If you're psychology student or taking a psychology class, it is very likely that your professor will ask you to write down an APA referencing paper at some point. Do you know what is exactly APA paper or APA referencing style? There are many referencing styles out there. One of the most used ones is The American Psychological Association or (APA).
If you have never written an APA paper before, the formatting rules and guideline can be complex and difficult for you at the first time. Why is APA widely used or preferred?
The reason why APA Style is most used one is because:
Most of the publication uses this style.
It is one the major style regimes for other publication and for the books along with CSE and AMA styles. There are definite rules to follow up when referencing APA style. This blog will discuss those rules and style guidelines for the most common references.
Most General Rules for an APA Style Paper:
First and Foremost, Start by observing some of the most common and standard rules of APA format. Use standard sized paper of 8.5 inches, and all the time use a 1 inch of margin on all the sides.
Your paper should always be typed, doubled spaced and in 12 point font size. Times New Roman is one recommended font to use, but you may also use similar fonts.
Every page of your paper must include a header page on the top left of the page and page number on the top right of the page.
APA Paper Sections:
The correct and exact structure of your paper will vary somewhat depending on the form of paper you have been asked to write down.
For instance, a lab report might be prepared a bit differently that a case study or analysis paper. A lab report will include additional sections details the results, method, and discussion related to your research or study.
No matter what kind of APA paper you're writing, there should be 4 major sections that you should always take in: a title page, an abstract, the paper main body and a reference section.
The Title Page: Your title page should include a running head, the title of the paper, your name and your school link. This page presents significant details about your readers, so it is significant to learn how to write down a specific title that accurately yet briefly relates what your paper is all about. Learn more in this article on how to write down a title page.
The Abstract: The abstract is a very small summary of your paper. This segment is placed just after the title page. According to the rules and guidelines of APA format, your abstract should be no more than words limit 150 to 250 words. However, your instructor may issue particular requirements about the size and content of your abstract, so always check with the instructions and grading rubric provided for your APA paper.
Main Body of Your APA Paper: The precise and proper format of this section can vary depending on the type of paper you're writing. For instance, if you're writing a lab report, the main body will contain an introduction, a method section, a results section as well as a discussion section. Check with your instructor for more exact information on what to comprise the main body of your APA paper.
Reference Section: The reference section is where you have to include all references that were used to write down your APA paper. Keep in mind, if you cited something in the main body of your paper, it should be included in the reference section. This section must begin on a fresh page, with the word "References" centered at the top of the page.
Most Useful Tips for Writing an APA Paper
While writing an APA paper might seem tricky or confusing, start by breaking it down into more convenient steps. As you research your subject, creating an outline and a working bibliography can assist you to structure your paper and keep track of all of the references you use.
Start by doing your research and writing your paper, but be confident to keep a careful record of all your references. After that, write down the abstract section of your paper only after you're completely complete writing your paper. At last, put all of your references together and make a title page. Once you have finished these steps, spend a little time for editing your paper and reviewing your complete APA paper to be sure that all of the formatting is correct and there is no any mistakes.