Formatting Academic Paper in APA Style

PaperHacker
4 min readOct 1, 2019

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Formatting Academic Paper in APA Style by PaperHacker

Running head in APA

Title Page

Running head is a shortened version of the paper:

  • maximum 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation; UPPERCASE and flush left; font: Times New Roman, 12pt.
  • Example: Running head: HOW TO FORMAT ACADEMIC PAPER IN APA STYLE

Before the shortened title there are words “Running head.” It is used to help readers identify the titles for the published articles (even if your paper is not indented for publication, your paper should still have a running head).

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Other Pages

  • On the title page, the running head should include the words “Running head:”
  • For pages following the title page, repeat the running head in all caps without “Running head:”
  • Shortened paper title should appear on the rest of the pages but not include the words “Running head:”
  • Example: HOW TO FORMAT ACADEMIC PAPER IN APA STYLE

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QUICK GUIDE TO THE APA REFERENCING STYLE: Easy Steps to Format Your Paper Kindle Edition

by PaperHacker Publications

Page Numbers

  • Page Number is included on the first page.
  • It is flush right.
  • Font: Times New Roman 12pt.

CHECK on more APA Formatting Examples

Title page

  • Title page contains the title of the paper, author’s name and institution formatted in Times New Roman 12 Pt font, centered, regular typed and double-spaced.
  • Example:

Formatting Academic Paper in APA Style

Student

Institution

Date

The title should summarize the paper’s main idea and identify the variables under discussion and the relationship between them. The author’s name and the institution should be double-spaced and centered.

The Abstract in APA Format

The Abstract is a summary of the paper, allowing the readers to quickly review the main points and the purpose of the article. The abstract should be 150–250 words long. Abbreviations and acronyms used in the paper should be defined in the abstract. It should be placed on a separate page and be entitled “Abstract” (regular type and centered).

You may also list keywords from your paper there. Indent this section as for a new paragraph. Keywords: (italicized), and then list your keywords with no dot t the end.

  • Example:

Abstract

Text of your abstract containg 150–250 words.

Do not intend any paragraph of your abstract.

Keywords: APA format, APA style, abstract

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Introduction & Main Content

The title should be centered on the page, not bolded, typed in 12-point Times New Roman Font. It should not be bolded, underlined, or italicized.

The introduction (Heading 1 Level) presents the problem that the paper addresses.

  • Example:

Formatting Academic Paper in APA Style

Introduction

Headings: APA Headings Level

  • Level 1 heading is bolded, centered, and title case.
  • Example:

How to Cite Sources in APA Citation Format

Text.

  • Level 2 heading should be flush with the left margin, bolded, and title case.
  • Example:

How to Cite Sources in APA Citation Format

Text.

  • Level 3 heading should indent 0.5” from the left margin, bolded and lower case (except for the first word). The text should follow immediately after.
  • Example:

How to cite sources in APA citation format. Text.

In-Text Citing

  • APA requires you to include the publication year because APA users are concerned with the date of the article (the more current, the better).
  • In-text citations that are direct quotes should include the author’s/authors’ name/s, the publication year, and page number/s.
  • Example: According to Jones (1998), “Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time” (p. 199).
  • In-text citations to books with more than one author contain mark ‘&’ between the surnames).
  • Example: (Berry & Harlow, 1993)
  • If an article has three to five authors, write out all of the authors’ names the first time they appear. Then use the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.”
  • Example:
  • First time: (Kernis, Cornell, Sun, Berry, & Harlow, 1993)
  • Then: (Kernis et al., 1993)

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Conclusion

Conclusion restates the problem the paper addresses and can offer areas for further research.

References

  • References page should be entitled “Reference(s)” (regular type and centered).
  • References should be listed in alphabetical order and include the details required for each type of source.
  • 0.5” hanging is required.

Appendix

Use an appendix to provide brief content that supplements your paper but is not directly related to your text. If you are including an appendix, refer to it in the body of your essay.

CHECK on more APA Formatting Examples

PPCC Writing Center eLearning Series demonstrating how to format a college essay using APA style

APA Style | Part 1: Formatting

APA Style | Part 2: Quoting

APA Style | Part 3: Citations

Sources:

  1. APA Style — American Psychological Association
  2. Easy to Use APA Citation Generator & APA Format Guide
  3. APA Formatting and Style Guide — Purdue Writing Lab

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