The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely used citation style for writing academic papers in the social sciences. The APA provides guidelines for formatting papers, citing sources, and referencing in the reference list.
One key aspect of APA style is the use of a running head and page numbers. The running head is a shortened version of the title of the paper, which appears in the header of every page. Page numbers should be included in the header on the right side of the page.
Another important element of APA style is the use of in-text citations to acknowledge the sources of information used in the paper. In-text citations should include the author's last name and the year of publication, and they should be placed within the text at the point where the information is used.
The reference list is a separate section at the end of the paper that lists all of the sources cited in the paper. The reference list should be arranged alphabetically by the last name of the first author. Each reference should include the author's name, the title of the work, the publication year, and other relevant information such as the volume and issue number for articles from journals.
APA style also includes guidelines for the formatting of tables and figures. Tables should be labeled with a number and a title, and they should be placed as close as possible to the text that references them. Figures should also be labeled with a number and a title, and they should be placed on a separate page if they are too large to fit within the margins of the text.
Overall, following the APA style guidelines is an important part of writing a professional academic paper. It helps to ensure that the paper is well-organized and easy to read, and it also helps to ensure that the sources used in the paper are properly credited.
APA Formatting Guide : webapi.bu.edu
However, there are many online citation tools that can help. Label both tables and figures, numbering them consecutively in the order that they are discussed in the text. Some instructors may allow 11-point Arial or 11-point Calibri fonts. It includes the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. Place a label, such as "Figure 1", above the figure; this label is in bold. The text of the paper begins on the next line as a new paragraph. Major Paper Sections Your essay should include four major sections: the Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.
The Complete Guide to APA Format in 2020
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These types of fonts are recommended because they are legible for most readers. Standard formatting in APA serves two purposes: to formalize writing and to help you credit all sources used when you write essays, research papers, or other assignments to avoid plagiarism. Microsoft Word also offers a referencing tool. It acknowledges that many font choices are legitimate, and it advises writers to check with their publishers, instructors, or institutions for guidance in cases of uncertainty. However, they can also be used to organize ideas in essays to make it easier to find information.
Your abstract should contain at least your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and conclusions. Below the image, place a caption to offer more detailed information on the figure. In-text citations are meant to guide the readers in locating a specific source, so each one has a counterpart in the reference list except for two kinds of materials which are only cited in-text: classical works and personal communications. This could be in essays, research papers, term papers, and other academic assignments. If this is the version your teacher or professor wants you to use, see the Before You Start Writing. Our support team is available 24 hours a day. If the name of the author is listed within the narrative, write only the year and page number inside each parentheses.
