APA,
5th ed. Format Information
(feel
free to print)
The following are only
highlights of what should be done in your papers, you are expected to refer to
your APA manual for details
“Main
Concepts”
Organization = outline format and
headers
Comparison = author views and subject
matter
Credibility = citations and research
"Parts of the
Manuscript"
* note: some mention will be made
for experimental papers *
Title
Page (separate page)
Title:
-
should summarize main idea of paper
- no
abbreviations
Author's Name and Institutional
Affiliation:
-
Author and Institution must be named
-
(without the words "by" or "from the")
-
Author's name (first, middle initial, and last name)
Page
Headers:
- an
abbreviation of the running head typically.
- flush
right above running head.
- to be
found on all pages of the paper except figure page
Running
Header:
- an
abbreviated all uppercase title that is printed at the
top flush left of the title page
only.
-
mainly for those to be published.
Abstract (separate
page)
- a
list of goals and/or objectives for the reader
- "will be able to.., to develop.., to
understand.., to learn..,
to appreciate.."
etc..
- list these prior to writing abstract
(it will help)
- brief
yet comprehensive summary of the lab/paper.
-
accurate, specific, non-evaluative, self-contained,
readable.
- a
paragraph, block style
Introduction (state hypothesis for
experimental papers only)
-
presents a specific problem or topic
- What is the point of the
study?
- How does the hypothesis and the
experimental design
relate to the
problem?
-
discuss the literature or background but do not include an
exhaustive historical
review.
- assume reader is knowledgeable in the
field of study.
- any
background requiring citation of and specific credit
to relevant earlier works is part of the
author's
scientific and scholarly
responsibility.
- state
the purpose and rationale of your research in the
closing paragraph(s) of the
introduction.
- state
your hypothesis (if your doing an experiment).
Method
(for experimental papers only)
-
describe in detail how the study was conducted
- identify participants, apparatus (or
materials, and
procedure
- include subheading for each
identification of the
method.
Results
(for experimental papers only)
-
summarize the data collected and any statistical
procedure.
-
briefly state the main results or findings
-
report the data in detail to justify the conclusions
- do
not include "raw" data
-
include table(s) and figure(s) only on figure page
following figure caption
page.
Text
-
discuss and elaborate on the topic.
-
compare and contrast author viewpoints and manage the text
using proper headers and
citations.
Discussion
-
evaluate and interpret results research.
- open
discussion with a clear statement of the support or
non-support for your
research.
- you
are free to examine, interpret, and qualify the
results of your research
here.
References
- all
citations must appear in the reference list, and all
references must be cited in
text.
- refer
to APA for citations.
Figure
Caption Page
*
discussed later
Figure
Page
*
discussed later
Appendix (for experimental papers,
mainly)
- used
mainly if some description of a certain material is
distracting in, or appropriate to, the
body of the paper.
-
include tests, questions, mathematical proofs, complex
equipment list, etc... used in the
research.
- not
figures, pictures, tables
"Expression"
The APA style of
writing is to do TWO MAIN things
1. Place your thoughts and research in
an orderly and
precise
fashion.
2. Express our authors' views by
collecting similar
research and comparing and/or contrasting it in your
paper.
"Strategies to Improve
Writing Style"
1. Writing an outline prior to putting
paper together.
2. Putting aside the first draft, then
rereading it after
a
delay
3. Asking a colleague to critique the
draft
*
Be aware of proper grammar
"Spelling"
* Do
not use a hyphen unless it serves a purpose.
- Mainly do not use a hyphen at the end
of a line, carry
the word into the next
line.
"Headings"
- Much
like an outline (I,II,III, A,B,C,D 1,2.. etc.)
- In
APA, headings function as an outline to reveal a
manuscript's
organization.
- Avoid having only one subsection
heading and subsection
within a section (just like an
outline).
- Use at least two subsection headings
within any given
section. (I w/ A and B = ok, I w/
A = no (leave A out))
- Regardless of the number of levels of
subheading within
a section, they should
always follow the same top-down
progression. Each section should start out with
the
highest level of heading
(Level 1)
- The exception is a 5 Level
paper
*
Unless told otherwise, this class will perform 3 Level
Reports
- Refer to APA for
variations of different level papers.
“Level Construction:
Headers and Sub-headers”
The
following are the rules and examples of each level
heading:
Level
1:
Centered Uppercase and Lowercase
Heading
Level
2:
Centered, Italicized, Uppercase and
Lowercase Heading
Level
3:
Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase
and Lowercase Side Heading
Level
4:
Indented,
italicized, uppercase only first letter of first word, lowercase paragraph
heading ending with a period.
Level
5:
CENTERED UPPERCASE
HEADING
"For This
Class"
Level 3
Paper: Level 1, 3, and 4
Headings
*
general concept is that you should have more level 3 than level 1 and even fewer
level 4 headings
Level 3
Paper: (w/o citations)
The Circulatory
System
The
Heart
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Anatomy of the
heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Physiology of the
heart. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. xxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Blood
Vessels
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Microscopic
anatomy. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Gross anatomy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. xxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Physiology.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Lung
System
The
Lungs
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
xxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
etc.....
"Quotations"
-
Incorporate a short quotation (fewer than 40 words) in the
text, and enclose the quotation with
double quotation
marks.
-
Display a quotation of 40 or more words in a free-standing
block of typewritten lines, and omit the
quotation marks.
- Start such a "block quotation" on a
new line, and indent
it 5 spaces from the left
margin.
-
Everything is doubled spaced (DS)
"Numbers"
-
Numbers below 10 that do not represent precise measurements (ie.
5-mg
dose or 2.22 cm) must be written out (ie.
two words that mean, or three
conditions)
"Metrication"
- All
papers are to use metric
- Use
of metric abbreviations is alright
"Reference
Page"
-
Specifically support a particular article (not
bibliographies)
- bibs. cite works for background (not
true purpose of APA)
-
Should have: author, year of publication, title,
publishing data for library
search
-
Include accents or other special marks, and to completeness of
journal
titles, year, volume numbers, and page
numbers.
-
DS
- No
"footnotes" to be included in your APA paper
- p 189
for a complete reference guide.
* see handout for electronic reference
(ie. internet)
"Figure Caption
Page"
- Must
have a separate Figure Caption Page prior to reference
- Used
to explain figures; (not necessary of tables)
"Figures"
- May
be a chart, graph, photograph, drawing, or other depiction on
the
figure page.
- Label
each figure on the figure page (ie. Figure 1.)
-
Number all figures consecutively with Arabic numerals
throughout paper (ie. Figure 1, Figure
2)
ie. ....as shown in Figure 2, the
relationships are.....
- Do not write "the figure above/below"
or "the figure on
page
12,"
- Place
the Arabic numeral figure as close to the depiction
as possible, but never on the
face.
"Appendixes"
(if
necessary)
-
Common kinds of appendixes include large tables, lists of
words, a sample questionnaire, a
computer program.
- If
paper has one appendix, label it Appendix ; more than
one label them Appendix A, Appendix B,
etc...
- The
label should be 1" from the top and centered
"Manuscript
Preparation"
- mechanical details
-
Paper
- 8 1/2
x 11 in.
- Heavy
white bond paper
- No
half sheets or strips of paper glued, taped, or stapled
to the pages
- No
onionskin
Typeface
- Times
Roman, American Typewriter, Courier
- Underlining on a paper indicates type
that is to be set
in italics. (underline means no
italic)
Double-Spacing
- One
full-size line blank between each line
-
Double space after each line in the title, headings,
quotations,
references, figure captions, and all
parts of tables. (no single-spacing)
Margins
- 1 in.
(2.54 cm) at the top, bottom, right, and left of every
page.
Line
Length and Alignment
- Line
length is 6 1/2 in.
- Do
not right-justify
- Use
the flush-left style, and leave the right margin uneven.
- Do
not divide words at the end of the a line (no hyphenation)
- Do
not exceed 27 lines of text per page.
Order of Manuscript
Pages "for NON-Experimental Papers"
Title
Page (title, author's name, institutional affiliation,
and running head), separate page,
numbered page 1
Abstract (separate page, numbered
page 2)
Introduction with Text
Following
- start
on a separate page, numbered page 3, etc...
-
include headers/subheaders
Discussion
- do
not start on a separate page
Reference
Page
- start
on a separate page)
Appendix(es)
- start
each on a separate page
- for
experimental papers, mainly.
Figure
Caption Page
- list
all, starting on a separate page
Figures
- place
each on a separate page; no page headers/#'s
Page
Numbers and Page Headers
-
Number should appear at least 1 in (2.54 cm) from the
right-hand edge of the
page.
-
Arabic numerals only (no 2a or 3b, etc...)
Manuscript page
headers
- The first two or three words from the
title in the upper
right-hand corner above or
five spaces to the left of
the page
number:
ie.
Neurons
2
Corrections
- Do
not write corrections on the paper.
- Use
correction paper, fluid, or tape to cover and type over an
error.
- No
type covers, inserts, or vertically in the margins.
- Limit
3 per page, otherwise do page over.
Paragraphs and
Indention
-
Indent the first line of every paragraph 5 spaces.
-
Remaining lines are uniform left-hand margin.
-
Exceptions: - The abstract
- Block quotations
- Titles and headings
- Table titles and notes and figure captions
Uppercase and
Lowercase
- Means
to capitalize the first letter of important words
Headings
- *
Level 3 (p. 290 for detailed information)
Spacing
and Punctuation
- Space
once after all punctuations
-
Exception, do not space after internal periods in abbreviations
(ie. a.m., or i.e,)
-
double space the entire paper.
Seriation
- Use
lowercase letters in parenthesis:
ie. ..... consider (a) some alternative
courses of action,
(b) the factors....
- To
indicate seriation of separate paragraphs (ie. itemize, steps),
number each paragraph with an Arabic
numeral, followed by a period
but not enclosed in or followed by
parenthesis:
ie.
1. Begin
with paragraph indent. Type second and
succeeding lines flush left.
2. The
second item begins a new paragraph.
Instructions for Typing
the Parts of the Paper
Title
Page
- Need:
Running Head, Page Header, Page Number(s) Title, Byline, and
Date
Running Head - Abbreviation of the title
usually
- Flush left at the top of the title page
(but below the manuscript page header, DS)
in all UPPERCASE letters (except for the term
Running head which should be Uppercase only the
"R".
Page Header - Abbreviation of running
head usually
- Flush right, 5 spaces from page number.
- Uppercase and lowercase.
- Place on all pages except (figure page(s))
Title - Uppercase and lowercase,
centered on the page.
- If
two or more lines, DS
Byline - Name of author, centered on
page, one DS below title.
- Institutional affiliation, centered under the author's name,
one DS below author's name.
- Date has a fully spelled out month, then numbered day and
year, centered
Page Number - Flush right, 1 inch
from top and 1 inch
from right side.
- Place on all pages except (figure page(s))
Abstract
- New
page, page header, page number 2 in the upper right-hand
corner.
-
Type: Abstract , in uppercase and
lowercase, centered, at the top of
the
page, DS from page
header.
- To be
a single paragraph in "block format"
- Do
not exceed 960 characters. (~120 words)
-
DS
Text
-
Introduction "as level 1 header" (opt.); but encouraged.
- New
page, page header, page number 3 in the upper right-hand
corner.
- Type
title of paper centered at the tope of the page (1
in. from the top), DS, then begin
text
- Do
not start a new page when a new heading occurs; for ie., do not
begin the Method section on a new page
(for experiment papers only).
- Each
remaining pages should also carry the page header and page
number.
* Note:
When referencing with in the text, author or author's last name, comma, year in
parentheses(period at the end if at the end of a
sentence).
ie.
.... in this study by (Butler, 2002) it was ...
References
- New
page, Type the word: References, in
uppercase and lowercase,
centered, at the top of the
page.
- DS
all references
-
Alphabetical
-
Indent the first line of each entry five spaces, the same
as a paragraph
text.
- Works
with No Author, do the following:
Cite in text the title and the year. Use
double quotation marks around the title of an article or chapter ; underline the
title of the periodical, book, brochure, or report. ie.
... on free care ("Study Finds," 1989)
the book College Bound Students (2001) ....
Figure
Caption
- Place
the title "Figure Caption" centered, DS under
page header.
-
Describe Figure by have the Figure 1. , italicized and
flush left, begin description (block
style)
-
ie.
Figure 1. Relationship of smoking on
body metabolism in young adults.
Figure
Page
- Place
graph in center of page
-
Graphs should make use of space on paper well
- If
copying, avoid "dark area/lines"
-
Neatly done and professional
- Tape
or glue not accepted
- One
graph per page
- no
page numbers or page headers
Appendixes (if
necessary)
- DS,
begin each one on a separate page
- Type
the word: Appendix , and the
identifying capital
letters
(A,B, etc., in order in which type are
in text)centered at top of page.
- DS, indent the first 5 spaces and
begin the text of the appendix.
- If figures are to be included in an
appendix, number them separately
from any text figures, beginning with 1
and preceding the numeral
with letter of the appendix
in which the figure belongs (ie. 3 figures
on one appendix,(1A, 2A,
3A)
See Sample APA paper
under “Research Menu”