Select a serif typeface such as Times New Roman for text and a sans serif typeface like Arial for figures. Set your font to 12 and double space all of your sentences. Double space the entire manuscript--including between lines of body text and titles, headings and block quotes. Reference lists, appendices and figure captions also should be double spaced. Indent the first line of each paragraph one-half inch. Align the text to the left-hand margin; the right margin should be ragged.
Insert a running headline with the full title of the paper and the page number at the top of every page. Align the headline to the left-hand margin.
Prepare a title page that has the title, your name and your affiliation. Center this information on the title page with each piece of information on its own line.
Create an abstract on the page following the title page. The abstract should have a page all of its own. An abstract is a brief description of what the reader should expect in the paper itself. It should keep the reader's attention and be easy to access.
Begin the text on page 3. Each figure and table begins on a new page. The references begin on a new page after the last page of text. Each appendix also begins on a new page.
Use headings to help the reader locate important points in your paper. APA style features five levels of headings from a centered, boldface title case heading to an indented italicized lowercase paragraph heading that ends with a period.
Create a page titled References to list the ones you use. The title of your paper must be centered on the page and your references should all be in alphabetical order. Make sure references are left justified, and have a one-inch indentation on every line of reference except the first one, which should be left justified.