APA
Writing Style
Guidelines
for
Graduate Students
Jacksonville State University
College of Education & Professional Studies
The following guidelines are
provided as a general
introduction to APA style and
are not intended to be an
exhaustive review.
Contents:
• Types of articles
• Parts of the manuscript
• Organization of the literature
• Order of manuscript pages
• Preparing the manuscript
Types of
Articles
• Reports of empirical studies
• Theoretical articles
• Methodological articles
• Case studies
• Review articles
• Each of these types of
manuscripts will have different
common sections within the
body of the text.
• Follow the guidelines given by
the professor making the
assignment.
Parts of a
Manuscript
• Title Page
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Subsections
• References
• Appendixes (optional)
Title Page
Manuscript Header
• First 2 or 3 words of title
• In header section of paper
• Upper right side
• Type page number 1
Running Head
• Abbreviated title
• Flush left at top of title page
but below header in all
UPPERCASE LETTERS.
• Not over 50 characters
Title
• 10-12 words
• Concise statement of main topic
• Typed upper- and lowercase
letters in upper half of page
• What words to capitalize
Byline (Author’s Name)
• One double-spaced line below
the title, centered
• Upper and lowercase letters
• Institutional affiliation doublespaced below name
Abstract
An abstract is a brief
description of the
content of a paper or
manuscript.
• Numbered page 2
• Not over 120 words
• Abstract typed in upper and
lowercase letters in center of
first line
• Typed in a single paragraph,
block format (no indentations)
Introduction
• Do not type the word “Introduction”
• Describe the specific problem
• Provide some background literature
information
• State the purpose of the article in
the last sentences of the
introduction. Include a brief
explanation of sections that will
follow in the body of the paper.
• Number the introduction page 3
• Put the title centered, upper
and lowercase letters on first
line of text
• Double-space, then start the
text
• The remaining manuscript will
expound on the topic.
• Present the literature in an
organized fashion
Subsections
• Do not start a new page when
starting a new section.
• Use proper heading levels (See
APA guide)
• For examples, look at various
journals for specific formatting.
Some articles include one or
more of the following sections:
• Conclusions
• Implications
• Suggestions for Future Study
References
• Start reference list on new
page
• Double-space all entries.
• Use a hanging indentation.
Example:
Smith, J. (2002). All children can
learn. London: Prentice Hall.
Links for formatting reference
section:
• Ohio State University Library’s
APA Citation Guide
• Long Island University Library's
APA Citation Style
Organization
of the
Literature
• Ask yourself questions about
the topic as if you were not at
all familiar with it.
• Organize these questions
logically to form an outline.
• Gather information from the
literature on these topics.
• Organize your notes according
to the topics. If you find
information that does not “fit”,
create a new topic and insert it
into the outline in an
appropriate place.
Order of
Manuscript
Pages
1. Title Page (separate page,
numbered page 1)
2. Abstract (separate page,
numbered page 2)
3. Text (start on a separate page,
numbered page 3)
4. References (start on a separate
page)
Additional sections are
listed in the APA manual.
Preparing the
Manuscript
• Paper – 8 ½” by 11” bond
• Typeface – 12 pt. Times Roman or
12 pt. Courier
• Double-spaced (everything)
• Margins – 1” all around, not
counting indentations for
paragraphs
• Line length
– Do not right justify
– Use left-flush except for long
quotations
– Do not break words at the end of
a line
• Number of lines – not over 27 lines
of text (not counting page numbers
or headers)
• Widows and orphans:
– Do not start a new paragraph
or the first line of any
indented text on the last line
of a page.
– Similarly, do not put the last
line of a paragraph or the last
bullet of a list as the first line
of a new page.
For specific rules on the following
topics, refer to the APA manual:
• Quotations
• Citing sources
• Publisher Locations
• References
Additional Topics Found in APA Manual
• Citing secondary sources
• Breaking a URL
• Listing electronic media
• Table and figure headings
Additional Topics Found in APA Manual
• Visual example of a manuscript
• Commas and other punctuation
• Spelling
• Hyphenating
When in doubt about a rule,
defer to your professor’s
requirements (or those
guidelines specified in the
journal to which you may be
submitting your manuscript.)