Format your proposal according to APA guidelines. General APA guidelines for formatting include that your paper must be on standard sized paper (8.5"x11") and that it should have 1 inch margins on all sides. APA recommends using 12 point Times New Roman as the font. Double check with your professor or instructor that this is the recommended font for your assignment. Create a page header at the top of each page by selecting, "insert header" in your word processing software, then moving the margin flush with the right side of the page. Include the title of your proposal and the page number at the top of every page.
Format paragraphs correctly by following APA guidelines. Verify all margins are one inch from the sides of the paper. Indent five to seven spaces at the beginning of each paragraph. Write in an active voice, for example, "We found that..." rather than, "It was found that..." Label the first two sections, "Abstract," and "Body." Label subsequent sections, "References," "Footnotes," "Tables," "Figures," "Appendices." You do not need to include all sections, but the first three, "Abstract," "Body," and "Footnotes," are standard for a formal proposal.
Begin the title page on a new page with a running head. The title page is page one. Standard contents are the title of your proposal, your name as the author and the institute you are affiliated with or writing the proposal for. Center the title page in the middle of the page and place each piece of new information on a new line.
Begin the abstract on page two. The abstract is a one paragraph summary of the most important elements of the proposal. It should be concise and direct and mention only the most elemental parts of the proposal. Do not explain any particular element in great detail and summarize each main idea equally. Center the abstract on the page and limit its length to 150 to 250 words.
Begin the body on page three. Body paragraphs should each have their own heading as well as the running head. Center the title of the paper on the first line. Begin a new line. Indent five to seven spaces, then begin your first paragraph, which is actually the second counting the abstract. You may add a header if there are many body paragraphs or sections. Label each header with a title describing its contents, such as, "Method," "Results," or "Discussion." Center the header, and place it below the paper title or preceding paragraphs, such as the introduction.
Include all references cited within the body of the proposal in the end section titled, "References." Format the references page as you would a works cited page. Follow the APA style guide for formatting each particular type of reference as methods of citing will vary depending on the type of source. Remember to include parenthetical citations or footnotes within the proposal body paragraphs by including the author name and date of publication after each quote, summary or paraphrased example.