Mastering APA Style Formatting Guide: 7th Edition

This video describes APA Style in detail. Certainly! APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences and provides guidelines for formatting and citing sources. Here’s a concise overview of key APA formatting elements with examples:

APA Style Formatting Overview
1. General Formatting
Font and Size: Use a legible font like Times New Roman, 12-point size.
Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the entire document, including the title page, abstract, body, and references.
Page Numbers: Place page numbers in the top right corner of each page, starting from the title page.
Alignment: Left-align text and use a ragged right edge. Do not justify text.
2. Title Page
Title: Center the title, bold it, and use title case (capitalize major words).
Author’s Name: Center the author's name below the title.
Institutional Affiliation: Center the institutional affiliation (e.g., university name) below the author's name.
Running Head: Include a running head (shortened version of the title) in the header on the title page, aligned to the left, in all caps, along with the page number. Example: Running head: SHORT TITLE OF PAPER.
3. Abstract
Placement: The abstract should be on a new page, following the title page.
Format: Center the word "Abstract" at the top of the page (not bolded).
Content: Provide a brief summary (150-250 words) of the paper’s main points and findings.
4. Headings
Levels of Headings:
Level 1: Centered, bold, title case (e.g., Introduction)
Level 2: Left-aligned, bold, title case (e.g., Background Information)
Level 3: Left-aligned, bold, italicized, title case (e.g., Historical Context)
Level 4: Indented, bold, title case, ends with a period (e.g., Key Findings.)
Level 5: Indented, bold, italicized, title case, ends with a period (e.g., Future Research.)
5. In-Text Citations
Single Author: (Author, Year)
Example: (Smith, 2020)
Two Authors: (Author1 & Author2, Year)
Example: (Smith & Johnson, 2020)
Three or More Authors: (Author1 et al., Year)
Example: (Smith et al., 2020)
Direct Quotes: Include the page number in the citation.
Example: (Smith, 2020, p. 15)
6. Reference List
Placement: On a new page, titled "References" centered at the top.
Format: Use a hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches).
Order: List entries alphabetically by the last name of the first author.
Examples of Reference List Entries
Books:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book: Subtitle if applicable. Publisher.
Example: Smith, J. A. (2020). Understanding psychology: An overview. Academic Press.

Journal Articles:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), page range. https://doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyy
Example: Brown, L. B., & Green, C. R. (2021). Cognitive development in early childhood. Journal of Child Psychology, 45(3), 245-259. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000167

Webpages:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of webpage. Website Name. URL
Example: Johnson, M. (2023, July 15). The impact of social media on communication. Digital Trends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/social-...

Key Points to Remember
Consistency: Ensure consistent application of formatting rules throughout the document.
Clarity: Use clear and concise language to enhance readability.
Accuracy: Double-check citations and references for accuracy and completeness.
By adhering to these guidelines, you ensure that your work is presented in a professional and standardized manner, facilitating easier reading and evaluation.
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