1. APA

2. Formatting 1” margins Times New Roman font Double-spaced
Running head in all caps at top left of every page
Page number at top right of every page

3. Writing Style
Scientific writing does not have to lack style or be dull
Present findings directly, but in a way that conveys involvement in the problem
Address differing positions of researchers in a professional, non-combative way
Use specific and concise language
Avoid poetic or figurative language
Vary sentence length and complexity to add interest

4. Writing Style, cont’d
Maintain continuity and smoothness of expression with punctuation, transitions, consistent verb tense
Use third person, unless otherwise specified
Use active voice as much as possible
Be precise and clear
Don’t add words for the sake of length
Don’t repeat yourself for emphasis
Avoid colloquialisms, which weaken meaning
Avoid overusing jargon

5. Guidelines for Reducing Bias
Describe at the appropriate level of specificity
When in doubt, be more specific rather than less
Avoid terms that are loaded with innuendo, such as “at risk,” unless you are defining your use of the term.
Be specific and sensitive when describing or discussing age, racial groups, sexual orientation, marital status, disabilities, etc.

6. Guidelines for Reducing Bias, cont’d
Be sensitive to labels
Respect preferences – call people what they prefer to be called
Remember that preferences can change over time and that individuals within groups may disagree
Avoid labeling whenever possible
Labels can cause participants in a study to lose their individuality and/or personhood

7. Guidelines for Reducing Bias, cont’d
Acknowledge participation
Write about people in a way that acknowledges their participation and is consistent with the traditions of the field
Accepted terms include “participants” and “subjects”
Avoid the term “failed,” because it can imply a personal shortcoming rather than a research result

8. Essential Parts
Title Page
Abstract
Main Body
References

9. Title Page Running head Page number Centered on top half of the page:
Running head: TITLE OR SHORTENED TITLE
The words “Running head:” only appear on the title page. Subsequent pages will only include the title
Page number
Centered on top half of the page:
Title of Paper
Name
Institution Name

10. Abstract Running head and page number in header
“Abstract” centered on first line, first line of paragraph will not be indented
words, double-spaced
Brief, comprehensive summary of paper
Not an introduction to the paper
Will not contain citations

11. Main Body
Title centered on top of first page
Headings
Citations

12. Centered, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Headings
Used to separate sections of the paper and establish information hierarchy
Use in order, beginning with Level 1
Level 1
Centered, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Level 2
Left-aligned, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading

13. Headings Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
Indented, boldface, lowercase heading with a period.
Level 4
Indented, boldface, italicized, lowercase heading with a period.
Level 5
Indented, italicized, lowercase heading with a period.

14. In-Text Citations
Used whenever directly quoting or paraphrasing from another author’s work
When paraphrasing, use author, date format:
(Author last name, year)
A citation for a direct quote should also include a page number:
(Author, year, p. #)
Quotations 40 words or longer should be placed in a freestanding block
If no author is given, used a shortened version of the title in the citation

15. In-Text Citations
If the publication date is unknown, use “n.d.” in its place
For works with two authors, list both and use an ampersand: (Smith & Jones, 2010)
For works with 3 or more authors, list all in the first citation: (Smith, Jones, & Brown, 2010), in subsequent citations, list the first author and “et al.”: (Smith et al., 2010)
Classical works such as the Bible are only cited in-text. Include the reference and version used: (1 Cor. 13:1, Revised Standard Version)

16. References Include running head and page number
Center “References” at the top of the page
Every line after the first line of a reference entry should be indented one-half inch from the margin
References are listed in alphabetical order by author name
Authors are listed last name first, followed by first and middle initials

17. References
All titles except journal titles have only the first word capitalized
Always capitalize proper nouns
Capitalize the first word after a colon
Article titles do not use quotation marks, underlines, or italics
Book titles should be italicized

18. Reference List
Book
Author, A. A. (Publication Year). Title of work: Subtitle. Location: Publisher.
Separate multiple authors with commas
Up to 7 authors
For more than 7, follow with ellipsis (…), skip to last author, list final author
Use an ampersand (&) instead of the word “and”
Article in a periodical
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume # (issue #), page #s.

19. Reference List, cont’d Article from an online periodical (with DOI)
The digital object identifier (DOI) is a reference number assigned to online periodical content
Searchable in online databases (like an ISBN)
Author, A. A. (Date). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume # (issue #), pp-pp. doi:xx.xxxx

20. Reference List, cont’d Article from an online periodical (without DOI)
Author, A. A. (Date). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume # (issue #), pp-pp. Retrieved from
A web site
Author, A. A. (Date). Title of document. Retrieved from

21. APA Resources PowerPoint presentation APA Manual
APA Manual
Purdue’s Online Writing Lab

22. The Writing Centers Undergraduate Writing Center
Office hours: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm
(434)
Graduate Writing Center
Office hours: M-F, 9 am – 5 pm
(434)