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APA Common Issues and Format Tips: Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

The document provides an overview of common formatting issues when writing in APA style and includes tips for the general structure and layout of an APA formatted paper. It discusses the main sections of the paper including the title page, abstract, and reference pages. Specific formatting guidelines are provided for headings, in-text citations, quotes, and references. The document aims to help writers properly format their papers for APA style.

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kimmlisa
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49 views

APA Common Issues and Format Tips: Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

The document provides an overview of common formatting issues when writing in APA style and includes tips for the general structure and layout of an APA formatted paper. It discusses the main sections of the paper including the title page, abstract, and reference pages. Specific formatting guidelines are provided for headings, in-text citations, quotes, and references. The document aims to help writers properly format their papers for APA style.

Uploaded by

kimmlisa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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APA Common Issues

and
Format Tips

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)


General Format

Your manuscript should References

include four major sections:


Main Body

Abstract

Title page
General Format

•  Printed on standard-sized paper (8.5”x11”)


•  1” margins on all sides
•  12 pt. Times new roman or a similar font
•  Double-spaced
•  No extra spaces anywhere in article
•  Page header in the upper left-hand of every page
•  Page number in the upper right-hand side of every page
Title Page

Page header:
“Running head:
Title” (flush left)

Page number (flush right)

Title (in the upper half of


the page, centered)

Name (no title or degree)

Affiliation (university, etc.)


Abstract Page
Page header: do NOT
include “Running
head:”

Abstract: centered, at
the top of the page, do
not indent

Write a 150- to 250-


word summary of your
paper in an accurate,
concise, and specific
manner.
(Check journal word
count limit)
Main Body (Text)
•  Number the first text page as page number 3
•  Type and center the title of the paper centered, at the
top of the page
Headings
•  Levels of headings and their placement
o  There are 5 distinct headings (see Table 3.1, p. 62)
o  They must be used sequentially
•  For example you cannot jump from heading level 1 to level 3
o  Always have at least a paragraph between headings
In-Text Citations
One work by multiple authors:
•  2 authors
o  Smith and Jones (2008) or (Smith & Jones, 2008)
•  3 to 5 authors
o  1st citation:
•  Smith, Jones, Martin, Medeski, and Wood (2009) or
(Smith, Jones, Martin, Medeski, & Wood, 2009)
o  Subsequent citations:
•  Smith, et al. (2009) or (Smith et al., 2009)
•  6 or more authors
o  Smithers et al. (2011) or (Smithers et al., 2011)
In-Text Citations

Multiple works in one citation


•  Always alphabetical when there are multiple
authors
o  (Jones, 2011; Smith, 2009; Wood, 2007)

•  Always oldest to most recent if they are from the


same author(s)
o  (Smith, 2007; Smith, 2009; Smith, 2010) or
(Smith, 2007; 2009; 2010)
In-Text Citation with Quotes
Proper citation in the use of quotations
•  Your quotation is a full sentence, which ends the
sentence - always use a full citation (author,
year, page)
o  “Diabetes affects more than 285 million people
globally with 90% of the cases diagnosed as type 2
diabetes” (Cantrell, et al. 2010, p. 845).
Or
o  Cantrell, et al. (2010) report that 90% of the cases of
diabetes diagnosed in the world are type 2 diabetes,
which is approximately 285 million people (p. 845).
References Page
•  Center the title
(References) at the top of
the page. Do not bold it.

•  Double-space reference
entries

•  Flush left the first line of


the entry and indent
subsequent lines

•  Follow format for books,


journal articles, etc.
Sample References
•  Notice capitalization and punctuation rules
for books, journal articles, electronic articles,
etc.

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