The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in social sciences, education, and other fields. Here's a condensed guide to help you get started:
1. General Formatting:
* Font: Times New Roman, 12pt
* Line spacing: Double-spaced throughout
* Margins: 1 inch on all sides
* Paragraph indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches.
* Page numbers: Use Arabic numerals, top right corner, starting with page 2.
* Running head: Abbreviated title (max 50 characters), left side of the title page, with the full title centered below.
2. Sections:
* Title page:
* Title (centered, bold, 12pt font)
* Your name
* Affiliation (university, organization)
* Course name and number (if applicable)
* Instructor's name
* Date
* Abstract:
* Brief summary of the paper (150-250 words)
* Centered, bold, 12pt font
* Keywords: List 3-5 relevant keywords below the abstract.
* Body:
* Divided into sections with clear headings and subheadings.
* Follow a logical flow and use transitions.
* Level 1 headings: Centered, bold, 12pt font
* Level 2 headings: Left-aligned, bold, 12pt font
* Level 3 headings: Indented, bold, 12pt font, with period at the end.
* References:
* Start on a new page.
* Title: "References" (centered, bold, 12pt font)
* Alphabetical order by author's last name.
* Hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented).
* Use consistent formatting for authors, titles, publication details, and URLs.
3. In-text citations:
* Author-date format: (Author, Year).
* Multiple authors: (Author1 & Author2, Year).
* Direct quotes: Include page number: (Author, Year, p. #).
* Multiple citations in one sentence: (Author1, Year; Author2, Year).
4. Tables and Figures:
* Numbered consecutively (Table 1, Figure 1, etc.).
* Title above the table or figure, centered, bold.
* Use clear and concise labels for rows, columns, and axes.
* Include a source note if not created by you.
5. Other APA elements:
* Italics: Use for book titles, journal titles, and foreign words.
* Numbers: Use numerals for numbers 10 and above.
* Abbreviations: Use standard abbreviations, provide full term first.
* Use spell checker and grammar checker.
Important Resources:
* APA Style Manual (7th edition): The definitive guide to APA style.
* Purdue OWL APA Formatting and Style Guide: [https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html](https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html)
* APA Style Website: [https://apastyle.apa.org/](https://apastyle.apa.org/)
Remember, this is just a quick overview. Refer to the resources mentioned above for detailed information and specific instructions.
This guide provides a starting point for understanding APA style. Be sure to consult the APA manual or other resources for specific guidelines and updates. Good luck!