The American Psychological Association (APA) format is a widely recognized and utilized style for academic writing, particularly in the social and behavioral sciences. Understanding and correctly applying APA format is crucial for students, researchers, and professionals aiming to communicate their work clearly and credibly. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements of APA 7th edition, the latest version of this essential formatting style.
General APA Formatting Guidelines
APA format dictates several aspects of document presentation to ensure consistency and readability. These general guidelines apply to various parts of your paper, creating a uniform and professional appearance.
Firstly, your paper should be typed and double-spaced throughout on standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11 inches). Margins should be set at 1 inch on all sides. This consistent spacing and margin size contribute to the document’s overall clarity and ease of reading.
A crucial element of APA formatting is the page header, also known as the running head. This appears at the top of every page and serves to identify the paper. The content of the page header differs slightly between professional papers (intended for publication) and student papers (for coursework). For professional papers, the page header includes a shortened version of your paper’s title in all capital letters, along with the page number. For student papers, it simply includes the page number. To create a page header, insert page numbers aligned to the right. For professional papers, also insert the “TITLE OF YOUR PAPER” aligned to the left, ensuring it’s in all caps and a shortened version of the full title, not exceeding 50 characters including spaces and punctuation.
Font Specifications in APA 7th Edition
The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual emphasizes accessibility and consistency in font choice. It mandates that the chosen font must be legible to all readers and used uniformly throughout the entire paper. While APA does not prescribe a single font, it recommends several options that are widely available and considered accessible.
Acceptable sans serif fonts include 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, and 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode. Serif fonts, traditionally used for body text for their readability, also have APA-approved options such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, and 10-point Computer Modern. When selecting a font, it’s advisable to check specific guidelines from your publisher, instructor, or institution, especially if they have preferred font styles. The key is to choose one legible font and maintain it consistently throughout your document.
Major Sections of an APA Paper
A standard APA-formatted essay or research paper is typically divided into four major sections, each serving a distinct purpose: the Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.
Crafting an APA Title Page
The title page is the first page of your document and provides essential identifying information. APA 7th edition distinguishes between title page requirements for professional papers and student papers.
For student papers, the title page should include the paper’s title, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation. Additionally, a student title page needs to include the course number and name, the instructor’s name, and the assignment due date.
For professional papers, intended for scholarly publication, the title page is slightly different. It includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation, along with an author note.
The title itself should be typed in upper and lowercase letters, centered in the upper half of the page, and written in boldface. APA recommends that titles be concise and focused, avoiding abbreviations or unnecessary words. Your title can span one or two lines. All text on the title page, and throughout the paper, should be double-spaced.
Beneath the title, include the author’s name: first name, middle initial(s), and last name. Do not include professional titles (like Dr.) or academic degrees (like PhD).
Following the author’s name, type the institutional affiliation, indicating where the author conducted the research.
Professional papers require an author note, positioned in the bottom half of the title page, beneath the institutional affiliation. This note is divided into paragraphs, omitting any sections that are not relevant. The first paragraph includes the author’s name, ORCID iD symbol, and ORCID iD URL. Subsequent paragraphs cover changes in affiliation, author deaths, disclosures or acknowledgements (study registration, data sharing, conflict of interest disclosures, funding acknowledgements), and contact information for the corresponding author. Student papers do not include an author note.
Remember that the page header (running head and page number for professional papers, just page number for student papers) is also present on the title page.
Image alt text: Student APA title page example, demonstrating title, author name, affiliation, course details, instructor name, and due date in APA 7th edition format.
Image alt text: Professional APA title page example, showcasing running head, title, author, affiliation, and author note sections as per APA 7th edition guidelines.
Writing an Effective APA Abstract
The abstract begins on a new page following the title page. Like the title page, the abstract page includes the page header. On the first line, center and bold the word “Abstract.” Do not italicize, underline, or use quotation marks.
Starting on the next line, write a concise summary of your research. Do not indent the first line. An APA abstract should be a single paragraph, double-spaced, and typically no more than 250 words. It should cover the key aspects of your research, including the research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and conclusions. You might also include potential implications of your research or suggestions for future work.
Optionally, you can include keywords after the abstract to aid in database searches. To do this, indent as if starting a new paragraph, type Keywords: (italicized), and then list your keywords.
Abstracts are commonly required for scholarly journal articles but are less frequently required for student papers unless specifically requested by the instructor. Always check with your instructor if you are unsure whether an abstract is needed for your assignment.
Image alt text: APA abstract page example, illustrating the placement of the “Abstract” heading, the abstract paragraph itself, and optional keywords section in APA 7th edition format.
Citing Sources Using APA Style
While the original article briefly touches on citing the Purdue OWL, understanding how to cite sources generally in APA format is a fundamental aspect of academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. APA style uses a system of in-text citations and a comprehensive references list at the end of the paper.
In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper, providing credit to the source of information. They typically include the author’s last name and the year of publication, and sometimes a page number, depending on the source and the context. For example: (Smith, 2023, p. 45).
The References list, located at the end of your paper, provides full bibliographic information for every source cited in-text. This allows readers to locate the original sources. The format of entries in the References list varies depending on the type of source (e.g., journal article, book, website), but generally includes author, date, title, and publication information.
Conclusion: Mastering APA Format
APA format is more than just a set of rules; it’s a framework for clear and professional academic communication. By adhering to APA guidelines, you ensure consistency, enhance readability, and give appropriate credit to your sources. Understanding the general formatting, title page construction, abstract writing, and citation methods in APA 7th edition is essential for academic success in many disciplines. Utilizing resources like the Purdue OWL and the official APA Publication Manual can further refine your understanding and application of this widely respected style guide.
