Harvard Format

    Master the essential formatting rules for Harvard referencing style

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    Published: September 15, 2025

    General Paper Format

    Harvard format follows specific guidelines for document structure and presentation. These formatting rules ensure consistency and professional appearance in academic writing.

    Key Format Requirements:

    • • 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font
    • • Double-spaced throughout
    • • 1-inch margins on all sides
    • • Left-aligned text (not justified)
    • • Page numbers in top right corner

    Title Page

    Harvard style typically requires a title page with specific elements centered on the page.

    Essay Title

    by

    Student Name

    Student ID

    Course Name

    Institution Name

    Date

    Headings and Subheadings

    Harvard format uses a simple hierarchy for headings, typically bold and left-aligned.

    Main Headings (Level 1)

    Bold, title case, left-aligned

    Subheadings (Level 2)

    Bold, sentence case, left-aligned

    Sub-subheadings (Level 3)

    Italics, sentence case, left-aligned

    Reference List Format

    The reference list appears at the end of your document and lists all sources cited in your work.

    Reference List Guidelines:

    • • Start on a new page with "Reference List" as heading
    • • Arrange entries alphabetically by author surname
    • • Use hanging indent for each entry
    • • Single-space within entries, double-space between
    • • Include all sources cited in your text