AMERICAN
PSYCHOLOGICAL
ASSOCIATION (APA)
WRITING AND
DOCUMENTATION STYLE
Why use a research and
documentation style?
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Provides consistency across institutions
Allows readers to cross-reference your work
easily
Gives you credibility as a writer
Helps you keep track of sources and information
as you build your paper
Helps protect you from plagiarism
What is included in a research
and documentation style?
No matter which style you use, it boils down to three
items:
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Format of paper – what the paper looks like
In-text citations – show reader you’re using
borrowed material (making a connection)
Reference page – gives reader a list of works that
were used to create your paper
APA Paper Format
Four main parts to the traditional APA paper:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Title page – following general APA guidelines
Abstract – a one-paragraph summary of your paper
Body of paper – presented in a logical order
References page – lists all the sources you used in
your paper
For all sections of paper, use 12 point, Times New
Roman font (examples shown are not Times New
Roman)
Times New Roman (a serif font)
APA Title Page
Note: APA does not give official guidelines for a title page of a college
paper; the following are general APA title page guidelines. ALWAYS
check with instructor!
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Running head – in header, flush left, condensed version
of title (no more than 50 characters) in all caps with
words “Running head:”
Page number in upper right
Title – centered on page using capital letters as a title
should; no bold, italics, or large fonts
Your name and school (your instructor may also
require class, date)– centered, double-spaced
At bottom of page sometimes an “Author Note”
Example
Title Page
APA Abstract
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An abstract is simply a summary of your paper’s main
points, in order – one paragraph on its own page.
Appears immediately after the title page
Has the word Abstract centered at top (again, in
simple, 12 point font – not underlined or in italics or
anything special)
Does not need to be indented
Double-spaced, 1” margins like rest of paper
Has page number and running head – running head no
longer has words “Running head:” in front of it
Sample of Abstract
APA Body of Paper
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12 pt. font, Times New Roman, black
1” margins all around
Everything is double-spaced and left aligned
Page numbers (upper right) and running head (flush
left) continue in header
If you use headings to organize your paper, major
headings are centered and boldfaced. Capitalize first
letters of words
First page of body (page 3) repeats full title, centered at
top of page
Sample First Page of Body
Full title, centered
– no extra spaces
after title
Paragraphs are
indented – no
extra spaces after
paragraph
APA In-text Citations
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APA uses parenthetical citations
A citation should appear within/after the sentence
where the borrowed material appears. This includes
direct quotations, paraphrases and summaries.
A citation is a guideline for your reader: it shows you
are making a connection to another author.
Like a scavenger hunt!
Gives you credibility – research is all about connecting
ideas (yours and others)
APA In-text Citations
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Every citation includes AT LEAST the author’s last
name and the year of publication somewhere within
the borrowed material.
Direct quotations also include page numbers, if
available (can also use paragraph number).
Page numbers are also encouraged with paraphrases
from difficult or lengthy texts (helps reader find
original passage). Use p. for a page number (pp. for
multiple pages).
The author’s name the year of publication are always
beside one another.
Special Considerations for
Citations
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Number of authors – one or two authors, cite names
every time reference occurs
Three – five authors – cite all of their names the first
time you use the source; after that, only the first
author and et al. to stand in for others
Six or more authors – always just the first author’s
name and et al.
APA In-text Citations - Examples
APA Reference Page
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The Reference page is its own page, the last one of the
paper; it still has the running head and page number
Has the word References at top, centered
Double-spacing continues
Entries are alphabetized by first word in entry (typically
authors’ last names)
First line of entry is flush-left; subsequent lines are
indented once – hanging indent (for ease of reading).
Your reader should be able to use the info on the
reference page and find the EXACT SAME source you
used.
APA Reference Page
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APA format has unique rules for capitalizing (or not)
titles of books and journal articles.
Titles of books and articles use capital letters like a
sentence – NOT every word capitalized
Basic structure for an entry is a book with one author:
 Author’s
name (Last name, First initial)
 Year in paretheses
 Title (BIG titles are italics; smaller titles are normal type)
 Publication info (City, ST: Publisher – NOT Inc or Co)
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Periods are used to separate the above sections.
Careful of electronic “help.”
APA Reference Page – Example
Last name, Initial. (year). Title like a sentence. Publication information.
Example of journal article:
Note:
Hanging indent – first
line is flush left;
subsequent lines are
indented once (five
spaces)
Article title like a
sentence; journal title
uses traditional
capitalization
Other Reference Guidelines
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Two to seven authors – list all of them in the order
they appear on the article:
 Brown, J., McMann, F., Anderson, Q., Smith, A.
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Eight or more, list the first six, then points of ellipsis
(…) and last author’s name
Electronic sources require a url or DOI at end.
If you use a url or DOI at end of an entry, don’t put a
period after it (could confuse reader)
If no author, begin entry with title of work followed
by year in parentheses.
DOI is on the first
page of many
articles found in
NCLive
databases.
If not there, it will
be on the
summary screen
for the article.
Look it up!
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No one has this memorized!
Key is knowing where to look up how your specific
resource should be listed.
Additional Help with APA Format
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Your instructor
Handbook from English classes, A Writer’s Reference
LAC
APA Publication Manual (use most current edition)
Purdue OWL:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/10/