APA Citation & Formatting: APA Paper Format

Document Format

Header

• running head no longer needed for student papers unless requested by the professor
• header for student paper contains page number flush with top right margin

Font

• accessible and consistent throughout the paper
• sans serif font such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
• serif font such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or 10-point Computer Modern

Spacing

• paper double-spaced throughout, no extra line spacing after headers or between paragraphs
• exception: blank line between title paper and byline on title page
• one-inch margins on all sides of the page

Alignment

• align text to left margin and leave the right margin uneven
• indent first line only of each paragraph one-half inch from left margin

Order of Pages

Title Page

Center the following information in the middle of your first page:

• Title of the paper in bold font, 3 double-space lines from the top
• One blank line space
• Your name (names of all authors if more than one)
• Author affiliation (name of your college)
• Course number and name
• Instructor's name (and title if they require it)
• Assignment due date

Abstract

Not generally required for student papers, but if required by your instructor, start on a separate page:

• Center and bold the title Abstract
• Write a paragraph (not indented) summarizing your paper

Main Body

• Start on a new page and center the title at the top in bold font
• Indent each new paragraph one-half inch

References

• Start on a new page and center the heading References in bold font
• Each entry in the list should have a hanging indent of one-half inch
• Create an entry for every work you cited in your paper
• Arrange the list alphabetically by author's last name, corporate author name, or title of the work when no author is identified

APA Student Paper: Title Page

APA Paper: Main Body

APA Paper: Reference List