The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed., 2010) prescribes a specific editorial style for APA-formatted papers; some common aspects are described below. For all the specifics of how to format a document in APA style, consult the Publication Manual or this annotated sample APA paper (best used in combination with the Publication Manual). Departments sometimes have different regulations for dissertations than the APA manual; check with your department to find out its requirements. To learn more about APA documentation, consult the Center for Writing’s APA Documentation Style quicktips.
For more on these structural guidelines, consult chapter two of the Publication Manual.
Paper title
Reducing Homophobia in Public School Settings: Meta-analysis of Thirty School Districts
Header on top left of title page
Running head: REDUCING HOMOPHOBIAHeader on top left of all subsequent pages
REDUCING HOMOPHOBIA
inconsistent with APA style guidelines
The subject completed a questionnaire, was interviewed and participated in two focus groups.
consistent with APA style guidelines
The subject completed a questionnaire, was interviewed, and participated in two focus groups.
APA writing style is intended to improve the clarity and conciseness of wording and maintain a standard throughout all APA-related writing. For more on APA writing style, see chapter three of the Publication Manual.
inconsistent with APA style guidelines
The author reviewed the literature.
consistent with APA style guidelines
I reviewed the literature.
In order to maintain clarity and writing free from bias, APA requires authors to be specific, clear, and fair in their treatment of people in their writing.
inconsistent with APA style guidelines
A person with depression often has trouble sleeping; he also has a change in eating habits.
consistent with APA style guidelines
People with depression often have trouble sleeping; they also have a change in eating habits.
inconsistent with APA style guidelines
a schizophrenic
consistent with APA style guidelines
a person with schizophrenia
To help the reader, it is recommended to include headings throughout the paper. Each level has a different heading format.
Literature Review
Literature Review
Proponents of Emotional Intelligence
Opponents of Emotional Intelligence
Literature Review
Proponents of Emotional Intelligence
Theories prior to 1950. Text text text text
Theories after 1950. Text text text text
If you need more than three levels, consult the Publication Manual, section 3.03, or see the APA Style Blog entry on this topic.
References
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychological Association. (2012a). APA style. Retrieved from http://apastyle.org/
American Psychological Association. (2012b). APA style blog. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/
Seas, K., & Brizee, A. (2010) APA Style Workshop. Retrieved from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/664/01/