To write a paper in APA format (7th edition), follow these key guidelines:
General Formatting
- Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
- Double-space all text throughout the paper.
- Use a legible font such as Times New Roman 12 pt, Arial 11 pt, or Georgia 11 pt.
- Indent the first line of every paragraph by 0.5 inches.
- Include a page number in the upper right corner of every page
Title Page
- Center the title of your paper on the page.
- Below the title, add your name and your institution/school.
- For student papers, include the page number only in the header; professional papers also include a running head (a shortened title in all caps) on the left of the header
Paper Sections
Your paper should typically include the following sections:
- Title Page : As described above.
- Abstract (if required): A brief summary of your paper.
- Main Body : Start on a new page after the title page or abstract.
- Center and bold the title at the top of the first page of the body.
- Begin with the introduction (no heading needed for the introduction).
- Use bold, centered headings for sections like Method , Results , and Discussion.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph
In-Text Formatting and Style
- Use one space after punctuation marks.
- Use the Oxford comma in lists.
- Write out numbers below 10 in words (e.g., "seven"), but use numerals for 10 and above (e.g., "14") and for specific cases such as times, ages, dates, and measurements
References
- Start the references on a new page.
- List entries alphabetically by the author's last name.
- Use a hanging indent for each reference (the first line flush left, subsequent lines indented).
- Follow APA citation rules for formatting each reference
These guidelines provide the basic structure and formatting rules for writing in APA style. For detailed examples and templates, you can consult official APA resources or citation generators
