I. Formatting:
* Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
* Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the entire paper (including title page, abstract, body, references, etc.).
* Margins: One-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
* Page Numbers: Numbered consecutively in the upper right-hand corner of each page, beginning with the title page.
* Alignment: Text should be left-aligned. Do not justify.
* Headers and Footers: Generally not used, except for page numbers.
* Paragraph Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches (using the tab key).
II. Structure:
A typical APA paper includes the following sections, in this order:
1. Title Page:
* Contains the running head (abbreviated title, 50 characters max), page number (1), title of the paper (clear, concise, and informative), your name(s), and your institution's affiliation.
2. Abstract:
* A brief summary of the paper (typically 150-300 words) that appears on a separate page (page 2). It should state the problem, methods, results, and conclusions of your research.
3. Introduction:
* Begins on page 3. It provides background information on your topic, states your research question or hypothesis, and outlines the purpose of your study.
4. Method:
* Describes your research methodology in detail. This section usually includes subsections for participants, materials, and procedure. Be precise and allow for replicability.
5. Results:
* Presents the findings of your study objectively. Use tables and figures to illustrate your data, but also describe them in the text. Avoid interpreting the data here; save that for the discussion.
6. Discussion:
* Interprets your results in light of your research question or hypothesis. Discuss the implications of your findings, limitations of your study, and suggestions for future research.
7. References:
* A list of all sources cited in your paper, following specific APA formatting rules for each source type (books, journal articles, websites, etc.). This section begins on a new page.
8. Appendices (Optional):
* Include any supplementary materials, such as questionnaires, interview transcripts, or detailed data tables, that are too extensive for the main body of the paper. Each appendix begins on a new page.
III. In-Text Citations:
APA uses a parenthetical citation system. When you refer to another author's work, include the author's last name and year of publication in parentheses. For example: (Smith, 2023). If you include the author's name in the sentence, only include the year in parentheses. For example: Smith (2023) argued that...
Direct quotes require page numbers as well: (Smith, 2023, p. 12).
IV. Important Considerations:
* Consistency: Maintain consistency in formatting and citation throughout the entire paper.
* Accuracy: Ensure all information is accurate and properly cited.
* Clarity: Write clearly and concisely, using precise language.
* APA Manual: Refer to the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for the most up-to-date and complete guidelines. Online resources and citation generators can be helpful, but always double-check against the manual.
Following these guidelines will ensure your APA paper is well-formatted and adheres to the standards expected in academic writing. Remember that different disciplines might have slight variations, so it's always best to check your specific course requirements.