I. General Formatting:
* Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
* Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right).
* Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the entire essay, including the title page, abstract, body, references, and any appendices.
* Alignment: Left-aligned text. Do not justify.
* Pagination: Page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page, starting with the title page.
* Header: A running head (shortened title, max. 50 characters including spaces) appears in the upper left-hand corner of every page, after the first page.
II. Sections of the Paper:
* Title Page: Includes the title of your essay (concise and informative), your name, your institution, course name (if applicable), and date. The title should be centered on the page.
* Abstract (for longer papers): A brief summary of your essay (usually 150-250 words), placed on a separate page after the title page. It should concisely state the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of your study.
* Body: The main part of your essay, organized into logical sections (introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, etc. - this depends on the type of essay). Each section should be clearly labeled with a heading. Use headings and subheadings to improve readability.
* References: A separate page listing all sources cited in your essay, following APA guidelines for citation. This is alphabetized by the first author's last name.
* Appendices (if applicable): Additional materials such as questionnaires, interview transcripts, or raw data, each starting on a new page.
III. In-Text Citations:
* Author-date system: APA uses an author-date citation system. The author's last name and publication year are included in the text, e.g., (Smith, 2023).
* Direct quotes: Direct quotes require page numbers, e.g., (Smith, 2023, p. 10).
* Multiple authors: Follow specific guidelines depending on the number of authors (see the official APA manual).
* Paraphrases: While not requiring quotation marks, paraphrases still require a citation to give credit to the original source.
IV. References Page:
* Consistency: Maintain consistency in formatting throughout the references page.
* Hanging Indent: The first line of each reference is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented (hanging indent).
* Specific Formatting: Follow the specific guidelines for different source types (books, journal articles, websites, etc.). These can be found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or online resources.
V. Additional Tips:
* Use the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual: The rules evolve, so check the most up-to-date guidelines.
* Use an APA style guide or citation management software: Tools like Zotero or Mendeley can help manage citations and create accurate reference lists.
* Proofread carefully: Errors in formatting or citation can detract from your work's credibility.
This is a general overview. For detailed and accurate information, consult the official *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association* or a reputable online APA style guide. Many universities and colleges also offer resources and workshops on APA formatting.