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Apa Format

Last updated on: Sep 25, 2024

Writing in APA Format: Learn the Basics with Examples

By: Cordon J.

7 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 3, 2023

American Psychological Association (APA) format is a style mostly used in the social sciences. If you're taking psychology or any other social sciences class, chances are that you'll be asked to write papers in APA format.

The thinking behind this style is that it's easier to read and understand papers when they're written in a consistent format.

If you're not familiar with it, don't worry - this quick guide will walk you through the basics. In this post, we'll cover everything you need to know about APA formatting so that you can get started writing great papers in this style.

We'll also provide a well-written example of a properly formatted APA paper so that you can see what a finished product looks like.

So whether you're a professional researcher or a student looking to get started, read on for all the information you need to write your APA format essay or paper accurately.

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What is APA Format?

The APA format, first introduced by the American Psychological Association in 1929, is a set of guidelines for formatting papers and citations. It is most commonly used in the field of social sciences, such as education and psychology.

In order to stay up-to-date with the latest guidelines, it is important that you format your paper in accordance with the APA 7th edition format standards.

The latest edition of the APA Publication Manual was released in 2019 and provides updated guidelines on the previous APA 6th edition. One distinct update in the APA 7th format is that it offers differentiated guidelines for student papers and professional papers.

We’ve put together this guide in accordance with the APA 7 format. So, by following this guide closely, you can format your papers and cite your sources accurately.

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How to Write in APA Format?

Here is how to format different sections of an MLA style paper;

APA Format Margins - An APA format paper has margins of 1 inch on all sides.
APA Format Line Spacing - The whole text, including the references, is double-spaced. Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
APA Format Font - The recommended APA font size and style is 12 points of Times New Roman.
APA Header Format - Each page has a header on the top, even the title page. An APA format header includes the title of the paper in the left-hand corner and page number in the right-hand corner.

Headers are not required in student papers. So, only include page numbers in the left corner.

APA Format Title Page - An APA title page format includes the following information:

- Paper Title
- Name of the author(s)
- Name of the institute of affiliation
- Title of the course (only for student papers)
- Name of instructor (only for student papers)
- Author’s note (only for professional papers)
- Date
APA Format Abstract- For a lengthy and detailed research paper, an abstract follows the title page in APA format.

The abstract gives a brief overview of the paper's topic, research methods used to acquire data for analysis, and conclusions drawn from those findings. It also highlights any implications that may arise as a result of this study.

An abstract is written on a separate page. It should be written in active voice and should not be more than 250 words.

APA Format Heading - Follow the following APA heading format to structure yours:

1st Level Heading

(Centered, Bold, and Title Case)

2nd Level Heading

(Flush left, Bold, Title Case)

3rd Level Heading

(Flush left, Bold, Italic, Title Case)

4th Level Heading.

(Bold, Title Case, Indented, Ending with a Period)

5th Level Heading.

(Bold, Italic, Title Case, Indented, Ending with a Period)

APA Format References - The APA paper format requires a separate page at the end of your essay for listing all citations, under the heading "References." When you list sources in the APA reference section, make sure to follow these guidelines:

- Citations should be listed in alphabetical order for authors’ names and works both.
- Each citation entry starts with its authors' last name followed by first and middle name initial(s).
- Thereafter mention the year of publishing and source title.
- The title of the source is italicized.
- The first line of the citations is left adjusted and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

So, what does APA format look like? Check out these templates below to know how an APA paper format should be structured.

APA Format Template Student Paper

APA Format Template Professional Paper

How to Cite in APA Format?

There are two types of citations in APA format citations: in-text citations and a reference list at the end of the paper.

“How to do APA format citations?”

Let’s look at how to format references in both types of citations below:

APA Format In-Text Citation

In-text citations are used to credit the work of others when you're using their information. Either quote them directly using quotation marks or paraphrase. However, it is pertinent to cite your sources.

For APA in-text citations, use parenthetical citations to include the author’s last name with year of publishing and page number in the following way:

(Author’s last name, Year, Page number)

For one author
Use this format for citing a source with a single author: (Gates, 2006, p.22)
For two authors
Use this format for citing a source with two authors: (Gates & Hayes, 2006, p.22)
For three or more authors
Use this format for citing a source with three or more authors: (Gates et al., 2006, p.22)

APA Reference Format

Here are the formats for citing various sources in the APA reference page:

How to cite a book in APA format
Author Surname, Initial(s). (Year). Title of book (ed.). Publisher Location: Publisher
How to cite an edited book in APA format
Author Surname, Initial(s). (Ed(s)). (Year). Title of book (ed.). Publisher Location: Publisher
How to cite a chapter in APA format
Author Surname, Initial(s). Chapter Title. Editor’s Initial(s), Surname (Ed(s)). (Year). Title of book (ed. Page number(s)). Publisher Location: Publisher
How to cite an e-book in APA format
Author Surname, Initial(s). (Year). Title of E-book (ed.). URL
How to cite a journal article in APA format
Author Surname, Initial(s). (Year). Article Title. Title of Journal, Volume number, Page number(s). DOI or URL
How to cite a newspaper article in APA format
Author Surname, Initial(s). (Year, Month, Day). Title of Article. Title of Newspaper, column/section, Page number(s). URL (if online)
How to cite a website in APA format
Author Surname, Initial(s). (Year, Month, Day). Title. URL

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APA Format Example

Following is an example of an APA format paper following all the guidelines as per the updated style guide. Use this example for assistance when writing your own paper.

APA Format Example

APA format is a set of guidelines used by researchers and scholars in the social sciences to organize their thoughts and data. It might seem daunting to use at first.

However, with this guide, you will be able to write papers that are clear, concise, and properly formatted. We’ve outlined all the basics of formatting and citing sources in this comprehensive blog for your guidance.

If you’re still unable to format your papers, our professional paper writing service is available 24/7 for your help. Our team at SharkPapers.com can help you write perfectly formatted papers and get the grades you deserve.

Cordon J.

Business, Education

Cordon J. is not just a distinguished author but also a highly experienced writing consultant. He has worked for many years in the publishing industry and knows exactly what it takes to produce great digital content as well as other writing services. His literary journey first began with linguistics, which he continues to explore today. Cordon's friendliness makes him wonderful to work with - he's always willing and able to help others achieve their goals!