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.
Cited Sources (8.1-8.6)
All sources of information and data, whether quoted directly or paraphrased, need to be cited in the text of your paper.
Title page (2.3)
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.
Margins (2.22)
Use 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides of the page.
Line Spacing (2.21)
Double-space your entire paper, including the References list and any block quotes.
Font (2.19)
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.
Page Numbers (2.18) and Running Head (2.8)
- Once your paper is complete, number the pages consecutively on the top right corner of the page, beginning with the title page.
- A running head is not required for student works. Please consult with your instructor to determine if a running head is required for a particular assignment.
- If your instructor requires a running head, please follow this format: on the title page and all subsequent pages, use the format "EXAMPLE OF TITLE" (without quotation marks) to highlight a portion of the title of your assignment. You do not have to write the words "Running head" before the header. The running head should be no more than 50 characters in length. You can see an example on p. 50 of the Manual (7th ed.).
Headings (2.27)
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.
|
