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Apa Guidelines: Formatting Basics

The document provides guidelines for formatting a paper according to APA style. It discusses formatting basics like double-spacing, one-inch margins, indented paragraphs, page numbering, and font. It also covers general paper length which recommends being concise and avoiding unnecessary details. For outlines, there is no official structure but writers can organize them as needed. Graphics like tables and figures must be numbered in the order they appear and include enough information to understand independently of the text. Verbs should be used consistently within each section and references provide credit to sources and prevent plagiarism.

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Toria Assouan
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82 views

Apa Guidelines: Formatting Basics

The document provides guidelines for formatting a paper according to APA style. It discusses formatting basics like double-spacing, one-inch margins, indented paragraphs, page numbering, and font. It also covers general paper length which recommends being concise and avoiding unnecessary details. For outlines, there is no official structure but writers can organize them as needed. Graphics like tables and figures must be numbered in the order they appear and include enough information to understand independently of the text. Verbs should be used consistently within each section and references provide credit to sources and prevent plagiarism.

Uploaded by

Toria Assouan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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APA GUIDELINES

Formatting Basics
• All text should be double-spaced
• Use one-inch margins on all sides
• All paragraphs in the body are indented
• Make sure that the title is centered on the page with your name and
school/institution underneath
• Use 12-point font throughout
• All pages should be numbered in the upper right hand corner
• The manual recommends using one space after most punctuation marks
• A shortened version of the title (“running head”) should be placed in the upper left
hand corner

General Paper length


Since APA style format is used often in science fields, the belief is “less is more.” Make
sure you’re able to get your points across in a clear and brief way. Be direct, clear, and
professional. Try not to add fluff and unnecessary details into your paper or writing.
This will keep the paper length shorter and more concise.

Margin sizes in APA


When it comes to margins, keep them consistent across the left, right, top, and bottom of
the page. All four sides should be the same distance from the edge of the paper. It’s
recommended to use at least one-inch margins around each side. It’s acceptable to use
larger margins, but the margins should never be smaller than an inch.

Preparing outlines in APA


Outlines are extremely beneficial as they help writers stay organized, determine the scope
of the research that needs to be included, and establish headings and subheadings.

There isn’t an official or recommended “APA format for outline” structure. It is up to the
writer (if they choose to make use of an outline) to determine how to organize it and the
characters to include. Some writers use a mix of roman numerals, numbers, and uppercase
and lowercase letters.
Here’s a sample outlines for your reference:

Use of graphics (tables and figures) in APA


1. All graphics, whether they’re tables, photographs, or drawings must be
numbered. The first graphic, labeled as 1, should be the first one mentioned in
the text.
1. Follow them in the appropriate numerical order in which they appear
in the text of your paper. Example: Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, Figure
3.
2. Example: Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, Figure 3
2. Only use graphics if they will supplement the material in your text. If they
reinstate what you already have in your text, then it is not necessary to include a
graphic.
3. Include enough wording in the graphic so that the reader is able to understand
its meaning, even if it is isolated from the corresponding text. However, do not go
overboard with adding a ton of wording in your graphic.
4. Left align tables and figures

Verb usage in APA


When using verbs in writing, make sure that you continue to use them in the same
tense throughout the section you’re writing.

Suggestion for verb usage:

Past tense or present perfect tense for the explanation of the procedure
Past tense for the explanation of the results
Present tense for the explanation of the conclusion and future implications

Overview of APA references


While writing a research paper, it is always important to give credit and cite your sources;
this lets you acknowledge others’ ideas and research you’ve used in your own work. Not
doing so can be considered plagiarism, and will lead to a failed grade.
APA style is one of the most commonly used citation styles used to prevent plagiarism.
Here’s more on crediting sources.

A reference displays all of the information about the source — the title, the author’s name,
the year it was published, the URL, all of it! References are placed on the final page of a
research project.
Here’s an example of a reference:
Wynne-Jones, T. (2015). The emperor of any place. Candlewick Press.
An APA format citation is an APA format in-text citation. These are found within your
paper, anytime a quote or paraphrase is included. They usually only include the name of
the author and the date the source was published.
Here’s an example of one:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is even discussed in the book, The Emperor of Any Place.
The main character, Evan, finds a mysterious diary on his father’s desk (the same desk his
father died on, after suffering from a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy attack). Evan unlocks
the truth to his father and grandfather’s past (Wynne-Jones, 2015).
References page in APA
Write the section label “References” at the top of a new page (bold and centered). Place the
reference entries directly under the label in alphabetical order.
Finally, apply a hanging indent, meaning the first line of each reference is left-aligned, and
all subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

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