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The official APA Style website has a helpful guide for setting up and formatting a student paper (PDF).
The official APA Style website has a sample paper that demonstrates the student formatting.
All sources of information and data, whether quoted directly or paraphrased, need to be cited in the text of your paper.
A title page is typically required for all APA Style papers. Please check with your instructor for specific guidelines. Common elements of a title page include the paper title, the author(s) name(s), the institution's name, course name and number, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number.
Use 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides of the page.
Double-space your entire paper, including the References list and any block quotes.
APA allows for a variety of font choices. Please consult with your instructor. A font that is commonly used is 12-point Times New Roman.
If necessary, you can use the five possible levels of headings to organize your paper. The headings are organized by levels of subordination, and each section of the paper should start with the highest level of heading. Always use the headings in order, beginning with level 1. Additional information on headings can be found on the APA website.
| Level | Format |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Centered, Boldface, Title Case Heading Text starts a new paragraph. |
| 2 |
Flush left, Boldface, Title Case Heading Text starts a new paragraph. |
| 3 |
Flush Left, Boldface Italic, Title Case Heading Text starts a new paragraph. |
| 4 |
Indented, Boldface Title Case Heading Ending With a Period. Paragraph text continues on the same line as the same paragraph. |
| 5 |
Indented, Boldface Italic, Title Case Heading Ending With a Period. Paragraph continues on the same line as the same paragraph. |
The official APA Style website has a sample paper that demonstrates the student formatting.
Red Deer Polytechnic recognizes that our campus is situated on Treaty 7 land, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina and Stoney Nakoda peoples, and that the central Alberta region we serve falls under Treaty 6, traditional Métis, Cree and Saulteaux territory. We honour the First Peoples who have lived here since time immemorial, and we give thanks for the land where RDP sits. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.