how to start an essay apa style

A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

The start of the semester is the perfect time to learn how to create and format APA Style student papers. This article walks through the formatting steps needed to create an APA Style student paper, starting with a basic setup that applies to the entire paper (margins, font, line spacing, paragraph alignment and indentation, and page headers). It then covers formatting for the major sections of a student paper: the title page, the text, tables and figures, and the reference list. Finally, it concludes by describing how to organize student papers and ways to improve their quality and presentation.

The guidelines for student paper setup are described and shown using annotated diagrams in the Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3.40MB) and the A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Style Student Papers webinar . Chapter 1 of the Concise Guide to APA Style and Chapter 2 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association describe the elements, format, and organization for student papers. Tables and figures are covered in Chapter 7 of both books. Information on paper format and tables and figures and a full sample student paper are also available on the APA Style website.

Basic setup

The guidelines for basic setup apply to the entire paper. Perform these steps when you first open your document, and then you do not have to worry about them again while writing your paper. Because these are general aspects of paper formatting, they apply to all APA Style papers, student or professional. Students should always check with their assigning instructor or institution for specific guidelines for their papers, which may be different than or in addition to APA Style guidelines.

Seventh edition APA Style was designed with modern word-processing programs in mind. Most default settings in programs such as Academic Writer, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs already comply with APA Style. This means that, for most paper elements, you do not have to make any changes to the default settings of your word-processing program. However, you may need to make a few adjustments before you begin writing.

Use 1-in. margins on all sides of the page (top, bottom, left, and right). This is usually how papers are automatically set.

Use a legible font. The default font of your word-processing program is acceptable. Many sans serif and serif fonts can be used in APA Style, including 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 12-point Times New Roman, and 11-point Georgia. You can also use other fonts described on the font page of the website.

Line spacing

Double-space the entire paper including the title page, block quotations, and the reference list. This is something you usually must set using the paragraph function of your word-processing program. But once you do, you will not have to change the spacing for the entirety of your paper–just double-space everything. Do not add blank lines before or after headings. Do not add extra spacing between paragraphs. For paper sections with different line spacing, see the line spacing page.

Paragraph alignment and indentation

Align all paragraphs of text in the body of your paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin ragged. Do not use full justification. 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. For paper sections with different alignment and indentation, see the paragraph alignment and indentation page.

Page numbers

Put a page number in the top right of every page header , including the title page, starting with page number 1. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word-processing program to insert the page number in the top right corner; do not type the page numbers manually. The page number is the same font and font size as the text of your paper. Student papers do not require a running head on any page, unless specifically requested by the instructor.

Title page setup

Title page elements.

APA Style has two title page formats: student and professional (for details, see title page setup ). Unless instructed otherwise, students should use the student title page format and include the following elements, in the order listed, on the title page:

• Paper title.
• Name of each author (also known as the byline).
• Affiliation for each author.
• Course number and name.
• Instructor name.
• Assignment due date.
• Page number 1 in the top right corner of the page header.

The format for the byline depends on whether the paper has one author, two authors, or three or more authors.

• When the paper has one author, write the name on its own line (e.g., Jasmine C. Hernandez).
• When the paper has two authors, write the names on the same line and separate them with the word “and” (e.g., Upton J. Wang and Natalia Dominguez).
• When the paper has three or more authors, separate the names with commas and include “and” before the final author’s name (e.g., Malia Mohamed, Jaylen T. Brown, and Nia L. Ball).

Students have an academic affiliation, which identities where they studied when the paper was written. Because students working together on a paper are usually in the same class, they will have one shared affiliation. The affiliation consists of the name of the department and the name of the college or university, separated by a comma (e.g., Department of Psychology, George Mason University). The department is that of the course to which the paper is being submitted, which may be different than the department of the student’s major. Do not include the location unless it is part of the institution’s name.

Write the course number and name and the instructor name as shown on institutional materials (e.g., the syllabus). The course number and name are often separated by a colon (e.g., PST-4510: History and Systems Psychology). Write the assignment due date in the month, date, and year format used in your country (e.g., Sept. 10, 2020).

Title page line spacing

Double-space the whole title page. Place the paper title three or four lines down from the top of the page. Add an extra double-spaced blank like between the paper title and the byline. Then, list the other title page elements on separate lines, without extra lines in between.

Title page alignment

Center all title page elements (except the right-aligned page number in the header).

Title page font

Write the title page using the same font and font size as the rest of your paper. Bold the paper title. Use standard font (i.e., no bold, no italics) for all other title page elements.

Text elements

Repeat the paper title at the top of the first page of text. Begin the paper with an introduction to provide background on the topic, cite related studies, and contextualize the paper. Use descriptive headings to identify other sections as needed (e.g., Method, Results, Discussion for quantitative research papers). Sections and headings vary depending on the paper type and its complexity. Text can include tables and figures, block quotations, headings, and footnotes.

Text line spacing

Double-space all text, including headings and section labels, paragraphs of text, and block quotations.

Text alignment

Center the paper title on the first line of the text. Indent the first line of all paragraphs 0.5-in.

Left-align the text. Leave the right margin ragged.

Block quotation alignment

Indent the whole block quotation 0.5-in. from the left margin. Double-space the block quotation, the same as other body text. Find more information on the quotations page.

Use the same font throughout the entire paper. Write body text in standard (nonbold, nonitalic) font. Bold only headings and section labels. Use italics sparingly, for instance, to highlight a key term on first use (for more information, see the italics page).

Headings format

For detailed guidance on formatting headings, including headings in the introduction of a paper, see the headings page and the headings in sample papers .

• Alignment: Center Level 1 headings. Left-align Level 2 and Level 3 headings. Indent Level 4 and Level 5 headings like a regular paragraph.
• Font: Boldface all headings. Also italicize Level 3 and Level 5 headings. Create heading styles using your word-processing program (built into AcademicWriter, available for Word via the sample papers on the APA Style website).

Tables and figures setup

Tables and figures are only included in student papers if needed for the assignment. Tables and figures share the same elements and layout. See the website for sample tables and sample figures .

Table elements

Tables include the following four elements: 

• Body (rows and columns)
• Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the table)

Figure elements

Figures include the following four elements: 

• Image (chart, graph, etc.)
• Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the figure)

Table line spacing

Double-space the table number and title. Single-, 1.5-, or double-space the table body (adjust as needed for readability). Double-space the table note.

Figure line spacing

Double-space the figure number and title. The default settings for spacing in figure images is usually acceptable (but adjust the spacing as needed for readability). Double-space the figure note.

Table alignment

Left-align the table number and title. Center column headings. Left-align the table itself and left-align the leftmost (stub) column. Center data in the table body if it is short or left-align the data if it is long. Left-align the table note.

Figure alignment

Left-align the figure number and title. Left-align the whole figure image. The default alignment of the program in which you created your figure is usually acceptable for axis titles and data labels. Left-align the figure note.

Bold the table number. Italicize the table title. Use the same font and font size in the table body as the text of your paper. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the table note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Figure font

Bold the figure number. Italicize the figure title. Use a sans serif font (e.g., Calibri, Arial) in the figure image in a size between 8 to 14 points. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the figure note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Placement of tables and figures

There are two options for the placement of tables and figures in an APA Style paper. The first option is to place all tables and figures on separate pages after the reference list. The second option is to embed each table and figure within the text after its first callout. This guide describes options for the placement of tables and figures embedded in the text. If your instructor requires tables and figures to be placed at the end of the paper, see the table and figure guidelines and the sample professional paper .

Call out (mention) the table or figure in the text before embedding it (e.g., write “see Figure 1” or “Table 1 presents”). You can place the table or figure after the callout either at the bottom of the page, at the top of the next page, or by itself on the next page. Avoid placing tables and figures in the middle of the page.

Embedding at the bottom of the page

Include a callout to the table or figure in the text before that table or figure. Add a blank double-spaced line between the text and the table or figure at the bottom of the page.

Embedding at the top of the page

Include a callout to the table in the text on the previous page before that table or figure. The table or figure then appears at the top of the next page. Add a blank double-spaced line between the end of the table or figure and the text that follows.

Embedding on its own page

Embed long tables or large figures on their own page if needed. The text continues on the next page.

Reference list setup

Reference list elements.

The reference list consists of the “References” section label and the alphabetical list of references. View reference examples on the APA Style website. Consult Chapter 10 in both the Concise Guide and Publication Manual for even more examples.

Reference list line spacing

Start the reference list at the top of a new page after the text. Double-space the entire reference list (both within and between entries).

Reference list alignment

Center the “References” label. Apply a hanging indent of 0.5-in. to all reference list entries. Create the hanging indent using your word-processing program; do not manually hit the enter and tab keys.

Reference list font

Bold the “References” label at the top of the first page of references. Use italics within reference list entries on either the title (e.g., webpages, books, reports) or on the source (e.g., journal articles, edited book chapters).

Final checks

Check page order.

• Start each section on a new page.
• Arrange pages in the following order:
• Title page (page 1).
• Text (starts on page 2).
• Reference list (starts on a new page after the text).

Check headings

• Check that headings accurately reflect the content in each section.
• Start each main section with a Level 1 heading.
• Use Level 2 headings for subsections of the introduction.
• Use the same level of heading for sections of equal importance.
• Avoid having only one subsection within a section (have two or more, or none).

Check assignment instructions

• Remember that instructors’ guidelines supersede APA Style.
• Students should check their assignment guidelines or rubric for specific content to include in their papers and to make sure they are meeting assignment requirements.

Tips for better writing

• Ask for feedback on your paper from a classmate, writing center tutor, or instructor.
• Budget time to implement suggestions.
• Use spell-check and grammar-check to identify potential errors, and then manually check those flagged.
• Proofread the paper by reading it slowly and carefully aloud to yourself.
• Consult your university writing center if you need extra help.

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How to Write an Essay in APA Format

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

What Is APA Format?

Apa essay format basics.

• Steps to Follow

Frequently Asked Questions

If your instructor has asked you to write an APA format essay, it might at first seem like a daunting task, especially if you are accustomed to using another style such as MLA or Chicago. But you can master the rules of APA essay format, too.

An essay is one type of paper that can be written in APA format; others include lab reports, experimental reports, and case studies. Before you begin, familiarize yourself with some of the basic guidelines for writing a paper in APA format. Of course, it will also be important to follow any other formatting instructions that are part of your assignment.

How do you write an essay in APA format? The basic elements you need to include are:

• A title page
• An abstract
• An introduction, main body, and conclusion
• A reference section
• Proper APA formatting with regard to margins, layout, spacing, titles, and indentations

This article discusses how to write an essay in APA format, including the basic steps you should follow and tips for how to get started.

Whether you’re taking an introductory or graduate-level psychology class, chances are strong that you will have to write at least one paper during the course of the semester. In almost every case, you will need to write your paper in APA format, the official publication style of the American Psychological Association . It is also used for academic journals.

Such rules are generally the same whether you are writing a high school essay, college essay, or professional essay for publication.

APA format is used in a range of disciplines including psychology , education, and other social sciences. The format dictates presentation elements of your paper including spacing, margins, and how the content is structured.

Most instructors and publication editors have strict guidelines when it comes to how your format your writing. Not only does adhering to APA format allow readers to know what to expect from your paper, but it also means that your work will not lose critical points over minor formatting errors. 

While the formatting requirements for your paper might vary depending on your instructor's directions, writing APA essay format means you will most likely need to include a title page, abstract, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference sections.

Your APA format essay should have a title page . This title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and your school affiliation. In some instances, your teacher might require additional information such as the course title, instructor name, and the date.

• The title of your paper should be concise and clearly describe what your paper is about.
• Your title can extend to two lines, but it should be no longer than 12 words.

An abstract is a brief summary of your paper that immediately follows the title page. It is not required for student papers, according to APA style. However, your instructor may request one.

If you include an abstract , it should be no more than 100 to 200 words, although this may vary depending upon the instructor requirements.

Your essay should also include a reference list with all of the sources that were cited in your essay,

• The reference section is located at the end of your paper.
• References should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the author.
• References should be double-spaced.
• Any source that is cited in your paper should be included in your reference section.

When writing in APA essay format, the text will include the actual essay itself: The introduction, body, and conclusion.

• There should be uniform margins of at least one inch at the top, bottom, left, and right sides of your essay.
• The text should be in Times New Roman size 12 font or another serif typeface that is easily readable.
• Your paper should be double-spaced.
• Every page should include a page number in the top right corner.
• The first word of each paragraph in your paper should be indented one-half inch.

For professional papers (usually not student papers), every page of the essay also includes a running head at the top left. The running head is a shortened form of the title, often the first few words, and should be no more than 50 characters (including spaces).

Steps to a Successful APA Format Essay

In addition to ensuring that you cite your sources properly and present information according to the rules of APA style, there are a number of things you can do to make the writing process a little bit easier.

Choose a Topic

Start by choosing a good topic to write about. Ideally, you want to select a subject that is specific enough to let you fully research and explore the topic, but not so specific that you have a hard time finding sources of information.

If you choose something too specific, you may find yourself with not enough to write about. If you choose something too general, you might find yourself overwhelmed with information.

Research Your Topic

Start doing research as early as possible. Begin by looking at some basic books and articles on your topic to help develop it further. What is the question you are going to answer with your essay? What approach will you take to the topic?

Once you are more familiar with the subject, create a preliminary source list of potential books, articles, essays, and studies that you may end up using in your essay.

Remember, any source used in your essay must be included in your reference section. Conversely, any source listed in your references must be cited somewhere in the body of your paper.

Write Your Rough Draft

With research in hand, you are ready to begin. Some people like to create an outline to organize their argument prior to drafting. You may want to start with a very rough outline, and then add details.

Once you have a detailed outline, the next step is to translate it from notes to complete sentences and paragraphs. Remember, this is a first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect.

As you write your paper in APA essay format, be sure to keep careful track of the sources that you cite.

How do you start an APA paper? Your paper should begin with an introduction that includes a thesis statement that presents your main ideas, points, or arguments. Your introduction should start on the third page of your paper (after the title page and abstract). The title of your paper should be centered, bolded, and typed in title case at the top of the page.

Review and Revise

After you have prepared a rough draft of your essay, it's time to revise, review, and prepare your final draft. In addition to making sure that your writing is cohesive and supported by your sources, you should also check carefully for typos, grammar errors, and possible formatting mistakes.

When citing information or quotations taken from an interview, APA format requires that you cite the source, how the information was collected, and the date of the interview. They should not be included in the reference section, however, because they are not something that can be located by a reader in any published source or searchable database.

Instead, the information should be cited parenthetically in the main body of the text. For example: “There was an increase in the number of college students who screened positive for depression/anxiety” (R. Heathfield, personal communication, May 9, 2021).

If the essay is in a chapter of a book, edited collection, or anthology, APA format states that you should cite the last name, first name, title of essay, title of collection, publisher, year, and page range. For example: Smith, John, "The Light House," A Book of Poems , editing by Peter Roberts, Allworth Press, 2005, pp. 20-25.

According to APA format, a two-part essay is formatted the same as an essay, however, you'll need to create two title pages.

If you're including a short direct quote in your APA-format essay, you will need to cite the author, year of publication, and page number (p.) or page number span (pp.). Quotations longer than 40 words should omit the quotation marks and be put in the text using block quotation formatting, on its own line and indented 1/2 inch from the left margin.

The cover page or "title page" in APA essay format should always include the title of your paper, your name, and school affiliation as well as the course title, instructor name, and date, if requested by your teacher.

Nagda S.  How to write a scientific abstract.   J Indian Prosthodont Soc.  2013;13(3):382-383. doi:10.1007/s13191-013-0299-x

American Psychological Association.  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association  (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2019.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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How to Write an APA Style Paper

Last Updated: June 5, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Noah Taxis . Noah Taxis is an English Teacher based in San Francisco, California. He has taught as a credentialed teacher for over four years: first at Mountain View High School as a 9th- and 11th-grade English Teacher, then at UISA (Ukiah Independent Study Academy) as a Middle School Independent Study Teacher. He is now a high school English teacher at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco. He received an MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education. He also received an MA in Comparative and World Literature from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a BA in International Literary & Visual Studies and English from Tufts University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 336,115 times.

APA style can seem intimidating, but it’s mostly a matter of dividing your paper into the right sections and following basic formatting guidelines. Give your paper a strong intro, then follow up with the methods, results, and discussion sections. Include references, an abstract, and any relevant tables or figures, and you’re good to go!

APA Style Paper Outline

Formatting the Title Page and Abstract

• For instance, a title like “Age, Health, and Cities” is too short and vague.
• ”Age-Based Influences on the Perception of Access to Healthcare in Cities” is more informative.
• Center the title on the page.

• Age as an Influence on Perceived Access to Healthcare in Cities
• Rohanda Jenkins
• University of Toledo

• For example, “AGE AND PERCEIVED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE”

Creating the Main Body

• Your introduction should summarize your topic, it’s relevance to other research, and how you arrived at your hypothesis.
• Keep things interesting. Avoid boring your readers with lists like “Schmidt concluded in 2009 that…. As Donaldson conferred in 2011…. In 2013, Pavlov then argued…”
• Instead, write in terms of ideas: “Scholars such as Schmidt and Donaldson have proven that there is widespread variability in access to healthcare. The role of age in creating this variability has not been adequately considered. Knowledge of health care options among the elderly is an important starting point that Pavlov’s research explores, but a more comprehensive study of age-based influences is needed.”

• Title each subsection (“Participants,” “Materials,” “Procedures”) in bold print, and set the subsection titles all the way to the left. Begin each paragraph on the next line.
• If it is necessary to describe the equipment you used, you can also include an “Apparatus” section instead of or in addition to the “Materials” section.
• The goal of the methods section is to show other researches how to replicate the study, if they wanted to.

• Refer to the APA manual or your specific field for precise information on how to format statistics.
• Make references to any supplementary materials you have in your paper (charts, images, graphs, tables, etc.). For example, you might write something like “As Figure 1 indicates…”

• For example, your discussion might say something “Although this study indicated that teens perceive health care as being less accessible than adults over 35, additional research is needed to explore this topic among 18-35 year olds.”

Applying the Finishing Touches

• List the references alphabetically, according to the first author’s last name.
• Don’t put an extra space between each reference. Regular double spacing is all you need.
• Use hanging indentation for the reference entries.
• Make sure to also include APA style in-text citations if you cite a reference in the body of your essay.

• If you are a student, however, your instructor may ask you to incorporate tables or figures into the body of your paper. Always ask if you aren’t sure.

• Put the word “Abstract” centered in regular type on the line above the paragraph.
• You should write the abstract after you’re finished with the paper, put position it on its own page just after the title page.

Expert Q&A

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about academic writing, check out our in-depth interview with Noah Taxis .

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa6_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/title-page
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html
• ↑ https://www.canadacollege.edu/htpcommittee/docs/GUIDELINES%20FOR%20RESEARCH%20PAPER%20S14.pdf
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/discussion-phrases-guide.pdf
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures/figures
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/abstract-keywords-guide.pdf

About This Article

To write an APA-style paper, use a 12-point font size, double spacing, and 1-inch margins all around. You should also include a title page with the title of your paper and your name and institution. Also, include a page header at the top of every page that gives a brief synopsis of your paper's title in under 50 characters. At the end of your paper, make a "References" page that contains all of the sources you used in alphabetical order according to the author's last name. To learn how to write and format the body of an APA-style paper, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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• The Complete Guide to APA Format in 2020
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APA Format is the official writing style of the American Psychological Association, and is primarily used in subjects such as psychology, education, and the social sciences.

It specifies how to format academic papers and citations for publication in journals, periodicals, and bulletins.

This guide will show you how to prepare and format a document to be fully compliant with APA Format in 2020.

Before You Start Writing...

There are several steps you must take to prepare a new document for APA style before you start writing your paper:

• Make sure the paper size is 8.5" x 11" (known as 'Letter' in most word processors).
• Set the margin size to 1" on all sides (2.54cm).
• Change the line spacing to double-spaced .
• Add page numbers to the top-right corner of every page.
• Add a running head to the top-left corner of every page.

We have a pre-made APA style template document you can download to be sure you are ready to start writing. You can download it below:

When your document is ready, proceed to writing the title page .

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How to Write an Essay in APA Format: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

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Writing an essay in APA format can initially seem challenging, but with the right guidance, it becomes a straightforward process. The APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used for citing sources within the social sciences. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay in APA format, complete with examples.

Understanding APA Format

Before diving into writing, it’s crucial to understand what the APA style entails. The APA style includes guidelines for various aspects of academic writing , such as the title page, abstract, main body, and references. These guidelines ensure clarity, consistency, and credibility in scholarly writing.

General Guidelines for APA Format

Font and spacing.

When preparing your essay, use a standard, easily readable font such as 12pt Times New Roman. Double-space all text, including the references, to enhance readability and provide space for comments or corrections. Additionally, include a page header, known as the “running head,” at the top of every page. This header should consist of a shortened version of your essay title, followed by the page number.

Margins and Alignment

Set 1-inch margins on all sides of your document. Align the text to the left-hand side, leaving the right-hand side ragged to maintain a clean, professional appearance. Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches to signal the start of a new paragraph.

The title page of your essay is the first impression your reader will have, so it’s important to get it right. It should include the essay title, your name, and your institutional affiliation, all centred on the page. 

Effects of Social Media on Academic Performance

University of Education

The abstract is a concise summary of your essay, usually no longer than 250 words. It provides a brief overview of the main points and findings of your essay, allowing readers to quickly understand the content and purpose of your work. Place the abstract on a separate page following the title page.

This study explores the impact of social media on students’ academic performance. Through a survey of 200 students, it was found that excessive use of social media has a negative effect on grades. The implications of these findings suggest a need for increased awareness and educational interventions.

The main body of your essay should be well-structured and organised, consisting of the following sections:

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for your essay. Begin by introducing the topic, providing necessary background information, and stating your thesis or main argument. The thesis should be clear and concise, outlining the purpose and direction of your essay.

Introduction: The rapid growth of social media has sparked interest in understanding its effects on various aspects of life, including education. This essay examines how social media influences students’ academic performance. 

The method section describes the research methods or approaches you used in your study. Provide detailed information on how you collected and analysed your data, allowing others to replicate your study if desired.

A quantitative survey was conducted among 200 university students to gather data on their social media usage and academic performance. Participants were asked to report the average time spent on social media platforms and their grades.

In the results section, present the findings of your research. Use tables, graphs, or charts where appropriate to illustrate your data clearly. Ensure that you explain the significance of your findings in relation to your research question.

The discussion section interprets the results, discussing their implications and how they relate to your original thesis. Consider any limitations of your study and suggest areas for future research.

The findings suggest that while social media can offer educational benefits, its excessive use can hinder academic performance. Educational institutions should consider integrating social media literacy into their curriculum to help students manage their online time effectively. Future research could explore the impact of specific social media platforms on academic outcomes.

In-Text Citations and References

APA in-text citations guide readers to the full reference entry at the end of your essay. They must be included within the text when you quote or paraphrase someone else’s ideas or words to prevent plagiarism. APA style uses the so-called author-date system as per the example below.

The reference page is a crucial component of your essay, listing all sources cited in your work. Ensure each reference follows APA style, using a hanging indent for each entry. This not only gives credit to the original authors but also allows readers to locate the sources you used.

(Ross, 2022, p. 123)

Ross, J. A. (2022). The impact of social media on academic performance. Journal of Educational Research , 45 (3), 123-134.

Tips for Writing an Essay in APA Format

Writing an essay in APA format requires careful attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you master an essay in APA format (and other popular style guides ):

• Use Headings and Subheadings : Headings and subheadings help organise your essay and make it easier for readers to follow your argument. Follow APA guidelines for heading levels to maintain consistency.
• Cite Sources Properly : Proper citation is crucial in academic writing. Always give credit to the original authors of the sources you use. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication, while the reference list should provide full publication details.
• Proofread and Edit : Before submitting your essay, thoroughly proofread and edit it to ensure it is free from grammatical errors and follows APA format strictly. Consider using writing tools or seeking feedback from peers to improve the quality of your essay.

You can effectively write an essay in APA format that meets academic standards by following these guidelines. The key is to stay organised, pay attention to detail, and adhere to the specific rules of APA style. With practice, writing in APA format will become second nature, helping you produce polished and professional academic papers.

How Our Academic Essay Editing Services Can Help You

Struggling with APA formatting? Our professional academic editors can help you enusre that your essays adhere to the APA style guide, enhancing the clarity and credibility of your work.  Don’t let formatting issues detract from your academic achievements. With our assistance, you can focus on your content while we handle the technical details. Get a bespoke quote now and elevate your essays to meet the highest academic standards.

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APA Sample Paper

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Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Media Files: APA Sample Student Paper  ,  APA Sample Professional Paper

This resource is enhanced by Acrobat PDF files. Download the free Acrobat Reader

Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student  and  professional  papers (i.e., papers written for credit in a course and papers intended for scholarly publication). These differences mostly extend to the title page and running head. Crucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper.

However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in  student style and one in  professional  style.

Note: For accessibility purposes, we have used "Track Changes" to make comments along the margins of these samples. Those authored by [AF] denote explanations of formatting and [AWC] denote directions for writing and citing in APA 7. 

APA 7 Student Paper:

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How to Write an Essay in APA Format: Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Updated 09 Jul 2024

Correct formatting and citation are crucial for academic writing. A particular referencing style must be followed throughout the document. College students often ask how to write an essay in APA format, as accurate academic referencing is critical to achieving high grades. In addition to understanding APA format, it is equally important to grasp how to write a profile essay effectively. This article provides the APA 7th edition guidelines and best tips. 

What is APA format for an essay?

In almost every case, you'll need to use the APA format when writing a publication for academic journals or completing an assignment on Education, Psychology, Economics, Business Studies, or Social Sciences. This formatting style was developed by the American Psychological Association and is one of the academic referencing formats along with MLA, Vancouver, and Chicago/Turabian formats. 

The APA 7th essay format specifies the presentation elements of your paper, such as margins, spacing, and content structure. It also uses an "author-date" system, requiring a brief reference to the author and publication date in the main body of the text and a complete reference list at the end. Writing an essay in APA format requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines, which is why some students opt to pay for essay services to ensure their papers meet all the necessary criteria.

General APA requirements

Particular guidelines should be followed to ensure the proper formatting of an essay or survey in APA style . The text should be typed double-spaced (including headings) with margins of at least one inch on each side of the page. It is important as it allows professors to leave feedback and make notes while reading the document. The preferred font for APA format is Times New Roman (12pt), Georgia (11pt), or Arial (11pt).

The use of numbers

According to APA recommendations, expressing numbers below 10 requires using words.  When expressing numbers 10 and above, it’s necessary to employ numerals. Still, there are some instances when utilizing numerals is preferable:

• Numbers are mentioned in a table or abstract;
• Numbers immediately precede a unit of measurement (e.g., 5 cm, 2 gals);
• Numbers represent mathematical or statistical functions, percentages, ratios, quartiles, and percentiles (e.g., divided by 5, 8%, a ratio of 8:1);
• Numbers represent dates, time, scores, ages, point values on a scale, numerals, and exact sums of money (e.g., 10:15 am, $5, a 10-point scale), except for approximate numbers of years, months, weeks, or days (e.g., roughly 5 weeks ago);
• Numbers indicate a particular place in parts of tables and books, a numbered series (e.g., photo 1, illustration 5).

Punctuation

APA format requires particular types of punctuation, including commas, periods, semi-colons, colons, parentheses, quotation marks, hyphens, and dashes. Each punctuation mark has a specific use, for example:

• Commas to detach clauses and list items; 
• Periods after abbreviations or to end sentences; 
• Semi-colons for items with commas; 
• Colons to introduce a list or explanation; 
• Parentheses to enclose complementary information; 
• Quotation marks to indicate direct quotes, titles or sarcasm; 
• Hyphens and dashes for linking words or indicating a break in thought. 

Following APA guidelines and consulting a reliable APA style guide for specific rules about using these punctuation marks are important.

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APA alphabetization guidelines

When writing an essay in APA format, references should be listed alphabetically by the first author's last name. It’s also possible to order the reference entry by the first word of the title (excluding “a”, “an”, or “the”) if the author is unknown. If a source has many authors, it’s necessary to list them in the same order they appear on the title page. If several authors have the same last name, write their first initials to differentiate them. If you use several sources of the same author, indicate them chronologically, beginning with the earliest work. By following these guidelines, writers can ensure that their reference list is correctly organized and readers can easily locate the sources used in research.

Paragraph alignment and indentation

Proper paragraph alignment and indentation are crucial in ensuring the readability and consistency of your written work. When you learn how to write an APA essay, you shouldn’t disregard the rules about the placement of the text within the margins of your document. 

According to APA standards, the text should be aligned to the left margin, with a "ragged" right margin that creates an uneven or jagged edge. This approach provides a professional appearance to your document and enhances its readability.

Indentation pertains to the distance between the left margin and the beginning of a new paragraph. In APA format, the first line of each paragraph should be indented by 0.5 inches (or one tab key press). This technique serves to separate paragraphs visually and assists readers in distinguishing between different ideas or sections in your writing.

Correct paragraph alignment and indentation are essential formatting elements in APA style that contribute to a polished form of your work. Additionally, these features aid in presenting your ideas in a clear and organized manner.

APA outline format guidelines

The structure of an essay using APA outline format typically includes the following main parts: 

• Title page or cover page; 
• Abstract, introduction, or outline; 
• The main body, essential arguments, or analysis; 
• Conclusions, discussions, or recommendations; 
• Reference list. 

The sections included in an essay may vary depending on the specific topics and individual university requirements. The arguments a student intends to present in the essay and how they are explained in the main body of the text will also impact the structure. However, these five components must be included in every APA format essay. In the following sections, we will examine the requirements for each of these parts in detail.

Full cover page for an APA style essay

Your essay should start with a cover page (or title page) completed in APA essay format . Read the guide on how to write an essay in APA style beforehand and ensure you understand everything in it. The cover page is the first thing readers and an examiner will see and is considered the "face" of an essay. Therefore, ensuring its flawlessness is crucial. It’s also important to check with your department to see if there are any specific requirements for the cover page.

Some colleges or universities may provide a sample cover page that needs to be used for every essay submission. Essays should have concise titles that clearly describe the content. You can extend the title to two lines, but it should be at most 12 words. An APA format cover page typically includes the following:

• A page header (or running head);
• The essay title;
• The author's name;
• A page number;
• The institution where the paper was submitted.

It may also contain additional information like the course title, your professor’s name, and date if required. The information should be centered on the page (except for a page header, we’ll consider it below) and have double spacing.

Correct page header

Whatever guide on how to write an essay in APA format you may come across, you’ll see recommendations to include a page header in academic works. Universities and colleges often mandate a page header on each page of an essay. This element includes the paper's title in all capital letters and should be left-aligned. It comes with a page number that is right-aligned.

A page header has to be present at the top of every page of an essay. Many novice students make the error of neglecting to include the running head on the title page. In academic writing, the ability to condense text is a valuable skill, and this also applies to the page header in APA format, which must not exceed 50 characters, including spaces. Authors frequently create brief versions of their titles exclusively for their page headers.

Headings and subheadings

In APA style, text must be divided into clear and logical parts using headings. There are typically five types of headings, with each style used consistently for paragraphs of equal importance. The first level is reserved for major sections like "Methods" or "Results," while levels two through five are applied for subheadings. Subheadings are useful for categorizing a section into subsections that logically follow one another. 

Let’s consider a heading and subheadings in an essay in an APA format example : 

Heading Level 1: The Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity

Heading Level 2: Deforestation

Subheading Level 3: Causes of Deforestation

Subheading Level 3: Impact of Deforestation on Biodiversity

The text starts with a new paragraph and is formatted in Title Case, with uppercase and lowercase letters. It’s centered and written in bold font.

The text begins with a new paragraph and is formatted with uppercase and lowercase letters in Title Case. It’s written in bold font and left-aligned.

The formatting requires Title Case and bold font. The text is indented and ends with a period. It begins on the next line after the period.

The heading is formatted in Title Case with bold font and indented. It’s italicized. To separate the heading and the text, use a period and start writing the text on the same line.

The text is in Title Case and indented. It’s italicized and written in normal font. To separate the heading and the text, use a period and start writing the text on the same line.

The abstract is an informative yet concise paragraph that provides readers with essential information about the text before they delve into it. Typically, an abstract should be around 200 words or 10% of the essay's total word count if longer. Within this summary, the writer must present the primary idea of the text, its research question, objectives, methods, and main conclusions.

The abstract is formatted as a distinct section of the text, placed apart visually and contextually from the rest of the main body. It is typically written in plain text, without any formatting, and labeled with a simple "Abstract" title. Usually, researchers include a few keywords that reflect the paper's core content.

Key essay elements in APA: introduction, body, conclusion

The main body of an essay contains the main ideas, arguments, and thoughts the writer presents. It immediately follows the abstract page. Each main body page should be numbered, with the abstract page labeled as page 2. Professional academic writing also requires including a page header on every page. 

The main body is typically organized into sections, including the introduction, body (with research methods, discussions, or arguments), and conclusions. Depending on the subject and department requirements, additional sections may be necessary. So it’s important to consult the professor or course guidelines for specific instructions. 

According to an APA essay writing guide , the formatting requirements for this part of the text are the following:

• Identical margins of at least one inch should be maintained on all sides of the paper;
• The text should be written in Times New Roman 12pt;
• Double spacing has to be used throughout the paper;
• Every page should be numbered in the top right corner;
• The first word of every paragraph must be indented by half an inch.

Each section of the main body, such as methods, discussions, and conclusions, should start with a new paragraph and a relevant title. The title can be as simple as "Methodology" or as descriptive as “Results of Analysis: Impact of Social Media on Body Image Perception.” The discussions or arguments may be further subdivided into subsections to present and elaborate on the results in an organized manner.

Table of contents

If you learn how to write an essay in APA format, you won’t find specific instructions for organizing the table of contents. It’s optional to include it in either professional or student papers. However, following some general instructions is recommended if your tutor requires a table of contents. To create a table of contents, insert a separate page between the abstract and introduction sections and label it as "Contents" in bold and centered format. Then, list the main headings along with their respective page numbers.

Reference page

An essay must include a reference list with all the sources cited. Place your reference page between your essay’s main body and appendices. On this page, you should indicate all the sources cited in your work using APA in-text citations. Start the reference page on a new page and label it "References" at the top, using bold and center alignment. References should be listed alphabetically below the label by the author's last name. Make sure they are double-spaced. To format references, employ a hanging indent whereby the initial line of each entry is flush left, while all subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches.

Tables and figures

Tables and figures in APA 7th edition share a common format, with a number and title preceding them. If required, they may be followed by explanatory notes. To make the table or figure stand out, use bold styling for the words "Table" or "Figure" along with the corresponding number. Place the title on a separate line below this, using italics and title case.

It's important to keep tables uncluttered. Avoid using vertical lines, limit horizontal lines to a minimum, and ensure that row and column labels are short.

When designing figures, simplicity should be your goal. Labels and a legend may be included as necessary, and color should be used only if it's essential for comprehension rather than for decorative purposes.

If you feel overwhelmed with all the requirements and think, "It's better to find someone to write an essay for me ," consider seeking professional assistance.

Tips for successfully writing an essay in APA format 

Discover the essential step-by-step recommendations about how to write an essay in APA format and follow them to create a well-structured paper.

• Learn the APA Style Guidelines.  Before starting your writing, read about the APA style's basic formatting, citation, and reference rules. Refer to the APA manual or a reliable APA style manual for guidance.
• Complete a Title Page.  Your essay's title page should include the title, your name, and the name of your institution. It should also have a running head (a shortened version of the title) and a page number.
• Create Headings and Subheadings.  Use clear and descriptive headings to organize your essay into sections. The APA style requires the use of headings and subheadings.
• Use In-Text Citations.  Cite any ideas or information you borrowed from other sources using in-text citations. This gives credit to the original author and helps to avoid plagiarism.
• Include a Reference List.  At the end of your essay, include a reference list in alphabetical order, listing all the sources used in your research. Follow the proper formatting for each type of source.
• Proofread Your Essay.  Verify for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ensure that you’ve followed all formatting and citation rules correctly.
• Seek Feedback.  Request feedback from teachers, or tutors to help identify areas where you should polish your writing.

What is the running head, and how to format an essay in APA with this element? 

The running head (or a page header) is a short title on the top left corner of every page in an essay. Typically, it contains a brief version of the title (limited to 50 characters) and the corresponding page number. Its purpose is to help readers identify the paper's content and navigate through it.

To comply with APA style, you should place the running head in the header section of your paper, written in capital letters and aligned to the left margin. This element should be present on each page, even the title page. When you insert this element on the title page, the words "Running head" followed by a colon should precede the shortened title. However, on all subsequent pages, the running head should only contain the shortened title without the phrase "Running head".

How is APA different from MLA?

APA and MLA are both citation styles used in academic writing. Still, they differ:

• APA is commonly used in the Social Sciences, while MLA is more commonly used in the Humanities.
• In in-text citations, APA uses the author's name and publication year. In contrast, MLA only uses the author's name.
• The reference page in APA is titled "References" and uses a hanging indent, while in MLA, it is titled "Works Cited" and does not have a hanging indent.
• APA requires a running head on every page, while MLA does not.
• APA lists the author's last name followed by their first initial, while MLA lists the author's first name followed by their last name.

  How to cite in APA format? 

Many students asking how to format an essay in APA may need help citing sources in this format. To do it properly, you should include an in-text citation and a reference entry. Remember that different source types (web pages and books) require different citation formats. You can use APA Citation Generator to create perfect citations in seconds to save time and ensure accuracy.

  Is it necessary to have page numbers on every page?

Yes. This also concerns the title page, table of contents, and reference page. Ensure that the page numbers are right-aligned in the page header. To add page numbers in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, click the “Insert” tab and select “Page number”.

Who commonly uses the APA style?

Researchers, writing professionals, and students in the Behavioral and Social Sciences, such as Education, Business, and Psychology, frequently use this style and ask how to write an essay in APA format. However, it's essential to review the requirements of your university or the journal where you intend to publish your paper to verify the appropriate style to utilize.

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Written by Steven Robinson

Steven Robinson is an academic writing expert with a degree in English literature. His expertise, patient approach, and support empower students to express ideas clearly. On EduBirdie's blog, he provides valuable writing guides on essays, research papers, and other intriguing topics. Enjoys chess in free time.

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / APA Format

APA Format for Students & Researchers

In this guide, students and researchers can learn the basics of creating a properly formatted research paper according to APA guidelines.

It includes information on how to conceptualize, outline, and format the basic structure of your paper, as well as practical tips on spelling, abbreviation, punctuation, and more. The guide concludes with a complete sample paper as well as a final checklist that writers can use to prepare their work for submission.

APA Paper Formatting Basics

• All text should be double-spaced
• Use one-inch margins on all sides
• All paragraphs in the body are indented
• Make sure that the title is centered on the page with your name and school/institution underneath
• Use 12-point font throughout
• All pages should be numbered in the upper right hand corner
• The manual recommends using one space after most punctuation marks
• A shortened version of the title (“running head”) should be placed in the upper left hand corner

Table of Contents

Here’s a quick rundown of the contents of this guide on how to do APA format.

Information related to writing and organizing your paper:

• Paper and essay categories

General paper length

• Margin sizes
• Title pages
• Running Heads
• APA Outline
• APA Abstract
• The body of papers
• APA headings and subheadings
• Use of graphics (tables and figures)

Writing style tips:

Proper tone.

• Reducing bias and labels
• Abbreviation do’s and don’ts
• Punctuation
• Number rules

Citing Your Sources:

• Citing Sources
• In-text Citations
• Reference Page

Proofing Your Paper:

• Final checklist
• Submitting your project

APA Information:

• What is APA
• APA 7 Updates

What you won’t find in this guide: This guide provides information related to the formatting of your paper, as in guidelines related to spacing, margins, word choice, etc. While it provides a general overview of APA references, it does not provide instructions for how to cite in APA format.

For step-by-step instructions for citing books, journals, how to cite a website in APA format, information on an APA format bibliography, and more, refer to these other EasyBib guides:

• APA citation (general reference guide)
• APA In-text citation
• APA article citation
• APA book citation
• APA citation website

Or, you can use our automatic generator. Our APA formatter helps to build your references for you. Yep, you read that correctly.

Writing and Organizing Your APA Paper in an Effective Way

This section of our guide focuses on proper paper length, how to format headings, spacing, and more! This information can be found in Chapter 2 of the official manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, pp. 29-67).

Categories of papers

Before getting into the nitty-gritty details related to APA research paper format, first determine the type of paper you’re about to embark on creating:

Empirical studies

Empirical studies take data from observations and experiments to generate research reports. It is different from other types of studies in that it isn’t based on theories or ideas, but on actual data.

Literature reviews

These papers analyze another individual’s work or a group of works. The purpose is to gather information about a current issue or problem and to communicate where we are today. It sheds light on issues and attempts to fill those gaps with suggestions for future research and methods.

Theoretical articles

These papers are somewhat similar to a literature reviews in that the author collects, examines, and shares information about a current issue or problem, by using others’ research. It is different from literature reviews in that it attempts to explain or solve a problem by coming up with a new theory. This theory is justified with valid evidence.

Methodological articles

These articles showcase new advances, or modifications to an existing practice, in a scientific method or procedure. The author has data or documentation to prove that their new method, or improvement to a method, is valid. Plenty of evidence is included in this type of article. In addition, the author explains the current method being used in addition to their own findings, in order to allow the reader to understand and modify their own current practices.

Case studies

Case studies present information related an individual, group, or larger set of individuals. These subjects are analyzed for a specific reason and the author reports on the method and conclusions from their study. The author may also make suggestions for future research, create possible theories, and/or determine a solution to a problem.

Since APA style format is used often in science fields, the belief is “less is more.” Make sure you’re able to get your points across in a clear and brief way. Be direct, clear, and professional. Try not to add fluff and unnecessary details into your paper or writing.  This will keep the paper length shorter and more concise.

Margin sizes in APA Format

When it comes to margins, keep them consistent across the left, right, top, and bottom of the page. All four sides should be the same distance from the edge of the paper. It’s recommended to use at least one-inch margins around each side. It’s acceptable to use larger margins, but the margins should never be smaller than an inch.

Title pages in APA Format

The title page, or APA format cover page, is the first page of a paper or essay. Some teachers and professors do not require a title page, but some do. If you’re not sure if you should include one or not, ask your teacher. Some appreciate the page, which clearly displays the writer’s name and the title of the paper.

The APA format title page for student papers includes six main components:

• the title of the APA format paper
• names of all authors
• institutional affiliation
• course number and title
• instructor’s name

Title pages for professional papers  also require a running head; student papers do not.

Some instructors and professional publications also ask for an author’s note. If you’re required or would like to include an author’s note, place it below the institutional affiliation. Examples of information included in an author’s note include an ORCID iD number, a disclosure, and an acknowledgement.

Here are key guidelines to developing your title page:

• The title of the paper should capture the main idea of the essay, but should not contain abbreviations or words that serve no purpose. For example, instead of using the title “A Look at Amphibians From the Past,” title the paper “Amphibians From the Past.” Delete the unnecessary fluff!
• Center the title on the page and place it about 3-4 lines from the top.
• The title should be bolded, in title case, and the same font size as your other page text. Do not underline or italicize the title. Other text on the page should be plain (not bolded , underlined, or italicized ). 
• All text on the title page should be double-spaced. The APA format examples paper below displays proper spacing, so go take a look!
• Do not include any titles in the author’s name such as Dr. or Ms. In contrast, for your instructor’s name, use the form they prefer (e.g., Sagar Parekh, PhD; Dr. Minako Asato; Professor Nathan Ian Brown; etc.).
• The institutional affiliation is the school the author attends or the location where the author conducted the research.

In a hurry? Try the  EasyBib title page maker to easily create a title page for free.

Sample of an APA format title page for a student paper:

Sample of title page for a professional paper:

Running heads in APA Format

The 7th edition of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual (p. 37) states that running heads are not required for student papers unless requested by the instructor. Student papers still need a page number included in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The 6th edition required a running head for student papers, so be sure to confirm with your instructor which edition you should follow. Of note, this guide follows the 7th edition.

Running heads are required for professional papers (e.g., manuscripts submitted for publication). Read on for instructions on how to create them.

Are you wondering what is a “running head”? It’s basically a page header at the top of every page. To make this process easier, set your word processor to automatically add these components onto each page. You may want to look for “Header” in the features.

A running head/page header includes two pieces:

• the title of the paper
• page numbers.

Insert page numbers justified to the right-hand side of the APA format paper (do not put p. or pg. in front of the page numbers).

For all pages of the paper, including the APA format title page, include the “TITLE OF YOUR PAPER” justified to the left in capital letters (i.e., the running head). If your full title is long (over 50 characters), the running head title should be a shortened version.

Preparing outlines in APA Format

Outlines are extremely beneficial as they help writers stay organized, determine the scope of the research that needs to be included, and establish headings and subheadings.

There isn’t an official or recommended “APA format for outline” structure. It is up to the writer (if they choose to make use of an outline) to determine how to organize it and the characters to include. Some writers use a mix of roman numerals, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase letters.

Even though there isn’t a required or recommended APA format for an outline, we encourage writers to make use of one. Who wouldn’t want to put together a rough outline of their project? We promise you, an outline will help you stay on track.

Here’s our version of how APA format for outlines could look:

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for information on APA citation format and other related topics, check out our other comprehensive guides.

How to form an abstract in APA

An APA format abstract (p. 38) is a summary of a scholarly article or scientific study. Scholarly articles and studies are rather lengthy documents, and abstracts allow readers to first determine if they’d like to read an article in its entirety or not.

You may come across abstracts while researching a topic. Many databases display abstracts in the search results and often display them before showing the full text of an article or scientific study. It is important to create a high quality abstract that accurately communicates the purpose and goal of your paper, as readers will determine if it is worthy to continue reading or not.

Are you wondering if you need to create an abstract for your assignment? Usually, student papers do not require an abstract. Abstracts are not typically seen in class assignments, and are usually only included when submitting a paper for publication. Unless your teacher or professor asked for it, you probably don’t need to have one for your class assignment.

If you’re planning on submitting your paper to a journal for publication, first check the journal’s website to learn about abstract and APA paper format requirements.

Here are some helpful suggestions to create a dynamic abstract:

• Abstracts are found on their own page, directly after the title or cover page.
• Professional papers only (not student papers): Include the running head on the top of the page.
• On the first line of the page, center the word “Abstract” (but do not include quotation marks).
• On the following line, write a summary of the key points of your research. Your abstract summary is a way to introduce readers to your research topic, the questions that will be answered, the process you took, and any findings or conclusions you drew. Use concise, brief, informative language. You only have a few sentences to share the summary of your entire document, so be direct with your wording.
• This summary should not be indented, but should be double-spaced and less than 250 words.
• If applicable, help researchers find your work in databases by listing keywords from your paper after your summary. To do this, indent and type Keywords : in italics.  Then list your keywords that stand out in your research. You can also include keyword strings that you think readers will type into the search box.
• Active voice: The subjects reacted to the medication.
• Passive voice: There was a reaction from the subjects taking the medication.
• Instead of evaluating your project in the abstract, simply report what it contains.
• If a large portion of your work includes the extension of someone else’s research, share this in the abstract and include the author’s last name and the year their work was released.

APA format example page:

Here’s an example of an abstract:

Visual design is a critical aspect of any web page or user interface, and its impact on a user’s experience has been studied extensively. Research has shown a positive correlation between a user’s perceived usability and a user’s assessment of visual design. Additionally, perceived web quality, which encompasses visual design, has a positive relationship with both initial and continued consumer purchase intention. However, visual design is often assessed using self-report scale, which are vulnerable to a few pitfalls. Because self-report questionnaires are often reliant on introspection and honesty, it is difficult to confidently rely on self-report questionnaires to make important decisions. This study aims to ensure the validity of a visual design assessment instrument (Visual Aesthetics of Websites Inventory: Short version) by examining its relationship with biometric (variables), like galvanic skin response, pupillometry, and fixation information. Our study looked at participants assessment of a webpage’s visual design, and compared it to their biometric responses while viewing the webpage. Overall, we found that both average fixation duration and pupil dilation differed when participants viewed web pages with lower visual design ratings compared to web pages with a higher visual design rating.

Keywords : usability, visual design, websites, eye tracking, pupillometry, self-report, VisAWI

The body of an APA paper

On the page after the title page (if a student paper) or the abstract (if a professional paper), begin with the body of the paper.

Most papers follow this format:

• At the top of the page, add the page number in the upper right corner of all pages, including the title page.
• On the next line write the title in bold font and center it. Do not underline or italicize it.
• Begin with the introduction and indent the first line of the paragraph. All paragraphs in the body are indented.

Sample body for a student paper:

Most scientific or professional papers have additional sections and guidelines:

• Start with the running head (title + page number). The heading title should be in capital letters. The abstract page should be page 2.
• The introduction presents the problem and premise upon which the research was based. It goes into more detail about this problem than the abstract.
• Begin a new section with the Method and use this word as the subtitle. Bold and center this subtitle. The Method section shows how the study was run and conducted. Be sure to describe the methods through which data was collected.
• Begin a new section with the Results . Bold and center this subtitle. The Results section summarizes your data. Use charts and graphs to display this data.
• Draw conclusions and support how your data led to these conclusions.
• Discuss whether or not your hypothesis was confirmed or not supported by your results.
• Determine the limitations of the study and next steps to improve research for future studies.

Sample body for a professional paper:

Keep in mind, APA citation format is much easier than you think, thanks to EasyBib.com. Try our automatic generator and watch how we create APA citation format references for you in just a few clicks. While you’re at it, take a peek at our other helpful guides, such as our APA reference page guide, to make sure you’re on track with your research papers.

Proper usage of headings & subheadings in APA Format

Headings (p. 47) serve an important purpose in research papers — they organize your paper and make it simple to locate different pieces of information. In addition, headings provide readers with a glimpse to the main idea, or content, they are about to read.

In APA format, there are five levels of headings, each with a different formatting:

• This is the title of your paper
• The title should be centered in the middle of the page
• The title should be bolded
• Use uppercase and lowercase letters where necessary (called title capitalization)
• Place this heading against the left margin
• Use bold letters
• Use uppercase and lowercase letters where necessary
• Place this heading against the left side margin
• End the heading with a period
• Indented in from the left margin

Following general formatting rules, all headings are double spaced and there are no extra lines or spaces between sections.

Here is a visual APA format template for levels of headings:

Use of graphics (tables and figures) in APA Format

If you’re looking to jazz up your project with any charts, tables, drawings, or images, there are certain APA format rules (pp. 195-250) to follow.

First and foremost, the only reason why any graphics should be added is to provide the reader with an easier way to see or read information, rather than typing it all out in the text.

Lots of numbers to discuss? Try organizing your information into a chart or table. Pie charts, bar graphs, coordinate planes, and line graphs are just a few ways to show numerical data, relationships between numbers, and many other types of information.

Instead of typing out long, drawn out descriptions, create a drawing or image. Many visual learners would appreciate the ability to look at an image to make sense of information.

Before you go ahead and place that graphic in your paper, here are a few key guidelines:

• Follow them in the appropriate numerical order in which they appear in the text of your paper. Example : Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, Figure 3.
• Example: Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, Figure 3
• Only use graphics if they will supplement the material in your text. If they reinstate what you already have in your text, then it is not necessary to include a graphic.
• Include enough wording in the graphic so that the reader is able to understand its meaning, even if it is isolated from the corresponding text. However, do not go overboard with adding a ton of wording in your graphic.
• Left align tables and figures

In our APA format sample paper , you’ll find examples of tables after the references. You may also place tables and figures within the text just after it is mentioned.

Is there anything better than seeing a neatly organized data table? We think not! If you have tons of numbers or data to share, consider creating a table instead of typing out a wordy paragraph. Tables are pretty easy to whip up on Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

General format of a table should be:

• Table number
• Choose to type out your data OR create a table. As stated above, in APA format, you shouldn’t have the information typed out in your paper and also have a table showing the same exact information. Choose one or the other.
• If you choose to create a table, discuss it very briefly in the text. Say something along the lines of, “Table 1 displays the amount of money used towards fighting Malaria.” Or, “Stomach cancer rates are displayed in Table 4.”
• If you’re submitting your project for a class, place your table close to the text where it’s mentioned. If you’re submitting it to be published in a journal, most publishers prefer tables to be placed in the back. If you’re unsure where to place your tables, ask!
• Include the table number first and at the top. Table 1 is the first table discussed in the paper. Table 2 is the next table mentioned, and so on. This should be in bold.
• Add a title under the number. Create a brief, descriptive title. Capitalize the first letter for each important word. Italicize the title and place it under the table number.
• Only use horizontal lines.
• Limit use of cell shading.
• Keep the font at 12-point size and use single or double spacing. If you use single spacing in one table, make sure all of the others use single spaces as well. Keep it consistent.
• All headings should be centered.
• In the first column (called the stub), center the heading, left-align the information underneath it (indent 0.15 inches if info is more than one line).
• Information in other columns should be centered.
• General . Information about the whole table.
• Specific . Information targeted for a specific column, row, or cell.
• Probability . Explains what certain table symbols mean. For example, asterisks,  p values, etc.

Here’s an APA format example of a table:

We know putting together a table is pretty tricky. That’s why we’ve included not one, but a few tables on this page. Scroll down and look at the additional tables in the essay in APA format example found below.

Figures represent information in a visual way. They differ from tables in that they are visually appealing. Sure, tables, like the one above, can be visually appealing, but it’s the color, circles, arrows, boxes, or icons included that make a figure a “figure.”

There are many commonly used figures in papers. Examples APA Format:

• Photographs
• Hierarchy charts

General format of a figure is the same as tables. This means each should include:

• Figure number

Use the same formatting tables use for the number, title, and note.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind when it comes to APA format for figures:

• Only include a figure if it adds value to your paper. If it will truly help with understanding, include it!
• Either include a figure OR write it all out in the text. Do not include the same information twice.
• If a note is added, it should clearly explain the content of the figure. Include any reference information if it’s reproduced or adapted.

APA format sample of a figure:

Photographs:

We live in a world where we have tons of photographs available at our fingertips.

Photographs found through Google Images, social media, stock photos made available from subscription sites, and tons of other various online sources make obtaining photographs a breeze. We can even pull out our cell phones, and in just a few seconds, take pictures with our cameras.

Photographs are simple to find, and because of this, many students enjoy using them in their papers.

If you have a photograph you would like to include in your project, here are some guidelines from the American Psychological Association.

• Create a reference for the photograph. Follow the guidelines under the table and figure sections above.
• Do not use color photos. It is recommended to use black and white. Colors can change depending on the reader’s screen resolution. Using black and white ensures the reader will be able to view the image clearly. The only time it is recommended to use color photos is if you’re writing about color-specific things. For example, if you’re discussing the various shades of leaf coloration, you may want to include a few photographs of colorful leaves.
• If there are sections of the photograph that are not related to your work, it is acceptable to crop them out. Cropping is also beneficial in that it helps the reader focus on the main item you’re discussing.
• If you choose to include an image of a person you know, it would be respectful if you ask their permission before automatically including their photo in your paper.  Some schools and universities post research papers online and some people prefer that their photos and information stay off the Internet.

B. Writing Style Tips

Writing a paper for scientific topics is much different than writing for English, literature, and other composition classes. Science papers are much more direct, clear, and concise. This section includes key suggestions, explains how to write in APA format, and includes other tidbits to keep in mind while formulating your research paper.

Verb usage in APA

Research experiments and observations rely on the creation and analysis of data to test hypotheses and come to conclusions. While sharing and explaining the methods and results of studies, science writers often use verbs.

When using verbs in writing, make sure that you continue to use them in the same tense throughout the section you’re writing. Further details are in the publication manual (p. 117).

Here’s an APA format example:

We tested the solution to identify the possible contaminants.

It wouldn’t make sense to add this sentence after the one above:

We tested the solution to identify the possible contaminants. Researchers often test solutions by placing them under a microscope.

Notice that the first sentence is in the past tense while the second sentence is in the present tense. This can be confusing for readers.

For verbs in scientific papers, the APA manual recommends using:

• Past tense or present perfect tense for the explantation of the procedure
• Past tense for the explanation of the results
• Present tense for the explanation of the conclusion and future implications

If this is all a bit much, and you’re simply looking for help with your references, try the EasyBib.com APA format generator . Our APA formatter creates your references in just a few clicks. APA citation format is easier than you think thanks to our innovative, automatic tool.

Even though your writing will not have the same fluff and detail as other forms of writing, it should not be boring or dull to read. The Publication Manual suggests thinking about who will be the main reader of your work and to write in a way that educates them.

How to reduce bias & labels

The American Psychological Association strongly objects to any bias towards gender, racial groups, ages of individuals or subjects, disabilities, and sexual orientation (pp. 131-149). If you’re unsure whether your writing is free of bias and labels or not, have a few individuals read your work to determine if it’s acceptable.

Here are a few guidelines that the American Psychological Association suggests :

• Only include information about an individual’s orientation or characteristic if it is important to the topic or study. Do not include information about individuals or labels if it is not necessary.
• If writing about an individual’s characteristic or orientation, for essay APA format, make sure to put the person first. Instead of saying, “Diabetic patients,” say, “Patients who are diabetic.”
• Instead of using narrow terms such as, “adolescents,” or “the elderly,” try to use broader terms such as, “participants,” and “subjects.”
• “They” or “their” are acceptable gender-neutral pronouns to use.
• Be mindful when using terms that end with “man” or “men” if they involve subjects who are female. For example, instead of using “Firemen,” use the term, “Firefighter.” In general, avoid ambiguity.
• When referring to someone’s racial or ethnic identity, use the census category terms and capitalize the first letter. Also, avoid using the word, “minority,” as it can be interpreted as meaning less than or deficient. Instead, say “people of color” or “underrepresented groups.”
• When describing subjects in APA format, use the words “girls” and “boys” for children who are under the age of 12. The terms, “young woman,” “young man,” “female adolescent,” and “male adolescent” are appropriate for subjects between 13-17 years old; “Men,” and “women,” for those older than 18. Use the term, “older adults.” for individuals who are older. “Elderly,” and “senior,” are not acceptable if used only as nouns. It is acceptable to use these terms if they’re used as adjectives.

Read through our example essay in APA format, found in section D, to see how we’ve reduced bias and labels.

Spelling in APA Format

• In APA formatting, use the same spelling as words found in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (American English) (p. 161).
• If the word you’re trying to spell is not found in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, a second resource is Webster’s Third New International Dictionary .
• If attempting to properly spell words in the psychology field, consult the American Psychological Association’s Dictionary of Psychology

Thanks to helpful tools and features, such as the spell checker, in word processing programs, most of us think we have everything we need right in our document. However, quite a few helpful features are found elsewhere.

Where can you find a full grammar editor? Right here, on EasyBib.com. The EasyBib Plus paper checker scans your paper for spelling, but also for any conjunction , determiner, or adverb out of place. Try it out and unlock the magic of an edited paper.

Abbreviation do’s and don’ts in APA Format

Abbreviations can be tricky. You may be asking yourself, “Do I include periods between the letters?” “Are all letters capitalized?” “Do I need to write out the full name each and every time?” Not to worry, we’re breaking down the publication manual’s abbreviations (p. 172) for you here.

First and foremost, use abbreviations sparingly.

Too many and you’re left with a paper littered with capital letters mashed together. Plus, they don’t lend themselves to smooth and easy reading. Readers need to pause and comprehend the meaning of abbreviations and quite often stumble over them.

• If the abbreviation is used less than three times in the paper, type it out each time. It would be pretty difficult to remember what an abbreviation or acronym stands for if you’re writing a lengthy paper.
• If you decide to sprinkle in abbreviations,  it is not necessary to include periods between the letters.
• Example: While it may not affect a patient’s short-term memory (STM), it may affect their ability to comprehend new terms. Patients who experience STM loss while using the medication should discuss it with their doctor.
• Example : AIDS
• The weight in pounds exceeded what we previously thought.

Punctuation in APA Format

One space after most punctuation marks.

The manual recommends using one space after most punctuation marks, including punctuation at the end of a sentence (p. 154). It doesn’t hurt to double check with your teacher or professor to ask their preference since this rule was changed recently (in 2020).

The official APA format book was primarily created to aid individuals with submitting their paper for publication in a professional journal. Many schools adopt certain parts of the handbook and modify sections to match their preference. To see an example of an APA format research paper, with the spacing we believe is most commonly and acceptable to use, scroll down and see section D.

For more information related to the handbook, including frequently asked questions, and more, here’s further reading on the style

It’s often a heated debate among writers whether or not to use an Oxford comma (p. 155), but for this style, always use an Oxford comma. This type of comma is placed before the words AND and OR or in a series of three items.

Example of APA format for commas: The medication caused drowsiness, upset stomach, and fatigue.

Here’s another example: The subjects chose between cold, room temperature, or warm water.

Apostrophes

When writing a possessive singular noun, you should place the apostrophe before the s. For possessive plural nouns, the apostrophe is placed after the s.

• Singular : Linda Morris’s jacket
• Plural : The Morris’ house

Em dashes (long dash) are used to bring focus to a particular point or an aside. There are no spaces after these dashes (p. 157).

Use en dashes (short dash) in compound adjectives. Do not place a space before or after the dash. Here are a few examples:

• custom-built
• 12-year-old

Number rules in APA Format

Science papers often include the use of numbers, usually displayed in data, tables, and experiment information. The golden rule to keep in mind is that numbers less than 10 are written out in text. If the number is more than 10, use numerals.

APA format examples:

• 14 kilograms
• seven individuals
• 83 years old
• Fourth grade

The golden rule for numbers has exceptions.

In APA formatting, use numerals if you are:

• Showing numbers in a table or graph
• 4 divided by 2
• 6-month-olds

Use numbers written out as words if you are:

• Ninety-two percent of teachers feel as though….
• Hundred Years’ War
• One-sixth of the students

Other APA formatting number rules to keep in mind:

• World War II
• Super Bowl LII
• It’s 1980s, not 1980’s!

Additional number rules can be found in the publication manual (p. 178)

Need help with other writing topics? Our plagiarism checker is a great resource for anyone looking for writing help. Say goodbye to an out of place noun , preposition , or adjective, and hello to a fully edited paper.

Overview of APA references

While writing a research paper, it is always important to give credit and cite your sources; this lets you acknowledge others’ ideas and research you’ve used in your own work. Not doing so can be considered plagiarism , possibly leading to a failed grade or loss of a job.

APA style is one of the most commonly used citation styles used to prevent plagiarism. Here’s more on crediting sources . Let’s get this statement out of the way before you become confused: An APA format reference and an APA format citation are two different things! We understand that many teachers and professors use the terms as if they’re synonyms, but according to this specific style, they are two separate things, with different purposes, and styled differently.

A reference displays all of the information about the source — the title, the author’s name, the year it was published, the URL, all of it! References are placed on the final page of a research project.

Here’s an example of a reference:

Wynne-Jones, T. (2015). The emperor of any place . Candlewick Press.

An APA format citation is an APA format in-text citation. These are found within your paper, anytime a quote or paraphrase is included. They usually only include the name of the author and the date the source was published.

Here’s an example of one:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is even discussed in the book, The Emperor of Any Place . The main character, Evan, finds a mysterious diary on his father’s desk (the same desk his father died on, after suffering from a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy attack). Evan unlocks the truth to his father and grandfather’s past (Wynne-Jones, 2015).

Both of the ways to credit another individual’s work — in the text of a paper and also on the final page — are key to preventing plagiarism. A writer must use both types in a paper. If you cite something in the text, it must have a full reference on the final page of the project. Where there is one, there must be the other!

Now that you understand that, here’s some basic info regarding APA format references (pp. 281-309).

• Each reference is organized, or structured, differently. It all depends on the source type. A book reference is structured one way, an APA journal is structured a different way, a newspaper article is another way. Yes, it’s probably frustrating that not all references are created equal and set up the same way. MLA works cited pages are unique in that every source type is formatted the same way. Unfortunately, this style is quite different.
• Most references follow this general format:

Author’s Last name, First initial. Middle initial. (Year published). Title of source . URL.

Again, as stated in the above paragraph, you must look up the specific source type you’re using to find out the placement of the title, author’s name, year published, etc.

For more information on APA format for sources and how to reference specific types of sources, use the other guides on EasyBib.com. Here’s another useful site .

Looking for a full visual of a page of references? Scroll down and take a peek at our APA format essay example towards the bottom of this page. You’ll see a list of references and you can gain a sense of how they look.

Bonus: here’s a link to more about the fundamentals related to this particular style. If you want to brush up or catch up on the Modern Language Association’s style, here’s a great resource on how to cite websites in MLA .

In-text APA citation format

Did you find the perfect quote or piece of information to include in your project? Way to go! It’s always a nice feeling when we find that magical piece of data or info to include in our writing. You probably already know that you can’t just copy and paste it into your project, or type it in, without also providing credit to the original author.

Displaying where the original information came from is much easier than you think.Directly next to the quote or information you included, place the author’s name and the year nearby. This allows the reader of your work to see where the information originated.

APA allows for the use of two different forms of in-text citation, parenthetical and narrative Both forms of citation require two elements:

• author’s name
• year of publication

The only difference is the way that this information is presented to the reader.

Parenthetical citations are the more commonly seen form of in-text citations for academic work, in which both required reference elements are presented at the end of the sentence in parentheses. Example:

Harlem had many artists and musicians in the late 1920s (Belafonte, 2008).

Narrative citations allow the author to present one or both of the required reference elements inside of the running sentence, which prevents the text from being too repetitive or burdensome. When only one of the two reference elements is included in the sentence, the other is provided parenthetically. Example:

According to Belafonte (2008), Harlem was full of artists and musicians in the late 1920s.

If there are two authors listed in the source entry, then the parenthetical reference must list them both:

(Smith & Belafonte, 2008)

If there are three or more authors listed in the source entry, then the parenthetical reference can abbreviate with “et al.”, the latin abbreviation for “and others”:

(Smith et al., 2008)

The author’s names are structured differently if there is more than one author. Things will also look different if there isn’t an author at all (which is sometimes the case with website pages). For more information on APA citation format, check out this page on the topic: APA parenthetical citation and APA in-text citation . There is also more information in the official manual in chapter 8.

If it’s MLA in-text and parenthetical citations you’re looking for, we’ve got your covered there too! You might want to also check out his guide on parenthetical citing .

Would you benefit from having a tool that helps you easily generate citations that are in the text? Check out EasyBib Plus!

References page in APA Format

An APA format reference page is easier to create than you probably think. We go into detail on how to create this page on our APA reference page . We also have a guide for how to create an annotated bibliography in APA . But, if you’re simply looking for a brief overview of the reference page, we’ve got you covered here.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind when it comes to the references page in APA format:

• This VIP page has its very own page. Start on a fresh, clean document (p. 303).
• Center and bold the title “References” (do not include quotation marks, underline, or italicize this title).
• Alphabetize and double-space ALL entries.
• Use a readable font, such as Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or Lucida (p. 44).
• Every quote or piece of outside information included in the paper should be referenced and have an entry.
• Even though it’s called a “reference page,” it can be longer than one page. If your references flow onto the next page, then that’s a-okay.
• Only include the running head if it is required by your teacher or you’re writing a professional paper.

Sample reference page for a student paper:

Here’s another friendly reminder to use the EasyBib APA format generator (that comes with EasyBib Plus) to quickly and easily develop every single one of your references for you. Try it out! Our APA formatter is easy to use and ready to use 24/7.

Final APA Format Checklist

Prior to submitting your paper, check to make sure you have everything you need and everything in its place:

• Did you credit all of the information and quotes you used in the body of your paper and show a matching full reference at the end of the paper? Remember, you need both! Need more information on how to credit other authors and sources? Check out our other guides, or use the EasyBib APA format generator to credit your sources quickly and easily. EasyBib.com also has more styles than just the one this page focuses on.
• 12-pt. Times New Roman
• 11-pt. Calibri, Arial, Georgia
• 10-pt. Lucida, Sans Unicode, Computer Modern
• If you created an abstract, is it directly after the title page? Some teachers and professors do not require an abstract, so before you go ahead and include it, make sure it’s something he or she is expecting.
• Professional paper — Did you include a running head on every single page of your project?
• Student paper — Did you include page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of all your pages?
• Are all headings, as in section or chapter titles, properly formatted? If you’re not sure, check section number 9.
• Are all tables and figures aligned properly? Did you include notes and other important information directly below the table or figure? Include any information that will help the reader completely understand everything in the table or figure if it were to stand alone.
• Are abbreviations used sparingly? Did you format them properly?
• Is the entire document double spaced?
• Are all numbers formatted properly? Check section 17, which is APA writing format for numbers.
• Did you glance at the sample paper? Is your assignment structured similarly? Are all of the margins uniform?

Submitting Your APA Paper

Congratulations for making it this far! You’ve put a lot of effort into writing your paper and making sure the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted. If you’re planning to submit your paper for a school assignment, make sure you review your teacher or professor’s procedures.

If you’re submitting your paper to a journal, you probably need to include a cover letter.

Most cover letters ask you to include:

• The author’s contact information.
• A statement to the editor that the paper is original.
• If a similar paper exists elsewhere, notify the editor in the cover letter.

Once again, review the specific journal’s website for exact specifications for submission.

Okay, so you’re probably thinking you’re ready to hit send or print and submit your assignment. Can we offer one last suggestion? We promise it will only take a minute.

Consider running your paper through our handy dandy paper checker. It’s pretty simple.

Copy and paste or upload your paper into our checker. Within a minute, we’ll provide feedback on your spelling and grammar. If there’s a pronoun , interjection , or verb out of place, we’ll highlight it and offer suggestions for improvement. We’ll even take it a step further and point out any instances of possible plagiarism.

If it sounds too good to be true, then head on over to our innovative tool and give it a whirl. We promise you won’t be disappointed.

What is APA Format?

APA stands for the American Psychological Association . In this guide, you’ll find information related to “What is APA format?” in relation to writing and organizing your paper according to the American Psychological Association’s standards. Information on how to cite sources can be found on our APA citation page. The official American Psychological Association handbook was used as a reference for our guide and we’ve included page numbers from the manual throughout. However, this page is not associated with the association.

You’ll most likely use APA format if your paper is on a scientific topic. Many behavioral and social sciences use this organization’s standards and guidelines.

What are behavioral sciences? Behavioral sciences study human and animal behavior. They can include:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience

What are social sciences? Social sciences focus on one specific aspect of human behavior, specifically social and cultural relationships. Social sciences can include:

• Anthropology
• Political Science
• Human Geography
• Archaeology
• Linguistics

What’s New in the 7th Edition?

This citation style was created by the American Psychological Association. Its rules and guidelines can be found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association . The information provided in the guide above follows the 6th edition (2009) of the manual. The 7th edition was published in 2020 and is the most recent version.

The 7th edition of the Publication Manual is in full color and includes 12 sections (compared to 8 sections in the 6th edition). In general, this new edition differentiates between professional and student papers, includes guidance with accessibility in mind, provides new examples to follow, and has updated guidelines.We’ve selected a few notable updates below, but for a full view of all of the 7th edition changes visit the style’s website linked here .

• Paper title
• Student name
• Affiliation (e.g., school, department, etc.)
• Course number and title
• Course instructor
• 6th edition – Running head: SMARTPHONE EFFECTS ON ADOLESCENT SOCIALIZATION
• 7th edition – SMARTPHONE EFFECTS ON ADOLESCENT SOCIALIZATION
• Pronouns . “They” can be used as a gender-neutral pronoun.
• Bias-free language guidelines . There are updated and new sections on guidelines for this section. New sections address participation in research, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality.
• Spacing after sentences. Add only a single space after end punctuation.
• Tables and figures . The citing format is now streamlined so that both tables and figures should include a name and number above the table/figure, and a note underneath the table/figure.
• 6th ed. – (Ikemoto, Richardson, Murphy, Yoshida 2016)
• 7th ed. – (Ikemoto et al., 2016)
• Citing books. The location of the publisher can be omitted. Also, e-books no longer need to mention the format (e.g., Kindle, etc.)
• Example: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-019-0153-5
• Using URLs. URLs no longer need to be prefaced by the words “Retrieved from.”

New citing information . There is new guidance on citing classroom or intranet resources, and oral traditions or traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples.

Visit our EasyBib Twitter feed to discover more citing tips, fun grammar facts, and the latest product updates.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) (2020). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Published October 31, 2011. Updated May 14, 2020.

Written and edited by Michele Kirschenbaum and Elise Barbeau. Michele Kirschenbaum is a school library media specialist and the in-house librarian at EasyBib.com. Elise Barbeau is the Citation Specialist at Chegg. She has worked in digital marketing, libraries, and publishing.

APA Formatting Guide

APA Formatting

• Annotated Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• et al Usage
• Multiple Authors
• Paraphrasing
• Page Numbers
• Parenthetical Citations
• Sample Paper
• View APA Guide

Citation Examples

• Book Chapter
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Article
• Website (no author)
• View all APA Examples

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We should not use “et al.” in APA reference list entries. If the number of authors in the source is up to and including 20, list all author names and use an ampersand (&) before the final author’s name. If the number of authors is more than 20, list the first 19 authors’ names followed by an ellipsis (but no ampersand), and then add the final author’s name. An example of author names in a reference entry having more than 20 authors is given below:

Author Surname1, F. M., Author Surname2, F. M., Author Surname3, F. M., Author Surname4, F. M., Author Surname5, F. M., Author Surname6, F. M., Author Surname7, F. M., Author Surname8, F. M., Author Surname9, F. M., Author Surname10, F. M., Author Surname11, F. M., Author Surname12, F. M., Author Surname13, F. M., Author Surname14, F. M., Author Surname15, F. M., Author Surname16, F. M., Author Surname17, F. M., Author Surname18, F. M., Author Surname19, F. M., . . .  Last Author Surname, F. M. (Publication Year).

Alvarez, L. D., Peach, J. L., Rodriguez, J. F., Donald, L., Thomas, M., Aruck, A., Samy, K., Anthony, K., Ajey, M., Rodriguez, K. L., Katherine, K., Vincent, A., Pater, F., Somu, P., Pander, L., Berd, R., Fox, L., Anders, A., Kamala, W., . . . Nicole Jones, K. (2019).

Note that, unlike references with 2 to 20 author names, the symbol “&” is not used here before the last author’s name.

APA 7, released in October 2019, has some new updates. Here is a brief description of the updates made in APA 7.

Different types of papers and best practices are given in detail in Chapter 1.

How to format a student title page is explained in Chapter 2. Examples of a professional paper and a student paper are included.

Chapter 3 provides additional information on qualitative and mixed methods of research.

An update on writing style is included in Chapter 4.

In chapter 5, some best practices for writing with bias-free language are included.

Chapter 6 gives some updates on style elements including using a single space after a period, including a citation with an abbreviation, the treatment of numbers in abstracts, treatment for different types of lists, and the formatting of gene and protein names.

In Chapter 7, additional examples are given for tables and figures for different types of publications.

In Chapter 8, how to format quotations and how to paraphrase text are covered with additional examples. A simplified version of in-text citations is clearly illustrated.

Chapter 9 has many updates: listing all author names up to 20 authors, standardizing DOIs and URLs, and the formatting of an annotated bibliography.

Chapter 10 includes many examples with templates for all reference types. New rules covering the inclusion of the issue number for journals and the omission of publisher location from book references are provided. Explanations of how to cite YouTube videos, power point slides, and TED talks are included.

Chapter 11 includes many legal references for easy understanding.

Chapter 12 provides advice for authors on how to promote their papers.

For more information on some of the changes found in APA 7, check out this EasyBib article .

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Apr 18, 2023

How to Write an Essay in APA Format (With Examples)

Unlock Your Writing Potential: Mastering APA Format for Academic Essays. Tips and Examples for Writing an Essay in APA Format!

Welcome to our guide on how to write an essay in APA format, where we'll explore the ins and outs of APA style and provide some examples to guide you along the way. You're in the right place if you're new to APA style or just looking for a refresher!

But before diving into the blog post, let's look at the APA style. APA is a widely used citation style often used in social sciences. It has specific guidelines for formatting, citing sources, and referencing, which can overwhelm some students. That's why we've created this guide to help you understand the basics of APA style and how to apply it to your essay.

In this guide, we'll focus on different types of essays in APA format, including narrative essays, argumentative essays, and research papers. We'll provide you with APA style essay examples, APA format essay examples, APA essay examples, and APA style essay examples to show you how to apply APA style to different types of essays.

At Jenni.ai, writing an essay in APA format is easy. Jenni's AI essay writing tool can help you quickly and confidently write your essay in APA format. So, let's begin your journey to becoming an APA-style pro!

How to Use APA Style Formatting in Your Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to use APA style formatting in your essay. Writing an essay in APA format can be challenging for students, especially if they're new to the style. APA ( American Psychological Association ) style is widely used in social sciences and has specific guidelines for formatting, citing sources, and referencing. Getting these elements right ensures your essay is well-received and reflects your academic capabilities.

In this article, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on using APA style formatting in your essay. We'll cover everything from page layout and font size to in-text citations and reference lists. Whether you're a student working on an essay or a researcher publishing a paper, our guide will help you apply APA style formatting correctly.

By the end of this article, you'll have a solid understanding of how to use APA style formatting in your essay, from page layouts to reference lists. So, let's get started with our step-by-step guide!

Setting Up Your Document in APA Style: Margins, Font, and Spacing

Setting up your document in APA style is an essential step in writing an essay that adheres to the formatting guidelines set out by the American Psychological Association. Proper margins, font, and spacing ensure that your essay looks professional and make it easier to read and understand. This section will walk you through setting up your document according to APA style guidelines.

Margins: 

The margins of your document should be set at 1 inch on all sides. This provides a clear and consistent visual structure for your essay and makes it easier to read and understand.

Font: 

APA style requires that your essay be written in a 12-point font, such as Times New Roman. This font size is easy to read and provides a consistent look and feel throughout your document.

Spacing: 

APA style requires that your essay be double-spaced throughout. This means that there should be one blank line between each line of text. Double-spacing makes your essay easier to read and understand and provides plenty of room for your instructor or professor to make comments and suggestions.

Headers and Running Heads: 

Besides margins, font, and spacing, APA style also mandates the use of headers and running heads to improve the organization and navigation of your essay. Headings are used to indicate the main sections and subsections of your essay, and they include the title of your essay and the page number. On the other hand, running heads are placed at the top of each page and indicate the title of your essay. In the following section, we will share some tips on creating headers and running heads that conform to APA style guidelines.

Creating Headers: 

To create a header in APA style, you should use the "Insert" tab in your word processing software. Select "Header," then choose "Blank." Type your title in all capital letters, and then insert the page number using the "Page Number" feature.

Headers and Running Heads: How to Make Your Essay Look Professional

Headers and running heads are essential parts of an essay written in APA style. They not only help to make your essay look professional, but they also make it easier for readers to navigate through your work. In this section, we'll provide tips on creating headers and running heads that adhere to APA style guidelines.

Headers: 

Headers are used to indicate the title of your essay, as well as the page number. To create a header in APA style, you should use the "Insert" tab in your word processing software. Select "Header," then choose "Blank." Type your title in all capital letters, and then insert the page number using the "Page Number" feature.

Running Heads: 

Running heads are used on each page of your essay to indicate the title of your essay. To create a running head in APA style, type the title of your essay in all capital letters, followed by a colon and a shortened version of your title. The running head should be placed in the top left-hand corner of each page and no more than 50 characters long.

In-Text Citations: Guidelines for Citing Sources within Your Essay

In-text citations are an essential component of any essay written in APA style. They allow the reader to verify the information presented and give credit to the original author. In this section, we will provide you with guidelines for citing sources within your essay.

APA Style In-Text Citation Format: 

The APA style uses the author-date citation format. This means you should include the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses immediately after the quoted or paraphrased text. If you cite a source with multiple authors, list all of them in the citation, up to five authors, and for sources with more than six authors, use "et al." after the first author's name.

Citing a Direct Quote: 

When you include a direct quote in your essay, you should enclose the text in quotation marks and include the page where the quote can be found. The citation should appear before the period at the end of the sentence.

Citing a Paraphrase: 

When you include a paraphrase in your essay, you should also include the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses at the end of the paraphrase. The citation should appear before the period at the end of the sentence.

Different Types of Sources: Books, Journal Articles, and Online Sources

When writing an essay in APA style, it is essential to understand the different types of sources you may use. This section will discuss the three most common sources: books, journal articles, and online sources.

Books: 

When citing a book in APA style, include the author's name, year of publication, book title, and publisher. If you cite a chapter or section from a book, include the chapter or section title, the editor's name, and the page numbers.

Journal Articles: 

When citing a journal article in APA style, include the author's name, year of publication, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number, and page numbers. If you accessed the article online, include the DOI (digital object identifier) if available.

Online Sources: 

When citing an online source in APA style, include the author's name (if available), year of publication (if available), the title of the web page or article, website name, URL, and the date you accessed the source. If you cite an online journal article, follow the same format as a print journal article but include the DOI if available.

Reference Lists: How to Create a Properly Formatted List of Sources

In APA style, a reference list is a list of sources you cited or paraphrased in your essay. This section will discuss creating a properly formatted reference list in APA style.

Formatting: 

The reference list should be double-spaced and have a hanging indent. This means that the first line of each citation is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented. Double space should separate each citation.

Ordering: 

The references should be listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name. If the source does not have an author, alphabetize it by the first word in the title.

In conclusion, writing an essay in APA style requires attention to detail and adherence to strict guidelines. From formatting your document to citing your sources, there are many rules to follow. However, with the help of this guide, you should now have a better understanding of how to use the APA style in your writing.

Writing an Argumentative Essay in APA Style: Tips and Tricks

Argumentative essays are a common type of academic writing that require students to present an argument or claim on a particular topic and support it with evidence and reasoning. Writing an argumentative essay in APA style can be challenging, but it's an essential skill for students to master.

APA style is a set of guidelines the American Psychological Association established for formatting academic papers, particularly in the social sciences. It provides specific rules for citing sources, formatting documents, and organizing ideas.

This article will provide tips and tricks for writing an argumentative essay in APA style. We'll cover everything from choosing a topic to structuring your essay and citing sources properly. Whether a beginner or an experienced writer, this guide will help you master the art of argumentative essay writing in APA style.

Choosing a Topic and Developing a Thesis Statement:

Choosing a topic and developing a thesis statement are critical steps in the process of writing an argumentative essay in APA style. The topic you choose should be one that you are passionate about, has plenty of evidence to support your argument, and aligns with APA style guidelines. Here are some tips to help you choose a topic and develop a thesis statement for your argumentative essay:

Brainstorming and Research: 

Start by brainstorming a list of potential topics that interest you and align with APA style guidelines. Research each topic to determine which ones have sufficient evidence to support your argument.

Narrowing Your Focus: 

Once you've identified potential topics, narrow your focus to a specific aspect of the topic. This will help you develop a more focused thesis statement and provide a more straightforward path for creating your argument.

Aligning with APA Style: 

Consider APA style guidelines when choosing a topic and developing a thesis statement. Topics should be relevant to the social sciences, and thesis statements should be written in clear, concise language and avoid using first-person pronouns.

Organizing Your Essay:

Once you have your thesis statement and your arguments planned out, the next step is to organize your essay clearly and logically. This will help your reader follow your argument and stay engaged with your writing. Here are some tips for organizing your argumentative essay in APA style:

Create an outline: 

Before you start writing your essay, create an outline that includes your thesis statement and the main arguments that support it. This will help you stay focused and on track as you write.

Use clear headings: 

In APA style, headings break up long text sections and help the reader navigate your essay. Use clear, descriptive titles that summarize the main point of each section.

Use transitional phrases: 

To help your reader follow your argument, use transitional phrases to connect your ideas and show how they relate. Examples of transitional phrases include "in addition," "however," "therefore," and "on the other hand."

Follow the introduction-body-conclusion structure: 

Your essay should have an introduction that presents your thesis statement, a body that presents your arguments and evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis.

Supporting Your Argument with Evidence:

In an argumentative essay, the main objective is to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. To accomplish this, supporting your argument with credible evidence is essential. Here are some tips for keeping your argument with evidence in an APA-style argumentative essay.

Use reliable sources: 

When supporting your argument with evidence, it's important to use credible sources that provide accurate information. Examples of reliable sources include peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, and government publications.

Incorporate statistics and data:

Incorporating statistics and data in your argumentative essay can strengthen your argument. When using statistics, it's essential to ensure they come from reputable sources and are relevant to your argument.

Use direct quotes and paraphrasing: 

When using evidence to support your argument, it's essential to use both direct quotes and paraphrasing. Direct quotes can be used to support a specific point, while paraphrasing can be used to summarize information and keep your argument.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in APA Style:

When writing an argumentative essay in APA style, it is essential to follow the guidelines to ensure a polished and professional final product. However, even when following the guidelines, mistakes can still be made. This article will discuss common mistakes to avoid when writing an argumentative essay in APA style.

Incorrect In-text Citations: 

One common mistake is not properly citing sources within the essay's text. It is essential to include the author's name and the year of publication when citing sources within the text.

In conclusion, writing an argumentative essay in APA style requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. Choosing a clear and relevant topic, developing a solid thesis statement, organizing your ideas, using reliable evidence to support your argument, and crafting effective introductions and conclusions are all essential components of a successful essay. 

The Importance of Proper APA Citations in Academic Writing"

In academic writing, proper citation is essential to credit the sources used to develop an argument or support an idea. It is also necessary to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the existing literature on a particular subject and to show that a wide range has informed one's research of sources. 

This article will explore the importance of proper APA citations in academic writing. We will discuss why it is crucial to cite sources accurately and how to do so by APA guidelines. 

Understanding APA Style and Citations

APA style is the most commonly used format for academic writing, particularly in psychology, education, and social sciences. It is essential to understand and apply the APA style guidelines correctly to ensure that your academic work is professional, consistent and meets the high standards of academic writing. One of the most crucial components of the APA style is citation.

The Importance of Accurate Citations in Academic Writing

Academic writing is an essential aspect of education, and one of the key elements of academic writing is accurate citations. Citations are used to credit the sources of information used in an academic paper and allow readers to locate and verify the information. 

One of the primary reasons for accurate citations is to credit the original authors of the information. Give them proper credit when using someone else's ideas or research in your paper. This acknowledges their work and demonstrates that you have conducted thorough research and are knowledgeable about the topic. 

In addition to giving credit to the original authors, accurate citations also help to strengthen the credibility of your work. 

Common Types of Sources and How to Cite Them in APA Style

When writing academic papers, it is essential to properly cite all sources used in research to give credit to the authors and to avoid plagiarism. The APA style has specific guidelines for citing different sources, including books, journal articles, and online sources. This article will provide an overview of the most common types of sources and how to cite them in APA style.

Avoiding Plagiarism: The Consequences of Inaccurate Citations

Plagiarism is a serious issue in academic writing that can result in severe consequences. Inaccurate citations can lead to plagiarism accusations, damaging a student's academic and professional reputation. It is crucial for students to understand the importance of accurate sources and to know how to avoid plagiarism.

The first step in avoiding plagiarism is to understand what it is. Plagiarism is using someone else's words, ideas, or work without proper attribution. This can include copying and pasting text from a source without citation, paraphrasing without giving credit, or submitting someone else's work as your own.

One of the best ways to avoid plagiarism is to ensure that all sources are correctly cited using APA style. The APA citation style provides a clear and consistent format for citing sources, including books, journal articles, websites, and other sources.

In conclusion, accurate and proper citations are essential in academic writing. It helps the writer avoid plagiarism and provides credibility and validity to their research. APA citation style is widely used in social sciences, and understanding the rules and guidelines is necessary for students and researchers. By understanding the different types of sources and how to cite them properly, writers can ensure their work is trustworthy and reliable. Furthermore, avoiding plagiarism is crucial, and knowing the consequences of inaccurate citations can help writers stay on the right track. By following APA style guidelines and accurately citing sources, writers can demonstrate their knowledge, credibility, and professionalism in academic writing.

Final Words:

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How to Format an APA Paper - Academic Writing Style Guide

What is “Referencing Style” and Why You Need It?

Good academic writing involves proper formatting and citing of the works and thoughts of other reputable authors and researchers. In order to do that, a specific style of referencing is assigned that should be followed consistently throughout the whole academic paper. This style then defines the format for other components of the text. Every student knows that proper academic referencing is the key to obtaining a high grade for a paper or an essay.

APA style format was developed by the American Psychological Association and it is one of the academic referencing styles — along with MLA, Vancouver, and Chicago/Turabian styles. It is also known as the “author-date” system, meaning that the APA format guide requires a brief reference to the author and the date of publication to be included in the main body of the text, and also the full reference list at the end.

This article from our admission essay writing services team contains a wide array of information and tips that answer the question “What is APA format?”. However, as a student, you should always follow the requirements provided by the school/professor and not hesitate to ask for specific citing instructions before starting to write your essay.

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Everything You Need to Know About APA Format

First of all, APA writing format is not something that has been set in stone for ages – it is a current referencing style that is being constantly updated by the American Psychological Association. The most recent requirements can be found in the 6th edition of the APA's Publication Manual.

The requirement of what referencing style to use is often attributed by a specific discipline. APA paper format is commonly used for subjects such as Psychology, Social Sciences, Education, Economics, and Business studies.

Another question every student keeps asking while struggling to come to terms with his or her APA format essay is: why do people use referencing styles at all? There are at least three reasons why your professors require you to use the APA referencing guide:

1. To make your work more presentable. Can you sense how all the articles you read for class have a professional and serious tone when they cite all their references and give credit to ideas published by previous authors? That’s exactly the kind of professionalism your essay will acquire when you engage with literature and use a defined referencing style.

2. To speak the same language as your reader. APA citation format allows you to save your word count and communicate what sources you used for the essay by using special formats for journals, books, or online articles.

3. To avoid being penalized for plagiarism. When a student cites an author or uses ideas that were developed by another scholar, he or she must give credit to that person. Otherwise, those essay parts will be marked as plagiarism and the grade will be substantially reduced. Some school penalties for plagiarism go as far as reducing the grade by 50%, or even failing you from the course — thus, giving you no credit. If you are struggling with the uniqueness of the article, you can buy essay writing at our APA paper writing service .

As you can see, avoiding plagiarism penalties and supporting essay arguments with references to credible sources are the key benefits a student will get once he or she learns how to write a paper in APA format.

General APA Format Rules: From Formatting to Making Proper References

The basics of APA formatting include giving the paper a proper look so that your professor is impressed at first sight. After reading hundreds of papers throughout their careers, professors can recognize it when the APA format is not followed properly. That’s why it is of crucial importance to make sure you follow the requirements for line spacing, page margins, font sizes, and APA format headings.

First of all, the text should be typed double-spaced with sufficient margins on each side of the page (at least 1 inch or more). Wide margins are important for professors to make notes and leave feedback while reading the paper. The preferred font is Times New Roman in size 12.

The APA outline format, or, in other words, the structure of any academic paper, should include these main parts:

• The cover page or title page
• Abstract, introduction, or outline
• Main body, analysis, or main arguments
• Conclusions, recommendations, or discussions
• Reference list

The topics and individual university requirements will affect what sections should be present in the essay or paper. The sections will also be affected by the arguments that a student wants to make in the essay and how these are developed in the main body of the text. But, not a single APA format essay can be written without these five crucial components. We will now examine the requirements for each of these parts in more detail.

Discover how to CITE IN APA

Cover Page for an APA Style Essay

The cover page is the “face” of an essay or a paper and it is the first thing that the examiner or reader will see. It has to be impeccable. Some universities or colleges will have their own sample title page (or cover page) that should be added to each essay submission. Make sure to clarify this with your department before submitting your essay.

Normally, an APA format cover page is expected to include a running head, title of the essay or paper, name of the person who submitted the work, institution to which the work was submitted, and a page number.

What is the Running Head and Where Should It Be Included in an APA Style Essay?

Very often, colleges or universities require each page to have a running head (or page header) which includes certain information. The running head contains the title of the paper, and is also supposed to be present on the title page — a mistake many beginner students make all too often is omitting it.

Just like with everything in academic writing, knowing how to make the text shorter is a golden talent. The same applies to the APA format running head: it should not exceed 50 characters (including spaces). That’s why authors (e.g. persuasive essay writer ) often take their time to come up with shortened versions of their titles specifically for their page headers.

Different Levels of APA Headings and Subheadings

The APA heading format requires a clear division of the text into logical parts that are separated among each other with headings. Normally, there are 5 format types for headings, whereas the author uses the same heading styles to paragraphs with equal importance.

The subheadings help the writer to logically divide one section into subsections. For example, in a section about the possible consequences of performance-based management, subsections can present the benefits and costs of such an approach.

Tips for Using Heading Levels When Writing an APA Essay

Heading levels are the navigation signs that help guide the reader through the text. They denote when an important chapter begins and when an additional idea is added to the same argument that was announced in the previous heading. The general rule is that there are no requirements to use all five styles of headings. The author should only use headings for the sections present in his or her text. Here is how the different levels of headings and their formats look like.

Some Examples for APA Headings

Assuming this article is an academic text for the principles of APA usage in colleges and universities, here is what APA format headings would look like in this context.

Preparing a Proper APA Outline

The outline is a short structure of the text that serves two purposes:

• Preparatory purpose. Writing an outline helps the writer organize his or her thoughts and estimate the workload/research needed to complete the text.
• Explanatory purpose. Having an outline helps the reader get a better idea of what to expect from the text, and what parts and concepts are covered by the author.

Writing outlines is a life-saving skill for beginner writers – they help keep thoughts organized and guide the mind through a defined roadmap, decreasing the chance of becoming lost in one’s thoughts or endless research. So, if we were to prepare an outline for this article, it would look like this.

• What is APA: who developed it, who uses it and why?
• General rules for using APA format:
• Cover/title page
• Main components of a good APA paper:
• Introduction and conclusions
• Some examples and practical tips on APA style usage

After developing the outline, it becomes clear what the author has to cover in the readings, or preparatory materials, for writing the article. Once the text is ready, the outline then serves as a guide for the reader to show which sections the text will cover.

What Is a Good Abstract in APA format?

The abstract is a very condensed and informative paragraph that contains the main information the reader should know about the text before even reading it. Writing abstracts is an art on its own. In a short abstract that is just 200 words (or more if the text is longer — usually it's about 10% of the essay word count), a writer should clearly state the main idea of the text, its objectives, research question, methods, and key conclusions.

In terms of formatting, the abstract is formatted as a separate part of the text that stands out both contextually and visually from the rest of the main text. Usually, it is written in plain text, with no formatting and a simple "Abstract" title on the top. In the end, many scholars like to put a couple of keywords that identify the essence of the paper’s content.

Writing the Main Section of the Text in APA Format

The main section is the juice of the article. It contains all the thoughts, ideas, and arguments of the writer. It follows right after the abstract page, and has a running head on top with a shortened title written in capital letters. Each page should be numbered, with the abstract page being page 2 (the title page is counted as page 1, but the number doesn’t appear there).

The main body is broken down into a couple of sections. The main ones are the introduction, methods, arguments/discussions, and conclusions. Depending on the department or subject requirements, the arguments also have specific sections – always remember to check with the professor about what should be covered in the main body of the text. For example, for a policy report, the arguments should include a framework review, an analysis of the organization or policy challenges, and recommendations based on the academic literature.

Each section (methods, conclusions, and discussions) should begin with a new paragraph and have a title. It can be something as simple as “Methodology”, or something more elaborative like “Results of Analysis How Sanitation Affects Literacy”. Discussions or arguments should be the largest part of the text, that is why the main body is often divided into subsections – to present and elaborate on results in a structured manner.

Depending on the area and specific requirements put forth by the course, here are two APA main body examples in terms of what sections they should cover.

APA main body example 1: quantitative discipline/research results

‍ Introduction: higher contraceptive prevalence is known to reduce HIV Methods: regression analysis of HIV and contraception prevalence in lower middle-income countries Results: statistically significant negative effect of contraception on HIV Discussion: Why contraception lowers HIV; In what conditions it works better/worse; Case study Conclusion: use of contraception can reduce HIV in countries where current contraceptive prevalence is lower than 20%

APA main body example 2: political science policy report

‍ ‍ Introduction: high alcohol consumption is a threat to public health Framework for analysis: a review of different country policies to lower alcohol consumption Application of framework: Which policy can work best for country X and why; Context of country X; Benefits of using approaches A, B, C; Costs of using approaches A, B, C Recommendations: given country’s X political situation and national economic status, it can employ approach A to reduce alcohol consumption Conclusion: country X should consider doing A and expect the following results within 5 years

You might also be interested in reading Beowulf summary essay .

Examples of Essays in APA Style

Below are real examples of some essays formatted according to APA style requirements that can serve as a good basis for you to start writing your own essay. These samples were written by our service according to the specific requirements provided by their corresponding professors or universities and can differ in some ways from what is required from you. So, don’t forget to check with the department or course convener for specific details for the paper that you are expected to produce.

Read also our process analysis essay outline . It can broaden your understanding in writing the essay. This article outlines all the key principles of APA style for academic writing. However, writing is a practical skill that doesn’t improve solely by reading about it – it only improves with practice. If you don’t feel like a pro in essay writing yet and the deadline is fast approaching, have no worries. Our essay service will make sure that the results meet all the stylistic requirements.

Guide on How to Write in APA Format

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write in APA format, along with a table of useful tips:

Paper Formatting

• Use standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11").
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Use a clear font like Times New Roman, size 12.
• Include a running head (a shortened version of your title) and a flush page number in the header.
• Center-align the full title of your paper, your name, and your institution.
• Begin on a new page after the title page.
• Summarize the main points of your paper in 150-250 words.
• Use a single paragraph without indentation.
• Start on a new page after the abstract.
• Organize your paper into sections like Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion (IMRAD).
• Use clear and concise language, avoiding unnecessary jargon.
• Use parenthetical in-text citations for paraphrased or quoted material (Author, Year).
• Include a References page listing all sources cited in your paper.
• Follow the APA reference format for different sources (books, journals, websites, etc.).

Tables and Figures

• Include tables and figures to illustrate your findings, if necessary.
• Number tables and figures consecutively and provide clear titles.
• Include a brief description or caption below each table or figure.

Language and Style

• Write in a formal and objective tone.
• Use active voice and a third-person point of view.
• Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Proofreading

• Proofread your paper carefully to ensure accuracy and coherence.
• Verify that all citations and references are correctly formatted.

Useful Tips for Writing in APA Format

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is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

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APA: Step by Step for Newcomers to the Style

How to Set up a Paper  

Basic Rules:

1)       Set the margins of your paper to be 1 inch on all sides (go to Margins under Page Layout )

2)       Use the font: Times New Roman

3)       The font size should be 12 point .

4)       Make sure your paper is double-spaced and that the Before and After boxes both read 0 (go to Paragraph and then look under Spacing .)

5)       You text should be aligned left (also go to Paragraph and look under General .)

6)       Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. (Use Tab key).

APA (American Psychological Association) Style is generally used for disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, Education, Nursing, Communication, and other social sciences.

General format guidelines:

1)       Follow all basic rules mentioned above.

2)       Your essay should include four major sections: Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and Reference Page.

3)       Set up a Title Page : include the page header flush left with the page number flush right at the top of the page.

·          Go to Insert → Header → Edit Header → Design → Choose Different First Page

·          Go to Insert → Page Number → Top of Page → Plain Number 3 → Click. (Number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) → Type your page header and click Tab key twice to separate from the page number. (Please note that on the title page, your page header should look like this:

Running head: TITLE OF YOUR PAPER

                        Pages after the title page should have a running head that looks like this:

                                    TITLE OF YOUR PAPER

4)       The Title Page should include:

·          The title of you paper: type your title in upper and lowercase letters centered in the upper half of the page. All text on the title page, and throughout your paper, should be double-spaced.

·          The author’s name (your name) : beneath the title, type the author’s name: first name, middle initial(s), and last name. Do not use titles (Dr.) or degrees (Ph.D).

·          The institutional affiliation : beneath the author’s name, type the institutional affiliation, which should indicate the location where the author(s) conducted the research, such as Mississippi College.

5)       Set up an Abstract Page :

·          Begin a new page.

·          Set up a page header flush left with the page number flush right at the top of the page.

Ø   Go to Insert → Page Number → Top of Page → Plain Number 3 → type your page header and click Tab key twice to separate from the page number.

Ø   Make sure all pages after the title page should have a running head that looks like this:

TITLE OF YOUR PAPER

·          On the first line of the abstract page, center the word Abstract (no bold, formatting, italics, underlining, or quotation marks.)

·          Beginning with the next line, write a concise summary of the key points of your research. (Do not indent.)

6)       The Body of your paper:

·          It should start from the third page of your paper.

·          You should already include the page header (described above)

·          Type your title in upper and lowercase letters centered on the first line.

·          Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. (Use Tab key)

7)       Reference Page :

·          This page begins on a new page.

·          This page should be double-spaced as well.

·          This page should have a running head, too.

·          Center the word References without underlining, bolding, or italicizing it. If there is only one entry, title this page Reference .

·          Create a hanging indention for this page:

Ø   Go to Paragraph and select Special under Indention

Ø   Then select Hanging

Video on Formatting an Essay with APA Sixth Edition

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How To Do Research

APA (American Psychological Association) style is most commonly used to cite sources within the health and social sciences disciplines. The following examples use APA 7th edition.

In-Text Citation 

An in-text citation is a brief mention within the body of your paper that leads the reader to the complete information about that reference. It usually appears at the end of a sentence. In-text citations include the author of the source (often in a signal phrase), the year of publication, and, if it is a direct quote, the page number in parentheses.

Sabin (2022) observed that “no interventions for reducing implicit biases have been shown to have enduring effects” (p. 2409).

Implicit bias reduction techniques are not effective in the long term (Sabin, 2022).

Sabin (2022) found that there are no methods that reduce implicit bias in the long term.

Reference List

In-text citations will lead readers to the reference list at the end of the paper. Every APA paper must include a list of references. References are listed in alphabetical order, using the author's last name (if there are multiple authors, follow the order provided in the source). Each reference citation will include the author's name, date of publication, title, publisher, and place of publication.

APA Style | Reference List Format Examples

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Electronic articles

Sabin, J. A. (2022). Tackling implicit bias in health care. The New England Journal of Medicine , 387 (2), 105–107. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp2201180

If the article does not have a DOI (digital object identifier) or other stable URL that will resolve for the reader, end the citation after the page range just like a print article.

Print articles

Adams, S. K., Mushkat, Z., & Minkel, J. (2022). Examining the moderator role of sleep quality in the relationship among test anxiety, academic success, and mood. Psychological Reports, 125 (5), 2400-2415.

Jackson, L. M. (2020). The psychology of prejudice: From attitudes to social action (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000168-000

If the eBook does not have a DOI (digital object identifier) or other stable URL that will resolve for the reader, end the citation after the publisher just like a print book.

Print books

Kobabe, M. (2019). Gender queer: A memoir . Lion Forge, LLC.

Webpages with an individual author

Puckett, C. (2022, September 27). Eating seasonally and locally has many benefits. Is fighting the climate crisis one of them? CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/14/health/seasonal-food-produce-lbg-wellness/index.html

Webpages with a group or organizational author

Ben & Jerry's. (n.d.). Our history. https://www.benjerry.com/about-us

Webpages with a retrieval date

Retrieval dates are only required for webpages that change over time but are not archived.

U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). U.S. and world population clock . U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.census.gov/popclock/

Winans, J., Winans, K., & Muratore, R. (Directors). (2020). Childhood 2.0 [Film]. Filmhub, Inc.

YouTube Videos

CrashCourse. (2019, January 22). Check yourself with lateral reading: Crash Course Navigating Digital Information #3 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoQG6Tin-1E

Artwork in a museum or on a museum website

Abeyta, T. (2015). The Grand Canyon [Painting]. The National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC, United States. https://americanindian.si.edu/collections-search/objects/NMAI_412304

Photograph (not associated with a museum)

O'Connor, K. Lily Hevesh prepares for the Brattleboro Museulm and Art Center's 15th annual Domino Toppling Extravaganza [Photograph]. VTDigger. https://vtdigger.org/2022/10/17/with-14-million-youtube-views-this-vermont-attraction-touts-the-ultimate-domino-effect/

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Additional Resources

• APA Style (Official Site) Format guide from the American Psychological Association.
• Missing Reference Information Table of structures for references with missing information from the American Psychological Association.
• APA Formatting and Style Guide (OWL, Purdue Univ.) Online Writing Lab from Purdue University.
• APA Sample Paper (OWL, Purdue Univ.)
• How to cite ChatGPT - APA Style Blog
• APA Inclusive Language Guide Provides guidance on inclusive and affirming language in writing and conversation.

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APA Headings and Subheadings | With Sample Paper

Published on November 7, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on October 24, 2022.

Headings and subheadings provide structure to a document. They signal what each section is about and allow for easy navigation of the document.

APA headings have five possible levels. Each heading level is formatted differently.

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Table of contents

Additional guidelines for apa headings, how many heading levels should you use, when to use which apa heading level, section labels vs headings, sample paper with apa headings, using heading styles in word or google docs.

As well as the heading styles, there are some other guidelines to keep in mind:

• Double-space all text, including the headings.
• Use the same font for headings and body text (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt.).
• Don’t label headings with numbers or letters.
• Don’t add extra “enters” above or below headings.

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Depending on the length and complexity of your paper, you may not use all five heading levels. In fact, shorter student papers may have no headings at all.

It’s also perfectly fine for some sections in your paper to go as deep as five levels, where others use only heading level 1.

Heading level 1 is used for main sections like “ Methods ”, “ Results ”, and “ Discussion ”. There is no “ Introduction ” heading at the beginning of your paper because the first paragraphs are understood to be introductory.

Heading level 2 is used for subsections under level 1. For example, under “Methods” (level 1) you may have subsections for “Sampling Method” and “Data Analysis” (level 2). This continues all the way down to heading level 5.

Always use at least two subheadings or none at all. If there is just one subheading, the top-level heading is sufficient.

In addition to regular headings, APA works with “section labels” for specific parts of the paper. They’re similar to headings but are formatted differently. Section labels are placed on a separate line at the top of a new page in bold and centered.

Use section labels for the following sections in an APA formatted paper :

• Author note
• Paper title
• Reference page

Scribbr Citation Checker New

The AI-powered Citation Checker helps you avoid common mistakes such as:

• Missing commas and periods
• Incorrect usage of “et al.”
• Ampersands (&) in narrative citations
• Missing reference entries

Instead of formatting every heading individually, you can use the “Styles” feature in Word or Google Docs. This allows you to save the styling and apply it with just a click.

The first time you use APA Style, you need to update the default heading styles to reflect the APA heading guidelines. Click here for the instructions for Microsoft Word and Google Docs .

An added benefit of using the “Styles” feature is that you can automatically generate a table of contents .

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.

Streefkerk, R. (2022, October 24). APA Headings and Subheadings | With Sample Paper. Scribbr. Retrieved July 10, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-headings/

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7 Essential Tips to Master APA Style Format

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the basics of APA
• Consistency is crucial
• Use reliable resources
• Practice and proofread
• Stay updated with APA guidelines

When it comes to academic writing, understanding the APA style format is crucial. Whether you are a student, researcher, or professional, mastering APA norms can significantly impact the quality of your work. However, many individuals struggle with the nuances of APA formatting, leading to frustration and confusion.

In this article, we will address common challenges and provide you with seven practical tips to help you master APA style format. By the end, you will feel more confident and equipped to tackle any APA-related task.

Understanding APA Style

APA style, established by the American Psychological Association, is a set of guidelines for writing academic papers. These guidelines cover various aspects such as paper structure, in-text citations, and references. The primary goal of APA style is to ensure clarity and consistency in scholarly writing.

Consistency is key in APA formatting. Every detail, from the title page to the reference list, must adhere to specific rules. This uniformity helps readers easily navigate and understand the content of your paper. It's not just about following rules; it's about enhancing the readability and credibility of your work.

The Importance of Consistency

Consistency in APA formatting is not just about following a set of rules; it's about creating a cohesive and readable document. When your paper adheres to APA norms, it reflects your attention to detail and dedication to presenting your work professionally.

Imagine reading a paper where the headings are not uniform, the citations are inconsistent, and the references are a mess. It would be challenging to follow the argument and trust the research. Consistency helps your reader focus on the content rather than getting distracted by formatting errors.

Common Struggles with APA Formatting

Many individuals find APA formatting daunting, especially when they are new to academic writing. The strict guidelines can feel overwhelming, and even seasoned writers can make mistakes. Some common struggles include:

• Incorrect in-text citations
• Formatting the reference list
• Setting up the title page
• Using the right font and spacing
• Aligning headings correctly

These challenges can lead to frustration and even impact the quality of your work. However, understanding these common pitfalls can help you avoid them. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with time, following APA guidelines will become second nature.

Practical Tips to Master APA Style

Mastering APA style can seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategies, it becomes much more manageable. Here are some practical tips that will help you navigate APA formatting with ease. These tips are designed to build your confidence and competence in using APA guidelines effectively.

Tip 1: Learn the Basics

The first step to mastering APA style is to understand the fundamental principles. Familiarize yourself with the basics of APA formatting, including how to structure your paper, use in-text citations, and create a reference list. This foundational knowledge will make it easier to apply the more detailed rules as you progress.

Start by reading the official APA Publication Manual. This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to know about APA style. Additionally, many universities and educational institutions offer online resources and tutorials that can help you get started. As Albert Einstein once said, "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think."

Don't rush this learning process. Take your time to absorb the information and practice applying it to your work. The more familiar you become with the basics, the more confident you will feel when tackling more complex formatting tasks.

Tip 2: Use Reliable Resources

When it comes to mastering APA style, not all resources are created equal. To ensure that you're following the correct guidelines, it's essential to use reliable and up-to-date sources. The official APA Publication Manual is the gold standard, but there are other valuable resources you can turn to as well.

University websites, academic writing centers, and professional organizations often provide detailed guides and examples. Websites like Purdue OWL offer comprehensive and easy-to-understand explanations of APA rules. Using trusted resources will help you avoid misinformation and ensure that your formatting is accurate.

In addition to written guides, consider using citation management tools like EndNote or Zotero. These tools can help you organize your references and automatically format citations and reference lists according to APA guidelines. As author William Arthur Ward aptly put it, "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."

Tip 3: Practice Regularly

Practice makes perfect, and this adage holds true for mastering APA style. The more you practice applying APA guidelines, the more proficient you will become. Make it a habit to regularly review and apply APA formatting to your work, even if it's just for practice.

Start by formatting smaller sections of your paper, such as the title page or reference list, before moving on to more complex elements like in-text citations and headings. Over time, this repetitive practice will help reinforce your understanding and make APA formatting second nature.

Consider joining study groups or academic forums where you can share your work and get feedback from peers. Engaging with others who are also learning APA style can provide you with new insights and help you identify areas where you can improve. Remember, consistency and persistence are key to mastering any skill.

Tip 4: Utilize Technology

In today's digital age, technology can be a powerful ally in mastering APA style. There are numerous tools and software available that can simplify the formatting process and help you ensure accuracy. From citation generators to grammar checkers, leveraging technology can save you time and reduce errors.

Programs like Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer built-in features for APA formatting. These tools can automatically format your citations, reference lists, and headings according to APA guidelines. Additionally, citation management software such as EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero can help you keep track of your sources and generate citations effortlessly.

Don't forget about online resources and mobile apps that provide quick access to APA guidelines. These tools can be particularly helpful when you're on the go and need to verify a specific rule or format a citation. By incorporating technology into your writing process, you can streamline your workflow and maintain consistency in your formatting.

Tip 5: Proofread Meticulously

Even with the best tools and resources at your disposal, human error is inevitable. That's why proofreading is an essential step in mastering APA style. Meticulous proofreading allows you to catch mistakes, inconsistencies, and formatting errors that you might have missed during the initial writing process.

When proofreading, pay close attention to every detail, from in-text citations to the reference list. Ensure that all formatting rules are followed, and double-check for any discrepancies. Reading your paper aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing and ensure that your writing flows smoothly.

Consider having a peer or mentor review your work as well. A fresh set of eyes can provide valuable feedback and catch errors that you might have overlooked. Remember, careful proofreading is not just about correcting mistakes; it's about presenting your work in the best possible light.

Tip 6: Seek Feedback

One of the most effective ways to improve your APA formatting skills is to seek feedback from others. Whether it's a professor, a peer, or a professional editor, external feedback can provide you with new perspectives and help you identify areas for improvement.

Don't be afraid to ask for constructive criticism. Provide your reviewers with specific questions or concerns about your formatting. This targeted feedback can help you focus on particular areas where you may be struggling. Remember, seeking feedback is a sign of a proactive learner dedicated to excellence.

Engaging in academic communities, such as writing centers or online forums, can also be beneficial. These platforms allow you to share your work, ask questions, and learn from the experiences of others. As the saying goes, "Two heads are better than one," and collaboration can significantly enhance your understanding and application of APA style.

Tip 7: Stay Updated

APA guidelines are periodically updated to reflect new research practices and technological advancements. Therefore, staying current with the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual is crucial. The most recent updates may include changes to citation formats, reference list guidelines, and overall paper structure.

Subscribe to APA-related newsletters, join academic groups, and follow relevant social media channels to stay informed about any changes. Many universities and academic institutions also offer workshops and seminars on APA style, which can be a great way to keep your knowledge up-to-date.

By staying informed and continuously updating your skills, you can ensure that your work remains compliant with the latest APA standards. This ongoing learning process not only enhances your writing but also demonstrates your commitment to maintaining high academic standards.

Mastering APA style format is a valuable skill that enhances the clarity and professionalism of your academic writing. By understanding the basics, utilizing reliable resources, practicing regularly, leveraging technology, proofreading meticulously, seeking feedback, and staying updated with the latest guidelines, you can confidently navigate the complexities of APA formatting.

Remember, consistency and attention to detail are key. With patience and persistence, you'll find that APA style becomes more intuitive and less daunting. Embrace the learning process, and don't hesitate to seek help and feedback along the way. Your dedication to mastering APA style will pay off in the quality and credibility of your work.

Q: What is the APA style format?

A: The APA style format is a set of guidelines for writing academic papers established by the American Psychological Association. It covers aspects such as paper structure, in-text citations, and reference lists to ensure clarity and consistency in scholarly writing.

Q: Why is consistency important in APA formatting?

A: Consistency in APA formatting helps create a cohesive and readable document. It ensures that readers can easily navigate and understand the content of your paper without being distracted by formatting errors.

Q: How can I stay updated with the latest APA guidelines?

A: To stay updated with the latest APA guidelines, subscribe to APA-related newsletters, join academic groups, and follow relevant social media channels. Many universities and academic institutions also offer workshops and seminars on APA style.

Recommended Resources

• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association by American Psychological Association
• APA Style Guide to Electronic References by American Psychological Association
• The Writer's Handbook: APA Documentation Guide by The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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How to Write a Paper in APA Format | For Students

When I was a student, I was told to submit my essays in APA format. At the time, I had no idea what that even meant or how to do it. If this sounds familiar to you, don’t worry—I’ve been there, too. In this guide, I’ll show you the easiest way to understand APA format and a simple hack to help you comfortably write your essays and then format them in APA style.

When is APA format used?

APA format is commonly used in the social and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, and economics, as well as in fields like business and nursing. This standardized format is adopted by professionals, researchers, and students to structure and present research papers, essays, and other academic documents.

It ensures consistency and clarity in communication within these disciplines by providing specific guidelines for nearly all aspects of manuscript formatting, from font choice to margins and punctuation. By adhering to paper APA format 7th edition style, writers in these fields can effectively share their findings and ideas in a clear and organized manner.

General Guidelines/ Rules of APA Formatting

Understanding the guidelines is key when learning how to write a paper in APA format for students. However, there's one important point that is often missed by many: the APA 7th edition now has different guidelines for students and professionals. So, if you notice a few extra details that might be missing in the guidelines below, it is because we have skipped the APA 7th edition guidelines for professionals to avoid any confusion. Let's review the guidelines:

General Formatting:

Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides.

Font: Use a readable font such as Times New Roman (12 pt.).

Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the document, including the title page, abstract, references, and any other sections.

Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (use the tab key or the paragraph formatting function).

Alignment: Left-align all text except for headings, which follow specific formats.

Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the top right corner of every page, starting on the title page (which is considered page 1).

Title Page: Follow guidelines for the placement of the title, author information, affiliation (your school), course information, and instructor's name.

Abstract: Include a brief summary of your paper on a separate page after the title page.

Body Text: Write in clear and concise language, avoiding jargon. Use headings to organize your content.

In-text Citations: Cite your sources within the text using the author’s name and publication year in parentheses. There are specific formats for different types of sources.

Reference List: Start a new page for your references, listed alphabetically by the first author's last name. Follow specific formatting guidelines for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Here's what a title page of a reference paper template looks like in APA format:

How to Set up APA Format Paper [Step-by-Step]

After understanding the guidelines, the next step is to apply them effectively to format your paper in APA 7th edition style. To achieve this, we need an efficient writing tool that provides all the necessary formatting tools. Since we're just starting our journey to format essays in APA style, the tool should be easy to use. For these reasons, I'll be using a professional writing tool— WPS Office .

WPS Office not only provides all the necessary tools but also has a major benefit—it's completely free to use. I recommend downloading WPS Office on your system to ensure you can follow the steps smoothly. So, let's begin. I have an example paper that I will format in APA style using WPS Office.

1.Page Margins

Before you begin formatting your essay, let's set the page margins according to APA 7th edition guidelines, which require 1-inch margins on all sides.

Step 1: To set the page margins in WPS Writer, simply go to the Page Layout tab.

Step 2: In the Page Layout ribbon, locate the Margin fields on the left end of the ribbon.

Step 3: Here, set all margins—top, bottom, left, and right—to 1 inch.

Once you've adjusted the margins, we can proceed with formatting the rest of the document.

2.Font Settings and Line Spacing

Next, let's adjust the font and line spacing according to APA style requirements.

Step 1: Go to the Home tab in WPS Writer and change the font to “Times New Roman” in the “Fonts” field.

Step 2: To change the font size, enter "12" in the "Font size" field.

Step 3: For adjusting line spacing, simply click on the "Line spacing" icon in the Home ribbon and select "2.0" to apply double spacing in your essay.

Once we've completed setting the general formatting of our entire essay according to APA style, we now need to prepare the header.

Step 1: To set the header, double-click on the header area to enter the header in WPS Writer.

The header in APA style for students includes only the page number on the top right.

Step 2: To insert the page number, click on the "Page Number" button in the Header/Footer ribbon.

Step 3: From the Page Number drop-down menu, select the "Header right" option to insert the page number on the top right.

Step 4: Next, we need to set the header height to "0.5 in" in the "Header height" field.

 4.Title Page

Sure! Let's start formatting each page of your essay, beginning with the title page. The title page should include the title of your paper, your name (as the author), the professor's name, course details, university name, and the due date. Each of these headings should start on a new line with 3-4 blank lines at the top of the page. This formatting ensures that your essay's title page follows APA style guidelines accurately.

Step 1: Press the "Enter" key on the keyboard to leave 3-4 blank lines at the top of the page.

Step 2: Type the title of your essay and center align it by clicking on the "Center" icon in the Home ribbon.

Step 3: Make the title bold by selecting the title text and clicking on the "Bold" icon in the Home ribbon.

Step 4: Press the "Enter" key twice to create a blank line between the title and the essay details. Then, enter the essay details in the following order, each on a separate line:

Your name (Author)

Department, University

Course Name, Course code

Professor's name

Step 5: After entering the essay details as described, ensure that each detail is centered on the page by selecting all the text with your mouse. Then, click on the "Center" icon in the Home ribbon to center-align the selected text.

Step 1: To insert a new blank page after the title page, place the cursor at the end of the due date on the title page and go to the Insert tab.

Step 2: In the Insert ribbon, click on "Breaks" and then select "Page Break" from the drop-down menu. This will create a new blank page where we will enter our abstract.

Step 3: Enter the heading "Abstract" in bold font style and center align it.

Step 4: Type the body of the abstract with no indentation. Simply start typing the abstract text.

After completing the abstract, insert another page break to start the next section of your essay.

6.Headings and Subheadings

To ensure your paper adheres to APA style guidelines for headings and paragraph indentation, here's how you can format them:

Step 1: On a new blank page, enter the Level 1 heading and ensure it is centered and in bold.

Step 2: For the body of the headings, indent the first line of each new paragraph by “0.5 in” by pressing the “Tab” key on your keyboard

Level 1 Heading: Centered and bold. It is used for main sections, like "Methods" or "Results".

Level 2 Heading: Left-aligned and bold. It is used to divide the main sections into subsections.

Level 3 Heading: Left-aligned, bold, and italicized. It further divides subsections into smaller parts.

Level 4 Heading: Indented, bold, and ends with a period. Text immediately follows this period, and it continues with lowercase text.

Level 5 Heading: Indented, bold, and in italics. Similar to Level 4, it also continues with lowercase text..

7.Table of contents

Essays can be lengthy, so including a table of contents can help make navigation easier. Let's take a look at how we can add a table of contents in WPS Writer.

Step 1: The Table of Contents is placed right after the title page, so the first step is to create a blank space after the title page using a Page Break.

Step 2: Now, on the blank page, go to the References tab and click on the Table of Contents button.

Step 3: From the Table of Contents drop-down menu, select any of the default templates available. I prefer using the 3rd template as it allows coverage of 3 levels of headings.

Step 4: Once the Table of Contents has been added, ensure that its heading is set to "Table of Contents", and it is formatted in bold and centered alignment.

Step 5: Additionally, ensure that the font settings of the Table of Contents are set to Times New Roman and 12-point font size.

8.Reference page

Before completing our essay, it's important to insert references that were helpful during the research process. For this, the end of your essay will include a separate References page.

Step 1: On a blank page at the end of your essay, enter the heading "References". Center align the heading and make it bold.

Step 2: List all the works cited in your essay. You can use the free Scribbr citation generator to generate APA 7th edition citations, which makes the process easier and ensures accuracy.

Step 3: Ensure the references are formatted with hanging indents using the Ruler in WPS Writer. To access the ruler, go to the View tab and check the "Ruler" checkbox in the ribbon.

Step 4: Drag the arrow on the ruler to half an inch to set the hanging indent .

Step 5: Then, drag the rectangle (below the ruler) back to 0 to reset the left indent for the subsequent lines of each reference.

And here is our APA 7th edition formatted essay from scratch. As you may have noticed, the whole process can be lengthy without an outline, but formatting your essay step by step makes the process clearer and easier to complete. I've used a few other writing tools for formatting, but I recommend WPS Writer because of its ease of navigation—all formatting tools are readily available in the tab, with no need to navigate through extra menus or open additional guides to learn additional steps. Try using WPS Writer for your essay assignments and experience the difference.

Bonus Tips: How to Convert Word to PDF without losing Format

WPS Office not only provides the necessary tools for students to efficiently format their essays according to APA 7th edition, but it also offers tools to easily convert these papers to PDF format within the WPS Writer application. Therefore, because submitting your work promptly is the next step after writing, ensure that your submission doesn't cost you any marks due to formatting issues after putting in so much effort.

To convert your essay documents to PDF using WPS PDF without quality loss, simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Open your document in WPS Writer.

Step 2: Click on the Menu button at the top left corner of the screen.

Step 3: Select "Export to PDF" from the menu that appears.

Step 4: Adjust any settings, such as the output path, in the Export to PDF window.

Step 5: After configuring the settings, click on "Export to PDF" to save your essay document as a PDF.

FAQs about writing a paper in APA format

1. how should i format tables and figures in apa style.

To correctly format a table in APA style, follow these guidelines:

Boldly label the table number above the table.

Provide a brief, italicized title in the title case just below the table number.

Avoid using vertical lines in the table design.

Use horizontal lines sparingly, only where necessary for clarity.

Ensure column and row headings are clearly labeled and concise.

Maintain consistent number formatting, such as decimal places.

Include any necessary notes below the table to explain details or sources.

To correctly format a figure in APA style, follow these guidelines:

Place the figure number in bold above the figure.

Provide a brief, italicized title in the title case beneath the figure number.

Include clear labels and legends within the image if needed.

Add any pertinent notes below the figure.

2. How to cite a Journal article in APA Style?

An APA Style citation for a journal article includes the author's name(s), the year of publication (in round brackets), the title of the article, the name of the journal in italics, the volume (in italics) and issue number, the page range of the article, and a DOI (if available).

APA format:

Author's last name, First name initial. (Year of publication). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), Page range. DOI or URL

Johnson, M. (2023). Explore with us. Journal of random discoveries, 5(2), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2023.5.2.123

3. How to cite a website in APA style?

APA website citations include the author's name, publication date, the title of the page or article in italics, the website name, and the URL. If no author is known, begin with the title of the article. If updates to the content are possible, include a retrieval date.

Author's Last Name, First initial. (Year, Month Date of publication). Title of the page. Name of the Website. URL

Johnson, M. (2024, March 12). Explore with us. Random Discoveries. https://www.randomdiscoveries.com/explore-with-us

Master APA Format Easily with WPS Office

I personally find APA format to be the most complex of all formats, but doing it on WPS Office sure makes it easy. The fact that it’s so user-friendly, with every feature readily available, is a huge advantage. The best part is that WPS Office is completely free. As a student, finding a good office suite that is cost-effective can be a challenge, and I’ve been there. Download WPS Office and spare yourself the hassle of hunting for an office suite— WPS Office is the answer to all your problems.

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