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How to Write an APA Style Paper
Last Updated: August 26, 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 337,395 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
APA Style Essay Format
- 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.
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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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How to Write an Essay in APA Format
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."
- The Complete Guide to APA Format in 2020
- Headings and Subheadings
- Discussion Section
- Websites and Online Sources
- Journals and Periodicals
- Other Print Sources
- Other Non-Print Sources
- In-text Citations
- Footnotes and Endnotes
- Using MyBib Responsibly
- Miscellaneous Questions
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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- APA Style Guide - 7th
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APA Style Guide - 7th: What is APA?
- How do I write my paper in APA style?
- How should I start?
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- In-Text Citation Examples
- Journal Article
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This guide is designed to help you understand the APA style rules. To jump directly to citation examples, click "Reference Page Citation Examples" on the left.
All materials posted in this online guide are for APA 7th , the most recent edition. To see the guide for the previous version, APA 6th, click on the link below.
If you are unsure about which edition you should use, please check with your professor.
APA 7th edition:
- APA 7th Style Quick Guide Shortened, printable PDF guide for APA 7th ed.
Previous, APA 6th edition:
- APA 6th Style Guide Full electronic version of the APA 6th style guide
- APA 6th Style Quick Guide Shortened, printable PDF guide for APA 6th ed.
What is APA? What does APA style mean?
The guide is a joint effort by CSN Library Services and the CSN Writing Center.
The guide is a joint effort by CSN Libraries and the CSN Writing Center.
Last updated July 2020
- Next: How do I write my paper in APA style? >>
- Last Updated: Jun 1, 2022 11:44 AM
- URL: https://libguides.csn.edu/APA
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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In-Text Citations: The Basics
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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 .
Reference citations in text are covered on pages 261-268 of the Publication Manual. What follows are some general guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay.
Note: On pages 117-118, the Publication Manual suggests that authors of research papers should use the past tense or present perfect tense for signal phrases that occur in the literature review and procedure descriptions (for example, Jones (1998) found or Jones (1998) has found ...). Contexts other than traditionally-structured research writing may permit the simple present tense (for example, Jones (1998) finds ).
APA Citation Basics
When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.
If you are referring to an idea from another work but NOT directly quoting the material, or making reference to an entire book, article or other work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication and not the page number in your in-text reference.
On the other hand, if you are directly quoting or borrowing from another work, you should include the page number at the end of the parenthetical citation. Use the abbreviation “p.” (for one page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages) before listing the page number(s). Use an en dash for page ranges. For example, you might write (Jones, 1998, p. 199) or (Jones, 1998, pp. 199–201). This information is reiterated below.
Regardless of how they are referenced, all sources that are cited in the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.
In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining
- Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.
- If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that are four letters long or greater within the title of a source: Permanence and Change . Exceptions apply to short words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs: Writing New Media , There Is Nothing Left to Lose .
( Note: in your References list, only the first word of a title will be capitalized: Writing new media .)
- When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound word: Natural-Born Cyborgs .
- Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The Case of Hitchcock's Vertigo ."
- If the title of the work is italicized in your reference list, italicize it and use title case capitalization in the text: The Closing of the American Mind ; The Wizard of Oz ; Friends .
- If the title of the work is not italicized in your reference list, use double quotation marks and title case capitalization (even though the reference list uses sentence case): "Multimedia Narration: Constructing Possible Worlds;" "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry."
Short quotations
If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and page number for the reference (preceded by "p." for a single page and “pp.” for a span of multiple pages, with the page numbers separated by an en dash).
You can introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.
If you do not include the author’s name in the text of the sentence, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation.
Long quotations
Place direct quotations that are 40 words or longer in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout, but do not add an extra blank line before or after it. The parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.
Because block quotation formatting is difficult for us to replicate in the OWL's content management system, we have simply provided a screenshot of a generic example below.
Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style.
Quotations from sources without pages
Direct quotations from sources that do not contain pages should not reference a page number. Instead, you may reference another logical identifying element: a paragraph, a chapter number, a section number, a table number, or something else. Older works (like religious texts) can also incorporate special location identifiers like verse numbers. In short: pick a substitute for page numbers that makes sense for your source.
Summary or paraphrase
If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference and may omit the page numbers. APA guidelines, however, do encourage including a page range for a summary or paraphrase when it will help the reader find the information in a longer work.
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- APA headings and subheadings
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
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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 .
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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 August 29, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-headings/
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Organizing and Managing Citations
Citation management software can help you manage your research and easily organize and format your citations in a wide variety of citation styles. Check out the links below for more information about these useful programs.
- Citation Management Basics This guide provides an overview of citation management software options, including basic functions and the differences between the various options available, including EndNote, EndNote Web, and Zotero. Also provided is contact information for Purdue librarians available to provide citation management support for Purdue faculty, students, and staff.
- EndNote at Purdue This guide provides detailed how-to and FAQ for EndNote citation management software, the desktop version.
- EndNote Basic EndNote Basic is an online citation management program that is freely available for all Purdue users. This guide highlights how-to, key functions, and FAQ, as well as differences between the desktop and online versions of this product.
- Zotero Zotero is a free and open, web-based citation management program. This guide provides info on getting started and carrying out key functions, for students and instructors. It also includes video tutorials.
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- Types of Plagiarism Plagiarism.org presents Plagiarism 101: What is Plagiarism?
- Citing Sources Plagiarism.org's useful guide to everything about citing sources.
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ہوم پیج (-) > بلاگ > اے پی اے مضمون کی شکل: ایک جائزہ
اے پی اے مضمون کی شکل: ایک جائزہ
- سموڈن ایڈیٹوریل ٹیم
- تازہ کاری: اگست 21، 2024
- لکھنے کے لیے مرحلہ وار ہدایات
کیا آپ کو APA مضمون لکھنے کی ضرورت ہے لیکن فارمیٹنگ کے قواعد کے بارے میں کوئی علم نہیں ہے؟ آپ اکیلے نہیں ہیں، کیونکہ شروع کرتے وقت بہت سے طلباء کے پاس ایک جیسے سوالات ہوتے ہیں۔ ہم آپ کو قواعد کو سمجھنے میں مدد کے لیے APA مضمون کے فارمیٹ کی تمام تفصیلات کا اشتراک کریں گے، تاکہ آپ ایک ایسا مضمون لکھ سکیں جس میں لائن کی درست جگہ، APA حوالہ جات، اور خلاصہ صفحہ ہو۔
مزید برآں، ہم APA فارمیٹ میں لکھتے وقت کن چیزوں سے بچنا ہے اس کی اعلیٰ مثالیں بھی شیئر کریں گے۔ یہ یقینی بناتا ہے کہ آپ وہ بڑی غلطیاں نہیں کرتے جو آپ کے آخری درجے کو متاثر کر سکتی ہیں۔
APA مضمون کی شکل کا استعمال کرتے وقت آپ کو جن اصولوں پر عمل کرنا چاہیے ان کے بارے میں مزید جاننے کے لیے پڑھتے رہیں۔
APA فارمیٹ مضمون کیا ہے؟
APA فارمیٹ ایک اسٹائل گائیڈ ہے جو عام طور پر سماجی علوم میں تعلیمی مقالے لکھنے کے لیے استعمال ہوتا ہے۔ دی امریکی نفسیاتی ایسوسی ایشن امریکہ میں قائم ایک سائنسی اور پیشہ ورانہ تنظیم جو ماہر نفسیات کی نمائندگی کرتی ہے، نے اس انداز کو تیار کیا۔
یہاں ان اہم نکات کا ایک جائزہ ہے جو آپ کو سیکھنے کے وقت جاننے کی ضرورت ہے APA مضمون کی شکل کیا ہے:
- عنوان کا صفحہ: اس میں مقالے کا عنوان، مصنف کا نام، اور ادارہ جاتی وابستگی شامل ہے۔ طالب علم کے کاغذات کے لیے، اس میں کورس نمبر اور انسٹرکٹر کا نام بھی شامل ہوتا ہے۔
- خلاصہ: تحقیق کا خلاصہ۔ یہ عام طور پر تقریباً 150-250 الفاظ ہوتے ہیں اور اہم نکات اور نتائج کا خاکہ پیش کرتے ہیں۔
- مین باڈی: ایک تعارف، طریقہ، نتائج، اور بحث کے حصوں پر مشتمل ہے۔ تحقیق کے نتائج کو اس انداز میں پیش کرنے کے لیے ہر سیکشن کو واضح طور پر لیبل اور منظم کیا گیا ہے جس میں واضح بہاؤ ہے۔
- عنوانات اور ذیلی سرخیاں: مواد کو ترتیب وار ترتیب دینے اور نیویگیٹ کرنا آسان بنانے کے لیے عنوانات کی مخصوص سطحوں کا استعمال کریں۔
- متن میں حوالہ جات: مصنف کی تاریخ کا طریقہ استعمال کرتے ہوئے متن کے اندر ذرائع کا حوالہ دیں، مثال کے طور پر، "سمتھ، 2020"، جو آخر میں ایک تفصیلی حوالہ جاتی فہرست سے لنک کرتا ہے۔
- حوالہ جات: کاغذ میں دیے گئے تمام ذرائع کی فہرست بنائیں، ہینگنگ انڈینٹ کے ساتھ فارمیٹ کریں، اور مصنف کے آخری نام سے حروف تہجی کے مطابق ترتیب دیں۔
- فارمیٹنگ: معیاری 12 پوائنٹ ٹائمز نیو رومن فونٹ، دوہری جگہ والی لائنیں، اور ہر طرف ایک انچ مارجن۔
اے پی اے فارمیٹ میں مضمون کیسے لکھیں۔
اب آئیے APA فارمیٹ میں مضمون لکھنے کا طریقہ سیکھنے پر توجہ مرکوز کریں۔ یہ عمل آپ کو شروع سے ختم کرنے تک لے جائے گا اور اس بات کو یقینی بنائے گا کہ آپ کے پاس APA طرز کے لیے درست فارمیٹنگ ہے۔ ابتدائی افراد تعلیمی ترتیب میں اچھے نتائج حاصل کرنے کے لیے ان APA ہدایات کا استعمال کر سکتے ہیں۔
1. عنوان صفحہ
آپ کو ضرورت ہو گی مضمون شروع کریں APA فارمیٹ کور پیج (یا ٹائٹل پیج) کے ساتھ، جو آپ کے مضمون کے لیے اسٹیج سیٹ کرتا ہے۔ بولڈ 12 پوائنٹ ٹائمز نیو رومن فونٹ کا استعمال کرتے ہوئے اپنے کاغذ کے عنوان کو درمیان میں رکھیں۔ اس کے نیچے، اپنے نام اور ادارہ جاتی وابستگی کو مرکز میں رکھیں۔ یہاں، آپ کورس کی معلومات، انسٹرکٹر کا نام، اور اگر ضرورت ہو تو مقررہ تاریخ شامل کر سکتے ہیں۔
مزید برآں، یقینی بنائیں کہ بہترین نتائج کے لیے عنوان مختصر اور وضاحتی ہے۔ ایسا کرنے کا طریقہ جاننے کے لیے آپ پیشہ ورانہ کاغذات دیکھ سکتے ہیں۔ پھر، ہیڈر میں ایک چل رہا سر رکھیں. اس میں عنوان کا ایک مختصر ورژن (50 حروف یا اس سے کم) اور صفحہ نمبر دائیں طرف منسلک ہوگا۔
ایک نئے صفحہ پر، خلاصہ شامل کریں، جو آپ کے مضمون کا خلاصہ فراہم کرتا ہے۔ APA فارمیٹ کے ساتھ سیدھ میں لانے کے لیے صفحہ کے اوپری حصے میں بولڈ میں لفظ "خلاصہ" کو درمیان میں رکھنا یقینی بنائیں۔ خلاصہ خود ایک پیراگراف ہونا چاہئے، 150-250 الفاظ کے درمیان۔ مزید برآں، اسے تحقیقی مسئلہ کے اہم نکات، طریقوں، نتائج اور نتیجہ کا خلاصہ کرنے کی ضرورت ہے۔
اقتباسات اور تفصیلی وضاحتوں سے گریز کریں، اور اس کے بجائے اپنے کاغذ کے جوہر کو پہنچانے پر توجہ دیں۔ خلاصہ قارئین کو اے پی اے پیپر کی گہرائی میں جانے کے بغیر آپ کی تحقیق کے دائرہ کار کو تیزی سے سمجھنے میں مدد کرتا ہے۔
3. مین باڈی
اپنے مضمون کا مرکزی حصہ ایک نئے صفحہ پر شروع کریں۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ صفحہ کے اوپری حصے میں اپنے کاغذ کے مکمل عنوان کو بولڈ میں مرکز میں رکھیں۔ جسم میں کئی حصے شامل ہیں، جو عام طور پر تعارف، طریقہ، نتائج اور بحث ہوتے ہیں۔
تعارف میں، خاکہ پیش کریں۔ ریسرچ پیپر سوال اور سیاق و سباق پھر طریقہ کے حصے میں اپنے تحقیقی عمل کو بیان کریں۔ آپ کو اپنے نتائج کو نتائج کے سیکشن میں پیش کرنے اور بحث میں ان کا تجزیہ کرنے کی ضرورت ہوگی۔
اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ آپ کے مواد کو ترتیب دینے کے لیے APA کی سرخی کی طرزیں استعمال کی جائیں تاکہ واضح اور روانی کو یقینی بنایا جا سکے۔ آخر میں، متن کو دوہری جگہ اور مارجن کو ہر طرف ایک انچ پر سیٹ کرنا نہ بھولیں۔ APA فارمیٹ کے عنوانات اہم ہیں اور وہ چیز جسے طلباء اکثر نظر انداز کرتے ہیں۔
4. حوالہ جات
مرکزی باڈی کے بعد، حوالہ جات کے لیے ایک نیا صفحہ شروع کریں۔ صفحہ کے اوپری حصے میں لفظ "حوالہ جات" کو مرکز اور بولڈ کرکے اس سیکشن کی APA فارمیٹنگ شروع کریں۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ مصنف کے آخری نام سے حروف تہجی کی ترتیب میں آپ کے مضمون میں حوالہ دیا گیا تمام ذرائع درج کریں۔ آپ اے پی اے اسٹائل کو درست کرنے کے لیے ہینگنگ انڈینٹ استعمال کرسکتے ہیں۔ اس کا مطلب ہے کہ آپ پہلی لائن کو بائیں طرف فلش کرتے ہیں اور بعد میں آنے والی لائنوں کو 0.5 انچ تک انڈینٹ کرتے ہیں۔
مزید برآں، ہر حوالہ کے اندراج میں مصنف کا نام، اشاعت کا سال، عنوان، اور ماخذ کی تفصیلات شامل ہونی چاہئیں۔ یہ حق حاصل کرنے کے لیے، مکمل اور درست ماخذ کی معلومات فراہم کرنے کے لیے APA اقتباس فارمیٹ کے اصولوں پر احتیاط سے عمل کریں۔ یہ یقینی بناتا ہے کہ آپ مناسب کریڈٹ دیتے ہیں اور قارئین کو آپ کے ذرائع کا پتہ لگانے کی اجازت دیتا ہے۔
5. متن میں حوالہ جات
اپنے پورے مضمون کے دوران، کریڈٹ کے ذرائع کے اندر متنی حوالہ جات استعمال کریں۔ APA فارمیٹ مصنف کی تاریخ کا نظام استعمال کرتا ہے۔ اس لیے مصنف کا آخری نام اور اشاعت کا سال قوسین میں درج معلومات کے بعد شامل کریں۔
براہ راست اقتباسات کے لیے، درج ذیل مثال کی طرح صفحہ نمبر شامل کریں: Smith, 2020, p. 15. اگر مصنف کا نام جملے کا حصہ ہے تو قوسین میں صرف سال شامل کریں۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ ہر درون ٹیکسٹ حوالہ حوالہ جات کے صفحہ پر متعلقہ حوالہ سے میل کھاتا ہے۔ قارئین کو پیشہ ورانہ اور طلباء کے کاغذات کے لیے آپ کے ذرائع کی یکساں تصدیق کرنے کی اجازت دے کر تعلیمی سالمیت کو برقرار رکھنا ضروری ہے۔
6. ضمیمہ جات
اگر آپ کے مضمون میں اضافی مواد شامل ہے، تو حوالہ جات کے بعد نئے صفحات پر ایک ضمیمہ شامل کریں۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ ہر ضمیمہ کو لفظ "ضمیمہ" کے ساتھ عنوان دینا ہے اس کے بعد ایک حرف (مثلاً، ضمیمہ A) اگر ایک سے زیادہ ضمیمے ہیں۔ مزید برآں، آپ کو ہر ضمیمہ کے عنوان کو بیچ میں اور بولڈ کرنے کی ضرورت ہوگی۔
تفصیلی جدولیں، اعداد و شمار، یا اضافی ڈیٹا کو ضمیمہ میں شامل کریں تاکہ مرکزی متن کو اوورلوڈ کیے بغیر آپ کے نتائج میں مدد ملے۔ یہ آپ کے مضمون یا پیشہ ورانہ کاغذ کو دے گا۔ بہتر تحریری بہاؤ .
آخر میں، متن میں ہر ضمیمہ کا حوالہ دیں۔ آپ مخصوص متن کے حوالہ جات تلاش کرنے کے لیے ورڈ پروسیسنگ سافٹ ویئر میں سرچ فنکشن استعمال کر سکتے ہیں۔
اے پی اے فارمیٹ میں مضمون کا حوالہ کیسے دیں۔
اس سیکشن میں، ہم APA فارمیٹ میں مضمون کا حوالہ دینے کا طریقہ سیکھتے وقت آپ کو اس عمل پر تبادلہ خیال کرتے ہیں جس کی آپ کو پیروی کرنے کی ضرورت ہے۔ امریکن سائیکولوجیکل ایسوسی ایشن نے اے پی اے تحریری شکل کو بہتر ڈھانچہ پیش کرنے کے لیے ان اصولوں کو شامل کیا۔ یہ قارئین کو پیشہ ورانہ جرائد کے درمیان منتقل ہونے پر ڈیٹا کے ذرائع کی تیزی سے شناخت کرنے میں بھی مدد کرتا ہے۔
APA طرز کے مقالے میں، ذرائع کا حوالہ دینے اور قارئین کو ان کی رہنمائی کرنے کے لیے متن میں مختصر جملوں کا استعمال کریں۔ آپ عام طور پر متن میں شامل کریں گے۔ کی قیمت درج کرنے APA اسٹائل فارمیٹ پیپر کے لیے ہر اقتباس کے ساتھ، اس بات کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے کہ کوئی سرقہ نہیں ہے۔
مزید برآں، فارمیٹنگ کے عمومی اصول بتاتے ہیں کہ آپ کو مصنف کا آخری نام اور اشاعت کا سال استعمال کرنے کی ضرورت ہوگی۔ اسے مصنف کی تاریخ کا نظام بھی کہا جاتا ہے۔ مزید برآں، اگر آپ کسی خاص حصے کا حوالہ دینا چاہتے ہیں، تو آپ ٹائم اسٹیمپ یا صفحہ نمبر استعمال کر سکتے ہیں۔
قوسین بمقابلہ بیانیہ حوالہ
دو اہم شکلیں ہیں جو آپ کے اندر موجود حوالہ جات لے سکتے ہیں: قوسین یا بیانیہ۔ یہاں ان کے درمیان اختلافات کی ایک مثال ہے:
- قوسین کا حوالہ: صنعت کے تازہ ترین رجحانات کے مطابق… (جونز، 2024)۔
- بیانیہ حوالہ: جونز (2024) کہتا ہے کہ صنعت کے تازہ ترین رجحانات…
متعدد مصنفین اور کارپوریٹ مصنفین
آپ کو متعدد یا کارپوریٹ مصنفین کا حوالہ دینے کی ضرورت پڑسکتی ہے، اس بات پر منحصر ہے کہ آپ جس طالب علم کے کاغذات پر کام کر رہے ہیں۔ قوسین کے حوالہ جات کا فارمیٹ یہ ہے:
- ایک مصنف: (جونز، 2024)
- دو مصنفین: (جونس اور ایڈمز، 2024)
- 3+ مصنفین: (Jones et al.، 2024)
- تنظیم: (برانڈ کا نام، 2024)
اب آئیے روایت کے حوالہ جات کا نسخہ دیکھیں:
- ایک مصنف: جونز (2024)
- دو مصنفین: جونز اور ایڈمز (2024)
- 3+ مصنفین: اسمتھ وغیرہ۔ (2024)
- تنظیم: برانڈ نام (2024)
APA فارمیٹ مضمون کی مثالیں: کس چیز سے بچنا ہے۔
اب ہم APA فارمیٹ کے مضمون کی کچھ ایسی غلطیوں کی مثالیں تلاش کریں گے جو آپ کو نہیں کرنی چاہئیں۔ یہ اس بات کو یقینی بناتا ہے کہ آپ اپنے پروجیکٹ کے ساتھ چلتے ہوئے زمین پر پہنچیں اور اعلی درجے حاصل کریں۔
APA فارمیٹ استعمال کرتے وقت لکھنے کی سرفہرست غلطیاں یہ ہیں:
- غلط حوالہ جات: ذرائع کا صحیح حوالہ دینے میں ناکامی سرقہ کے الزامات کا باعث بن سکتی ہے۔ لہذا، یقینی بنائیں کہ ہر ماخذ کا متن میں حوالہ جات اور حوالہ جاتی فہرست دونوں میں مناسب طریقے سے حوالہ دیا گیا ہے۔ لہذا، غلط فارمیٹس یا نامکمل تفصیلات کے استعمال سے گریز کریں۔ مثال کے طور پر، براہ راست اقتباسات کے لیے صفحہ نمبر شامل نہ کرنا یا اشاعت کے سالوں کو چھوڑنا آپ کے کام کی سالمیت سے سمجھوتہ کر سکتا ہے۔
- متضاد فارمیٹنگ: فارمیٹنگ میں عدم مطابقت آپ کے مضمون کی پیشہ ورانہ مہارت کو نقصان پہنچاتی ہے۔ لہذا، یقینی بنائیں کہ آپ کے پاس یکساں مارجن، فونٹ کی قسم، اور سائز (جیسے بڑے حروف اور بڑے اور چھوٹے حروف) ہیں۔ مزید برآں، عنوانات کو APA طرز کی قطعی طور پر پیروی کرنی چاہیے، اور لائن اسپیسنگ اور انڈینٹیشن میں مستقل مزاجی ہونی چاہیے۔ ان رہنما خطوط سے انحراف قارئین کی توجہ ہٹا سکتے ہیں اور مضمون کی ساکھ کو کم کر سکتے ہیں۔
- ٹائٹل پیج کی ضروریات کو نظر انداز کرنا: APA فارمیٹ میں ٹائٹل پیج بہت اہم ہے۔ لہٰذا، عنوان، مصنف کا نام، اور ادارہ جاتی وابستگی جیسے ضروری عناصر کو چھوڑنے سے گریز کریں۔ نیز، چل رہا ہیڈ اور صفحہ نمبر موجود ہونا چاہیے۔ ان عناصر کی کمی الجھن کا باعث بن سکتی ہے اور آپ کی فارمیٹنگ میں لاپرواہی کا تاثر دے سکتی ہے۔
- براہ راست اقتباسات کا زیادہ استعمال: اقتباس کے نشانات کے ذریعہ اشارہ کردہ براہ راست اقتباسات پر بہت زیادہ انحصار کرنا آپ کے اصل تجزیہ اور بصیرت کو روک سکتا ہے۔ اس کے بجائے، پیرا فریس اور جہاں ممکن ہو اس کا خلاصہ کریں، اور اپنے نکات کی تائید کے لیے براہ راست اقتباسات کو تھوڑا سا استعمال کریں۔ زیادہ استعمال آپ کے مضمون کو کم اصل اور دوسروں کے کام پر زیادہ انحصار کرنے والا بنا سکتا ہے۔
- حوالہ کی فہرست کی غلط فارمیٹنگ: غلط فارمیٹنگ سے بچنے کے لیے ریفرنس لسٹ میں ہر اندراج کو APA کے رہنما خطوط کے مطابق فارمیٹ کریں۔ آپ کو عام غلطیوں سے بچنے کی ضرورت ہوگی جیسے غلط انڈینٹیشن، ترچھے کا غلط استعمال، یا عناصر غائب۔ مثال کے طور پر، کتاب کے عنوانات کو ترچھا کریں اور مضمون کے عنوانات کو سادہ متن میں چھوڑ دیں۔
اکثر پوچھے گئے سوالات
میں apa میں ٹائٹل پیج کو کیسے فارمیٹ کروں؟.
APA ٹائٹل پیج میں کاغذ کا عنوان، مصنف کا نام، اور ادارہ جاتی وابستگی شامل ہے۔ نیز، APA پیپر کے ٹائٹل پیج کو بیچ میں اور ڈبل اسپیس کریں۔ طالب علم کے کاغذات کے لیے، اس میں کورس نمبر، انسٹرکٹر کا نام، اور مقررہ تاریخ بھی شامل ہوتی ہے۔
مزید برآں، ہیڈر میں مختصر عنوان اور صفحہ نمبر کے ساتھ ایک چلتا ہوا سر ظاہر ہوتا ہے۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ عنوان مختصر اور وضاحتی ہے، بڑے بڑے الفاظ کے ساتھ۔ یہ آپ کے پروجیکٹ کے لیے بہترین صفحہ ہیڈر کی طرف لے جائے گا۔
APA سٹائل میں ریفرنس لسٹ کو فارمیٹ کرنے کا صحیح طریقہ کیا ہے؟
ریفرنس لسٹ کو ہینگ انڈینٹ کے ساتھ فارمیٹ کیا جانا چاہیے۔ اس کا مطلب ہے کہ ہر حوالہ کی پہلی سطر بائیں طرف فلش ہے، جس کے بعد کی لائنیں 0.5 انچ کی ہوئی ہیں۔ مزید برآں، مصنف کے آخری نام سے حوالہ جات کو حروف تہجی کے مطابق ترتیب دیں۔
مزید برآں، کتابوں اور جرائد کے عنوانات کے لیے ترچھے اور مضامین اور ابواب کے عنوانات کے لیے مناسب جملے کا استعمال کریں۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے مستقل مزاجی کو یقینی بنائیں کہ آپ کے پاس پیشہ ورانہ کاغذات کے مقابلے کا معیار ہے۔
مجھے اے پی اے کے مضمون کا مرکزی حصہ کیسے بنانا چاہیے؟
مرکزی باڈی ایک نئے صفحہ پر شروع ہوتی ہے جس میں کاغذ کے عنوان کے ساتھ مرکز اور بولڈ ہوتا ہے۔ اس میں ایک تعارف، طریقہ، نتائج، اور بحث کے حصے شامل ہونے چاہئیں۔ نیز، اے پی اے فارمیٹ میں سرخی کی طرزیں شامل ہونی چاہئیں۔
متن کو ایک انچ کے مارجن کے ساتھ دوہرا ہونا چاہیے، اور 12 نکاتی ٹائمز نیو رومن فونٹ کا استعمال کرنا چاہیے۔ مزید برآں، مختلف حصوں کے لیے عنوانات کا استعمال کرکے مواد کو منطقی اور واضح طور پر ترتیب دیں۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ آپ کے APA کاغذ کے عنوان کے صفحے پر جسم نہیں ہے۔
کیا میں APA فارمیٹ میں میزیں اور اعداد و شمار استعمال کر سکتا ہوں؟
ہاں، اے پی اے فارمیٹ ڈیٹا کو واضح طور پر پیش کرنے کے لیے جدولوں اور اعداد و شمار کے استعمال کی اجازت دیتا ہے۔ ہر ٹیبل یا اعداد و شمار پر لیبل لگا ہوا ہونا چاہئے اور اس کے ساتھ ایک عنوان ہونا چاہئے۔ مزید برآں، حوالہ جات کے صفحہ کے بعد میزیں اور اعداد و شمار رکھیں۔
مزید برآں، متن میں ہر ٹیبل یا اعداد و شمار کا حوالہ دیں اور یقینی بنائیں کہ وہ APA کے رہنما خطوط کے مطابق فارمیٹ کیے گئے ہیں۔ اس میں مواد کے ساتھ بہترین نتائج کے لیے مناسب وقفہ اور سیدھ شامل ہے۔
اگر ماخذ کے لیے کوئی مصنف درج نہ ہو تو مجھے کیا کرنا چاہیے؟
اگر کوئی مصنف درج نہیں ہے تو، مصنف کے نام کی جگہ کام کا عنوان استعمال کریں۔ متن میں اقتباسات کے لیے، حوالہ جاتی فہرست کے اندراج اور اشاعت کے سال کے پہلے چند الفاظ استعمال کریں۔
Smodin AI کے ساتھ اپنے APA فارمیٹ کے مضامین لکھنا شروع کریں۔
اپنے اگلے پیپر میں اعلیٰ گریڈ حاصل کرنے کے لیے اس مضمون میں سیکھے گئے APA مضمون کے فارمیٹ کے اصول استعمال کریں۔ اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ سرقہ سے بچنے کے لیے اقتباسات استعمال کرنے کا طریقہ نہ بھولیں۔ مزید برآں، اس بات کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے کہ آپ اپنی محنت کو سبوتاژ نہ کریں، سرفہرست غلطیوں کو نہ بھولیں۔
کیا آپ کو اپنا APA مضمون فارمیٹ پروجیکٹ لکھنے میں مدد کی ضرورت ہے؟ پھر کامیابی کی مشکلات کو اپنے حق میں جھکانے کے لیے Smodin AI کا استعمال کریں۔ ہمارا سافٹ ویئر آپ کو دکھائے گا کہ آپ اپنے کاموں کے لیے درست فارمیٹنگ کیسے استعمال کریں۔ ہماری ٹول کٹ کامل APA طرز کا کاغذ تیار کرنے کا طریقہ سیکھنے کے عمل کو تیز کرے گی۔
تو تم کیا انتظار کر رہے ہو؟ Smodin AI کو آج ہی آزمائیں۔ اور آپ کو نتائج پسند آئیں گے۔
Paragraph Alignment and Indentation
APA Style includes guidelines for paragraph alignment and indentation to ensure that papers are formatted in a consistent and readable manner. All writers should follow these guidelines.
Paragraph alignment
Align the text of an APA Style paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin uneven, or “ragged.” Do not use full justification for student papers or manuscripts being submitted for publication.
Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end of line. However, it is acceptable if your word-processing program automatically inserts breaks in long hyperlinks ( such as in a DOI or URL in a reference list entry ).
Paragraph indentation
Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.
Exceptions to these paragraph-formatting requirements are as follows:
- title page: For professional papers, the title (in bold), byline, and affiliations should be centered on the title page . For student papers, the title (in bold), byline, affiliations, course number and name, instructor, and assignment due date should be centered on the title page .
- section labels: Section labels (e.g., “Abstract,” “References”) should be centered (and bold).
- abstract: The first line of the abstract should be flush left (not indented).
- block quotations: Indent a whole block quotation 0.5 in. from the left margin. If the block quotation spans more than one paragraph, the first line of the second and any subsequent paragraphs of the block quotation should be indented another 0.5 in., such that those first lines are indented a total of 1 in.
- headings: Level 1 headings should be centered (and in bold), and Level 2 and 3 headings should be left-aligned (and in bold or bold italic, respectively). Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular paragraphs.
- tables and figures: Table and figure numbers (in bold), titles (in italics), and notes should be flush left.
- reference list: Reference list entries should have a hanging indent of 0.5 in.
- appendices: Appendix labels and titles should be centered (and bold).
Paragraph alignment and indentation are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Sections 2.23 and 2.24 and the Concise Guide Sections 1.22 and 1.23
Related handout
- Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)
From the APA Style blog
APA Style student papers webinar
A new APA Style webinar, “A Step-by-Step Guide for APA Style Student Papers,” taking place on September 10, 2020, will provide detailed guidance on creating, formatting, and organizing APA Style student papers.
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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).
Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.
Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines: Set page margins to 1 inch on all sides. Double-space all text, including headings. Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches. Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.).
Download Article. 1. Introduce your paper. The first section of an APA style paper will be the introduction, but it doesn't have to be labeled. Just write the title of your paper (in regular type) on the start of the next page, then begin writing your introduction on the line below it.
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.
Start Here. General Format Guidelines on writing an APA style paper In-Text Citations. Resources on using in-text citations in APA style ... General guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay Author/Authors How to refer to authors in-text, including single and multiple authors, unknown authors, organizations, etc. ...
Paper Format. Consistency in the order, structure, and format of a paper allows readers to focus on a paper's content rather than its presentation. To format a paper in APA Style, writers can typically use the default settings and automatic formatting tools of their word-processing program or make only minor adjustments.
APA Style is primarily used in the behavioral sciences, which are subjects related to people, such as psychology, education, and nursing. It is also used by students in business, engineering, communications, and other classes. Students use it to write academic essays and research papers in high school and college, and professionals use it to ...
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.
APA is a particular style or format (a set of rules, essentially) for structuring an essay or a research paper in the social and behavioral sciences. The style helps your professor see exactly where you found the research that you add to the paper and lays out exactly how the paper should look (margins, titles, page numbers, etc.).
Format your paper in APA Style (7th edition) in just 6 minutes. Everything from the title page and header to the abstract, body section, and reference page. ...
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.
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.
Watch this step-by-step video on how to format your paper in APA 6th edition, including title page format, header format, and second+ page format.Learn more ...
On the first line of the page, write the section label "References" (in bold and centered). On the second line, start listing your references in alphabetical order. Apply these formatting guidelines to the APA reference page: Double spacing (within and between references) Hanging indent of ½ inch.
The Mastering APA Style Student Workbook is an online and interactive workbook for teaching and learning seventh edition APA Style. Explore the workbook to learn more, register for a webinar, watch a demo video, try a sample workbook, and purchase your copy. Adopt the workbook for your course or workshop to use it to teach APA Style and ...
Generate accurate APA citations with Scribbr. The most important APA format guidelines in the 6th edition are: Use 12 pt Times New Roman. Set 1 inch page margins. Apply double line spacing. Insert a running head on every page. Indent every new paragraph ½ inch.
This video will highlight how to properly set up an APA Style paper for students, which includes setting margins and font; creating a title page; organizing ...
When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.
These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different student paper types. Students may write the same types of papers as professional authors (e.g., quantitative studies, literature reviews) or other types of papers for course assignments (e.g., reaction or response papers, discussion posts), dissertations, and theses.
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. Note: Title case simply means that you should capitalize the first word, words with four or more letters, and all ...
APA Formatting & Style Guide. From Purdue's OWL. APA Style Help. Overviews, tutorials, and FAQs. Online Writing Lab. Organizing and Managing Citations. Citation management software can help you manage your research and easily organize and format your citations in a wide variety of citation styles. Check out the links below for more information ...
Watch a pre-session video to gain tips for writing a statement that makes a strong case for admission.
Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page. Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize major words of the title. Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired.
How To Write An Essay in APA Format. Now let's focus on learning how to write an essay in APA format. This process will take you from start to finish and ensure that you have the correct formatting for the APA style. Beginners can use these APA guidelines to get good results in an academic setting. 1. عنوان صفحہ
Students new to APA Style benefit from learning essential elements like formatting, references, and inclusive language. That's why we created an APA Style for beginners page. ... This webpage is a great starting point for learning the basics of APA Style. Here you can find answers to your APA Style questions, including. What is APA Style?
Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.).