A Step-by-Step Guide to Formatting Papers in APA Style

Formatting papers according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) guidelines can be daunting With precise requirements for font, spacing, margins, headings, citations and more, APA style can seem complex However, learning the basics helps you easily format papers correctly – making a good impression on professors or publishers. This article explains the key APA formatting rules and tips in simple terms to write papers in proper APA style.

Why Use APA Formatting?

APA formatting is used for writing papers in the social sciences – including psychology, sociology political science, economics, nursing, social work criminology, and business. The standardized format allows readers to quickly scan and digest research.

Key benefits of using APA formatting include:

• Consistent presentation across scientific papers
• Easier peer-review process
• Increased credibility as a scholar
• Professional impression on professors
• Potential for publication in journals

Bottom line – becoming fluent in APA style gives your writing more academic polish and gravitas. Mastering APA formatting shows you’re serious and scientific in presenting ideas.

APA Formatting Basics

APA papers follow precise guidelines for margins, font, line spacing, headings, and page setup:

Margins

• Set margins to 1 inch on all sides of the page.

Font

• Use a highly readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or Georgia.

• Use 12pt font for regular text. Larger sizes can be used for headings or titles.

Spacing

• Double-space the entire paper including headings and block quotes.

• No extra spaces between paragraphs or sections.

Indentation

• Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches using the tab key or paragraph tool.

Page Numbers

• Include a page number on every page in the top right.

• Use a shortened version of title in all caps (e.g. “RUNNING HEAD”) and page number on first page.

Formatting the Title Page

The title page should include:

• Full paper title (in title case)
• Author name(s)
• Institutional affiliation

Place these elements centered vertically and horizontally on the page. The title should be in the top half and author details in the bottom half.

Creating Headings

Headings visually split up content and establish hierarchy. APA style has five levels of headings. Format them according to these guidelines:

Level 1: Centered, Bold, Title Case Heading

Level 2: Left-Aligned, Bold, Title Case Heading

Level 3: Left-Aligned, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading

Level 4: Indented, Bold, Title Case Heading

Level 5: Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading

Building the Reference Page

The reference page appears at the end of the paper and provides all source details. Center the word “References” at the top. Then list references in alphabetical order formatted like this:

Author Lastname, First Initial(s). (Year published). Title of work. Publication details.

Make sure references have a hanging indent. Capitalize article and book titles in sentence case. Italicize journal and book titles.

5 Tips for Proper APA Formatting

Follow these tips for flawless APA formatting:

• Use an APA style template orrefer to an APA style sample paper for guidance
• Read the latest APA style manual for detailed guidelines
• Use APA formatting tools like MS Word, Google Docs, or BibWord when writing
• Ask your professor or a writing center tutor for APA help if needed
• Double check APA style guidelines before submitting papers

Proper APA formatting signals your attention to detail and ability to produce scholarly work. While it may seem tedious, mastering the key rules creates professional looking papers.

Common APA Style Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to make minor APA mistakes even with good intentions. Watch out for these common errors:

• Incorrect margins – Use 1 inch margins on all four sides
• Wrong font size – Stick to 12pt Times New Roman or similar font
• No indentation on paragraphs – Indent first line 0.5 inches
• Missing page numbers – Include numbers on every page
• Wrong spacing – Double space throughout
• Errors in references – Carefully format based on source type
• Poor grammar/typos – Always proofread before submitting

Catching formatting issues before turning in papers prevents losing points unnecessarily.

APA Format Examples and Visual Guide

Reviewing correctly formatted APA papers or style guides helps cement proper formatting. Here are some useful APA format examples and tips:

Title Page Setup

<img src=”https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/aMqNLMI2yO6DlreHETfOg2zK4sk=/735×0/VolumeOne-5bdaf4f546e0fb005007ac74.png” width=”400″>

Headings and Subheadings

<img src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/RasmussenTemplateAssets/APA_Style_Guide_Headings_updated.png” width=”400″>

Reference Page Formatting

<img src=”https://www.scribbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/reference-page-apa-example.png” width=”400″>

Paper Formatting Checklist

<img src=”https://www.scribbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/apa-formatting-checklist.png” width=”400″>

Following key APA style guidelines gives you credibility and ensures your papers have a clean consistent look. Save these examples for reference anytime you need to write a properly formatted APA style paper.

Common APA Reference Types

Knowing how to cite sources in proper APA style is critical. Here are formatting tips for the most common reference types:

Books:
Author Lastname, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year). Book title. Publisher.

Journal Articles:
Author Lastname, First Initial. Middle Initial., Author Lastname, First Initial. Middle Initial., & Author Lastname, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Date). Article title. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), page range.

Webpages:
Author Lastname, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Date published). Title of webpage. Site Title. URL

Videos:
Creator Lastname, First Initial. Middle Initial. [Screen name if available]. (Date published). Title of video [Video file]. Retrieved from URL

Social Media:
@socialmediahandle. (Date posted). Full text of post [Type of post]. Retrieved from URL

Academic Papers:
Author Lastname, First Initial. Second Initial., & Author Lastname, First Initial. Second Initial. (Date). Title of paper. Retrieved from URL

APA formatting allows you to communicate ideas clearly using a standard scientific style. While learning every APA guideline takes time, start by focusing on font, spacing, margins, headings, and references. Attention to these basic elements of APA style gives your papers a clean consistent look. Consult sample papers and style guides when in doubt. With practice, APA formatting becomes second nature – improving the scholarly quality of your work.