I. General Formatting:
* Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right).
* Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
* Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the entire paper (including title page, abstract, body, references, etc.).
* Alignment: Text should be left-aligned. Do not justify the text.
* Pagination: Page numbers in the upper right-hand corner, starting with the title page.
* Header: A running head (shortened title, max 50 characters) in the upper left-hand corner of each page, starting with the title page (except for the title page where it's in the upper right).
II. Title Page:
* Running head: A shortened version of your title (e.g., "Running head: EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE").
* Title: Concise and informative, usually centered on the page.
* Your Name: Centered below the title.
* Your Institutional Affiliation: Centered below your name.
* Course Name, Instructor's Name, and Date: Centered below your affiliation.
III. Abstract (Usually for longer assignments):
* A brief summary (usually 150-250 words) of your paper's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions.
* Center the word "Abstract" at the top of the page.
* Indent the first line of the abstract.
IV. Body of the Paper:
* Headings and Subheadings: Organize your paper with clear headings and subheadings to improve readability. APA has specific levels of headings, each with its own formatting (check the APA manual for details).
* In-text citations: Whenever you use someone else's ideas, facts, or direct quotes, you need to cite the source. This typically involves the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses (e.g., (Smith, 2023)). Direct quotes also require a page number (e.g., (Smith, 2023, p. 15)).
* Paraphrasing: Instead of directly quoting, paraphrase information in your own words, but still cite the source.
* Quotations: Keep quotations short and integrate them smoothly into your text. Use quotation marks for direct quotes. Longer quotations (typically 40 words or more) should be formatted as a block quote, indented 0.5 inches from the left margin without quotation marks.
V. References:
* A separate page titled "References" (centered).
* List all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the first author's last name.
* Use a hanging indent (the first line of each entry is flush left, subsequent lines are indented).
* Follow the specific APA style for each source type (books, journal articles, websites, etc.). The APA manual or style guide provides detailed examples.
VI. Tables and Figures:
* Numbered consecutively (Table 1, Table 2, etc.; Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).
* Clear and concise titles.
* Placed appropriately within the text or on separate pages.
* Include notes to clarify any aspects of the table or figure.
VII. Using an APA Style Guide:
* The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (latest edition): This is the definitive guide, and you should consult it for any ambiguities.
* Online resources: Many universities and websites offer APA style guides and tutorials. The APA Style website is an excellent resource.
Important Note: Always check your instructor's syllabus or assignment guidelines for any specific requirements or deviations from the standard APA format. Your instructor might have preferences regarding certain aspects, such as the inclusion of an abstract or specific formatting details. Ignoring these instructions can negatively impact your grade.