The American Psychological Association (APA) Style Guide is a widely recognized and respected set of guidelines for academic writing. Developed by the APA, this style provides a standardized format for structuring research papers, essays, and articles across various disciplines, particularly in the social and behavioral sciences. Whether you are a student, researcher, or professional, understanding and applying APA style is crucial for clear communication and academic integrity. This guide, drawing upon resources like the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab), will walk you through the fundamental aspects of APA 7th edition formatting.
General APA Formatting Guidelines
Adhering to general formatting standards is the first step in mastering APA style. These guidelines ensure consistency and readability throughout your paper.
Paper Setup
Your APA paper should be typed and double-spaced on standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper. Maintain a 1-inch margin on all sides of the page. Double-spacing should be applied consistently throughout the entire document, including the title page, abstract, main body, references, and appendices.
Running Head and Page Header
A page header, also known as a running head, is required at the top of every page. The format 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, flush left, and the page number flush right. The running head should not exceed 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
For student papers, the page header is simpler, only requiring the page number flush right.
To create a page header, utilize the header function of your word processor. Insert page numbers flush right and, if applicable, type the running head flush left in all caps.
Font
The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual emphasizes accessibility and consistency in font choice. While APA does not mandate a single font, it recommends selecting fonts that are legible to all readers and using the chosen font consistently throughout your paper.
APA suggests several widely available fonts, including sans serif options like 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, and 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, as well as serif fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, and 10-point Computer Modern. Always check with your instructor, publisher, or institution for specific font preferences.
Key Sections of an APA Paper
A typical APA style paper is structured into four major sections, each serving a distinct purpose: the Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.
Title Page
The title page is the first page of your APA paper and provides essential information about your work. APA 7th edition distinguishes between title page requirements for professional and student papers.
Student Title Page:
A student title page should include:
- Title of the paper: Centered in the upper half of the page, in boldface, and written in upper and lowercase letters. The title should be concise, focused, and avoid abbreviations or unnecessary words. It can span one or two lines.
- Author’s name: Your first name, middle initial(s), and last name, centered below the title. Do not include titles (e.g., Dr.) or degrees (e.g., PhD).
- Institutional affiliation: The name of the institution where you are enrolled, centered below your name.
- Course number and name: Centered below the institutional affiliation.
- Instructor name: Centered below the course information.
- Assignment due date: Centered at the bottom of the title page.
Remember to include the page number as a page header, flush right, on the title page of a student paper.
Professional Title Page:
A professional title page includes:
- Running head: Flush left in all capital letters (as described in General Guidelines).
- Page number: Flush right.
- Title of the paper: Centered in the upper half of the page, in boldface, and written in upper and lowercase letters.
- Author’s name: Your first name, middle initial(s), and last name, centered below the title.
- Institutional affiliation: The location where the research was conducted, centered below the author’s name.
- Author note: Located in the bottom half of the title page, containing paragraphs with author ORCID iD, changes in affiliation, disclosures/acknowledgements, and contact information for the corresponding author. Omit irrelevant paragraphs.
Ensure all text on the title page is double-spaced.
Alt text: Student APA title page example, demonstrating title, author name, affiliation, course details, instructor, and due date in APA 7th edition format.
Alt text: Professional APA title page example, showcasing running head, title, author name, affiliation, and author note sections as required by APA 7th edition.
Abstract
The abstract is a concise summary of your paper’s key points, appearing on a separate page immediately following the title page.
Begin the abstract page with the page header (running head and page number for professional papers, page number only for student papers). On the first line, center and bold the word “Abstract”.
Starting on the next double-spaced line, write a single paragraph of no more than 250 words (check specific requirements). The abstract should summarize:
- Your research topic
- Research questions
- Participants
- Methods
- Results
- Data analysis
- Conclusions
You may also include implications of your research and future work. Do not indent the abstract paragraph.
Optionally, you can include keywords to aid in database searches. Indent as a new paragraph, type Keywords: (italicized), and list relevant keywords from your paper.
Abstracts are generally required for professional papers and scholarly journal articles but may not be necessary for student papers unless instructed by your teacher.
Alt text: APA abstract page example for a student paper, showing the “Abstract” heading, concise summary paragraph, and optional keywords section.
Main Body and References
While this guide primarily focuses on general formatting, remember that the main body of your paper will contain your introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections. The References section, starting on a new page, lists all sources cited in your paper in APA format. For detailed guidance on these sections and citation styles, consult the full APA Publication Manual or resources like the Purdue OWL.
How to Cite the Purdue OWL in APA Style
The Purdue OWL is an invaluable resource for learning and applying APA style. When citing the Purdue OWL itself in your reference list, follow these guidelines:
For individual resources on the OWL, use the following format. If contributor names and last edited dates are available (though often absent on the new OWL site template):
Contributors' names. (Last edited date). *Title of resource*. Site Name. http://Web address for OWL resourceWhen contributor and edit date information is not available, treat the page as a source with a group author (“Purdue Online Writing Lab”) and use “n.d.” (no date):
Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). *Title of resource.* Purdue Online Writing Lab. http://Web address for OWL resourceFor example:
Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). *General Writing FAQs.* Purdue Online Writing Lab. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/general_writing_faqs.htmlConclusion
Mastering the American Psychological Association Style Guide is essential for producing clear, credible, and academically sound writing. By adhering to these general formatting guidelines for paper setup, title pages, and abstracts, you lay a strong foundation for your APA papers. Remember to utilize resources like the Purdue OWL and the official APA Publication Manual for comprehensive guidance and to ensure accuracy in your academic work. Consistent application of APA style not only enhances the readability of your work but also demonstrates your commitment to academic standards and effective communication within your field.
