How do I format APA?

Question

APA formatting can be difficult to understand. Understanding the idea is not as complex as it sounds. Even the abstract sounds more complex than it really is.

Answer 1

To format your document in APA style, you need to follow certain guidelines for the layout, font, headings, citations, and references. Here's an overview of the key elements of APA formatting:

1. Page Setup:

- Set your document to have 1-inch margins on all sides.

- Use a clear and legible font such as Times New Roman or Arial, with a font size of 12 points.

- Double-space the entire document, including the title page, abstract, main text, and references.

2. Title Page:

- Create a separate title page with the following information centered on the page:

- Title of your paper: Use a concise and informative title that reflects the content of your paper.

- Author's name: Include your full name.

- Institutional affiliation: Provide the name of your institution.

- Running head: Insert a shortened version of your title (up to 50 characters) in all capital letters as a header on each page.

3. Headings and Subheadings:

- Use clear and descriptive headings to organize the sections of your paper.

- APA style has five levels of headings, each with specific formatting:

- Level 1: Centered, boldface, title case (capitalize all major words), and no period at the end.

- Level 2: Flush left, boldface, title case, and no period.

- Level 3: Indented, boldface, sentence case (capitalize the first word only), and period.

- Level 4: Indented, boldface, italicized, sentence case, and period.

- Level 5: Indented, italicized, sentence case, and period.

4. In-text Citations:

- When referencing sources within the text, use parentheses to include the author's last name and the publication year, e.g., (Smith, 2021).

- For direct quotations, include the page number as well, e.g., (Smith, 2021, p. 45).

5. References:

- Include a separate references page at the end of your document.

- List your sources alphabetically by the author's last name.

- Follow specific formatting rules for different types of sources (e.g., books, journal articles, websites).

- Use a hanging indent for each reference, where the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.

It's important to consult the official APA Publication Manual (currently the 7th edition) for detailed instructions and specific examples of formatting different types of sources. Additionally, there are various online resources and citation generators that can assist you in correctly formatting your paper in APA style.

Good Luck & Happy Writing!

Answer 2

APA can feel complicated to start, but once you get used to it it can become like second nature! As someone who had both her Undergraduate and Graduate level education require APA, I can say that if you are looking for quick help try the APA manual or OWL by Purdue! Just a reminder that the most recent form of APA is APA 7, keep this in mind when looking at resources, however, this update is rather similar to 6.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance with this!