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APA Style Guide

 APA style focuses on 3 things: 

  • FORMATTING style, such as titles, headings, page numbers, etc., which organizes the essay for readability. 

  • IN-TEXT CITATIONS, which show where you found the sources that you are  summarizing,  paraphrasing, or quoting,. 

  • REFERENCE LIST, including citations for all the resources you consulted or cited within your paper. 

Guide Body

Computer on desk

FIRST THINGS FIRST

It's time to make a decision. Do you (a) set up a template (or download ours below and under the TEMPLATE tab) before you start drafting your paper or (b) do you go back after you've written and revised your paper and standardized everything according to APA Style? Click below to explore guidelines.  


What do I need to format for APA?


  • Title Page
  • Section Headings
  • Page Numbers
  • Page Margins
  • Line and Page Breaks
  • Paragraph Line Spacing
  • Alignment
  • Font size and style

TITLE PAGE

Title center bold, student name, institution or class, date due

LAYOUT ELEMENTS

Title centerd, double space, indent each paragraph


HEADINGS

Headings help organize the flow of information in your paper. Hierarchical headings also help readers identify the parts of your paper. For example, the Level 1 Heading Methodology section will explain what methods you used in your research. This section can have Level 2 Headings to identify your Research Design and Population Sample. Then next Level 1 Heading, Results, section of your paper will discuss your findings. Headings can also represent shifts in thought or theme.

APA uses 5 levels of headings. Most undergraduate papers only use 2 levels of heading. An outline will help you determine how many levels of headings you will need.

Level 1

Centered, Boldface, Title Case Heading

     Text starts a new paragraph after a 1/2 inch indentation. 

Level 2

Flush Left, Boldface, Title Case Heading

     Text starts a new paragraph after a 1/2 inch indentation. 

Level 3

Flush Left, Boldface, Italicized, Title Case Heading

     Text starts a new paragraph after a 1/2 inch indentation. ​

Level 4

     Indented, Boldface, Title Case Heading ending with a period. Paragraph text continues on the same line as the same paragraph.

Level 5      Indented, Boldface, Italicized, Title Case Heading ending with a period. Paragraph text continues on the same line as the same paragraph.

Heading Level 1 Discussion, Heading Level 2 theme in discussion

ONLINE RESOURCES

APAStyleGuideHomePage

Visit the APA Style Guide website for more detailed information: HERE

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