Do you need to write an APA essay but have no idea about the formatting rules? You’re not alone, as many students have the same questions when starting. We’ll share all the details of the APA essay format to help you understand the rules, so you can write an essay that has the correct line spacing, APA citations, and abstract page.
Furthermore, we’ll also share the top examples of what to avoid when writing in APA format. This ensures that you don’t make the big mistakes that can affect your final grade.
Keep reading to learn more about the rules you must follow when using the APA essay format.
What Is an APA Format Essay?
The APA format is a style guide commonly used in social sciences for writing academic papers. The American Psychological Association, a US-based scientific and professional organization representing psychologists, developed this style.
Here is an overview of the key points you need to know when learning what is an APA essay format:
- Title page: Includes the title of the paper, author’s name, and institutional affiliation. For student papers, it also includes a course number and instructor’s name.
- Abstract: A summary of the research. It’s usually around 150-250 words and outlines the main points and conclusions.
- Main body: Consists of an introduction, method, results, and discussion sections. Each section is clearly labeled and organized to present research findings in a way that has a clear flow.
- Headings and subheadings: Use specific levels of headings to organize content hierarchically and make it easier to navigate.
- In-text citations: Cite sources within the text using the author-date method, for example, “Smith, 2020,” which links to a detailed reference list at the end.
- References: List all sources cited in the paper, format with hanging indents, and organize alphabetically by the author’s last name.
- Formatting: Standard 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced lines, and one-inch margins on all sides.
How To Write An Essay in APA Format
Now let’s focus on learning how to write an essay in APA format. This process will take you from start to finish and ensure that you have the correct formatting for the APA style. Beginners can use these APA guidelines to get good results in an academic setting.
1. Title Page
You’ll need to start the essay with the APA format cover page (or title page), which sets the stage for your essay. Center the title of your paper by using bold 12-point Times New Roman font. Below it, center your name and institutional affiliation. Here, you can include course information, the instructor’s name, and the due date if required.
Furthermore, ensure the title is concise and descriptive for best results. You can look at professional papers to get an idea of how to do this. Then, place a running head in the header. This will include a shortened version of the title (50 characters or less) and the page number aligned right.
2. Abstract
On a new page, include the abstract, which provides a summary of your essay. Make sure to center the word “Abstract” in bold at the top of the page to align with the APA format. The abstract itself should be a single paragraph, between 150-250 words. Furthermore, it needs to summarize the main points of the research problem, methods, results, and conclusion.
Avoid citations and detailed explanations, and instead focus on conveying the essence of your paper. The abstract helps readers quickly understand the scope of your research without having to delve deeper into the APA paper.
3. Main Body
Start the main body of your essay on a new page. Make sure to center the full title of your paper in bold at the top of the page. The body includes several sections, which are typically introduction, method, results, and discussion.
In the introduction, outline the research paper question and context. Then in the the method section describe your research process. You’ll need to present your findings in the results section and analyze them in the Discussion.
Make sure to use APA’s heading styles to organize your content to ensure clarity and flow. Finally, don’t forget to make the text double-spaced and margins set to one inch on all sides. APA format headings are important and something students often overlook.
4. References
After the main body, start a new page for References. Begin the APA formatting of this section by centering and bolding the word “References” at the top of the page. Make sure to list all sources cited in your essay in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. You can use a hanging indent to get the APA style correct. This means you flush the first line left and indent subsequent lines 0.5 inches.
Additionally, each reference entry should include the author’s name, publication year, title, and source details. To get this right, follow APA citation format rules carefully to provide complete and accurate source information. This ensures you give proper credit and allows readers to locate your sources.
5. In-Text Citations
Throughout your essay, use in-text citations to credit sources. APA format uses the author-date system. Hence, include the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses after the cited information.
For direct quotes, add page numbers like in the following example: Smith, 2020, p. 15. If the author’s name is part of the sentence, then include only the year in parentheses. Ensure that every in-text citation matches a corresponding reference on the References page. It’s important to maintain academic integrity by allowing readers to verify your sources for professional and student papers alike.
6. Appendices
If your essay includes supplementary material, then add an Appendix on new pages following the References. Make sure to title each appendix with the word “Appendix” followed by a letter (e.g., Appendix A) if there are multiple appendices. Furthermore, you’ll need to center and bold the title of each appendix.
Include detailed tables, figures, or extra data in an appendix to support your findings without overloading the main text. This will give your essay or professional paper a better writing flow.
Finally, refer to each appendix in the text. You can use the search function in word processing software to find specific text references.
How To Cite an Essay in APA Format
In this section, we discuss the process you need to follow when learning how to cite an essay in APA format. The American Psychological Association added these rules to make the APA writing format offer better structure. It also helps readers quickly identify data sources as they move between professional journals.
The Basics
In an APA-style paper, use brief in-text sentences to cite sources and guide readers to them. You’ll typically include in-text citations for the APA style format paper with every quote, to ensure there’s no plagiarism.
Furthermore, the general formatting rules state that you will need to use the author’s last name and year of the publication. This is also referred to as the author-date system. Furthermore, if you want to cite a particular part, then you can use a timestamp or page number.
Parenthetical vs. Narrative Citation
There are two main forms that your in-text citation can take: parenthetical or narrative. Here is an example of the differences between them:
- Parenthetical citation: According to the latest industry trends… (Jones, 2024).
- Narrative citation: Jones (2024) states that the latest industry trends…
Multiple Authors and Corporate Authors
You may need to cite multiple or corporate authors, depending on the nature of the student papers you’re working on. Here is the format for parenthetical citations:
- One author: (Jones, 2024)
- Two authors: (Jones & Adams, 2024)
- 3+ authors: (Jones et al., 2024)
- Organization: (Brand Name, 2024)
Now let’s look at the narrative citation version:
- One author: Jones (2024)
- Two authors: Jones & Adams (2024)
- 3+ authors: Smith et al. (2024)
- Organization: Brand Name (2024)
APA Format Essay Examples: What To Avoid
Now we will explore some of the APA format essay examples of mistakes you shouldn’t make. This ensures that you hit the ground running with your project and get top grades.
Here are the top writing mistakes to avoid when using the APA format:
- Improper citations: Failing to cite sources correctly can lead to accusations of plagiarism. Therefore, ensure every source is properly referenced in both in-text citations and the reference list. Therefore, avoid using incorrect formats or incomplete details. For instance, not including page numbers for direct quotes or omitting publication years can compromise the integrity of your work.
- Inconsistent formatting: Inconsistency in formatting undermines the professionalism of your essay. Therefore, make sure you have uniform margins, font type, and size (like capital letters and upper and lowercase letters) throughout. Additionally, the headings should follow APA style precisely, and there should be consistency in line spacing and indentation. Deviations from these guidelines can distract readers and detract from the essay’s credibility.
- Neglecting title page requirements: The title page is crucial in APA format. Hence, avoid omitting necessary elements like the title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation. Also, the running head and page number should be present. Missing these elements can cause confusion and give an impression of negligence in your formatting.
- Overuse of direct quotes: Relying too heavily on direct quotes indicated by quotation marks can detract from your original analysis and insight. Instead, paraphrase and summarize where possible, and use direct quotes sparingly to support your points. Overuse can make your essay appear less original and more reliant on the work of others.
- Incorrect reference list formatting: Format each entry in the reference list according to APA guidelines to avoid incorrect formatting. You’ll need to avoid common mistakes like incorrect indentation, incorrect use of italics, or missing elements. For example, italicize book titles and leave article titles in plain text.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I format the title page in APA?
The APA title page includes the paper’s title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation. Also, center and double-space the title page of the APA paper. For student papers, it also includes the course number, instructor’s name, and due date.
Additionally, a running head with a shortened title and page number appears in the header. Make sure that the title is concise and descriptive, with the major words capitalized. This will lead to the best page header for your project.
What is the proper way to format the reference list in APA style?
The reference list should be formatted with a hanging indent. This means the first line of each reference is flush left, with subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches. Furthermore, arrange references alphabetically by the author’s last name.
Additionally, use italics for titles of books and journals and proper sentence case for titles of articles and chapters. Ensure consistency throughout to ensure you have comparable quality to professional papers.
How should I structure the main body of an APA essay?
The main body begins on a new page with the title of the paper centered and bolded. It should include an introduction, method, results, and discussion sections. Also, the APA format must include heading styles.
The text should be double-spaced with one-inch margins, and using 12-point Times New Roman font. Furthermore, organize content logically and clearly by using headings for different sections. Make sure that your APA paper doesn’t have the body on the title page.
Can I use tables and figures in APA format?
Yes, APA format allows the use of tables and figures to present data clearly. Each table or figure should be labeled and accompanied by a title. Furthermore, place tables and figures after the references page.
Additionally, refer to each table or figure in the text and ensure they are formatted according to APA guidelines. This includes proper spacing and alignment for best results with the content.
What should I do if there is no author listed for a source?
If no author is listed, use the title of the work in place of the author’s name. For in-text citations, use the first few words of the reference list entry and the publication year.
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You’ve just finished your essay, and now you face the daunting task of citing all of your sources. Not only that, but the essay guidelines state that you must cite your references in the correct formatting! MLA, APA, what does it all mean!?
Fear not, we’ve written this super simple guide on the differences between MLA vs APA citations. We’ll cover what they are, when to use them, and why to use them. Let’s dive in!
MLA vs APA: The Key Differences
When writing any academic paper, you have to cite your sources. Failure to do so could possibly lead to penalties for plagiarism. The very last thing you want after hours spent behind your laptop!
Two of the most common citation styles are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association). MLA format is mainly used for humanities subjects, such as English, Literature, and Arts. While on the other hand, the APA format is used for social sciences topics, like Psychology, Sociology, and Education.
Both MLA and APA are used in academic writing, but they serve different purposes and have distinct rules. Let’s break those down below.
Title Page
APA format requires a title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institution’s name.
The MLA format does not require a separate title page. Instead, your name, instructor’s name, course, and date are placed at the top of the first page.
In-Text Citations
MLA citations include the author’s last name and page number. APA citations include the author’s last name and year of publication, and the page number if quoting directly.
Works Cited vs References
The MLA format lists sources on a “Works Cited” page, while the APA format lists them on a “References” page.
Now that you have an overview of the differences between MLA and APA, let’s take a deep dive into each style.
MLA Format
MLA format is mostly used to credit sources in humanities papers. It helps in giving proper credit to authors and provides readers with a way to find the original sources. You’re essentially giving credit where it’s due to the author of the information you got your idea, fact, or statistic from.
In-Text Citations
In MLA style, you use parenthetical citations in the text. These include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken.
Example:
(Smith 123)
If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, only the page number is needed in the citation. So the above becomes:
Smith states that… (123).
Works Cited Page
At the end of the paper, the MLA format requires a “Works Cited” page. This page lists all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
Example:
Smith, John. The Art of Citation. New York: Citation Press, 2020.
MLA Formatting Guidelines
When using MLA in your essays or papers, consider the following:
- Double-space your entire paper, including the Works Cited page.
- Use a legible font like Times New Roman, size 12.
- Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.
- Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph at one half-inch from the left margin.
APA Format
Unlike MLA, the APA format is largely used for academic writing in Social Sciences. It helps ensure clarity of communication and provides a consistent structure for citing sources. Again, clarifying to the reader that you are not claiming any statistics as your own findings!
In-Text Citations
In APA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If directly quoting, include the page number as well.
Example:
(Smith, 2020, p. 123)
If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, include the year in parentheses immediately after the author’s name. So the above becomes:
Smith (2020) states that…
References Page
The APA format requires a “References” page at the end of your paper. This page lists all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. New York, NY: Citation Press.
APA Formatting Guidelines
If you are using APA style in your essay, keep in mind the following:
- Double-space your entire paper, including the References page.
- Use a legible font like Times New Roman, size 12.
- Include a page header (also known as the “running head”) at the top of every page.
- Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph at one half-inch from the left margin.
MLA Style and Parenthetical Citations
The MLA style uses parenthetical citations within the text to credit sources. The citations include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken.
Works Cited Entries
Entries in the Works Cited page are formatted with the author’s last name first. This is followed by the first name, the title of the source, and publication information.
Example:
Smith, John. The Art of Citation. Citation Press, 2020.
Title Case
In MLA format, titles of sources are capitalized in title case, meaning the first letter of most words is capitalized.
Quotation Marks
For titles of short works like articles, essays, and short stories, the MLA format uses quotation marks.
Example:
Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Journal*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-134.*
APA and In-Text Citation Style
The APA style uses author-date citations within the text to credit sources. These citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication.
References Page
Entries within the References page are formatted with the author’s last name first. This is then followed by the first initial, the year of publication, the title of the source, and publication information.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.
Sentence Case
In APA format, the titles of sources are capitalized in sentence case. This means only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
Title Page
The APA format requires a separate title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institution’s name.
Italics
For titles of books, movies, and journals, the APA format uses italics.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.
Journal Articles
When citing journal articles in APA format, include the volume and issue number, and the page range.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Journal, 10(2), 123-134.
MLA Examples
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the formatting differences between MLA and APA. Take a look at a few examples of MLA citations below. Have a think about what would be different if they were formatted in APA.
- Book: Smith, John. The Art of Citation. Citation Press, 2020.
- Article: Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Journal*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-134.*
- Webpage or PDF: Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Press, 2020, www.citationpress.com/art-of-citation.
APA Examples
Here are a few examples of APA citations. Do the same as before and think about what these APA examples would look like in MLA format.
- Book: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.
- Article: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Journal, 10(2), 123-134.
- Webpage or PDF: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press. Retrieved from www.citationpress.com/art-of-citation
Frequently Asked Questions
What are in-text citations?
In-text citations are brief references within the text that give credit to the original sources of information.
How do you format the title page in MLA?
In MLA format, you do not need a separate title page. Instead, place your name, instructor’s name, course, and date at the top of the first page.
How do you format the title page in APA?
In APA format, you need a separate title page that includes the title of the paper. Follow with the author’s name and the institution’s name.
How do you cite a book in MLA format?
Cite a book in the MLA format by listing the author’s last name, first name, and the title of the book in italics. Always include the publication information.
How do you cite a book in APA format?
Cite a book in APA format by listing the author’s last name, first initial, the year of publication in parentheses. Follow this with the title of the book in italics, and the publication information.
MLA vs APA Citation Style: Use Smodin and Excel in Both
There you have it— a thorough but simple breakdown of MLA vs APA citation. Understanding the differences between MLA and APA citation styles is crucial for academic writing. The last thing you want is to be pulled up for self-plagiarism, all because you didn’t use the correct citation formatting!
Just to remind you, MLA is commonly used in Humanities topics while APA is used in Social Sciences. Both APA and MLA ensure that sources are credited properly and that readers can find the original sources.
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