Listen up, folks! Let’s face it – writing a paper in APA format can be downright tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with it. If you’re used to other styles of essay writing, making the switch can be a real pain in the neck. But fear not; with a little bit of guidance and practice, you can master the ins and outs of APA formatting like a pro.
Buckle up and get ready to tackle this challenge head-on! Get ready to dive into the sphere of APA formatting because this guide is about to take you on a wild ride. By the time you’re done reading this ultimate guide written by our expert APA writers, you’ll be pro at crafting top-notch APA formatted essays that meet all the requirements of this style. Get ready and buckle up because we’re about to dive right into it!
What is APA Style?
APA (American Psychological Association) is one of the most common academic styles used in psychology, business, finance, and other social sciences. The APA format makes it easy for you to present your information consistently throughout your documents.
The following are the features that commonly characterize an APA style format:
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Title Page
It is absolutely imperative that the title page fully occupies the entirety of the first page without exception. Please take careful note that on the title page, the phrase “running head” must necessarily come before the title of your essay. Additionally, it is of paramount importance that the title of your essay, your name, as well as the name of your esteemed university are all clearly and prominently displayed on the uppermost part of the page.
Bear in mind that any and all notes pertaining to the writer, including but not limited to the name of your supervisor, the course title, and the department, must be stated in a clear and concise fashion at the bottom of the page without fail.
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Running Headers
In order to properly create a running head, it is important that you select the “different first-page” option without exception. Following this step, it is of utmost importance that you align the words “running head” to the left-hand side of the page, followed immediately by the abbreviated version of the paper’s title, which should be written in capital letters and not exceed 50 characters in length.
Additionally, you must take care to ensure that the page number appears on the right-hand side of the page at all times. Furthermore, it is also essential that the shortened title (i.e., the running head) appear on all subsequent pages of the document but that it be right-aligned.
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Page Numbers
Make sure that you allow the page number to be displayed prominently in the upper-right-hand corner of the page at all times. Additionally, you must ensure that your surname appears in close proximity to the page number.
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Indentation
We must insist that you take great care to ensure that every single paragraph and block quotation in your written work is indented precisely half an inch from the left-hand margin without any exceptions whatsoever.
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Abstract
Keep in your mind that an abstract is nothing more than a brief summary of the entirety of your paper, and in accordance with APA style guidelines, it should typically be between 150 to 250 words in length. However, it is absolutely crucial to note that the precise length of your outline will necessarily vary depending on the specific requirements of the journal or university in question, and you must take great care to adhere to these guidelines without fail.
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Body Paragraph
The principal component of the document – the main body, is created on a standard size of 8.5 inches by 11 inches. It is crucial to note that the font type utilized for the body text is Times New Roman, with a font size of 12. Moreover, throughout the document, double spacing has been employed, and a page header is also present.
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References:
It is essential to include a reference list at the end of your essay, dear writer! Your readers require this list to access vital information that enables them to retrieve the sources used in your in-text citations.
As a rule of thumb, remember to include all sources cited in your text in the reference list, and conversely, ensure that all entries in your bibliography have been appropriately cited in the text.
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Font
When it comes to crafting APA essays, there are two font options that are usually favored – the classic Times New Roman with a font size of 12 or elegant Georgia with a slightly smaller size of 11.
As for the footnotes, those little nuggets of information should be composed in size 10, while the titles of your tables and figures deserve a range of 8 to 14. However, the most important thing to remember is to maintain consistency throughout your manuscript with one chosen font size.
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Margins
According to APA standards, your margins should measure one inch on all sides. And here’s a top tip – it’s highly recommended to give at least an inch of space to the bottom, top, left, and right of your page. Trust us; your future readers will thank you for the aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-read format. Keep those margins in check!
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Spacing
If you’re planning to write in APA format, then remember this crucial tip – double spacing is the key! That’s right; you should give your content some breathing room by doubling that space throughout your entire document. And don’t forget about those lengthy quotes of 40 words or more – they need some love, too, so make sure to double-space them as well.
All in all, writing an essay in APA format can be challenging, especially for those who lack experience and skills. However, it’s important to remember that adhering to the above-mentioned guidelines, such as font size 12, one-inch margins, double spacing, and properly intended paragraphs, is crucial for success.
Don’t let the formatting intimidate you – with the right tools and mindset, you can craft an excellent APA-style essay without stumbling a block.
Good luck and happy writing!