How to Write an Essay in APA Style
How to Write an Essay in APA Style
Blog Article
Writing an essay in APA style involves following a specific format set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Here's a step-by-step guide to help you write an essay in APA style:
1. Title Page
• Title: Center the title in the upper half of the page. It should be concise and summarize the main topic (not more than 12 words).
• Author's Name: Below the title, add your full name (First Name, Middle Initial(s), Last Name).
• Institutional Affiliation: Include the name of your school, university, or organization.
• Course, Instructor, Date: If required, add course information, your instructor’s name, and the due date of the essay.
• Running Head: On the left side of the header, include a shortened version of your title (max. 50 characters), and on the right side, the page number (1 on the title page).
2. Abstract (if required)
• This is a 150-250 word summary of your paper's key points, including the research topic, research questions, methods, findings, and conclusions. Not all essays require an abstract, but it’s essential in formal APA papers.
3. Introduction
• Start the essay on a new page (after the title page or abstract).
• The introduction presents the topic and provides context or background information.
• Clearly state the thesis statement, which summarizes the main argument or purpose of your essay.
4. Body
• Headings and Subheadings: APA allows different levels of headings to organize your paper:
o Level 1 (Centered, Bold, Title Case)
o Level 2 (Left-Aligned, Bold, Title Case)
o Level 3 (Indented, bold, sentence case, ending with a period)
• Paragraph Structure: Each paragraph should have a clear main idea, usually supported by evidence or examples. Transition sentences should connect the paragraphs smoothly.
• In-text Citations: Whenever you reference another author’s work, include an in-text citation:
o Format: (Author's Last Name, Year of Publication, p. #)
o Example: (Smith, 2023, p. 45)
• Direct Quotes: Include the page number in the in-text citation if you're quoting directly.
5. Conclusion
• Summarize the main points of your paper without introducing new information.
• Restate your thesis in a different way and discuss the implications of your findings.
6. References Page
• Title the page References and center it at the top.
• List all sources cited in your essay in alphabetical order by the authors’ last names.
• Follow this format for common types of sources:
o Books: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher.
o Journal Articles: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), pages.
o Websites: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of webpage. Site Name. URL
7. Formatting Guidelines
• Font: Use a legible font like 12-point Times New Roman.
• Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the entire paper, including the references.
• Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
• read more Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
8. General Tips
• Avoid using contractions in academic essays.
• Use third-person voice unless otherwise instructed.
• Keep your tone formal and academic.
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