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.)