How to Get Started with an APA Format Paper

Many college instructors request that students follow the format established by the American Psychological Association in its "Publication Manual" for any papers they write. Knowing the basics of APA style before you begin to writing your paper will keep you from getting penalized for not using the correct format.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer with Microsoft Word 2003 or Word 2007
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the formatting for your word processing software. All four margins should be 1 inch. Use Times New Roman font at 12-point type, and set the text to double-space.

    • 2

      Create your title page with a header that says, "Running head: [SHORT TITLE OF PAPER]," beginning at the left margin of the page. Make sure the short title of your paper is in all capital letters. On the same line at the right margin, insert a "1" for the page number.

      Center your full article title in the upper half of your paper, using upper and lower-case letters. Below the title, include the author's name, and below that, include the name of the institution where the author conducted his research.

    • 3

      Set your document header to read "[SHORT TITLE OF ARTICLE]" in all capital letters flush left with the page number at the right margin. All subsequent pages should contain this heading. If your word processing software does not allow you to set a header to automatically show on all pages, you'll need to type this at the top of each page.

    • 4

      Center the word "Abstract" below the header on page 2. Beginning on the next line, type the key points of your research in 150 to 250 words. Do not indent.

    • 5

      Center the full title of your paper, using upper and lower-case letters, on page 3, underneath the header. Begin your paper on the next line, indenting each paragraph. Follow the body of your paper with your references, centering the word "References" below the header and page number.

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