The Writing Center
Presents:
APA Format
Style
• APA papers are written to become scholarly
journal articles and should always be
treated as if they are to be published.
• One inch margins, Times New Roman size
12 font, double spaced.
Starting the Paper: APA Format
• An APA paper should ALWAYS include a
cover page with the following information:
– Page Header (first 2 words of title)
– Page number
– Running head
– Full title of paper
– Your name
– University name
APA Cover Page
• Your cover page will be considered the first
page
• Your running head should be in all capital
letters
– Running head: APA PAPER
Abstract
• 120 word summary of your paper,
procedures, and outcomes.
• Counts as your second page and is a part
of the paper.
• Should NOT be indented.
• The word “Abstract” should be centered on
the page
Levels of Headings
Level One
Level two
level three.
level four.
level five.
In Text Citations
• A good rule to remember is (Last name, year).
– The punctuation always goes on the outside of the
parenthetical.
• This holds true for most citations.
• Exceptions include
– Introducing the author in the text
• According to Jones (1998),
– Citing something without an author, in which case you will
include the first three words from the title
• (This is easy, 1998).
References
• Entries should be alphabetized.
• Authors last names come first.
• All entries should have a hanging indention,
meaning the second line is indented.
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the American
Psychological Asssociation (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Writing Center Contact Information
• Hilliard Hall Room 121
• writingcenter@pvamu.edu
• 936-261-3724