How to Start Writing an APA-Style Paper

How to Start Writing an APA-Style Paper Student Resources APA Style and Writing Print How to Write an APA-Style Paper By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on November 25, 2019 Kevin Dodge / Blend Images / Getty Images More in Student Resources APA Style and Writing Study Guides and Tips Careers If you are taking a psychology class,you might very likely be asked by your instructor to write an APA paper at some point. What exactly is an APA paper? This is simply a written paper that follows APA format, the official writing format of the American Psychological Association. If you’ve never written an APA paper before, the formatting rules and guidelines can seem daunting and difficult at first. You might be used to writing papers in another format such as MLA or Chicago style, so it might take some time to get the hang of writing in APA format. Although your instructor may have other specific formatting requirements for you to follow, here are some general guidelines for how to write an APA paper. General Rules of APA Format First, start by observing some of the standard rules of APA format. Use standard-sized paper of 8.5 inches by 11 inches, and always use a 1-inch margin on all sides.?? Your paper should always be typed, double-spaced and in a 12-point font. Times New Roman is one recommended font to use.?? Every page of your paper should also include a page header on the top left of the page as well as a page number on the top right of the page. 12 Basic Rules for APA Format Sections of Your APA Paper The exact structure of your paper will vary somewhat depending upon the type of paper you have been asked to write. For example, a lab report might be structured a bit differently than a case study or critique paper. A lab report will include extra sections details the method, results, and discussion related to your experiment or study.?? No matter what type of APA paper you are writing, you should include four key sections: a title page, an abstract, the main body of the paper and a reference section.?? Title Page: Your title page should contain a running head, the title of the paper, your name and your school affiliation. This page provides important details for your readers, so it is important to learn how to write a title that accurately yet briefly relates your papers theme.Abstract: The abstract is a very short summary of your paper. This section is placed immediately after the title page. According to the rules of APA format, your abstract should be no more than 150 to 250 words. However, your instructor may issue specific requirements about the length and content of your abstract, so always check with instructions and grading rubric provided for your APA paper.??Body: The exact format of this section can vary depending upon the type of paper you are writing. For example, if you are writing a lab report, the main body will include an introduction, a method section, a results section, and a discussion section. Check with your instructor for more specific information on what to include in the main body of your APA paper.Reference Section: The reference section is where you include any and all references that were used to write your APA paper. Remember, if you cited something in the main body of your paper, it must be included in the reference section. This section should begin on a new page, with the word “References” centered at the very top of the page. . More Tips on Writing APA Papers While writing an APA paper may seem difficult or confusing, start by breaking it down into more manageable steps. As you research your topic, creating an outline and a working bibliography can help you structure your paper and keep track of all of the references you use. Begin by doing your research and writing your paper, but be sure to keep a careful record of all your references. Next, write the abstract section of your paper only after you are completely finished writing your paper. Finally, put all of your references together and create a title page. Once you have completed these steps, spend a little time editing your paper and reviewing your finished APA paper to be sure that all of the formatting is accurate. If you need additional help with APA format, consider purchasing a copy of the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.??