titlepage

A title page is the opening front matter page of a manuscript, book, or other published work that identifies the work and records essential information about it. It is typically a separate page placed at the front of the document, often after any preliminary pages in certain styles. A title page usually includes the full title and any subtitle, the name(s) of the author or authors, and may also list the author’s affiliations or the sponsoring institution. Depending on context, it may also show the course or degree for academic submissions, the submitting date, the publisher or imprint, and the location of publication. In some cases a copyright notice appears on the title page or on the following verso.

Variations occur across formats. In books, the title page is often followed by a half title with a shorter form of the title and then the copyright page. In theses and dissertations, the title page may follow strict university or program guidelines, specifying department, degree type, candidate name, and date. Some publishers place a logo or imprint on the title page, while others keep it minimal.

Layout and design considerations emphasize clarity and hierarchy. A typical arrangement centers the title prominently, with author and affiliation information in smaller type below. Whitespace, font choice, and alignment contribute to readability, and some style guides require no page numbering on the title page or the use of a separate front matter sequence. In digital documents, title page data often informs metadata for indexing and cataloging. See also front matter, half-title page, and copyright page.