An APA style essay must have a page header on every page with the title of the paper typed in all caps flush left and the page number inserted flush right. On the title page only, insert "Running page:" before the title in the page header.
In the upper half of your title page, center your title using standard capitalization rules. Using double spacing, type your first name, middle initial and last name below your title. Add your institutional affiliation below your name.
Center the word "Abstract" on the first line of the next page. Using double spacing, begin your abstract summary, without indention, on the next line. Your abstract should summarize key points from your study and, according to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab, should include "your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis and conclusions."
The main body is your actual essay. On the first page of the main body, type the title of your essay using standard capitalization, centered on the first line. The title should not exceed 12 words and should fit on one or two lines. Indent the first line of each paragraph in the main body of your essay.
Center the word "References" on the first line of the page. Place references in alphabetical order by author. Do not indent the first line of each reference entry, but indent all subsequent lines in an entry 1/2 inch from the left margin. Do not underline or italicize the reference titles of shorter works such as essays or articles in edited collections. You should italicize titles of longer works, including books and journals, per APA guidelines.