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APA Style (7th ed.)

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  • Format Your Paper

Format Your Paper

Download and use the editable templates for student papers below: .

  • APA 7th ed. Template Document This is an APA format template document in Google Docs. Click on the link -- it will ask for you to make a new copy of the document, which you can save in your own Google Drive with your preferred privacy settings.
  • APA 7th ed. Template Document A Microsoft Word document formatted correctly according to APA 7th edition.
  • APA 7th ed. Annotated Bibliography template A Microsoft Word document formatted correctly for an annotated bibliography.

Or, view the directions for specific sections below:

Order of sections (section 2.17).

  • Title page including Title, Author, University and Department, Class, Instructor, and Date
  • Body (including introduction, literature review or background, discussion, and conclusion)
  • Appendices (including tables & figures)

Margins & Page Numbers (sections 2.22-2.24)

  • 1 inch at top, bottom, and both sides
  • Left aligned paragraphs and leave the right edge ragged (not "right justified")
  • Indent first line of each paragraph 1/2 inch from left margin
  • Use page numbers, including on the title page, 1/2 inch from top and flush with right margin

Text Format (section 2.19)

  • Times New Roman, 12 point
  • Calibri, 11 point
  • Arial, 11 point
  • Lucinda Sans Unicode, 10 point
  • Georgia, 11 point
  • Double-space and align text to the left
  • Use active voice
  • Don't overuse technical jargon
  • No periods after a web address or DOI in the References list.

Tables and Figures In-Text (chapter 7)

  • Label tables and figures numerically (ex. Table 1)
  • Give each table column a heading and use separating lines only when necessary
  • Design the table and figure so that it can be understood on its own, i.e. it does not require reference to the surrounding text to understand it
  • Notes go below tables and figures

Title Page (section 2.3)

  • Include the title, your name,  the class name , and  the college's name
  • Title should be 12 words or less and summarize the paper's main idea
  • No periods or abbreviations
  • Do not italicize or underline
  • No quotation marks, all capital letters, or bold
  • Center horizontally in upper half of the page

Body (section 2.11)

  • Align the text to the left with a 1/2-inch left indent on the first line
  • Double-space
  • As long as there is no Abstract, at the top of the first page, type the title of the paper, centered, in bold , and in Sentence Case Capitalization
  • Usually, include sections like these:  introduction, literature review or background,  discussion, and conclusion -- but the specific organization will depend on the paper type
  • Spell out long organization names and add the abbreviation in parenthesis, then just use the abbreviation
  • Spell out numbers one through nine and use a number for 10 or more
  • Use a number for units of measurement, in tables, to represent statistical or math functions, and dates or times

Headings (section 2.26-2.27)

  • Level 1: Center, bold , Title Case 
  • Level 2: Align left, bold , Title Case
  • Level 3: Alight left, bold italics , Title Case
  • Level 4: Indented 1/2", bold , Title Case, end with a period. Follow with text. 
  • Level 5: Indented 1/2", bold italics , Title Case, end with a period. Follow with text. 

an illustration of the headings -- same detail as is given directly above this image

Quotations (sections 8.26-8.33)

  • Include short quotations (40 words or less) in-text with quotation marks
  • For quotes more than 40 words, indent the entire quote a half inch from the left margin and double-space it with no quotation marks
  • When quoting two or more paragraphs from an original source, indent the first line of each paragraph a half inch from the left margin
  • Use ellipsis (...) when omitting sections from a quote and use four periods (....) if omitting the end section of a quote

References (section 2.12)

Begins on a new page following the text of your paper and includes complete citations for the resources you've used in your writing.

  • References should be centered and bolded at the top of a new page
  • Double-space and use hanging indents (where the first line is on the left margin and the following lines are indented a half inch from the left)
  • List authors' last name first followed by the first and middle initials (ex. Skinner, B. F.)
  • Alphabetize the list by the first author's last name of of each citation (see sections 9.44-9.49)
  • Capitalize only the first word, the first after a colon or em dash, and proper nouns
  • Don't capitalize the second word of a hyphenated compound
  • No quotation marks around titles of articles

Appendices with Tables, Figures, & Illustrations (section 2.14, and chapter 7)

  • Include appendices only to help the reader understand, evaluate, or replicate the study or argument
  • Put each appendix on a separate page and align left
  • For text, do not indent the first paragraph, but do indent the rest
  • If you have only one appendix, label it "Appendix"
  • If you have two or more appendices, label them "Appendix A", "Appendix B" and so forth as they appear in the body of your paper
  • Label tables and figures numerically (ex. Table 1, or Table B1 and Table B2 if Appendix B has two tables) and describe them within the text of the appendix
  • Notes go below tables and figures (see samples on p. 210-226)

Annotated Bibliography

Double-space the entire bibliography. give each entry a hanging indent. in the following annotation, indent the entire paragraph a half inch from the left margin and give the first line of each paragraph a half inch indent. see the template document at the top of this page..

  • Check with your professor for the length of the annotation and which elements you should evaluate.

These elements are optional, if your professor or field requires them, but they are  not required for student papers: 

Abstract (section 2.9).

  • Abstract gets its own page
  • Center "Abstract" heading and do not indent the first line of the text
  • Summarize the main points and purpose of the paper in 150-250 words maximum
  • Define abbreviations and acronyms used in the paper

Running Head (section 2.8 )

  • Shorten title to 50 characters or less (counting spaces and punctuation) for the running head
  • In the top margin, the running head is aligned left, with the page number aligned on the right
  • On every page, put (without the brackets): [SHORTENED TITLE OF YOUR PAPER IN ALL CAPS] [page number] 

More questions? Check out the authoritative source: APA style blog

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APA Style 7th Edition: Citing Your Sources

  • Basics of APA Formatting
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Mechanics of Style

Standard formatting quick guide, abbreviations.

  • Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
  • Additional Resources
  • Reference Page

Refer to Ch. 6 Mechanics of style in the APA Publication Manual 7th ed. regarding specific guidelines regarding the mechanics of style for writing.

  • Use 1" margins for the entire document.
  • Use a 1/2" indent for every paragraph and footnote.
  • Indent set-off quotations 1/2" from the left margin.

Text Formatting

  • Should be accessible to all users
  • The same font should be used throughout paper
  • San serif fonts preferred for online works (Recommend 11pt Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10pt Lucida Sans Unicode)
  • Serif fonts preferred for print works (Recommend 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Georgia)
  • Figure images- use a sans serif font with a type size between 8 and 14
  • Computer code- use a monospace font (ex. 10pt Lucida Console or 10pt Courier New)
  • Footnotes- default footnote settings of word-processing program acceptable
  • Do not justify the text or use hyphenation.
  • One space after a period

Page Header

  • Doesn't have to be same as title, but limited to 50 characters and conveys the idea of the title
  • If title is less than 50 characters, can be used as running head
  • Avoid using abbreviations in the running head
  • Appears flush left in all-capital letters
  • Page number should be flush right.
  • If title is longer than one line, separate the title and subtitle on double-spaced lines if desired
  • Center the author's/authors' name directly under the title.
  • Format the name omitting titles (Dr, Prof, etc.) and degrees: First name, middle initial, last name.
  • Center the institutional affiliation directly under the author's/authors' name.
  • Author's note (not applicable to student papers)
  • Course number and name of course
  • Instructor name
  • Assignment due date
  • Running head in page header, flush left (not applicable to student papers)
  • Page number in page header, flush right

Introduction

  • Begin introduction on a new page.
  • Type the title in title case, bold, centered and positioned at the top of the first page of text
  • Do not type the heading "Introduction," title will act as de facto Level 1 heading
  • Use Level 2 heading for any subsections within introduction, Level 3 for subsections of Level 2, and so on
  • Use Level 1 heading for next main section of paper

References (Reference Page)

  • Starts on new page
  • The word " References " should appear (without quotation marks) centered at the top of the page, bold
  • Double-space all reference entries
  • Use a hanging indent for reference- first line of each reference is flush with the left margin while subsequent lines are indented.
  • Use footnotes to provide additional content or acknowledge copyright permission
  • Content footnotes convey just one idea and only include simple, relevant or essential information
  • Use a footnote to acknowledge the source of lengthy quotes, scale and test items, and figures or tables that have been reproduced or adapted
  • Number all footnotes consecutively in the order they appear, use superscript Arabic numerals within the text
  • For separate page- Label section "Footnotes" in bold, centered at the top of the page.  Write footnotes as double-spaced indented paragraphs which begin with superscript footnote number.
  • Begin each appendix on a new page following references and footnotes (if applicable).
  • If single appendix, label page "Appendix."
  • If there is more than one appendix, label each with with a capital letter (ex. "Appendix A," "Appendix B" and so forth) in the order they're mentioned in the text
  • If text appendix contains tables, figures, footnotes and/or display equations, give each one a number preceded by the letter of the appendix in which it appears (ex. Figure A2 for the second figure in Appendix A).
  • If appendix "consists of only a table or figure, then the appendix label takes the place of the table or figure number and the appendix title takes the place of the table or figure title."

Adapted from American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed).  https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

  • APA Paper Format Find quick answers to basic APA formatting directly from APA Style
  • Annotated Sample Student Paper

The correct form of abbreviation must be used in reference lists:

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APA Citation Style Guide

  • Getting Started with APA
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  • Books & Chapters
  • Reference Works
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  • Course & LMS Resources
  • Personal Communications
  • Social Media
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  • Indigenous Knowledge Keepers

General format

Title page (student paper), lists (seriation), tables and figures, long quotes, repeated citations, citing specific parts of a source, other examples.

Please consult the 7th edition of the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association  for additional formatting instructions and examples not listed on this page.

Cover Art

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association provides guidance for formatting your essay, paper or manuscript. The following information was taken from the 7th edition of the Manual . Please refer to pages 44-45 of the manual for more formatting information.

Page Header and Numbers: All pages in your essay should contain page numbers at the top right of every page. Only manuscripts being submitted for publication need to contain a running head which is an abbreviated version of the paper's title in the header.

Font: Options for the types of font APA recommends include 12-pt Times New Roman as well as Calibri and Arial in 11-pt, Please use the same font and font size throughout your essay (except for tables and figures - see below). . 

Line Spacing : Double spacing should occur throughout the entire document, including title page, reference list, and quotations of 40 or more words (see below). There should not be additional spacing before or after headings. There are a few exceptions to double spacing such as in tables and figures (see below).

Margins: Please use 2.54-cm (1-in) margins on all sides, including top, bottom, left and right.

Paragraph Alignment and Indentation: Paragraphs should be aligned to the left of the page (left justified). The text on the right margin will be uneven (i.e. do not use full justification). The first line of each paragraph should be indented 1/2 in. For consistency throughout your paper, click your Tab key one time

(APA, 2020, pp. 44-45)

The title page for a student paper includes the following elements: page number, the title of your paper, the names of all authors of the paper, the name of the university attended, the course abbreviation and name, instructor name, and assignment due date. Your instructor can include other requirements for your assignment such as a student number so it is best to check with them. Please refer to pages 30-37 of the manual for more title page information including what elements to include on a professional paper submitted for publication.

  • Should be bolded, centered, and be 3-4 lines (double spaced) down from the top margin of the paper.
  • Put a double-spaced blank line between the title and the author(s) names.
  • The paper title also appears at the top of the first page of your paper.

Author Name(s):

  • Should be centered, beneath the title, and one double-spaced blank line, and be in the format of first name, middle initial, and last name.
  • Do not include titles, honorifics, or degrees.
  •     ​Order the names of authors based on their contributions (i.e. the one that did the most work should be listed first).
  •     Write all of the names on the same line (flowing onto additionally lines if needed).

Author Affiliation:

  • Should be centered, beneath the author(s) names and identify where they worked or studied when the paper was written.
  • Example:  School of Nursing, University of British Columbia

Course Name:

  • Include the course abbreviation, number, and full course name name centered and below the Author Affiliation.

Instructor:

  • Include the full name (first, any middle initial that they use, and last) of the course instructor(s) centered and below the Course Name. Include the instructor's title and /or degree (i.e. Dr., Professor, or PhD) if that is their preference.
  •     Place the month, date, and year after the Instructor(s) name(s) of the date the assignment was due.

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Heading Levels: Headings in your paper can help organize and develop your argument as well as signal to your reader what type of information will be presented in a given section. Do not start you paper with the heading Introduction as it it assumed that the beginning of your essay is already the introduction. APA provides formatting guidance for 5 levels of headings. These levels correspond to subheadings for instance you would use a level 2 heading if you wanted to put headings under a level 1 heading.

(APA, 2020, pp. 47-49)

Additionally, see the Headings Levels Template: Student Papers , created by the APA to demonstrate what each heading would look like in an APA paper.

Section Labels: Special headings called section labels are used for certain parts of a paper. These labels start on a new page, are on their own line at the top of the page where the section starts, and are in bold and centered. Common sections include:

The Title of your Paper References Appendix A (and so on for subsequent appendices)

(APA, 2020, p. 49)

APA provide guidelines on how to present lists to help the reader see the organization of key elements within sections, paragraphs and/or sentences in a paper. APA allows for three types of seriated lists: (a) lettered lists, (b) numbered lists, and (c) bulleted lists. In general, when a list is in a sentence use commas to separate items but if any item already contains a comma use semicolons.

Lettered Lists: Use a lettered list when you want to present a series within a sentence or paragraph. Each item is preceded with a letter within parentheses.  Note that this form or seriation may not draw as much of the reader's attention as a bulleted or numbered list.

Articles were included if they met all of the following criteria: (a) based on empirical research, (b) included an abstract, (c) targeted new graduates within one year of graduation, (d) contained sufficient detail describing the formal new graduate nurse transition program, (e) focused on acute care settings, and (f) published in English.

Numbered Lists: Use a numbered list to display complete sentences or paragraphs where a specific order or numbered procedure is necessary. In terms of format, use a number (Arabic numeral directly followed by a period, then the first word of the entry should be capitalized and then end each sentence with a period or other punctuation.

EXAMPLE The recipe said to: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Mix together the brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. 3. Add the almond flour, salt, baking soda, chocolate chips and mix.

Bulleted Lists: Numbered lists may imply unwanted chronology or priority among the items (i.e. is #1 may be seen as more important than #2), to order items without these implications use bullets instead. Bullets may take the form of small circles, squares, or dashes - be consistent throughout. There are some formatting rules depending on if the items in your list are complete sentences or not or if they are long and complex. 

Complete sentences: If items in your bulleted list are complete sentences begin them with capital letters and end with a period.

EXAMPLE There are several formatting tips that APA provides for the essay title on the title page: ●  Your title should be bolded, centered, and be 3-4 lines (double spaced) down from the top margin of the paper. ●  There should be a double-spaced blank line between the title and the author(s) names. ●  The paper title should also appear at the top of the first page of your paper.

Incomplete sentences: If items in your bulleted list are incomplete sentences, sentence fragments or short phrases, begin each item with a lowercase letter and use no punctuation after the items (see below). Please see page 191 of The Manual for additional guidance on how to format lists with longer phrases or a mix of phrases and complete sentences.

EXAMPLE Each child at the birthday party received the following: ●  a large soft drink ●  three slices of pizza ●  a small tummy ache

(APA, 2020, pp. 189-191)

Only include tables and figures in your essay if the information can not be communicated in the text of your paper. Tables are generally used to show numerical or textual information while figures tend to be more graphical representations such as a chart, graph, photograph, or drawing. The APA Manual devotes a considerable amount of the manual to providing formatting guidance for tables (see pages 195-224) as well as figures (see pages 225-250). See below for some common formatting tips.  

Numbers and Titles: Each table and/or figure that you place in your paper is numbered consecutively (Table 1., Table 2., etc). Number your tables and figures in the order they are first mentioned in your text beginning with Table (or Figure) 1. Table or figure numbers should be in bold and flush to the left one double-spaced line above the table or figure title. Titles for tables and figures should be brief, clear, and explanatory. The titles of table and figures are italicized and flush left and in title case (e.g. Reasons Why Individuals Like Wine ).

Referring to Them in the Text: In your paper refer to every table or figure that you have inserted. Do not write "the figure above" or "the table below" or "the figure on page 4." Instead refer to the table or figure number and use this as an opportunity to tell your reader what to look for eg. "as shown in Figure 1 there is a clear correlation ..." or "... of the results of the testing (see Table 1)." In general only refer to the table or figure number and not the title.

Reprinting or Adapting: If you did not create the table or figure yourself, for instance if you found it on the internet, you must include a copyright attribution in a note below the table or figure. A copyright attribution is used instead of an in-text citation. In addition, each work should also be listed in the reference list. Please see pages 390-391 in the Manual for example copyright attributions.

Placement: Figures and tables may be placed either within the text of your paper or all together at the end of your document after the reference list. In either location tables and figures should be aligned to the left margin (not centered). When embedding in the text position them after a paragraph break, preferably the paragraph in which they are referred to, with a double spaced blank line between the table or figure and the text. If you are choosing to include figures and tables after your reference list place each one on a separate page.

Notes: Notes are placed flush left below the table or figure. Introduce notes with an italicize Note followed by a period. These notes contain information to clarify the contents of the figure or table. Notes can be general, specific, and probability. Please refer to page 203 in the Manual for more information regarding table notes and page 229 for figure notes. 

Table Formatting: Ensure each column in your table has a heading. Capitalize only the first letter of the first word of all headings. Headings should not be much wider than the widest entry. In general you would include solid horizontal;lines in your table above and below the headings and after the last row. Do not include vertical lines between the columns or boxes around individual cells.

Figure Formatting: Use a simple sans serif font such as Arial or Calibri with font size no smaller than 8 points and no larger than 14. Axis labels on graphs should be parallel to their axes in title case. You may use colour but try to limit the number of different shades. Avoid the use of grid lines and 3-D effects. Figure legends explain symbols, line styles, etc., and are integral to understanding the figure and should use the same lettering that appear in the rest of the figure. Legends should be within or below the image and words in the legend should use title case.

Please see the Sample Tables and Sample Figures pages from the APA Style website for specific examples of how to format different types of tables and figures.

If you are using a direct quote from a source and the quote is 40 or more words in length there are special formatting considerations. You will need to treat it as a block that is not enclosed by quotation marks within the body of your narrative. Instead, the block should start on a new line and be indented 0.5 in. from the left margin. The block quote should be double spaced with no additional space before or after the block. As you would for a shorter quotation you should cite either the author and year before the quotation in your narrative with the page number(s) appearing after, or cite the author, year, and page number(s) in a parenthetical citation after the quotation. An important difference between short quotes and quotes over 40 words is that whatever element of the citation you place after the quote it is placed after the quotation's final punctuation.

Block Quotation with Parenthetical Citation:

Researchers have investigated the effects of new graduate nurse transition programs:

While the quality of existing evidence was quite variable, it was clear that new graduate nurse transition programs ease the move from student to practitioner. Perhaps the most significant finding of this review was the strong influence of bundled strategies that enhanced the quality of preceptor support and positively influenced the new graduate nurse transition experience. (Rush et al., 2019, p. 156)

Block Quotation with Narrative Citation:

Rush et al., (2019) described the evidence regarding the effects of new graduate nurse transition programs:

While the quality of existing evidence was quite variable, it was clear that new graduate nurse transition programs ease the move from student to practitioner. Perhaps the most significant finding of this review was the strong influence of bundled strategies that enhanced the quality of preceptor support and positively influenced the new graduate nurse transition experience. (p. 156)

(APA, 2020, pp. 272-273)

As a rule you should include author(s) and the date for every in-text citation. However, if you are citing from the same source within the same paragraph repeatedly you do not need to repeat the year in subsequent narrative citations. Please note that this does not apply to parenthetical citations where you must continue to include the year. In the example below note that the first time the source is cited in the paragraph as part of the sentence, the citation of the author’s name and year are used but when it is used a second time the year is not included.

In a comprehensive review of the literature Pesut et al. (2020) identified a relative lack of literature in light of the expansion of euthanasia internationally. However, Pesut et al. did report that of the literature available a broad range of positions for nurses to consider as they reflect on their own participation in medical assistance in dying was available.

(APA, 2020, p. 265)

To cite parts of sources where page numbers are not readily available include an author-date citation plus information about the specific part you are referring to. Sources without page numbers include, but are not limited to: paragraphs on webpages, tables, figures, footnotes, timestamp of videos or podcasts as well as slide numbers in PowerPoint presentations. For religious works with numbered parts (e.g. chapters, verses, etc.) cite the part instead of a page number.

(Lomness, 2020, para 2) (King James Bible, 1769/2017, 1 Cor. 13:1) (Nancy Holmes, 2020, 9:32) (Shakespeare, 1623/1995, 1.3.36-37).

(APA, 2020, p. 264)

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APA Format Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper

Formatting your paper.

  • In-Text Citations
  • Periodicals
  • Books and Reference Works
  • Citing the Bible
  • Reports and Gray Literature
  • Dissertations and Theses, Conference Sessions and Presentations
  • Reviews, Unpublished Works, and Informally Published Works
  • Data Sets, Software, and Tests
  • Film and Audio Visual Materials
  • Social Media
  • Legal References

When writing a paper, consistency is key.  Consistency in order, structure, and format allow the reader to focus on the content of the paper rather than its presentation.

In general, guidelines for format apply to both student papers and professional journal publications.  Other projects, such as a website, a conference poster, or a PowerPoint presentation, may require other formatting to optimize presentation.

Always follow the specific guidelines provided by your professor, and don't be afraid to ask for clarifications on format.

Order of Pages

APA style papers are arranged as follows:

  • Abstract 

Not all sections will be required for all papers.  See your professor or syllabus for requirements for your specific assignment.

A student paper should have the following on the Title Page:

  • Paper Title
  • Author Names
  • Author Affiliation
  • Course Number and Name
  • Instructor Name
  • Assignment Due Date
  • Page Number

An example is shown below:

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Student papers do not require a running head, unless requested by the professor.  This is an update from APA 6th edition.

Paragraph Alignment and Indentation

Paragraph Alignment

Align the text of the paper to the left margin.  Leave the right margin uneven.  Do not use full justification.  

Do not insert hyphens in words at the end of a line.  It is acceptable if your word processing software automatically inserts breaks in long hyperlinks.

Paragraph Indentation

Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 inch from the left margin.  Use the tab key to create the indentation; do not use the space bar to indent.  Exceptions are as follows:

  • Title Page:  All information on the title page, except page number, should be centered on the page.
  • Section Labels: Section labels (Abstract, References) should be centered.
  • Abstract:  The first line of an abstract should be flush left, not indented.
  • Block Quotations: Indent a whole block quotation 0.5 in from the left margin.  If the block quotation spans more than one paragraph, the first line of the second and subsequent paragraphs should be indented another 0.5 in.
  • Headings:  Level 1 headings should be centered and bold.  Level 2 and 3 headings should be left aligned and in bold or bold italic, respectively.  Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular paragraphs.
  • Tables and figures:  Table and figure numbers (in bold), titles (in italics), and notes should be flush left.
  • Reference list:  Reference list entries should have a hanging indent of 0.5 in.
  • Appendices:  Appendix labels and titles should be centered and bold.

Font, Spacing, Margins

The following fonts are acceptable for APA 7th edition.  Always check if your professor has specified a particular font and size.

  • Calibri, 11-point
  • Arial, 11-point
  • Lucinda Sans Unicode, 11-point
  • Times New Roman, 12-point
  • Georgia, 11-point
  • Computer Modern, 10-point

Line Spacing

In general, double space the entire paper, including the abstract, text, block citations, table and figure numbers, notes, and reference list.  Do not add an additional line after or before paragraphs.  Exceptions are as follows:

  • Title Page: Insert a double spaced blank line between the title and byline on the title page. 
  • Tables: The table body (cells) may be single spaced, one and a half spaced, or double spaced, depending on most effective layout.  Double space the table number, title, and notes.
  • Figures:  Words within the image part of a figure may be single, one and a half, or double spaced, depending on the most effective layout.  Double space the figure number, title, and notes.
  • Footnotes:  Use the default setting of your word processing program for footnotes.  Usually single spaced and smaller fot.
  • Displayed equations: It is permissible to use triple or quadruple spacing in special circumstances, such as before and after a displayed equation.

Use one inch margins on every side of the paper.

Reference List Citations

Each work cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and each work in the reference list must be cited in the text.  Works excluded from a reference list include:

  • Personal communications such as emails, phone calls or text messages, which are cited in text only, because they can not be retrieved by readers.
  • General mentions of whole websites, whole periodicals, and common software and apps because the use is broad and the source is familiar.
  • Quotations from research participants in a study you conducted can be discussed in the text, but do not need citations or list entries.  These are original research, and could compromise your participants' confidentiality and therefore is an ethical violation.

A reference list entry generally has four elements: author, date, title, and source.  

The following are some formatting guidelines for your reference list.

  • Ensure that a period appears after each reference element.  Do not put a period at the end of a DOI or URL because it may interfere with link functionality.  If the title of the work ends with a question mark, the question mark replaces the period.
  • Use punctuation marks between parts of the same reference element.  Ex. between author names, journal name and volume number, issue number and page numbers.
  • Do not use a comma between journal volume and issue numbers.  Place the issue number in parentheses after the volume number instead.
  • Italicize puntuation marks that appear within an italic reference element.  Do not italicize punctuation between reference elements.

Page Header

The page number appears on the top margin of every page of the paper

For student papers, the page header consists of the page number only.  The title page of every paper will be numbered page 1.  APA 7th edition no longer requires student papers to use a running head.

Professional papers require the use of a page number and a running head.  The running head is an abbreviated version of the title of your paper, or the full title if it is short.

If your professor wants you to use the professional format, the following is a guide to using the running head.

  • Type the running head in all capital letters.
  • Ensure it is no more than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
  • Avoid using abbreviations in the running head, however an ampersand may be used in place of "and."
  • The format is the same on every page, including the first page.
  • Do not use the label "Running head:" before the running head
  • Align the running head to the left margin of the page header, across from the right-aligned page number.

Headings identify the content within sections of a paper.  Make your headings descriptive and concise.

Levels of Headings

There are five levels of headings.  Level 1 is the highest or main level.  Level 2 is a subheading of Level 1, Level 3 is a subheading of Level 2, and so on through Levels 4 and 5.  The number of headings depends on the length and complexity of the work.

  • If only one level is needed, use Level 1.
  • If two levels are needed, use 1 and 2.
  • If three are needed, use 1, 2, and 3.etc.

Use only the number of headings that are necessary; short student papers may not require headings.  

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid having only one subsection heading within a section, just like in an outline
  • Do not label headings with numbers or letters
  • Double space headings; do not switch to single spacing within headings
  • Do not add blank lines above or below headings, even if a heading falls at the end of a page.

Heading Format

  • Level 1 - Centered, Bold, Title Case Heading. Text begins as a new paragraph.
  • Level 2 - Flush Left, Bold, Title Case Heading.  Text begins as a new paragraph.
  • Level 3 - Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading.  Text begins as a new paragraph.
  • Level 4 - Indented, Bold, Title Case Heading, Ending with a Period.  Text begins on the same line ad continues as a regular paragraph.
  • Level 5 - Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading, Ending with a Period.  Text begins on the same line and continues as a regular paragraph.

Because the first paragraphs of a paper are understood to be introductory, the heading "Introduction" is not needed.  For subsections within the introduction, use Level 2 for the first level of subsection, Level 3 for the next subsection, and so on.

The APA guide provides guidance on a few different aspects of grammar.  If you need additional assistance with writing or grammar, visit the Write Solution for help.

Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is when writers attribute human actions to inanimate sources or nonhuman animals.  For example, the incorrect phrase would be "The theory concludes" as it seems as though the theory is the one actually making the conclusion, not the writer.  Therefore, the proper phrase would be "The theory addresses," as a theory can address, indicate, or present, while researchers and writers conclude.

Acceptable phrases are:

  • In this section, I address
  • This section addresses
  • This paper focuses on
  • In this paper, I focus on
  • The results suggest
  • The study found
  • The data provide evidence that

Logical Comparisons

Make clear and logical comparisons in your writing.  Illogical comparisons often result from unparallel sentence structure or the omission of key words.  For example: 

You have higher odds of being injured by a vending machine than a cat.

The above sentence has two possible conclusions:

  • You have a higher chance of injury from a vending machine than injury from a cat.
  • A cat has less chance of injury from a vending machine than you.

Therefore, the conclusion is not clear.  If you rewrite the sentence either as "You have higher odds of being injured by a vending machine than by a cat" or "You have higher odds than a cat does of being injured by a vending machine,"  then either conclusion becomes clear.  Avoid ambiguity.

Use the chosen verb tense consistently throughout the same and adjacent paragraphs to ensure smooth expression.

Use the following tenses to report information in APA papers.

Active and Passive Voice

Voice describes the relationship between a verb and the subject and object associated with it.  In active voice, the subject of the sentence is followed by the verb and then the object of the verb (ex. "The children ate the cookies").  In passive voice, the object of the verb is followed by the verb and then the subject (ex. "the cookies were eaten by the children"). 

Both voices are permitted in an APA style paper, but active voice should be used as much as possible to create direct, clear and concise sentences.  Passive voice should be used when it is more important to focus on the recipient of the action rather tan who performed the action.

First Person Pronouns

Use first person pronouns to describe your work as well as your personal reactions.  Use "I" if you wrote the peaper alone;  use "we" if you have coauthors.

Do not refer to yourself in the third person.  This can create ambiguity for readers about whether you or someone else performed an action.

Avoid the editorial "we" to refer to people in general.  Instead, specify who "we" defines.  Ex. "As young adults, we often worry about what other people think of us."

Changes from 6th Edition to 7th Edition

The title page.

APA 7th Edition recommends different title pages for student and professional papers.  Student papers no longer require a running head.  Professional papers include a running head on every page, including the title page.

Heading Levels

Level three, four, and five headings have changed.  All headings are now written in title case (important words are capitalized) and boldface.  Headings are distinguished by use of italics, indentation, and periods.

7th edition now endorses the use of "they" as a singular pronoun.

Use "person-first" language when possible.

Avoid the use of adjectives as nouns to describe groups of people.

Mechanics of Style

Use one space after a period at the end of a sentence, unless instructed otherwise.

Use quotation marks around linguistic examples rather than using italics.

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APA Citation Style

  • Citation Examples
  • Paper Format
  • Style and Grammar Guidelines
  • Citation Management Tools
  • What's New in the 7th Edition?
  • Order of Pages
  • Title Page Setup
  • Page Header
  • Line Spacing
  • Paragraph Alignment & Indentation
  • Sample Papers
  • Accessibility

Consistency in the order, structure, and format of a paper allows readers to focus on a paper’s content rather than its presentation.

To format a paper in APA Style, writers can typically use the default settings and automatic formatting tools of their word-processing program or make only minor adjustments. 

The guidelines for paper format apply to both student assignments and manuscripts being submitted for publication to a journal. If you are using APA Style to create another kind of work (e.g., a website, conference poster, or PowerPoint presentation), you may need to format your work differently in order to optimize its presentation, for example, by using different line spacing and font sizes. Follow the guidelines of your institution or publisher to adapt APA Style formatting guidelines as needed.

Paper format is covered in Chapter 2 of  APA Publication Manual, Seventh Edition

**All information taken from:  https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format

Order of pages is covered in Section 2.17 of the  APA Publication Manual, Seventh Edition

All papers, including student papers, generally include a title page, text, and references. They may include additional elements such as tables and figures depending on the assignment. Student papers generally do not include an abstract unless requested. 

Arrange the pages of an APA Style paper in the following order: 

In general, start each section on a new page. However, the order of pages is flexible in the following cases:

  • tables and figures:  Embed tables and figures within the text after they are first mentioned (or “called out”), or place each table and then each figure on separate pages after the references. If an embedded table or figure appears on the same page as text, place it at either the top or the bottom of the page, and insert a blank double-spaced line to separate the table or figure from the adjacent text.
  • footnotes: Use the footnotes function of your word-processing program to insert a footnote at the bottom of the page of text on which the footnote appears, or list footnotes together on a separate page after the references.;

Papers such as  dissertations and theses  may require additional elements not listed here. Follow the institutional or departmental guidelines of your university to order the pages of a dissertation or thesis.

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a  student title page guide (PDF, 199KB)  to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student Title Page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in the following example.

diagram of a student page

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Professional Title Page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

diagram of a professional title page

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.

A variety of fonts are permitted in APA Style papers. Font options include the following:

  • sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
  • serif fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or normal (10-point) Computer Modern (the default font for LaTeX)

We recommend these fonts because they are legible and widely available and because they include special characters such as math symbols and Greek letters. Historically, sans serif fonts have been preferred for online works and serif fonts for print works; however, modern screen resolutions can typically accommodate either type of font, and people who use assistive technologies can adjust font settings to their preferences. For more on how font relates to accessibility, visit the page on  the accessibility of APA Style .

Use the same font throughout your paper, with the following exceptions:

  • figures: Within figure images, use a sans serif font with a type size between 8 and 14 points.
  • computer code: To present computer code, use a monospace font such as 10-point Lucida Console or 10-point Courier New.
  • footnotes: When inserting footnotes with the footnotes function of your word-processing program, use the default font settings. The footnote font might be smaller than the text font (and have different line spacing), and it is not necessary to change it.

Instructors and publishers vary in how they specify length requirements. Different fonts take up different amounts of space on the page; thus, we recommend using word count rather than page count to gauge paper length if possible.

The page header appears within the top margin of every page of the paper.

  • For student papers, the page header consists of the page number only.
  • For professional papers, the page header consists of the page number and running head.

Page headers are covered in Section 2.18 of the  APA Publication Manual, Seventh Edition

Page Numbers

Follow these guidelines to include page numbers in both student and professional APA Style papers:

  • Use the page-numbering function of your word-processing program to insert page numbers.
  • Insert page numbers in the top right corner. The page number should show on all pages.
  • The title page carries page number 1.

Running Head

The running head is an abbreviated version of the title of your paper (or the full title if the title is already short). The running head is not required for student papers unless the instructor or institution requests it. Thus, typically only professional papers include a running head.

Follow these guidelines to include a running head in an APA Style paper:

  • Type the running head in all-capital letters.
  • Ensure the running head is no more than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
  • Avoid using abbreviations in the running head; however, the ampersand symbol (&) may be used rather than “and” if desired.
  • The running head appears in the same format on every page, including the first page.
  • Do not use the label “Running head:” before the running head.
  • Align the running head to the left margin of the page header, across from the right-aligned page number.

View the  sample papers  to see how the running head and page number appear in APA Style papers.

In general, double-space all parts of an APA Style paper, including the abstract; text; block quotations; table and figure numbers, titles, and notes; and reference list (including between and within entries). Do not add extra space before or after paragraphs.

Exceptions to double line spacing are as follows:

  • title page: Insert a double-spaced blank line between the title and the byline  on the title page . For professional papers, also include at least one double-spaced blank line above the author note (student papers do not include author notes). Double-space the rest of the title page.
  • tables: The  table body  (cells) may be single-spaced, one-and-a-half-spaced, or double-spaced, depending on which is the most effective layout for the information. Double-space the table number, title, and notes.
  • figures: Words within the  image part of a figure  may be single-spaced, one-and-a-half-spaced, or double-spaced, depending on which is the most effective layout for the information. Double-space the figure number, title, and notes.
  • footnotes: When inserting footnotes with the footnotes function of your word-processing program, use the default font settings (usually single-spaced and a slightly smaller font than the text).
  • displayed equations: It is permissible to apply triple- or quadruple-spacing in special circumstances, such as before and after a displayed equation.

These guidelines apply to APA Style student papers and to manuscripts being submitted for publication. If you are using APA Style in another context (e.g., on a website or in a formal publication), different line spacing and other formatting specifications may be appropriate.

Use 1-in. margins on every side of the page for an APA Style paper.

However, if you are writing a  dissertation or thesis , your advisor or institution may specify different margins (e.g., a 1.5-in. left margin to accommodate binding).

APA Style includes guidelines for paragraph alignment and indentation to ensure that papers are formatted in a consistent and readable manner. All writers should follow these guidelines.

Paragraph Alignment

Align the text of an APA Style paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin uneven, or “ragged.” Do not use full justification for student papers or manuscripts being submitted for publication.

Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end of line. However, it is acceptable if your word-processing program automatically inserts breaks in long hyperlinks (such as in a DOI or URL in a  reference list entry .

Paragraph Indentation

Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.

Exceptions to these paragraph-formatting requirements are as follows:

  • title page: For professional papers, the title (in bold), byline, and affiliations should be centered on the  title page . For student papers, the title (in bold), byline, affiliations, course number and name, instructor, and assignment due date should be centered on the  title page .
  • section labels: Section labels (e.g., “Abstract,” “References”) should be centered (and bold).
  • abstract: The first line of the abstract should be flush left (not indented).
  • block quotations: Indent a whole  block quotation  0.5 in. from the left margin. If the block quotation spans more than one paragraph, the first line of the second and any subsequent paragraphs of the block quotation should be indented another 0.5 in., such that those first lines are indented a total of 1 in.
  • headings: Level 1  headings  should be centered (and in bold), and Level 2 and 3 headings should be left-aligned (and in bold or bold italic, respectively). Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular paragraphs.
  • tables and figures:  Table  and  figure  numbers (in bold), titles (in italics), and notes should be flush left.
  • reference list: Reference list entries should have a hanging indent of 0.5 in.
  • appendices: Appendix labels and titles should be centered (and bold).

Headings identify the content within sections of a paper.

Make your headings descriptive and concise. Headings that are well formatted and clearly worded aid both visual and nonvisual readers of all abilities.

Levels of Heading

There are five levels of heading in APA Style. Level 1 is the highest or main level of heading, Level 2 is a subheading of Level 1, Level 3 is a subheading of Level 2, and so on through Levels 4 and 5.

The number of headings to use in a paper depends on the length and complexity of the work.

  • If only one level of heading is needed, use Level 1.
  • If two levels of heading are needed, use Levels 1 and 2.
  • If three levels of heading are needed, use Levels 1, 2, and 3 (and so on).

Use only the number of headings necessary to differentiate distinct sections in your paper; short student papers may not require any headings. Furthermore, avoid these common errors related to headings:

  • Avoid having only one subsection heading within a section, just like in an outline.
  • Do not label headings with numbers or letters.
  • Double-space headings; do not switch to single spacing within headings.
  • Do not add blank lines above or below headings, even if a heading falls at the end of a page.

Format of Headings

The following table demonstrates how to format headings in APA Style.

Note.  In  title case , most words are capitalized.

Headings in the Introduction

Because the first paragraphs of a paper are understood to be introductory, the heading “Introduction” is not needed. Do not begin a paper with an “Introduction” heading; the paper title at the top of the first page of text acts as a de facto Level 1 heading.

It is possible (but not required) to use headings within the introduction. For subsections within the introduction, use Level 2 headings for the first level of subsection, Level 3 for subsections of any Level 2 headings, and so on. After the introduction (regardless of whether it includes headings), use a Level 1 heading for the next main section of the paper (e.g., Method).

Creating Accessible Headings

Writers who use APA Style may use the automatic headings function of their word-processing program to create headings. This not only simplifies the task of formatting headings but also ensures that headings are coded appropriately in any electronic version of the paper, which aids readers who use navigation tools and assistive technologies such as screen readers. 

Here are some tips on how to create headings in some common word-processing programs:

  • If you use  Academic Writer  to write your APA Style papers, the headings menu in the Writing Center will format headings for you in 7th edition APA Style.
  • Follow  these headings directions from Microsoft  to customize the heading formats for your future use.
  • To apply Level 4 and 5 headings (which are inline headings, meaning the heading appears on the same line as paragraph text), first type the heading and a few words of the text that follows. Then highlight the text that you want to be your heading and select the appropriate heading level from the Styles menu. Only the highlighted text will be formatted as the Level 4 or 5 heading

This page contains several sample papers formatted in seventh edition APA Style.

The following two sample papers were published in annotated format in the Publication Manual and are provided here for your ease of reference. The annotations draw attention to relevant content and formatting and provide users with the relevant sections of the Publication Manual (7th ed.) to consult for more information.

  • Annotated Student Sample Paper (PDF, 2MB)
  • Annotated Professional Sample Paper (PDF, 3MB)

We also offer these sample papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) file format without the annotations.

  • Student Sample Paper (DOCX, 38KB )
  • Professional Sample Paper (DOCX, 96KB)

Sample Papers in Real Life

Although published articles differ in format from manuscripts submitted for publication or student papers (e.g., different line spacing, font, margins, and column format), articles published in APA journals provide excellent demonstrations of APA Style in action.

APA journals  will begin publishing papers in seventh edition APA Style in 2020. The transition to seventh edition style will occur over time and on a journal-by-journal basis until all APA journals use the new style. Professional authors should check the author submission guidelines for the journal to which they want to submit their paper to determine the appropriate style to follow.

The APA Style team worked with accessibility experts at  David Berman Communications  to ensure that APA Style guidelines as presented in the Publication Manual (7th ed.) are compliant with  Web Content and Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA standards . 

Accessible Typography

Here we are going to look at some myths and facts about accessible and usable typography as relevant to APA Style. The main takeaway is this: There do not have to be trade-offs—you can have great, expressive, nuanced typography that also meets or exceeds all regulatory and functional accessibility requirements. To paraphrase David Berman, when we style for the extremes and we do it well, everyone benefits.

Myth 1: Serif Fonts Are Not Accessible

It is a common misconception that serif fonts (e.g., Times New Roman) should be avoided because they are hard to read and that sans serif fonts (e.g., Calibri or Arial) are preferred. Historically, sans serif fonts have been preferred for online works and serif fonts for print works; however, modern screen resolutions can typically accommodate either type of font, and people who use assistive technologies can adjust font settings to their preferences.

Research supports the use of various fonts for different contexts. For example, there are studies that demonstrate how serif fonts are actually superior to sans serif in many long texts (Arditi & Cho, 2005; Tinker, 1963). And there are studies that support sans serif typefaces as superior for people living with certain disabilities (such as certain visual challenges and those who learn differently; Russell-Minda et al., 2007).

However, a skilled designer can create an accessible document that uses serif typefaces effectively, and if structured according to best practice standards, that same document can have its machine text presented in other ways for particular users. For example, a person living with severe dyslexia could choose to have the font swapped in real time with a typeface and spacing that works better for them—thus, there are no trade-offs for the typical user, and the typographic tone of voice that the designer intended for the message is retained. 

Furthermore, typeface selection is only one part of the typographic solution for creating accessible typography. Designers must also make wise choices about other factors including size, color, justification, letter spacing, word spacing, line spacing, character thickness, screen resolution, print readiness, and other audience and media issues. 

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set standards for online accessibility. WCAG 2.0 Level AA does not set any rules about typeface or type size. It does not specify which typefaces are better than others. There are effective and ineffective serif fonts, just as there are effective and ineffective sans serif fonts. If everyone were to strictly follow the  Canadian National Institute for the Blind  (CNIB) and the  American Council of the Blind  (ACB) guidelines for typography, all text would be in 12-point Arial black. Fortunately, you have the flexibility to choose from a variety of font types and identify which will best suit your work.

Furthermore, depending on your organization, there may be additional standards you have to follow to be in alignment with brand guidelines. And depending upon your jurisdiction, there may be additional regulations you need to follow (e.g., the European Union’s EN 301 549 calls for compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which includes specifics regarding line and character spacing).

Thus, a variety of  typeface choices  are permitted in APA Style. Also check with your publisher, instructor, or institution for any requirements regarding fonts. We recommend particular fonts in the Publication Manual because they are legible and widely available and because they include special characters such as math symbols and Greek letters. Other fonts can be used with APA Style provided that they also meet these criteria. Thus, users should be able to find a typographic solution that meets their needs.

Myth 2: All Caps Are Not Accessible

Many people have heard that is never accessible to present wording as all-capital lettering; however, this is another myth. Fear not! You can in fact use all caps in an accessible way. 

It is true that presenting text in all caps will slow down all readers, especially those with certain types of visual and/or cognitive impairments. However, making sure you do not break the accessibility of wording by putting it in all caps is actually all about doing something no person reading it will see. Here’s how: Always type words with appropriate capitalization (capitals for the beginning of a sentence and proper nouns, etc., lowercase for other words). Then apply a style or text effect to create the appearance of all caps. Screen-reading devices will then announce the words correctly (as opposed to, e.g., trying to treat them as an initialism or acronym and reading out each word letter by letter). Other assistive technologies or conversions will also work correctly because they have the option to override your style to remove the all-caps style or effect. This puts the power exactly where we want it—in the hands of readers.

In APA Style papers, the running head is the only part of the paper that is written in all-capital letters. The running head appears only in professional papers. If the authors’ manuscript will appear online (e.g., as a preprint in PsyArXiv), authors should use a style or text effect as described here to format the running head in all caps. 

Myth 3: Smart Quotes Are Not Needed

Using inch marks and foot marks (sometimes also called “straight quotes”) instead of proper left and right quotation marks (both double and single, including apostrophes) makes it harder for assistive technologies to understand your content. Imagine a screen reader announcing “inch” or “foot” rather than announcing the beginning or ending of a quotation.

Everyone deserves proper punctuation. So, in your word-processing program, turn on the option for “smart quotes” to help ensure that you are using the proper mark. 

The following examples show the visual difference between straight quotes and proper left and right quotation marks, or smart quotes.

"Straight quotes" “Smart quotes”

⁠Headings  in a document identify the topic or purpose of the content within each section. Headings help all readers become familiar with how a document’s hierarchy is structured and how the content is organized, helping them easily find the information they seek. Headings that are formatted and worded well aid both visual and nonvisual readers of all abilities. Headings must be clearly distinguishable from body text.

How can one then create and use excellent headings (and related body text) for all users, including those using assistive technologies? Read on. 

Purpose of Headings

The functional purpose of headings is to identify the topic of the content within each section. Treat your headings as if they are “landmarks” within the text, guiding readers to their desired destination. Headings allow readers searching for particular information to find it easily; readers looking to understand the scope of a work are able to do so at a glance. 

Also, it is impossible to talk about presenting a truly great heading structure without crossing over into the wording within the headings. Headings should never contain content that is not within the text in the section described by the heading. In other words, if your heading is “How Many Designers Does It Take to Screw in a Lightbulb?” the text in that section must discuss designers and lightbulbs. In academic research papers, standard headings are often used, such as Method, Results, and Discussion. Standard headings allow readers to understand the structure and content of the research being reported. It is best practice to keep headings to 60 characters or less, and 80 at most. This is especially helpful to nonvisual users who could, for example, be using a dynamic Braille display that only presents 80 characters at a time.

When appropriate, headings can, accessibly, include intriguing wording intended to capture readers’ attention, as long as there is also a part of the heading that reveals what is actually present. Just like a book title can include both an intriguing phrase as well as an explanatory phrase (e.g., “Frustration Exemplified: How To Give a Cat a Pill”), you could do the same in a heading. However, context is important: For a “do it yourself” book, this might engage readers and enhance their reading pleasure. For a medical textbook, this might be distracting and even frustrating for readers trying to look up specific information. 

In longer works (e.g., dissertations and theses, books), headings appear in a table of contents. The purpose of the table of contents is to give readers an overview of the entire contents of the text as well as to make them familiar with how the content is organized in sections and subsections. Especially for reference works, this is a vital part of the reader interaction. The table of contents, in essence, is a collection of the headings within the text. Readers use visual style and content to understand the importance of the heading (the hierarchy) and the topic or purpose of the content in the section labeled by the heading. Thus, if you have excellent headings (both in content and in visual style), you will generate an excellent table of contents. For electronic documents, excellent headings will help you generate an excellent navigational structure as well. 

The Publication Manual does not set standards for tables of contents because journal articles and student papers do not contain tables of contents. For works that include a table of contents, such as dissertations and theses, APA recommends that you use the automatic table of contents function of your word-processing program to create the table of contents. Any of the automatic formats are acceptable. Typically the three highest levels of heading within each chapter or section are included in the table of contents; however, this can vary depending on the length and complexity of the work.

Are You Required to Use Heading Styles in Your Work? 

Writers should use heading styles to format and electronically tag headings to help their audience of readers navigate and understand their work. Heading styles also help students create consistently formatted headings.

However, in some cases, using heading styles (vs. manually formatting body text to look like a heading) is optional. The most common case in which it is optional to use heading styles to format text is when authors are submitting a manuscript for publication. Regardless of whether the authors use heading styles in their manuscript, the typesetter will strip the work of all heading styles and implement the headings styles of the publisher. Thus, it is not required for authors to use headings styles in draft manuscripts, but they can if desired. For example, during review, heading styles may help editors and reviewers navigate the work, especially a longer work. 

Likewise, students are not required to use heading styles to format their headings, but they can if desired. For example, if students submit a course assignment on paper, it will not matter whether they used heading styles or manual formatting to create the look of headings. However, if students submit an assignment electronically, it may be helpful to use heading styles to facilitate the instructor’s navigation of their work. 

If writers are self-publishing their work online, it is helpful to use heading styles to assist readers in navigating the work. For further advice on how to use heading styles, particularly when publishing your work online, read  more about accessible typography and style at David Berman Communications .

Inclusion of URLs in Reference Lists

WCAG 2.0 Level AA guidelines recommend that  URLs in online works have descriptive text . For example, in the preceding sentence, the words “URLs in online works have descriptive text” are linked to the page at  https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/navigation-mechanisms-refs.html .

However, APA Style references include links with anchor text that is simply the destination DOI or URL (vs. anchor text that is natural, descriptive language)—does this mean that APA Style references are not accessible?

APA Style References Meet Accessibility Standards

To answer this question, the APA Style team consulted with accessibility experts at David Berman Communications to develop our strategy for seventh edition references. Although we considered creating references that included descriptive text links (e.g., linking the title of the work), we settled on the current approach for a few reasons:

  • A reference list is not meant to be read from start to finish but rather consulted as needed if readers want more information on works cited in the text. Thus any reader—including a person using a screen reader—would not be expected to follow every link in a reference list. Even if the links in the reference list were beneath descriptive text, the list of links in the reference list would not be particularly helpful on its own because those links need the context of the in-text citation for readers to understand why the links are relevant.
  • APA Style governs how manuscripts meant for publication and student papers are prepared. These papers might be read either in print or online. Thus, it is helpful to preserve the actual link address to account for the case in which the work is printed. This approach also produces one set of general guidelines rather than multiple sets, which simplifies writers’ task of understanding and implementing the APA Style reference system.

Because reference lists are not meant to be read from start to finish and because works in APA Style may be published either online or in print, our guidelines recommend that links show the DOI or URL of the work rather than be beneath descriptive text. Links in the text (which are relatively rare—they are only used for general mentions of websites) are treated in the same way; the URL should immediately follow the name of the page being linked to. To reduce the length of links,  shortDOIs and shortened URLs  are also acceptable.

Using Descriptive Links in APA Style

Although the Publication Manual addresses how to use APA Style for journal publication and student papers, APA Style is used in other contexts as well. Users who develop online-only resources should adapt APA Style to fit their needs. This adaption includes, but is not limited to, the use of descriptive links throughout texts and reference lists.

For example, on this very webpage and throughout the APA Style website, all links appear beneath descriptive text. Other users of APA Style in online contexts should follow this practice as well.

Likewise, in references, people creating online works in APA Style can put the DOI or URL beneath descriptive text. Some reference databases put DOIs or URLs beneath buttons labeled “Article.” Another approach is to link the title of the work to the work’s URL or DOI, as in the following examples.

American Psychological Association. (2019).  Talking with your children about stress .

Warne, R. T., Astle, M. C., & Hill, J. C. (2018).  What do undergraduates learn about human intelligence? An analysis of introductory psychology textbooks . Archives of Scientific Psychology, 6(1), 32–50.

Accessible Use of Color in Figures

The use of color also presents accessibility concerns. In APA Style, color is most commonly used within figures. It is important that color figures have adequate color contrast to allow users living with color-vision deficiencies (also called “color blindness”) to understand the material. For a thorough description of the accessible use of color, please visit the  page on the accessible use of color in figures .

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APA 7th ed. Style Guide: Formatting an APA Paper

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On This Page

Format of the reference list

Title page setup

Order of pages

Page header and page numbers

Format of headings

APA Formatting Guidelines

Format of the reference list.

  • Begin the reference list on a new page after the text.
  • Place the section label "References" in bold at the top of the page, centered.
  • Order the reference list entries alphabetically by author (as described in Sections 9.44 to 9.48)
  • Double-space the entire references list (both within and between entries).
  • Apply a hanging indent of 0.5 in. to each reference list entry, meaning that the first line of the reference is flush left and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 in. from the left margin. (see video below for how to create a hanging indent in Word)

  • when ordering multiple works by the same author, include the author's name in each entry and arrange by year of publication, the earliest first. References with no date precede references with dates. (Section 9.46)
  • to differentiate references with the same author and year, put a lowercase letter after the year in both the in-text citation and the reference list entry. (Section 9.47)
  • Before treating a work as though it has no author, consider whether a group or organization is the author (Section 9.11). If the work is signed "Anonymous," begin the entry with the word "Anonymous," and alphabetize the entry as if Anonymous were a true name.
  • If there is no author and the work is not signed "Anonymous," the reference begins with the work's title (see Section 9.12); alphabetize the entry by the first significant word of the title (i.e., ignoring the words "A," "An," and "The" at the beginning of the title).
  • Example of reference list format
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Ready, Set, Cite (APA, 7th)

Formatting your paper, headings organize your paper (2.27), video tutorials.

  • Reference List
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For help on all aspects of formatting your paper in APA Style, see   The Essentials  page on the APA Style website.

  • sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, or
  • serif fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or normal (10-point) Computer Modern (the default font for LaTeX)
  • There are exceptions for the  title page ,  tables ,  figures ,  footnotes , and  displayed equations .
  • Margins :  Use 1-in. margins on every side of the page.
  • Align the text of an APA Style  paper to the left margin . Leave the right margin uneven, or “ragged.”
  • Do not use full justification for student papers.
  • Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end of line. However, it is acceptable if your word-processing program automatically inserts breaks in long hyperlinks (such as in a DOI or URL in a reference list entry).
  • Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in . from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation. 
  • There are exceptions for the  title page ,  section labels ,  abstract ,  block quotations ,  headings ,  tables and figures ,  reference list , and  appendices .

Paper Elements

Student papers generally include, at a minimum: 

  • Title Page (2.3)
  • Text (2.11)
  • References  (2.12)

Student papers may include additional elements such as tables and figures depending on the assignment. So, please check with your teacher!

Student papers generally  DO NOT  include the following unless your teacher specifically requests it:

  • Running head
  • Author note

For complete information on the  order of pages , see the APA Style website.

Number your pages consecutively starting with page 1. Each section begins on a new page. Put the pages in the following order:

  • Page 1: Title page
  • Page 2: Abstract (if your teacher requires an abstract)
  • Page 3: Text 
  • References begin on a new page after the last page of text
  • Footnotes begin on a new page after the references (if your teacher requires footnotes)
  • Tables begin each on a new page after the footnotes (if your teacher requires tables) 
  • Figures begin on a new page after the tables (if your teacher requires figures)
  • Appendices begin on a new page after the tables and/or figures (if your teacher requires appendices)

Sample Papers With Built-In Instructions

To see what your paper should look like, check out these sample papers with built-in instructions.

APA Style uses five (5) levels of headings to help you organize your paper and allow your audience to identify its key points easily. Levels of headings establish the hierarchy of your sections just like you did in your paper outline.

APA tells us to use "only the number of headings necessary to differentiate distinct section in your paper." Therefore, the number of heading levels you create depends on the length and complexity of your paper.

See the chart below for instructions on formatting your headings:

Levels of Headings

Use Word to Format Your Paper:

Use Google Docs to Format Your Paper:

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  • Last Updated: Aug 29, 2023 5:06 PM
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Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and CC BY-NC 4.0 Licenses .

APA Alignment and Indentation: General Guidelines With Explanations

11 December 2023

last updated

Indentation and alignment in APA play a significant role in improving the readability of academic papers. Basically, a writer must use the correct indentation when presenting different heading levels or marking each passage’s beginning. As a rule, each paragraph’s first line should have a 0.5-inch indentation from the left margin. Moreover, the following lines must begin at the left margin. Then, details on the cover page should have an axial alignment. Also, first-level headings should have a center-alignment format, while second-level ones should begin at the left margin. Further on, subsequent titles, third- to fifth-levels, must start at 0.5 inches from the left margin. Besides, students must indent a block quote at 0.5 inches from the left margin. However, the first line of second and subsequent paragraphs in a block quote should begin at 1 inch from the left margin. In turn, this strategy helps to marks the beginning of new passages in the indented quote. Besides, titles “references” and “appendices” should appear centered on a new page by considering the rules of APA alignment and indentation.

General Guidelines for APA Alignment and Indentation

Formatting rules of APA alignment and indentation help to improve the essay’s appearance and readability. Basically, well-formatted papers appeal to readers and motivate them to interact with the content. In this case, alignment refers to how a paragraph aligns with page margins. Also, some types of adjustments include left, right, center, and justified. In practice, one should align the text to the left when formatting in APA. For example, this method leaves the right margin ragged or uneven. On the other hand, indentation refers to the distance from the left margin to headings or line paragraphs. In turn, indentations help writers to present different heading levels and mark the beginning of each passage. Therefore, an APA paper has a distinct rule for formatting and indenting, enhancing the essay’s superiority and readability.

APA alignment and indentation

Alignment and Indentation Rules in APA

1. paragraphs.

Each paragraph should begin at 0.5 inches from the left margin. Basically, each passage should have the first line as unique. As a rule in APA, the writer must indent the first line 0.5 inches. In turn, subsequent lines should begin at the first margin. 

Each paragraph should have a left alignment in APA. For instance, the text should align with the left margin. Besides, the sentences should appear as lagged to the right margin. Then, one should note that papers formatted in APA should have a 1-inch margin all around. Also, the uniform margin plays a crucial role in ensuring that one aligns the paragraphs correctly. Hence, one must align each section to the left margin.   

2. Title Page

The title page of an APA style paper should have centered details. For instance, the paper’s title should begin approximately six spaces from the article’s top margin. Then, other details, like the author’s name, institution, and data, should follow the heading. In turn, one should align these details to the center of the page. Hence, APA formatted papers should have a title page with centrally-aligned details.

The title page of an APA paper should have a running head on the margin. As a rule, one must include a header containing a summary of the paper’s title. In this case, the phrase “Running head” should precede the shortened title. Moreover, students must align the running head to the left margin. Hence, APA formatted papers should have a running head aligned to the left.

3. APA Alignment and Indentation Format for Headings

APA papers should have five heading levels. Basically, each title must have a unique alignment. In this case, one must follow the following rules of APA indentation and alignment for different heading levels. 

First-level heading – Students should use center alignment when writing the first-level entry. For example, the main words in this heading should begin with capital letters. Besides, one should use boldfaced letters. Hence, first-level entries should appear as central-aligned.

Second-level heading – Writers should use left-alignment for the second-level headings. In turn, this heading should begin at the left margin of the page.

Third- to fifth-level headings – These three entries should begin at 0.5 inches from the left margin. For instance, one should indent the third, fourth, and fifth headings at 0.5 inches. In this case, the main differences that distinguish these headings are boldface and italics. As a rule, one should boldface the third-level entry. Also, the fourth-level header should appear as bold and italicized. AS a result, students should italicize only the fifth-level headline.  

4. Abstract

The title “Abstract” should appear at the center of the page. Basically, writers should use central alignment for the title of this section. However, one should align the content in this section to the left margin. Also, students should justify the left end of the text while leaving the right margin as uneven. In turn, one should not indent the abstract’s first line.  

5. References

The reference section should begin on a separate page. Basically, one should align the title “Reference” to the center of the page, converting the principles of APA indentation and alignment guidelines. However, each bibliographic entry should have 0.5 inches hanging alignment. In turn, the first line should begin at the left margin. Moreover, subsequent lines should start at 0.5 inches from the left margin.  

6. APA Alignment and Indentation for Block Quotes

Scholars should indent the entire block quote. For instance, all the block quotes’ lines must begin at 0.5 inches from the left margin. In this case, the text should appear as lagged in the right margin. Then, one should indent the second and subsequent paragraphs’ first lines in the block quotes. Moreover, the first line of other sections in a block quote should begin at 1 inch from the left margin. In turn, this strategy helps to mark the beginning of a new paragraph within the quote. Hence, one should indent the entire block quote at 0.5 inches from the left margin.  

7. Tables and Figures

APA formatting style requires writers to provide accurate and precise identification of the charts and graphs. As a rule, one should not indent the description provided. In this case, the identification information should begin at the left margin below the relevant table or figure. Hence, one should include a left-aligned description for each table or chart included in the text. 

8. Appendices

Appendices should begin on a new page and follow specific indentation rules. For instance, the title “Appendices” should appear at the center of the page. In this case, one should use a central alignment format for this heading in APA. Then, subsequent appendixes should have separate entries. As a rule, subheadings should begin at the left margin. In turn, students should not indent them. Therefore, appendices should follow first- and second-level heading indentation rules.

Summing Up on APA Alignment and Indentation

APA indentation and alignment rules play a significant role in improving the readability of academic papers. Basically, correct alignments and indentations help scholars to present different heading levels and mark the beginning of each passage. In turn, an APA formatting style has a distinct rule for formatting and indenting, which enhances the essay’s superiority and readability. As a result, students should observe the following rules:

  • The first line of every passage should have a 0.5-inch indentation from the left margin.
  • One should align the body of the paper to the left margin.
  • Details on the cover page should have an axial alignment.
  • First-level headings should have a center-alignment format.
  • Second-level headings should have a left-alignment format.
  • Third- to fifth-level headings should begin at 0.5 inches from the left margin.
  • Writers must indent a block quote at 0.5 inches from the left margin.
  • The first line of the second and other sections in a block quote should begin at 1 inch from the left margin.

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

How to write an appendix section in apa with explanations, college application essay format: basic guidelines with examples.

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  • Research Paper Format | APA, MLA, & Chicago Templates

Research Paper Format | APA, MLA, & Chicago Templates

Published on November 19, 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on January 20, 2023.

The formatting of a research paper is different depending on which style guide you’re following. In addition to citations , APA, MLA, and Chicago provide format guidelines for things like font choices, page layout, format of headings and the format of the reference page.

Scribbr offers free Microsoft Word templates for the most common formats. Simply download and get started on your paper.

APA |  MLA | Chicago author-date | Chicago notes & bibliography

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Table of contents

Formatting an apa paper, formatting an mla paper, formatting a chicago paper, frequently asked questions about research paper formatting.

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in APA Style are as follows:

  • Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial.
  • Set 1 inch page margins.
  • Apply double line spacing.
  • If submitting for publication, insert a APA running head on every page.
  • Indent every new paragraph ½ inch.

Watch the video below for a quick guide to setting up the format in Google Docs.

The image below shows how to format an APA Style title page for a student paper.

APA title page - student version (7th edition)

Running head

If you are submitting a paper for publication, APA requires you to include a running head on each page. The image below shows you how this should be formatted.

APA running head (7th edition)

For student papers, no running head is required unless you have been instructed to include one.

APA provides guidelines for formatting up to five levels of heading within your paper. Level 1 headings are the most general, level 5 the most specific.

APA headings (7th edition)

Reference page

APA Style citation requires (author-date) APA in-text citations throughout the text and an APA Style reference page at the end. The image below shows how the reference page should be formatted.

APA reference page (7th edition)

Note that the format of reference entries is different depending on the source type. You can easily create your citations and reference list using the free APA Citation Generator.

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The main guidelines for writing an MLA style paper are as follows:

  • Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman.
  • Use title case capitalization for headings .

Check out the video below to see how to set up the format in Google Docs.

On the first page of an MLA paper, a heading appears above your title, featuring some key information:

  • Your full name
  • Your instructor’s or supervisor’s name
  • The course name or number
  • The due date of the assignment

MLA heading

Page header

A header appears at the top of each page in your paper, including your surname and the page number.

MLA page header

Works Cited page

MLA in-text citations appear wherever you refer to a source in your text. The MLA Works Cited page appears at the end of your text, listing all the sources used. It is formatted as shown below.

The format of the MLA Works Cited page

You can easily create your MLA citations and save your Works Cited list with the free MLA Citation Generator.

Generate MLA citations for free

The main guidelines for writing a paper in Chicago style (also known as Turabian style) are:

  • Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman.
  • Use 1 inch margins or larger.
  • Place page numbers in the top right or bottom center.

Format of a Chicago Style paper

Chicago doesn’t require a title page , but if you want to include one, Turabian (based on Chicago) presents some guidelines. Lay out the title page as shown below.

Example of a Chicago Style title page

Bibliography or reference list

Chicago offers two citation styles : author-date citations plus a reference list, or footnote citations plus a bibliography. Choose one style or the other and use it consistently.

The reference list or bibliography appears at the end of the paper. Both styles present this page similarly in terms of formatting, as shown below.

Chicago bibliography

To format a paper in APA Style , follow these guidelines:

  • Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial
  • Set 1 inch page margins
  • Apply double line spacing
  • Include a title page
  • If submitting for publication, insert a running head on every page
  • Indent every new paragraph ½ inch
  • Apply APA heading styles
  • Cite your sources with APA in-text citations
  • List all sources cited on a reference page at the end

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:

  • Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman
  • Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page
  • Center the paper’s title
  • Use title case capitalization for headings
  • Cite your sources with MLA in-text citations
  • List all sources cited on a Works Cited page at the end

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in Chicago style are to:

  • Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman
  • Use 1 inch margins or larger
  • Place page numbers in the top right or bottom center
  • Cite your sources with author-date citations or Chicago footnotes
  • Include a bibliography or reference list

To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr’s free Chicago reference generator .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, January 20). Research Paper Format | APA, MLA, & Chicago Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved February 20, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/research-paper-format/

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APA Style: Basics

Guidelines: paper format.

The APA Style website includes a great section on Paper Format This link opens in a new window . The 7th edition of APA Style has two types of papers: student papers and professional papers. Please consult your assignment or reach out to your professor or instructor to determine which paper format you should use.

For more information see the above page or the sections linked below:

  • Order of pages This link opens in a new window
  • Title page This link opens in a new window
  • Font This link opens in a new window
  • Page header This link opens in a new window
  • Line spacing This link opens in a new window
  • Margins This link opens in a new window
  • Paragraph alignment & indentation This link opens in a new window
  • Tables setup This link opens in a new window
  • Figures setup This link opens in a new window
  • Headings This link opens in a new window
  • Accessibility This link opens in a new window
  • Numbers and Statistics Guide This link opens in a new window

Sample Papers

The APA Style website also includes Sample Papers This link opens in a new window . 

APA Style Sample Papers

  • Annotated Student Sample Paper [links to PDF] This link opens in a new window
  • Student Sample Paper [links to DOCX] This link opens in a new window
  • Annotated Professional Sample Paper [links to PDF] This link opens in a new window
  • Professional Sample Paper [links to DOCX] This link opens in a new window

SNHU OWC Sample Papers

  • APA 7th Edition Sample Paper (SNHU OWC) [pdf] This link opens in a new window APA 7th Edition Sample Paper from the Academic Support Center
  • << Previous: Elements of APA Reference Lists
  • Next: APA Reference List Examples >>

On an APA style paper, do I indent the first line of each paragraph?

Yes, indent the first line of every paragraph, except for the Abstract (see instructions below).

  • Paragraphs are indented 0.5” or Tab key once.
  • Check the  APA Help  guide  to see a Sample Paper.
  • The only paragraph NOT  indented is the Abstract. 
  • If the Instructor requires an Abstract, it should be left aligned, with no indent.

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In-Text Citations: The Basics

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Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Reference citations in text are covered on pages 261-268 of the Publication Manual. What follows are some general guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay.

Note:  On pages 117-118, the Publication Manual suggests that authors of research papers should use the past tense or present perfect tense for signal phrases that occur in the literature review and procedure descriptions (for example, Jones (1998)  found  or Jones (1998)  has found ...). Contexts other than traditionally-structured research writing may permit the simple present tense (for example, Jones (1998)  finds ).

APA Citation Basics

When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

If you are referring to an idea from another work but  NOT  directly quoting the material, or making reference to an entire book, article or other work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication and not the page number in your in-text reference.

On the other hand, if you are directly quoting or borrowing from another work, you should include the page number at the end of the parenthetical citation. Use the abbreviation “p.” (for one page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages) before listing the page number(s). Use an en dash for page ranges. For example, you might write (Jones, 1998, p. 199) or (Jones, 1998, pp. 199–201). This information is reiterated below.

Regardless of how they are referenced, all sources that are cited in the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining

  • Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.
  • If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that are four letters long or greater within the title of a source:  Permanence and Change . Exceptions apply to short words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs:  Writing New Media ,  There Is Nothing Left to Lose .

( Note:  in your References list, only the first word of a title will be capitalized:  Writing new media .)

  • When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound word:  Natural-Born Cyborgs .
  • Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The Case of Hitchcock's  Vertigo ."
  • If the title of the work is italicized in your reference list, italicize it and use title case capitalization in the text:  The Closing of the American Mind ;  The Wizard of Oz ;  Friends .
  • If the title of the work is not italicized in your reference list, use double quotation marks and title case capitalization (even though the reference list uses sentence case): "Multimedia Narration: Constructing Possible Worlds;" "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry."

Short quotations

If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and page number for the reference (preceded by "p." for a single page and “pp.” for a span of multiple pages, with the page numbers separated by an en dash).

You can introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.

If you do not include the author’s name in the text of the sentence, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation.

Long quotations

Place direct quotations that are 40 words or longer in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout, but do not add an extra blank line before or after it. The parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.

Because block quotation formatting is difficult for us to replicate in the OWL's content management system, we have simply provided a screenshot of a generic example below.

This image shows how to format a long quotation in an APA seventh edition paper.

Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style.

Quotations from sources without pages

Direct quotations from sources that do not contain pages should not reference a page number. Instead, you may reference another logical identifying element: a paragraph, a chapter number, a section number, a table number, or something else. Older works (like religious texts) can also incorporate special location identifiers like verse numbers. In short: pick a substitute for page numbers that makes sense for your source.

Summary or paraphrase

If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference and may omit the page numbers. APA guidelines, however, do encourage including a page range for a summary or paraphrase when it will help the reader find the information in a longer work. 

IMAGES

  1. Essay Basics: Format a Paper in APA Style

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  2. Format the Abstract Page in APA Style, 6th Edition

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  3. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY INDENTATION APA

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  4. Setting Up the APA Reference Page

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  5. APA Paper Format

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  6. How to Write an APA Research Paper

COMMENTS

  1. Paragraph Alignment and Indentation

    Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.

  2. APA format for academic papers and essays

    Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches. Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.). Include a page number on every page. Let an expert format your paper Our APA formatting experts can help you to format your paper according to APA guidelines. They can help you with:

  3. Research Guides: Format Your Paper & Cite Your Sources: APA Style

    Paragraph Alignment and Indentation: Align the text of an APA Style paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin uneven, or "ragged." Do not use full justification for student papers. Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end of line.

  4. APA Sample Paper

    Research and Citation APA Style (7th Edition) APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition) APA Sample Paper APA Sample Paper Note: This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style can be found here.

  5. A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

    This article walks through the formatting steps needed to create an APA Style student paper, starting with a basic setup that applies to the entire paper (margins, font, line spacing, paragraph alignment and indentation, and page headers).

  6. Paper format

    To format a paper in APA Style, writers can typically use the default settings and automatic formatting tools of their word-processing program or make only minor adjustments.

  7. Format Your Paper

    Body (section 2.11) Align the text to the left with a 1/2-inch left indent on the first line; Double-space; As long as there is no Abstract, at the top of the first page, type the title of the paper, centered, in bold, and in Sentence Case Capitalization; Usually, include sections like these: introduction, literature review or background, discussion, and conclusion -- but the specific ...

  8. APA Style 7th Edition: Citing Your Sources

    Standard Formatting Quick Guide Margins Use 1" margins for the entire document. Use a 1/2" indent for every paragraph and footnote. Indent set-off quotations 1/2" from the left margin. Text Formatting Text font: Should be accessible to all users The same font should be used throughout paper

  9. Research Guides: APA Citation Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper

    Paragraph Alignment and Indentation: Paragraphs should be aligned to the left of the page (left justified). The text on the right margin will be uneven (i.e. do not use full justification). The first line of each paragraph should be indented 1/2 in. For consistency throughout your paper, click your Tab key one time (APA, 2020, pp. 44-45)

  10. APA Format Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper

    Paragraph Indentation. Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 inch from the left margin. Use the tab key to create the indentation; do not use the space bar to indent. Exceptions are as follows: Title Page: All information on the title page, except page number, should be centered on the page.

  11. Research Guides: APA Citation Style: Paper Format

    Paragraph Alignment & Indentation Headings Sample Papers Accessibility Consistency in the order, structure, and format of a paper allows readers to focus on a paper's content rather than its presentation.

  12. Research Guides: APA 7th ed. Style Guide: Formatting an APA Paper

    Order the reference list entries alphabetically by author (as described in Sections 9.44 to 9.48) Double-space the entire references list (both within and between entries). Apply a hanging indent of 0.5 in. to each reference list entry, meaning that the first line of the reference is flush left and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 in. from the ...

  13. APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition)

    Basic guidelines for formatting the reference list at the end of a standard APA research paper Author/Authors Rules for handling works by a single author or multiple authors that apply to all APA-style references in your reference list, regardless of the type of work (book, article, electronic resource, etc.) ...

  14. Formatting Your Paper

    Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.

  15. APA Alignment and Indentation: General Guidelines With Explanations

    As a rule, each paragraph's first line should have a 0.5-inch indentation from the left margin. Moreover, the following lines must begin at the left margin. Then, details on the cover page should have an axial alignment. Also, first-level headings should have a center-alignment format, while second-level ones should begin at the left margin.

  16. Research Paper Format

    The main guidelines for formatting a paper in APA Style are as follows: Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial. Set 1 inch page margins. Apply double line spacing. If submitting for publication, insert a APA running head on every page. Indent every new paragraph ½ inch.

  17. Research Guides: APA Style: Basics: Formatting & Sample Papers

    The APA Style website includes a great section on Paper Format This link opens in a new window. The 7th edition of APA Style has two types of papers: student papers and professional papers. Please consult your assignment or reach out to your professor or instructor to determine which paper format you should use.

  18. On an APA style paper, do I indent the first line of each paragraph

    Answer Yes, indent the first line of every paragraph, except for the Abstract (see instructions below). Paragraphs are indented 0.5" or Tab key once. Check the APA Help guide to see a Sample Paper. Abstract: The only paragraph NOT indented is the Abstract. If the Instructor requires an Abstract, it should be left aligned, with no indent.

  19. How to Format Your Research Paper

    How to Format Your Research Paper How to Format Your Research Paper Made possible with support from: This table describes how to format your research paper using either the MLA or APA guidelines. Be sure to follow any additional instructions that your teacher provides. Explore Our Science Videos Slow Motion Craters - STEM Activity

  20. Sample papers

    The following two sample papers were published in annotated form in the Publication Manual and are reproduced here as PDFs for your ease of use. The annotations draw attention to content and formatting and provide the relevant sections of the Publication Manual (7th ed.) to consult for more information.. Student sample paper with annotations (PDF, 4.95MB)

  21. In-Text Citations: The Basics

    Note: This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style can be found here. Reference citations in text are covered on pages 261-268 of the Publication Manual. What follows are some general guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay.

  22. Headings

    There are five levels of heading in APA Style. Level 1 is the highest or main level of heading, Level 2 is a subheading of Level 1, Level 3 is a subheading of Level 2, and so on through Levels 4 and 5. The number of headings to use in a paper depends on the length and complexity of the work. If only one level of heading is needed, use Level 1.