The Basics of the APA Format

The APA format refers to a series of rules set by the American Psychological Association for journals published by APA and the Educational Publishing Foundation. The same format is used for many academic research papers, and it is most commonly used to cite sources in the social sciences. The APA style guide offers comprehensive details on formatting the manuscript, arranging titles, headings and citing references.
  1. Basic Format

    • Use letter-size paper with a 1-inch margin on all four sides. Use a serif font -- letters with small details at the ends of the strokes -- throughout your text, such as the Times New Roman and a sans serif font -- no details -- for figure labels. Double-space your entire report and indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch. Align the text along the left margin.

    Title Page

    • Include a page header written in all capitals on the top-left of every page. On the title page only, write "Running head:" on the top-left, followed by the page header. The number of each page goes in the top-right corner. The title of your study must be centered on the upper half of the title page and written in title case. Under the title, include your first name, middle initial and last name, without titles and degrees. Beneath your name, mention your institutional affiliation.

    Headings

    • APA journals use five levels of headings. First-level headings must be centered, bold and written in title case. Second-level headings are bold, written in title case and begin at the left margin. Level three and four headings are indented, bold, written in lowercase and end with a period, and fourth-level headings are also italicized. Level five headings are the same as level four, but without the bold typeface.

    References

    • In-text citations must include the author's surname and the date of publication. If you include a direct quotation in your study, also mention the page or specific location in your source. When citing multiple sources within parentheses, divide them with the use of semicolons. Add a references list at the end of your study, including all the sources you used in alphabetical order. Indent all the text in the references section except the first line of each reference. Write the author's surname and first initial, the publication date in parenthesis, her study's title, the publication it was included in, the volume number and the pages within the publication.

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