1. Text Formatting:
- Use double spacing for the entire paper.
- Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Use a consistent font (e.g., Times New Roman) and font size (e.g., 12 pt.).
- Align text to the left margin.
2. Title Page:
- Create a separate title page that includes:
- The paper's title (centered and bold).
- Your name (centered).
- Your affiliation (centered, e.g., university name).
- The course number and name (centered).
- The instructor's name (centered).
- The due date (centered).
3. In-Text Citations:
- Whenever you use information from another source, you must include an in-text citation.
- Place the author's last name and the publication year in parentheses within the text, directly after the information.
- For example: (Jones, 2023).
- If the author's name is part of the sentence, only include the publication year in parentheses.
- For example: Jones (2023) argues that...
4. References:
- Create a separate references list on a new page at the end of your paper.
- List all sources cited in the text, even if you only referred to them indirectly.
- Arrange references alphabetically by the author's last name (or the title if there is no author).
- Each reference should include the following information (varies for different source types):
- Author's name (last name first).
- Publication year.
- Article title (if applicable).
- Journal title (if applicable).
- Volume and issue number (if applicable).
- Page numbers (if applicable).
- Publisher (for books and reports).
- DOI or URL (if available).
5. Formatting References:
- Use hanging indent for all lines after the first in each reference.
- Double space between references.
6. Quoting and Paraphrasing:
- When quoting directly from a source, use quotation marks and include the page number.
- For example: "The study found that participants who received training in mindfulness techniques experienced a significant reduction in stress levels" (Smith & Jones, 2023, p. 123).
- When paraphrasing, restate the information in your own words but still provide an in-text citation.
- For example: Smith and Jones (2023) found that mindfulness techniques can effectively reduce stress levels.
7. Formatting Tables and Figures:
- Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively and placed within the text near where they are mentioned.
- Each table or figure should have a title and a brief caption.
- Cite tables and figures in the text just like you would other sources.
By following APA referencing guidelines, you ensure consistency, accuracy, and proper credit-giving in your academic writing. It allows readers to easily identify the sources you used and verify the information you present.