Formatting sounds small, but it screams “careful” or “careless” in seconds. I read a lot of student essays, and the same layout issues show up again and again. The good news is that most are easy fixes once you know what to look for.
One reason citations and formatting trip students up is that the rules have lots of tiny moving parts. In a survey of 3,000 US college students, TypeCite reported that 83% of those who lost points for citation issues said they lost points due to formatting inaccuracies. That is a huge “small details matter” signal.
If you want a full overview of formats before we dive into the mistakes, start with this pillar guide on different essay formats.
Mistake 1: Using the wrong essay format for the assignment brief
This is the big one. Students pick a format because it is familiar, not because it is required. Then everything becomes a domino effect: headings, title page, citations, reference list, and even spelling conventions.
Fix it fast:
Open the assignment brief and look for three words: APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard. If it is not stated, check your module handbook or rubric. If you are still unsure, email your tutor with one clear question: “Which referencing style should I use for this module?”
Helpful deep dives (choose the one you actually need):
- For MLA rules, use MLA format essay
- For psychology, education, and social sciences, use APA essay format
- For history and some humanities, use Chicago style essay format
- For many UK universities, use Harvard essay format style
Mistake 2: Margins, font, and spacing that look “almost right”
Markers notice layout inconsistency instantly. A paper can feel messy even if the writing is strong, simply because spacing and font choices keep changing.
Common “almost right” issues:
- 1.5 spacing in some sections and double spacing in others
- Random font switches after copy and paste
- Margins that are slightly off, especially after exporting to PDF
Fix it fast:
Set your formatting first, then write. In Word or Google Docs, lock in:
- Margins (usually 1 inch or 2.54 cm unless told otherwise)
- A readable font and size (your style guide often specifies this)
- Consistent line spacing
- Consistent paragraph indentation or spacing after paragraphs (choose one system)
If you want a simple checklist that works for most assignments, see which is the best essay format and how to choose that fits your requirements.
Mistake 3: Paragraph indentation and spacing that fight each other
A super common layout problem is using both indentation and extra blank lines, which creates a “gappy” look. Another version is indenting some paragraphs but not others, usually after copying text.
Fix it fast:
Pick one consistent approach based on your style guide:
- Either indent the first line of each paragraph
- Or do not indent and instead use consistent spacing after paragraphs
Then apply it to the whole document using paragraph styles, not manual tabs and extra enters.
Mistake 4: A title page that does not match the required style
Title pages vary a lot. APA has specific rules. MLA often uses a first page header style rather than a separate title page. Chicago can vary based on instructor preference.
What goes wrong:
- Missing module information or word count when it is required
- Title centered but the rest of the paper uses different spacing
- Title page included when the brief did not ask for one
Fix it fast:
Treat the title page as part of formatting, not decoration. Build it from the exact style guide rules or the module template. If your university provides a submission template, use it.
Mistake 5: Headings that are inconsistent or not a real hierarchy
Headings should help the reader scan your logic. But many essays have headings that behave like random bold lines.
Common issues:
- Headings that are not consistent in size or style
- Skipping levels (jumping from a big heading to a tiny one with no structure)
- Using headings that are too casual or vague like “Main Body” or “Stuff”
Fix it fast:
Use a clean hierarchy:
- Main sections as your top level headings
- Subsections as a second level
- Avoid going deeper unless the essay is long and research heavy
Tip: Use built in “Heading 1” and “Heading 2” styles so your formatting stays consistent and your document looks professional.
Mistake 6: Page numbers, running heads, and headers placed incorrectly
This one causes quiet panic right before submission. Students often add page numbers manually, or place them in the wrong position for the style.
What often happens:
- Page numbers typed into the header as plain text
- Page numbers missing from the reference list pages
- Header formatting changes on different pages
Fix it fast:
Insert page numbers using your word processor’s page number tool, not by typing. Then check:
- Does the page number appear on every page it should
- Is it aligned correctly (often top right)
- Does the first page follow the style guide rules
If your style requires a running head, follow the exact instructions because the rules differ across versions and departments.
Mistake 7: In text citations that are almost correct (but still wrong)
This is where marks leak. Students cite, but the punctuation, order, and formatting are off. Or they cite correctly in the paragraph but forget the matching entry in the reference list.
Remember that many students lose points specifically due to citation formatting errors. That TypeCite survey found formatting inaccuracies were the most commonly reported citation mistake among students who had lost points.
Fix it fast:
When you add an in text citation, immediately check three things:
- Does it match the required style (author date, footnote, etc.)
- Is punctuation placed correctly relative to the citation
- Will you add the full reference entry later (or now)
If you are switching between styles across modules, keep a mini “style cheat sheet” for each one. Mixing styles is one of the fastest ways to lose easy marks.
Mistake 8: A reference list that is not formatted as a system
Students often format references one by one, manually. That is why things go inconsistent: different capitalization, missing italics, wrong ordering, and no hanging indent.
Common issues:
- References not alphabetized
- Missing hanging indentation
- Inconsistent capitalization across titles
- Missing required details like DOI, page range, or publisher
Fix it fast:
Treat the reference list like a set of rules you apply to every entry:
- Use hanging indent consistently
- Alphabetize correctly
- Match punctuation and capitalization patterns across entries
- Make sure every in text citation has a matching reference entry (and vice versa)
Also watch out for copied references from random websites. They are often close, but not correct.
Mistake 9: Submitting without checking the final layout in the actual submission format
A doc can look fine in Google Docs and shift in Word. A Word file can look fine and shift when exported to PDF. Page breaks move, headings split from paragraphs, and tables or figures jump.
Fix it fast:
Do a final “submission view” check:
- Export to the format your university wants
- Scroll page by page and look for weird spacing, broken paragraphs, or headings alone at the bottom
- Confirm your page numbers and reference list still look right
- Make sure any images, tables, or appendices are placed cleanly and labeled correctly
If you want a single guide that pulls all these layout rules together (and helps you choose the right one), check the best essay format for quick standards, then adjust based on your required style.
A simple final formatting checklist (2 minutes)
Before you submit, quickly scan:
- Style matches the brief and is consistent
- Margins, font, spacing, and paragraph formatting are uniform
- Headings follow a clear hierarchy
- Page numbers and headers follow the required rules
- In text citations match the reference list exactly
- The file looks clean in the final submission format
If you are short on time and want expert eyes on both formatting and referencing (without changing your voice), you can use Essay Writing Services to polish structure, layout, and presentation. For more academic resources and guides, visit the EssaysHelper.
Conclusion
Formatting is not busywork. It is presentation, credibility, and compliance with the rubric. Fix the “easy marks” first: style consistency, spacing, headings, citations, and the final export check. Once your essay looks professional, your ideas get read with less friction, and that alone can lift your grade.
FAQs
1) What is the most common essay formatting mistake?
Using inconsistent formatting across the document, especially spacing, headings, and citations. Even small inconsistencies can make an essay look rushed.
2) Can formatting affect my grade even if the content is strong?
Yes. Many rubrics include presentation, academic conventions, and referencing. Poor layout can also reduce readability, which can indirectly affect how your arguments are judged.
3) What font and size should I use for a university essay?
Use the assignment brief first. If it does not specify, choose a clear, readable font and a standard size commonly accepted in academic writing, then keep it consistent throughout.
4) Should I use double spacing or 1.5 spacing?
Follow the brief or your department guidelines. Do not mix spacing styles in the same essay unless the style guide requires something specific for block quotes or footnotes.
5) How do I format headings in an essay correctly?
Use a clear hierarchy: main headings for major sections and subheadings only when needed. Keep the formatting identical for headings at the same level.
6) Why do my citations look correct but still lose marks?
Because citation styles care about tiny details: punctuation, ordering, italics, capitalization, and consistency. Many students cite sources but format them incorrectly.
7) What is a hanging indent and when do I need it?
A hanging indent is where the first line of a reference starts at the margin and the following lines are indented. Many reference list styles require it to improve readability.
8) Should I submit my essay as a PDF or Word document?
Submit in the format your university requests. If both are allowed, PDF often preserves formatting better, but always check that the exported PDF looks exactly like you intended.
If you want, I can also turn this into a content cluster plan (supporting posts + target keywords) around essay formatting and referencing, so this article ranks faster.