Formatting Guidelines for APA Essays

Following are the guidelines to consider when writing an APA format paper.

A. Margins, Spacing, and Font:

Set margins to 1 inch on all sides of the paper.

Use double-spacing throughout the entire document, including the title page, abstract, main body, and reference list.

Use a legible font such as Times New Roman or Arial, with a font size of 12 points.

B. Title Page Specifications:

Include a running head at the top left of the page. The running head is a shortened version of the title and should not exceed 50 characters, including spaces.

On the same line as the running head, align to the right and include the page number.

Center the full title of your essay in the middle of the page. It should be concise, descriptive, and no more than 12 words.

Beneath the title, list the author’s name and institutional affiliation (e.g., university or organization).

C. Abstract Requirements:

Begin on a new page after the title page.

Center the word “Abstract” at the top of the page, in bold and italics.

Write a concise summary of your essay, typically between 150 and 250 words.

Avoid citing references or including detailed information in the abstract.

Place keywords related to your essay at the end of the abstract.

D. Heading Levels and Subheadings:

Use heading levels to organize the structure of your essay.

The main sections (e.g., Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusion) are Level 1 headings, aligned to the left and in bold.

Subsections within the main sections are Level 2 headings, aligned to the left and in bold.

If necessary, additional subsections can be Level 3 headings, indented, bold, and ending with a period.

Each level of heading should have clear differentiation in formatting.

E. In-Text Citations:

Use in-text citations to acknowledge the sources consulted within your essay.

Include the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses.

Place in-text citations immediately after the cited information.

For direct quotations, include the page number after the publication year, preceded by “p.” or “pp.”

F. Reference List:

Begin the reference list on a new page after the main body of your essay.

The reference list should be titled “References” and positioned at the top of the page. It should be centered and formatted in bold.

Each in-text citation must be accompanied by a corresponding entry in the reference list.

The entire reference list should be double-spaced.

Entries in the reference list should be organized alphabetically based on the authors’ last names or the first item in the entry.

Each source in the reference list should have a hanging indent, where the second line of each entry is indented ½ inch from the left margin.

The author’s middle name and first name should be included as initials in the reference entry.

For longer works such as books or names of newspapers, they should be italicized in the reference entry.

G. Tables and Figures:

Include tables and figures as necessary to support your essay.

Number tables and figures consecutively in the order they appear in the essay (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1).

Provide a brief but descriptive title for each table and figure.

Include a source note below the table or figure, if applicable.

Reference each table and figure within the main body of your essay.

Adhering to these formatting guidelines ensures consistency and enhances the readability of your APA essay. Remember to consult the APA Publication Manual or the APA Style website for further details and specific formatting instructions.

Since we are discussing APA format, it will also be beneficial for you to go through MLA format citations as well.