SHORT FORM OF TITLE
1
To insert your own header,
1.
MANUSCRIPT HEADER. Double click on the words "SHORT FORM OF TITLE" at top left of the page
to open the header box. Highlight the words and type your own, all capitals. To exit the header
box, double click in a white space on the paper outside it. The header generally consists of two or
three key words from the title.
2.
For other questions, call the Writing Center at 612-728-5154 or e-mail tcwrite@smumn.edu
3.
To delete this information box, double click its frame and press the Delete key.
~To delete an information box like this one, click on the outer edge of the box and press the Delete key~
Title of Paper
Your Name
Your Student Number
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate & Professional Programs
Human Development Program Position Paper
Date of Submission (e.g., October 12, 2009)
This page has been formatting for APA as follows:




Margins at 1" on all sides
Font at Times New Roman 12 pt.
Page header at top left, ½ inch from top edge
Page number at top right ½ inch from top edge
Do not force a page break by pressing the Enter key repeatedly. Instead use the Insert tab and Page
Break.
For more word processing help, see pp. 47-65 of the Writing Center's booklet Introduction to the APA.
~To delete an information box, click on the outer edge of the box and press the Delete key~
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
2
Abstract
Title: Do not boldface.
The abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of your position paper. It can be the most
important part of your paper because from it, a reader will determine whether or not to read your
paper. APA abstracts are typically 150 to 250 words in one double-spaced paragraph. Do not
indent the paragraph when only a single paragraph appears on a page. For additional information
on abstracts, see the APA manual, pp. 25-27, section 2.04, or seek advice from your instructor or
advisor.
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
3
Table of Contents
Title: Do not boldface.
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................
Position Statement .....................................................................................................................
Ethics Statement.........................................................................................................................
[Title of First Section] ................................................................................................................
Development of Position............................................................................................................
To enter page numbers in the Table of Contents, simply click at the end of
the dot row and type the number.
Subheading ....................................................................................................................
On this Table of Contents page, the Tab Key has been converted to a “Dot
Leader” key to ensure that your page numbers line up evenly on the right
Subheading ....................................................................................................................
margin. If you need to change some of the sample headings to fit the
contents of your own paper, be aware that you cannot indent by using the
Tab key (which has been formatted to insert dots on this page). Instead
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................
do one of the following:
Click Format, Paragraph and change left indentation to .5”
References ..................................................................................................................................
-OrUse the Ruler Bar to drag the indentation into place.
When you leave the Table of Contents page, the Tab key returns to normal
for indenting paragraphs.
For more instructions on dot leaders see Introduction to the APA pp. 6162.
~To delete an information box, click on the outer edge of the box and
press the Delete key~
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
4
Position Statement
Title: Do not boldface.
The position statement is an assertion about the topic that you believe to be true and that you
intend to support and explain in your position paper. The position statement begins on a new
page and is typically one double-spaced paragraph. Do not indent the paragraph when only a
single paragraph appears on a page.
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
5
Ethics Statement
Title: Do not boldface.
The ethics statement is a statement of social responsibility that defines going beyond self-interest
to develop a commitment to use one's talents and skills to help others. It explains how your
position contributes to making the world a better place, whether it be for professional,
community, state, national or worldly good. It should begin on a new page and be formatted like
the abstract and position statement. Generally it is one double-spaced paragraph. Do not indent
the paragraph when only a single paragraph appears on a page.
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
6
[Optional: Special Insertion Page]
Some students wish to include special material relating to the theme of their paper. This special
insertion could be a quote, a song, a graphic or other form of creative expression. If you wish to
include a special insertion, place it on a separate page after your Ethics Statement.
A title for this page is optional. If you include a quote from another person, you may not want a
title at the top of the page. The author of the quote does not appear on the reference page (unless
cited within the paper) but should be identified with the quote, as in the following example:
The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit . . . . A revolution which aims merely at
changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions
has little chance of genuine success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced
the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the
process of reform and regeneration. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and
human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make
sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will,
ignorance, and fear.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Burmese social activist
Freedom from Fear speech 1990
If the author is universally known, (e.g., Aristotle, Mother Theresa, Confucius, Sigmund Freud,
etc.) the name alone will suffice.
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
7
Title of Paper
Place title on first page of text, 1 doublespace above the first line or first heading.
Title does not count as a level of heading.
Title of First Section
Level 1 heading
The first paragraph of the paper provides an introduction to the paper. This section
should not be labeled "Introduction," but should be labeled, using a Level 1 heading style, to
indicate the content of the introduction (for example, History of . . . , Description of . . . ). If
this section of your paper needs subheadings, use Level 2 headings to subdivide. Use the Tab
key, which is preset to indent ½ inch, to indent paragraphs ½ inch (not five spaces). All lines in
the paper are separated by one double space—never more, never less.
APA papers never
contain underlined text.
The paragraphs have been shortened in this model in order to illustrate headings in a brief
space. Paragraphs in an actual paper should never be shorter than three sentences.
Development of the Position
Level 1 heading
This section begins the main body of the paper and begins with a Level 1 heading. The
number and types of heading you use will depend upon the topic you chose and how you develop
that topic. To subdivide a Level 1 paper, use Level 2 headings. To subdivide a Level 2 section,
use Level 3 headings. The headings in this template illustrate a 3 Level paper.
In-text citations consist of author's last name, followed by year of publication. Citations
may appear in the running text or within parentheses. Here are some examples:
Example One
Level 2 heading
Rogers and Hewitt (2001) reported that . . . (quote or paraphrase continues)
Example Two
Level 2 heading
Level 2 heading
Feeny and Swartz (2001) argued that. . . (quote or paraphrase continues)
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
Example Three
8
Level 2 heading
The research project was renamed “Discovery Five” (Feeny & Swartz, 2001, p. 5).
In the two citation examples above, note that the word and is spelled out in running text,
but replaced by an ampersand (&) within parentheses. The date must immediately follow the
author's name or, as in example three, in the parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Throughout your paper use direct quotes sparingly, and when you do use them, provide
your own commentary about what you have quoted. When possible, paraphrase rather than
quote (i.e. put the idea into your own form of expression), but remember that paraphrases still
require source citation. If you do quote, try using only short phrases that you then incorporate
into your own sentences. Remember to place quoted material (fewer than 40 words) inside
quotation marks and include the page number on which the quote was found (e.g., "p. 12").
Periods and commas are always placed inside (to the left of) quotation marks. If the quote is 40
words or more in length, replace quotation marks with blocked indent (see APA p. 92).
Level 3 heading
First subdivision of level two. If you need to subdivide a level 2 heading into sections,
use level 3 headings as illustrated here.
Level 3 heading
Never use the pronouns you or your in an academic paper.
Second subdivision of level two. Remember that you need at least two headings at each
level. If you need more levels of heading than three, check your APA manual for directions.
Paper continues . . .
Conclusion
Level 1 heading
The conclusion summarizes the main points of the paper and can include suggestions for
application in your professional field and recommendations for additional research and social
service. It should contain keywords found in your abstract and position statement.
SHORT FORM OF TITLE
9
References
Title: Do not boldface.
American School Counselor Association. (2004, June 26). Ethical standards
fordocument
school , no publication date.
Internet
counselors. Retrieved from http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=173
Gibbs, J. T. (Ed.). (1991). Children of color. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Book, editor, no author
Johnson, S. L., Cueller, A. K., Ruggero, C. Winett-Perlman, C., Goodnick, P., White. R. et al.
Journal article from database with doi number
assigned.
NOTE:
If more than
6 authors
(2008). Life events as predictors of mania and depression
in bipolar
disorder.
Journal
of , use et al.
after 6th author.
Abnormal Psychology, 117(2), 268-277. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.117.2.268
Kerrigan, W., & Braden, J. G. (1989). The idea of progress. Portland, OR: Argyle Press.
Book, two authors
Kline, T., & Palmer, S. (2001). The ADA and hiring practices of organizations. Consulting
Psychology, 13(2), 140-155.
Journal article from print source, two authors
Rose, P. (1999). Modernism: The case of Willa Cather. In H. Bloom (Ed.), American fiction (pp.
123-197). New York: Chelsea.
Chapter or article in edited book, different authors and editor
Trippitelli, C. L., Jamison, K. R., Folstein, M. F., Bartko, J. J., & DePaulo, J. R. (1998). Pilot
Journal
article,
from ProQuest,
no doi number
study on patients' and spouses' attitudes toward potential
genetic
testing
for bipolar
assigned.
disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 155(7), 899-904.

Use hanging indents, but do not create them manually. Instead, from the Home tab, click the arrow in the
Paragraph section of the ribbon bar. When the Paragraph menu opens, select "Hanging" under
"Indentation, Special." Creating hanging indents this way will allow you to make revisions if necessary.
Hanging indents have already been created for this template. See also Introduction to the APA booklet
(pp. 54-55).

If your references have been formatted with auto-hanging indents, you can alphabetize quickly with autosort:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Highlight the list from first word to last word, excluding the "References" heading.
On the Home tab, find and click the Sort icon.
Select settings for Paragraphs, Text, Ascending (these are default settings)
Click Ok.
Notice the variation in formatting of titles on the reference page. Follow the APA manual (p. 185, section
6.29) or Introduction to the APA booklet (p. 19).
~To delete an information box, click on the outer edge of the box and press the Delete key~