Working With Headings Standard and Descriptive Headings

APA Titles Headings help organize a paper in meaningful topics. APA style makes provision for five levels of headings, but in a complex hierarchy that changes depending on the number of headings used. Three levels are consistent in their order of use and these are usually adequate for most papers. These are labeled levels A, B, and C below, corresponding to APA levels 1, 3, and 4. The APA Manual does not suggest using a bold font for headings, although published articles often do, thereby adding clarity to the organization of a paper.

Scientific Research Papers  Abstract  The summary should be two hundred words or less. See the examples in the writing portfolio package.  Introduction  Your introductions should not exceed two pages (double spaced, typed).  Materials and Methods  There is no specific page limit, but a key concept is to keep this section as concise as you possibly can.  Results  The page length of this section is set by the amount and types of data to be reported. Continue to be concise, using figures and tables, if appropriate, to present results most effectively.  Discussion  Interpret your data in the discussion in appropriate depth. This means that when you explain a phenomenon you must describe mechanisms that may account for the observation. If your results differ from your expectations, explain why that may have happened. If your results agree, then describe the theory that the evidence supported. It is never appropriate to simply state that the data agreed with expectations, and let it drop at that. From:

Descriptive Subheadings  Allow yourself to organize your work with subheadings that actually say something about your work.  Which of the two is more descriptive?  Topic: Having it all? Can You Be a Father and a CEO  “Review of Literature”  “What Researchers Can Tell Us About Parenting as a CEO”  It is important to note this: SUBTITLES ARE OFTEN RESTRICTED BY THE AUDIENCE THAT YOU ARE WRITING FOR. THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY TO DO THIS.

Subheading Challenge  Take some time to come up with what seem, at this point, to be the subheadings that you will use.  If you have time, break down the major subheading by adding further heads— using nouns only.