HOW TO WRITE AN APA STYLE ESSAY?
Added: (Mon Aug 17 2009)
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APA is commonly known as AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION style of documentation, mostly used in social sciences. APA style is amended according to the 6th edition of APA Manual of the American Psychological Association. APA style essay gives details of the following elements:
Names and order of headings
Organization and formatting of references and citations
Arrangement of tables
Arrangement of footnotes
Arrangement of figures and appendices
Arrangement of manuscript and documentation features
APA style provides guidelines of citations for both electronic and print resources which include:
CHAPTER 1: Documentation Guidelines:
Margins: One inch on all sides
Alignment: Flush left (creating uneven right margin)
Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the essay, includes:
Title page
Abstract
Body of the document
Footnotes
References
Appendixes
Tables and figures
Punctuation and Spacing: Space once after:
Colons
Commas and semicolons within sentences
Give two spaces after punctuation ending sentences
Paragraph Indentation: 5-8 spaces
Running Head: The running head is a short title that appears at the top of the pages of a paper or published article. It should not exceed 40 to 50 characters, including punctuation and spacing
Pagination: The page number appears one inch from the right edge of the paper on the first line of every page
Order of Pages:
Title Page
Abstract
Body
References
Appendixes
Footnotes
Tables
Figures
Font Size and Type: Times New Roman font 12-pt
CHAPTER 2: Title Page
Pagination: Page 1
Key Elements
Paper Title
Author(s)
Institutional affiliation
CHAPTER 3: Abstract: It is one-paragraph summary of essential elements of the paper.
Pagination: Page 2
Heading
Format: Word limit is between 150 and 250 words. All numbers in the essay should be typed as digits rather than words
CHAPTER 4: BODY:
Pagination: Page 3
Title
Introduction
Headings
Main headings
Subheadings
Some examples of citation are as follows:
Single author:
Chang (2007) discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.
Two authors:
Chang and Paul (1996) discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.
Three to five authors:
Chang, Paulin and Mak (1990) conducted a study that discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.
Chang et al. (1990) discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.
A recent study found a possible genetic cause of smoking (Chang et al., 2005).
Multiple publications, same author:
Recent studies have found a possible genetic cause of smoking (Lie, 1990, 2002a, 2004b).
Lie (1990, 2002a, 2004b) has conducted studies that have discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.
Above are the essential elements of APA style essay. Preparing a good APA style essay requires lot of work and effort. By following the above guidelines, one can easily write a good APA style essay.