the astronomical appeal of planetarium light shows, in our weekly dip into Nature ’s archive.
Physics solves a training problem for artificial neural networks
Systems that emulate biological neural networks offer an efficient way of running AI algorithms, but they can’t be trained using the conventional approach. The symmetry of these ‘physical’ networks provides a neat solution.
- Damien Querlioz
Coral giants sound the alarm for the Great Barrier Reef
Ocean warming has repeatedly led to mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in the past 20 years, threatening its existence. Coral skeletons show that reef temperatures reached historical highs during this period.
- Miriam Pfeiffer
Antiferromagnetic phase transition in a 3D fermionic Hubbard model
Antiferromagnetic phase transition is observed in a three-dimensional fermionic Hubbard system comprising lithium-6 atoms in a uniform optical lattice with approximately 800,000 sites.
- Hou-Ji Shao
- Yu-Xuan Wang
- Jian-Wei Pan
Giant chiral magnetoelectric oscillations in a van der Waals multiferroic
Precision measurement of the dynamical magnetoelectric coupling in an exfoliated van der Waals multiferroic shows a giant natural optical activity at terahertz frequencies.
- Frank Y. Gao
- Xinyue Peng
- Edoardo Baldini
Fully forward mode training for optical neural networks
We present fully forward mode learning, which conducts machine learning operations on site, leading to faster learning and promoting advancement in numerous fields.
- Tiankuang Zhou
Singular dielectric nanolaser with atomic-scale field localization
Singularity enables breaking the optical diffraction limit in a dielectric nanolaser.
- Yun-Hao Ouyang
- Hong-Yi Luan
Water- and heat-activated dynamic passivation for perovskite photovoltaics
A living passivation strategy enables dynamic self-healing of perovskite solar cells to ensure device performance and stability on exposure to heat or moisture.
- Wei-Ting Wang
- Philippe Holzhey
- Shien-Ping Feng
peri -Fused polyaromatic molecular contacts for perovskite solar cells
A peri -fused polyaromatic core structure is used to produce a relatively chemically inert and structurally rigid molecular contact that improves the efficiency and durability of perovskite solar cells.
- Qingqing Liu
- Jingjing Xue
Hydroamination of alkenes with dinitrogen and titanium polyhydrides
A trititanium hydride framework is used to achieve direct hydroamination of simple feedstock hydrocarbons with inert nitrogen gas to obtain the corresponding alkyl amines.
- Takanori Shima
- Qingde Zhuo
- Zhaomin Hou
Catalytic glycosylation for minimally protected donors and acceptors
A glycosylation platform is demonstrated that enables selective coupling between a wide range of unprotected or minimally protected donor and acceptor sugars, producing 1,2- cis - O -glycosides in a catalyst-controlled, site-selective manner.
- Qiu-Di Dang
- Yi-Hui Deng
Highest ocean heat in four centuries places Great Barrier Reef in danger
High ocean temperatures that caused mass coral bleaching and mortality on the Great Barrier Reef in the past decade are the warmest in 400 years and are the result of human-caused climate change.
- Benjamin J. Henley
- Helen V. McGregor
- Braddock K. Linsley
Coevolution of craton margins and interiors during continental break-up
By integrating geological observations, statistical analysis, geodynamic simulations and landscape-evolution models, a physical model is proposed to link the coevolution of craton margins and interiors with continental rifting.
- Thomas M. Gernon
- Thea K. Hincks
- Anne Glerum
The development of terrestrial ecosystems emerging after glacier retreat
Across 46 proglacial landscapes worldwide, environmental properties and biodiversity have shown complex patterns of change since glaciers retreated.
- Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Silvio Marta
- Alexis Carteron
Cenozoic history of the tropical marine biodiversity hotspot
A reconstruction of Cenozoic marine biodiversity in the Indo-Australian Archipelago reveals decreasing rates of net diversification and identifies the factors that have established it as the richest marine biodiversity hotspot.
- Skye Yunshu Tian
- Moriaki Yasuhara
- Tomoki Kase
Interactions between immune cell types facilitate the evolution of immune traits
By profiling immune cell variation in bone marrow of 54 genetically diverse mouse strains and analysing the evolutionary record, we found that genes associated with the frequency of a particular cell type but expressed in a different cell type increase the evolvability of the immune system.
- Tania Dubovik
- Martin Lukačišin
- Shai S. Shen-Orr
A maternal brain hormone that builds bone
A brain-derived hormone, CCN3, is newly identified to have a role as an osteoanabolic factor to build bone in lactating females and in the viability of offspring.
- Muriel E. Babey
- William C. Krause
- Holly A. Ingraham
The cortical amygdala consolidates a socially transmitted long-term memory
Experiments in mice show that brain circuitry centred on the posteromedial nucleus of the cortical amygdala has a key role in consolidating socially transmitted long-term memories.
- Thomas C. Südhof
An anti-CRISPR that pulls apart a CRISPR–Cas complex
AcrIF25 inhibits the type I-F CRISPR–Cas system by disassembling its ribonucleoprotein effector complex without an external energy source.
- Chantel N. Trost
- Alan R. Davidson
TMEFF1 is a neuron-specific restriction factor for herpes simplex virus
A study identifies TMEFF1 as a neuron-specific restriction factor essential for prevention of replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 in the central nervous system.
- Manja Idorn
- Søren R. Paludan
Human TMEFF1 is a restriction factor for herpes simplex virus in the brain
A study of two childhood cases of herpes simplex encephalitis shows that TMEFF1 interacts with the HSV-1 cell-surface receptor NECTIN-1, preventing HSV-1 from fusing with the cell membrane and entering cortical neurons.
- Yi-Hao Chan
- Zhiyong Liu
- Shen-Ying Zhang
A human autoimmune organoid model reveals IL-7 function in coeliac disease
A human in vitro model of coeliac disease comprising duodenal organoids that maintain both epithelium and an immune microenvironment finds a previously unsuspected role for IL-7 in gluten-induced epithelial destruction.
- António J. M. Santos
- Vincent van Unen
- Calvin J. Kuo
In vivo interaction screening reveals liver-derived constraints to metastasis
Interactions between plexin B2 on hepatocytes and sempahorins on disseminated tumour cells regulate metastatic seeding in the liver.
- Costanza Borrelli
- Morgan Roberts
- Andreas E. Moor
In vivo single-cell CRISPR uncovers distinct TNF programmes in tumour evolution
A CRISPR-based strategy for screening genes that affect clonal expansion finds that genes that are frequently mutated in squamous cell carcinoma converge on a TNF signalling module involving macrophages.
- Peter F. Renz
- Umesh Ghoshdastider
- Ataman Sendoel
Tumour vasculature at single-cell resolution
An atlas of tumour vasculature shows that tumour angiogenesis is initiated from venous endothelial cells and extended towards arterial endothelial cells.
- Mingzhu Yin
Mechanisms of actin filament severing and elongation by formins
Cryo-electron microscopy shows five structural states of inverted formin 2 and two of formin diaphanous 1 bound to F-actin, providing step-by-step visualization of the mechanisms of F-actin severing and elongation by formins.
- Nicholas J. Palmer
- Kyle R. Barrie
- Roberto Dominguez
Mechanism for the initiation of spliceosome disassembly
Cryo-electron microscopy structures of human and nematode spliceosomes show that the disassembly of this complex is initiated by the licensing of the disassembly helicase to act on the catalytic U6 small nuclear RNA.
- Matthias K. Vorländer
- Patricia Rothe
- Clemens Plaschka
Propofol rescues voltage-dependent gating of HCN1 channel epilepsy mutants
Propofol repairs malfunctioning mutant HCN1 channels associated with epilepsy, and its unusual mechanism of action on these ion channels can potentially be exploited to design precision drugs targeting HCN channelopathies.
- Elizabeth D. Kim
- Crina M. Nimigean
Amendments & Corrections
Author correction: genetic continuity and change among the indigenous peoples of california.
- Nathan Nakatsuka
- Brian Holguin
- David Reich
Author Correction: TAp63 suppresses metastasis through coordinate regulation of Dicer and miRNAs
- Deepavali Chakravarti
- Elsa R. Flores
Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.
Quick links
- Explore articles by subject
- Guide to authors
- Editorial policies
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Generating the table of contents. Now you can generate your table of contents. First write the title "Contents" (in the style of a level 1 heading). Then place your cursor two lines below this and go to the References tab. Click on Table of Contents and select Custom Table of Contents…. In the popup window, select how many levels of ...
To summarize, the following steps will help you create a clear and concise table of contents to guide readers through your research paper: 1. Insert the table of contents after the title page. 2. List all the sections and subsections in chronological order. 3. Paginate each section.
Table of Contents in Research In Research, A Table of Contents (TOC) is a structured list of the main sections or chapters of a research paper , Thesis and Dissertation . It provides readers with an overview of the organization and structure of the document, allowing them to quickly locate specific information and navigate through the document.
A multi-level table of contents also further divides sections into 'level 3' headings. This option can get messy quickly, so proceed with caution. Remember your table of contents should not be longer than 2 pages. A multi-level table is often a good choice for a shorter document like a research paper.
Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples. Published on May 15, 2022 by Tegan George. Revised on July 18, 2023. The table of contents is where you list the chapters and major sections of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, alongside their page numbers. A clear and well-formatted table of contents is essential ...
Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.
APA Table of Contents. The APA (American Psychological Association) Table of Contents is a structured outline that provides an overview of the content of a research paper or manuscript. It is typically included in the front matter of the document and lists the major sections and subsections of the paper, along with their page numbers.
5. Click Insert Table of Contents (also called "Custom Table of Contents" on other version of Word) 6. Adjust Table of Contents to ensure the following settings: Checks next to "Show page num-bers" and "Right align page numbers."Tab leader set to dots (not dashes). "Formats" section set to "From template" and "Show levels ...
The table of contents forms an essential part of any academic paper. Through the use of headings, sub-headings, and page numbers, we can construct an accurate road map to assist reviewers, evaluators, tutors, and general readers. The table of contents shows how effective the writer is at dividing the thesis into relevant and manageable sections.
At the end of the table of contents, include a page break and start the next section on a separate page. 3 Use 1-inch margins on each side of the page, the standard APA paper format. 4 Use pages that are 8½ by 11 inches—another part of the standard APA paper format. 5 The APA paper format uses a header (called the "running head") on ...
Create Table of Contents in APA Formats. One more step and our APA paper with table of contents is as good as ready. From the very beginning, type the page name, keep it centered and aligned to the top. Remember about 1-inch long indents. Make the heading bold to increase readability and navigation.
The table of contents is the section of a dissertation that guides each section of the dissertation paper's contents. Depending on the detail level in a table of contents, the most useful headings are listed to provide the reader concerning which page the said information may be found.
An automatic Table of Contents relies on Styles to keep track of page numbers and section titles for you automatically. Microsoft Word can scan your document and find everything in the Heading 1 style and put that on the first level of your table of contents, put any Heading 2's on the second level of your table of contents, and so on.. If you want an automatic table of contents you need to ...
For a standard psychology paper, it might include listings for the introduction, method, results, and discussion sections of your paper. While the APA may not specify guidelines for a table of contents, you should use the basic APA format for formatting your table of contents: Use one-inch margins on all sides. Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
Rules that guide academic writing are specific to each paper format. However, some rules apply to all styles - APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. Basically, one of these rules is the inclusion of a table of contents (TOC) in an academic text, particularly long ones, like theses, dissertations, and research papers.
Research Guides; Thesis / Dissertation Formatting Manual (2024) ... Paper Thesis Submission ; I. General Formatting Guidelines Toggle Dropdown. Formatting Overview ; ... Here is an example of a Table of Contents page from the Template. Please note that your table of contents may be longer than one page.
A working table of contents should begin with a title. This title may change as you draft your text, but a working title will help you focus your thoughts as you devise the headings and plan the content for the main parts, chapters, sections and subsections that should be added beneath it. All headings, whether numbered or not, should be ...
Step 2: Identify the page for the table of contents. Step 3: Type each heading and sub-heading. ... A short essay or research paper written in MLA format requires no table of contents. However, if ...
Just like in Word, it's easy to make a table of contents in Google Docs. Click on Insert in the top horizontal menu and then Table of Contents at the bottom of the dropdown menu. You will then have three options: Plain Text: a standard table of contents design. Dotted: a table of contents with dotted leader lines.
Key Elements of a Table of Contents. The TOC is where one lists the chapters and major sections of their document, together with their page numbers. A clear and well-out table is very important as it indicates a quality paper is structured. The key elements that should be included in the TOC are: The page titles; Clear headings and subheadings
Once you have added headings and used the styles feature, you will be able to use the word function to "generate" a table of contents. You will need to type "Table of Contents" in bold font, centered at the top of the page you will be inserting your table of contents onto. Then, place your cursor on the next line. From the References tab, click ...
Any page with a main heading on it (title page, abstract, table of contents, etc.) is counted, but no page number is typed on the page. Second pages to the abstract, table of contents, lists, and acknowledgments are numbered with lower case Roman numerals centered within the thesis margins and .5" from the bottom of the page.
MS Word is equally as useful, but creating a table of contents in Google Docs is a really straightforward process. Choose your preferred location for your table of contents on the document. Click 'Insert' and choose 'Table of contents.'. Decide on your chosen table of contents format.
The FDIC is proud to be a pre-eminent source of U.S. banking industry research, including quarterly banking profiles, working papers, and state banking performance data. ... working papers, and state banking performance data. Browse our extensive research tools and reports. ... Table of Contents Index. Part I: Basic Examination Concepts and ...
Political-science document from Liberty University, 22 pages, The Turning Point of the 1980 Election: The New Hampshire Primary and the Nashua Debate Chad Davenport HIUS 542: History of American Political Parties since 1896 July 3, 2024 Table of Contents Introduction. Discussion of the Thesis.....
The cover shows an artistic rendition of the effects of mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The five mass bleaching and mortality...