APA doesn’t just apply to citations and References; it applies to the way the document is formatted.
- The document will have four major sections:
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Main Body
- References
- Use white, 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
- Type (print out) your work.
- Use 1″ margins on the left, right, top and bottom of each page.
- Double-space and use a serif font like Times Roman in a size 12.
- Each page should have a page header:
- Type the first two to three words of the title of your work, insert five spaces, and then include the page number. Right-justify the entire header.
TITLE PAGE
- The title page will include the page header described above.
- On the first line of the title page, flush-left, add a running head
- The running head includes an abbreviated version of your title in 50 letters or less and starts with “Running Head:”
- Example (this would be left-justified on the first line of the title page):
- Running Head: Amer. Economics and the Drama of The Breadline
- Type your work’s full title, your name, and your university on the top half of the page. Put each item on a separate line that is center-justified and double-spaced
ABSTRACT
- Begin a new page (this new page will contain the page header described above).
- On the first line of the new page, type “Abstract” (no special formatting).
- On the next line write a summary of the key points to your research.
- Do not indent the paragraph.
- The paragraph should be a single paragraph, double-spaced
- The paragraph should be less than 120 words
Click below to download a PDF sample essay in the APA format. The paper includes annotations – comments – that help you understand the rules and expectations.
