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AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL
ASSOCIATION (APA) WRITING AND
DOCUMENTATION STYLE
Provides consistency across institutions Allows readers to cross-reference your
work easily Gives you credibility as a writer Helps you keep track of sources and
information as you build your paper Helps protect you from plagiarism
Why use a research and documentation style?
What is included in a research and documentation style?
No matter which style you use, it boils down to three items:
Format of paper – what the paper looks like
In-text citations – show reader you’re using borrowed material (making a connection)
Reference page – gives reader a list of works that were used to create your paper
APA Paper Format
Four main parts to the traditional APA paper:
1. Title page – following general APA guidelines2. Abstract – a one-paragraph summary of your
paper3. Body of paper – presented in a logical order4. References page – lists all the sources you
used in your paper For all sections of paper, use 12 point, Times
New Roman font (examples shown are not Times New Roman)
Times New Roman (a serif font)
APA Title Page
Note: APA does not give official guidelines for a title page of a college paper; the following are general APA title page
guidelines. ALWAYS check with instructor! Running head – in header, flush left, condensed
version of title (no more than 50 characters) in all caps with words “Running head:”
Page number in upper right Title – centered on page using capital letters as
a title should; no bold, italics, or large fonts Your name and school (your instructor may also
require class, date)– centered, double-spaced At bottom of page sometimes an “Author Note”
Example Title Page
APA Abstract
An abstract is simply a summary of your paper’s main points, in order – one paragraph on its own page.
Appears immediately after the title page Has the word Abstract centered at top (again,
in simple, 12 point font – not underlined or in italics or anything special)
Does not need to be indented Double-spaced, 1” margins like rest of paper Has page number and running head – running
head no longer has words “Running head:” in front of it
Sample of Abstract
APA Body of Paper
12 pt. font, Times New Roman, black 1” margins all around Everything is double-spaced and left aligned Page numbers (upper right) and running
head (flush left) continue in header If you use headings to organize your paper,
major headings are centered and boldfaced. Capitalize first letters of words
First page of body (page 3) repeats full title, centered at top of page
Sample First Page of Body
Full title, centered – no extra spaces after title
Paragraphs are indented – no extra spaces after paragraph
APA In-text Citations
APA uses parenthetical citations A citation should appear within/after the
sentence where the borrowed material appears. This includes direct quotations, paraphrases and summaries.
A citation is a guideline for your reader: it shows you are making a connection to another author.
Like a scavenger hunt! Gives you credibility – research is all about
connecting ideas (yours and others)
APA In-text Citations
Every citation includes AT LEAST the author’s last name and the year of publication somewhere within the borrowed material.
Direct quotations also include page numbers, if available (can also use paragraph number).
Page numbers are also encouraged with paraphrases from difficult or lengthy texts (helps reader find original passage). Use p. for a page number (pp. for multiple pages).
The author’s name the year of publication are always beside one another.
Special Considerations for Citations
Number of authors – one or two authors, cite names every time reference occurs
Three – five authors – cite all of their names the first time you use the source; after that, only the first author and et al. to stand in for others
Six or more authors – always just the first author’s name and et al.
APA In-text Citations - Examples
APA Reference Page
The Reference page is its own page, the last one of the paper; it still has the running head and page number
Has the word References at top, centered Double-spacing continues Entries are alphabetized by first word in entry
(typically authors’ last names) First line of entry is flush-left; subsequent lines
are indented once – hanging indent (for ease of reading).
Your reader should be able to use the info on the reference page and find the EXACT SAME source you used.
APA Reference Page
APA format has unique rules for capitalizing (or not) titles of books and journal articles.
Titles of books and articles use capital letters like a sentence – NOT every word capitalized
Basic structure for an entry is a book with one author: Author’s name (Last name, First initial) Year in paretheses Title (BIG titles are italics; smaller titles are normal
type) Publication info (City, ST: Publisher – NOT Inc or Co)
Periods are used to separate the above sections. Careful of electronic “help.”
APA Reference Page – Example
Last name, Initial. (year). Title like a sentence. Publication information.
Example of journal article:
Note:
Hanging indent – first line is flush left; subsequent lines are indented once (five spaces)
Article title like a sentence; journal title uses traditional capitalization
Other Reference Guidelines
Two to seven authors – list all of them in the order they appear on the article: Brown, J., McMann, F., Anderson, Q., Smith, A.
Eight or more, list the first six, then points of ellipsis (…) and last author’s name
Electronic sources require a url or DOI at end. If you use a url or DOI at end of an entry,
don’t put a period after it (could confuse reader)
If no author, begin entry with title of work followed by year in parentheses.
DOI is on the first page of many articles found in NCLive databases.
If not there, it will be on the summary screen for the article.
Look it up!
No one has this memorized! Key is knowing where to look up how your
specific resource should be listed.
Additional Help with APA Format
Your instructor Handbook from English classes, A Writer’s
Reference LAC APA Publication Manual (use most current
edition) Purdue OWL:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/10/