How to Write an Apa Style Paper

How to Write an APA Style Paper

Writing a college paper in APA style only seems like a hassle. Being proficient with it will help you beyond any classroom. The format some university professors require is well-respected everywhere. Use this guide as a quick reference for the proper format for your paper and its sources

Instructions

o 1

Use the standard page setup: 8.5 by 11 inch paper, with 1 inch margins on all sides.

o 2

Compose a title page. The paper's title should appear on one line. The author's name should follow on the next. The third line should include the name of the school or association. All three should be centered vertically and horizontally.

o 3

On the top left of the title page type "Running Head:" followed by a shorter version of your title in all caps. This shorter version of your title will appear on this, and all subsequent pages, on the top right of the page. There, the shorter version of your title should be in all caps, followed by 5 spaces and the page number. On the title page, both appear simply to inform the reader.

o 4

On the second page, include an abstract, if applicable. Center the word "Abstract" on the page followed by a 75- to 100-word summary of your paper.

o 5

The body of your essay should use straightforward language. Properly cite your sources.

o 6

For quotes within the body of the paper, include the Author's last name, the year and page number(s) in parentheses directly after the quotation mark. This information should be separated by commas. The following sample sentence includes a proper citation: A recent study has found that "...in-text citations are becoming increasingly important to avoid charges of plagiarism." (Johnson, 2004, p.144)

o 7

If you mention an Author's name outside the parentheses, you don't need to include it again. Follow the format of the following sentence: Johnson (2004) also stated, "Schools are becomingly increasingly strict in response to the cut-and-paste generation of...