apa professional research paper

APA 7th Ed. Help: Professional Paper Formatting

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Professional Paper Formatting

About professional paper formatting.

Use the Professional Paper APA Format only if directed and required by your instructor .  For most coursework, Gateway Technical College is following the formatting guidelines for the new  Student Paper  format found in the 7th edition. For more information on each section look for the corresponding page in this Guide. 

The Gateway Libraries recommend that students consult their course syllabus and assignment details for any course specifics and additional faculty requirements.  

If students are seeking publication, refer to the journal's instructions for submission guidelines and any additional requirements beyond APA. 

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Use the  Professional Paper APA Format  only if directed and required by your instructor . 

The basics for an APA formatted Professional Paper are:

• Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides
• Font: approved fonts include Calibri 11 pt, Arial 11 pt, Lucinda Sans Unicode 10 pt, Georgia 11 pt, and Times New Roman 12 pt.
• Spacing: double-spacing throughout
• Running head (an abbreviated version of the paper title) in all capital letters, placed in the header, flush left. 
• Page Numbers: page numbers are placed in the header, flush right.
• In addition to the text of your paper include a title page, abstract page, and a references page.
• Title page: include the title (in bold ), followed by an extra line space and then your name and the name of your college affiliation, Gateway Technical College. 
• Use only one space after a period in the body of the paper.

Professional Paper formatting details can be found in Chapter 2 of the APA Publication Manual 7th edition.

APA formatting from the American Psychological Association.  

APA Style (7th Edition) paper formatting information from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) often referred to as Purdue OWL.

Professional Paper Format: Summary Of Notable APA 7th ed. Changes

The number in parentheses indicates the corresponding chapter or section(s) in the APA Publication Manual. 

• Professional papers still include a running head of 50 characters or fewer based on the paper title. The words "Running head" no longer appear before the running head title text . ( 2.1, 2.3 2.8 & 2.18)
• Recommended fonts now include Calibri 11 pt, Arial 11 pt, Lucinda Sans Unicode 10 pt, Georgia 11 pt, and Times New Roman 12 pt. ( 2.19)
• On the first page of text (body of the paper), the title of the paper appears at the top of the paper in  bold  and centered. (2.11)
• Use only one space after a period in the body of the paper. (6.1)
• All Headings and Subheadings are in  bold . (2.27)

APA Professional Paper Template

• APA 7th Edition Professional Paper Template for MS Word Save this template to your desktop or flash drive and then adapt it for your paper. Margins, Calibri 11 pt font, spacing, header, title page, abstract page, and references page are preset to meet APA specifications for Professional Papers. If you are seeking publication, refer to the journal's instructions for submission guidelines and any additional requirements beyond APA.

Sample APA 7th ed. Professional Papers

• APA Style Professional Paper (7th ed.) Authoritative Sample Professional Paper from APA. Based on pages taken directly from the Publication Manual - 7th ed.
• APA 7 Professional Paper Sample (7th ed): from Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) Provides both student and professional examples. Scroll down the page for the Professional Paper example as needed.
• APA Style: Sample Papers (7th ed.) Landing Page Authoritative sample papers from APA. Provides both student and professional examples.
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APA Formatting and Style (7th ed.)

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APA 7th ed. Fillable Word Template and Sample Paper

• APA 7th ed. Template Download this Word document, fill out the title page and get writing!
• Sample Paper APA 7th ed. Our APA sample paper shows you how to format the main parts of a basic research paper.
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APA Style 7th Edition

• Student Paper
• Professional Paper
• In-Text Citations
• Reference Citations
• Additional Resources
• Citing Artificial Intelligence

• Top - 1 inch
• Bottom - 1 inch
• Left - 1 inch
• Right - 1 inch
• Double spacing on Title Page, Text, and References (exceptions are made for Tables, Figures, Footnotes, and Equations - see the Publication Manual 2.21 (p. 45) for additional information.
• Use the same font throughout the paper.
• Font must be accessible to all users; this means that is must be highly legible and widely available.
• Times New Roman - 12 point
• Calibri - 11 point
• Arial - 11 point
• Lucida Sans Unicode - 10 point
• Georgia - 11 point
• Computer Modern - 10 point
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APA 7th edition Professional Papers

Need to write a professional paper?

• Use professional format only if your instructor tells you to.
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7th edition (2019, print)   is official guide.
• APA Style website has handouts, examples, tutorials, how-to.
• APA has separate guidelines for professional vs.   student  papers  title page, abstract, running head
• Professional papers , unlike student papers,  require a running head  (short version of the title in all caps at top left of each page) and  abstract  (short summary of the article, followed by keywords). Use  Professional Format Title Page  (title page for submission to journal).
• Annotated professional paper online  or on p. 50-60 of the P ublication Manual .
•   Sample  Microsoft Word sample professional paper  available online.

Professional Paper Setup, Step by Step

• Set Margins to 1"
• Set Line Spacing to Double
• Create a Title
• Add Page Numbers/Running Head to Header

This box explains how you set up Microsoft Word before writing your professional paper. Most sections are same as student paper. However, a professional paper, unlike a student paper, has a running title at the top of each page, and the title page of a professional paper looks different than a student paper. Also, professional papers include an abstract and keywords, on a separate second page..

Microsoft Word margins are usually preset to 1". If not, follow these instructions:

Step-by-Step Directions

• Go to  Page Layout  or  Layout  tab
• Click  Margins
• Select   Normal  option

Right margin is "ragged" -- this is default in Microsoft Word.

Double Space -- alternate method:

• Highlight all text
• Right-click your mouse
• Select Paragraph
• Under Indents and Spacing , Line Spacing , select Double

APA 7th papers should be double spaced.

• Go to the  Home  tab
• In the  Paragraph  box, click the icon that looks like two up/down arrows with text to the right
• Pick  2.0
• Select  Paragraph
• Under  Indents and Spacing ,  Line Spacing , select  Double

Title of paper

Your title should summarize the main topic of your paper. There is no word limit, but don't get too wordy. The APA Style Blog has further information on titles:  Five Steps to a Great Title . Capitalize all important words in title.

Example Titles

• Attitudes of College Students Towards Transportation Fees
• Effect of Red Light Cameras on Traffic Fatalities
• Juror Bias in Capital Punishment Cases

How to Set up Running Head and Page Numbers for Professional Paper:

To set up an APA running head in Microsoft Word:

• Click on  “Insert”  >  “Header”  (or double click at the top of a page).
• Select  “Blank”  template (left-aligned without additional formatting).
• Insert (abbreviated) paper title in capital letters.

To insert automatic page numbering:

• Click  “Insert”  > “Page number”.
• Select top-right position.

Example running head and page number:

Abbreviating long titles for running head

If paper title is longer than 50 characters, use shorter version for running head. APA guidelines state that:

• Words need not be in same order.
• No abbreviations, but may use ampersand (&) instead of “and”.

Examples: abbreviating title  

• Original title:  Social Comparisons on Social Media: The Impact of Facebook on Young Women’s Body Image Concerns and Mood
• Running head:  SOCIAL COMPARISONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
• Original title:  Examining the Energizing Effects of Humor: The Influence of Humor on Persistence Behavior
• Running head:  ENERGIZING EFFECTS OF HUMOR

 Add / Reorder  

Write Your Professional Paper, Step by Step

• Professional Paper List of Parts
• Title Page (Page 1)
• Abstract/Keywords (Page 2)
• Body of Paper (Page 3 to End)
• References List (Last Page)

These are the parts of your professional paper. The first four are always needed.  Begin each part with a new page. Check tabs above for details about each part.

• *   Professional title page   has title of paper, name(s) of author(s), author affiliation(s),  author note ,  running head , and page number. Check assignment rubric for special instructions from instructor.
• * Abstract   (page two) .  Short summary of paper, followed by keywords. Leave this blank till you write paper.
• * Body (Text)   (begins page three). Use assignment rubric as  guide. All ideas that are not your own or common knowledge need author-date in-text citation. Free  APA Tutorial  covers scholarly writing basics. Consult Chapter 1 of manual and course instructor for help with specific kinds of papers.
• * References  (last page),  References  centered in bold type, followed by references, alphabetized by author. Each reference is separate "paragraph." double-spaced, with  hanging indent . 
• Footnotes  (occasionally). Footnotes not used for citation in APA style. Sometimes added to foot of page for explanatory information, copyright notes (Section 2.13, p. 40-41).
• Tables , followed by Figures (separate pages following Reference page or integrated into text).Can be tricky. Tables present numeric data efficiently; figures may be charts, graphs, or photos.  Examples  -- see also Chapter 7. Suggestion: append to end on separate pages if  instructor allows. Use template or copy and paste from sample if possible. Same as APA 6th edition.
• Appendices separate page, supplementary material such as psychological tests developed for study.

Note: Elements marked * always needed in professional paper. Include others if necessary for assignment/project.

Title page of a professional paper looks like a paper you submit for publication. Setup of professional title page explained below:

Title Page is Page 1. Running Head  (short version of title in all caps) is at top left.  Page number  is at top right.

1)  Running head and page number  (page one) should be at top of page.. Use built-in header and page numbering function in Word.

(2) Space three to four lines down from top of title page and type your  title . Center and  bold  it. Capitalize  major words  of title. Place main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired. No maximum length for titles; however, keep titles focused and include key terms.

(3) Place one double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the  author names . Center author names on their own line. If there are two authors, use the word “and” between authors; if there are three or more authors, place a comma between author names and use the word “and” before the final author name.

(3)  Author affiliation  is school or department, followed by comma, then name of  university, or other institution. Center affiliation on next double-spaced line after author names..

Place the author note in the bottom half of the title page. Center and bold the label “Author Note.” Align the paragraphs of the author note to the left. For further information on the contents of the author note, see Section 2.7 of the  Publication Manual .

Source:  APA Style . See also  Publication Manual  (Section 2.3, p. 30-31)

Sample professional title page:

Check your assignment rubric for special instructions from your professor.

Page 2 of your professional paper will be an abstract, or short summary of your paper, 250 words or less, f ollowed by keywords  describing the subject of your paper. You can compose it after you write your paper. For now, type Abstract,  bolded and centered, and leave the rest of page 2 blank.

The sample abstract below is divided into sections. Your abstract can be a single indented paragraph without sections if you prefer.

Source:  APA Style .

Writing the body (text, main part) of your professional paper:

Sample Beginning, Body of Professional Paper in APA 7th 

Example below shows beginning of the body (main part) of APA 7th professional paper. Body of paper begins on page 3. {Page 1 is title page, and page 2 is abstract). First line is title of paper (repeated from title page), centered, bold, title case (important words are capitalized). One-inch margins, 0.5-inch paragraph indent, double space, one space after period ending each sentence. Default settings on Word will usually work. Use tab key or paragraph format to indent first line of each paragraph. Right margin should be "ragged."

Notice the i n-text citations  in parentheses where the author has read and used ideas from  other authors. All ideas that are not your own or common knowledge should have  in-text citations  (Section 8.10-8.22, p. 261-269).Each in-text citation should match an entry in the References list on a separate page at the end of the body of the paper.  You may want to add entries to your References list as you write. If you do a lot of writing, you can use a "reference manager" such as Zotero to format your references automatically.

A free  APA Tutorial  covers scholarly writing basics. Consult Chapter 1 of manual and course instructor for help with specific kinds of papers.

Added note: many but not all,  papers are divided into sections with  headings .  (See APA Style website for  sample professional pape r with headings).. Inside front cover of  Publication Manual  shows how headings should look, if you use them.

Example, beginning of professional paper:

The heading at the top of the reference list should be  References  and is  bolded  and centered. See  Publication Manual  p. 66,

The  References  list should be on a new page, and should be the last section of your paper. Compile your  References   list as you write your paper. Every time you mention a source in an in-text citation, add the full reference to your References list. Each reference is separate "paragraph." double-spaced, with  hanging indent .  Every in-text citation should also appear in  reference list at end of paper, and everything in references list should have in-text citation. .

When you mention this 2009 article by Reed in your paper:

 "... as stated by Reed et al. (2009) ... "

then you will add the following entry to References on separate page at end of paper:

Reed, M. J., Kennett, D. J., Lewis, T., Lund-Lucas, E., Stallberg, C., & Newbold, I. L. (2009). The relative effects of university success courses and individualized interventions for students with learning disabilities.  Higher Education Research & Development ,  28 (4), 385–400. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360903067013

Hanging Indent

All reference lists should have a hanging indent. An example of a hanging indent is shown above.:

To Make a Hanging Indent: 

Reproduced from:  Create a Hanging Indent

Hanging Indent (alternate method):

• Highlight text
• Select  Indentation>Special>Hanging>0.5"  [Enter]

Line spacing in the reference list should be set to double (2.0).

Format of References

References  list is formatted to give complete information so reader can look up the original source. Examples are shown in this guide, in the  Publication Manual , Chapter 10, p. 313-352, and in  APA Style . If you copy and paste them from library databases or formatters,  you  are responsible for correcting errors. If you are new to writing APA papers, find a similar example from APA and fix your reference so it looks like theirs. Ask your professor, the Writing Center, or WKU Libraries for help if needed. Sample References list in Publication Manual , p. 58-59

Alphabetizing

Alphabetize References list by author's last name. Go letter by letter and ignore spaces, hyphens, punctuation etc.

If a work has no author, use title to alphabetize. Use the first  significant  word to alphabetize; this means you skip words like  the, a,  and  an.

Here's how your list should look, reproduced from  APA Style :

Source:  Publication Manual , 2.12; 9.44-9.49.  APA Handour.

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APA Style, 7th edition - Citing Sources

• Getting Started
• Formatting the Paper
• Dissertation & SPP Formatting

Student vs. Professional

Title page format for student papers, sample apa student paper, title page format for professional papers, sample apa professional paper.

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In the 7th edition, there are several important differences between student and professional papers. Make sure to partner with your professor to understand the expectations for your assignment; some professors may request elements that are not required by the 7th edition. 

Required elements in a student paper include:

• Page Numbers
• Reference List

Student papers may also include tables, figures, and/or appendices. Student papers, however, do not require a running head, an author note, or an abstract. 

A professional paper requires:

• Running Head

Professional papers also might include keywords, footnotes, tables, figures, appendices, and/or supplemental materials.

In a student paper, title pages should include:

• Title of the paper
• Name of each author of the paper
• Affiliation for each author (i.e., university attended, including the name of the department)
• Course number and name (use the format provided by the school; e.g., NU 324: Professional Nursing Research)
• Instructor name (check with your professor for the preferred form; e.g., Dr. Jane Doe, Professor Smith, etc.)
• Assignment due date (written in month, date, and year format)
• Page number

More information about the title page in a student paper can be found here  or on pages 30-32 of the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed .

APA has an example of a student paper on pages 61-67 of the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7th ed. This paper can also be found on the APA  website .

In a professional paper, title pages should include:

• Affiliation for each author
• Author note
• Running head ( MORE INFORMATION )

More information about the title page in a professional paper, including an example, can be found here or on pages 30-31 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed .

APA provides an example of a professional paper on pages 50-60 of the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7th ed. This can also be found on the APA  website .

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APA Style: Basics

Guidelines: paper format.

The APA Style website includes a great section on Paper Format This link opens in a new window . The 7th edition of APA Style has two types of papers: student papers and professional papers. Please consult your assignment or reach out to your professor or instructor to determine which paper format you should use.

For more information see the above page or the sections linked below:

• Order of pages This link opens in a new window
• Title page This link opens in a new window
• Font This link opens in a new window
• Page header This link opens in a new window
• Line spacing This link opens in a new window
• Margins This link opens in a new window
• Paragraph alignment & indentation This link opens in a new window
• Tables setup This link opens in a new window
• Figures setup This link opens in a new window
• Headings This link opens in a new window
• Accessibility This link opens in a new window
• Numbers and Statistics Guide This link opens in a new window

Sample Papers

The APA Style website also includes Sample Papers This link opens in a new window . 

APA Style Sample Papers

• Annotated Student Sample Paper [links to PDF] This link opens in a new window
• Student Sample Paper [links to DOCX] This link opens in a new window
• Annotated Professional Sample Paper [links to PDF] This link opens in a new window
• Professional Sample Paper [links to DOCX] This link opens in a new window

SNHU OWC Sample Papers

• APA 7th Edition Sample Paper (SNHU OWC) [pdf] This link opens in a new window APA 7th Edition Sample Paper from the Academic Support Center
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APA 7th Edition: Student Papers & Professional Papers

• What's New in the 7th Edition
• Student Papers & Professional Papers
• Social Media
• Webpages and Websites
• In-Text Citations
• Additional Help
• Citing the Bible

Student & Professional Papers Are Different

The APA 7th ed. specifies distinct criteria for student papers and professional papers. Be sure to check with your professor to ensure you select using the correct format. This page gives you an overview for each type including an in-depth video on setting up your paper. 

Seventh Edition for Students

In the new edition, APA has created a student paper which is broad and flexible because students submit their papers to institutions rather than to an APA journal.

Student papers should include:

• Paper title Author
• Affiliation  
• Course name & number (PSY204)
• Instructor name
• Due date (November 4, 2020)   
• Page number
• Reference List

Student papers do not typically include a running head, author note, or an abstract, unless required by their instructor.

To see an example of the official format of a student paper, click the student sample paper link below:

For those who prefer to watch, listen, and learn this video may be helpful for learning how to set-up your student paper. 

Student Paper APA 7 Checklist

• Concise Student Paper Formatting Quick guide for formatting your student paper in accordance with the APA 7th ed. Style Guide.

Seventh Edition for Professionals

Paper elements appear in various combinations depending on the nature of the work. Author's seeking publication should refer to the journal's instructions that are different from or in addition to those specified by APA style.

Manuscripts submitted for publication by professionals should always include:

• Paper title 
• Author name
• Affiliation
• Author note 
• Running head 
• Page numbers 
• Abstract 
• Reference list 

​ Papers may also include keywords, footnotes, tables, figures, appendices, and/or supplemental materials.

To see an example of the official format of a professional paper, click the professional sample paper link below:

APA Style 7th Edition: Professional Paper Formatting

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APA 7th ed. Style Guide

• Student Papers

Professional Papers

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Introduction

APA 7 provides separate formatting guidelines for student and professional writers. Most students should follow APA 7’s guidelines for student papers , but should ask their professors which guidelines they prefer.

This page provides assistance in applying APA 7 formatting guidelines for professional papers.

NOTE: The Masters programs in the College of Psychology and Counseling require the Professional Papers format.

Required sections for Professional Papers

• Title Page with Running Head
• Abstract with Keywords
• References List

Rules for Formatting

Fonts - It is recommended that APA papers be typed in 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri fonts.

Spacing - Use only one space at the end of each sentence in the body of your paper. In general, APA papers should be double spaced throughout. A list of exceptions can be found here on the APA website. 

To make sure that your paper is double spaced throughout in Microsoft Word ,

• select/highlight the text,
• right click,
• select 'Paragraph,' and look under the section 'Line Spacing' as shown below:

Margins/Alignment - Your paper should use 1-inch margins on standard-sized paper (8.5' X 11'). Make sure that you use Align Left (CTRL + L) on the paper, except for the title page.

Indentation – The first sentence in each new paragraph in the body of the paper should be indented a half inch. (U se hanging indentation in the references lists. )

Headings - Please note that all headings are in title case. Level 1 headings should be centered (and in bold ), and Level 2 and 3 headings should be left-aligned (and in bold or bold italic , respectively). Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular paragraphs. An example of formatting headings in a paper is available here on the APA website

Title Page - The following elements should be present on the title page of a professional paper: 

• Title of paper ( bolded and centered) NOTE: There is no limit to the number of words in the title
• Add an extra blank double-spaced line between the title and author’s name
• Name of each author (centered)
• Name of department and institution/affiliation (centered)
• Place the author note in the bottom half of the title page.
• Center and bold the label “Author Note.”
• Align the paragraphs of the author note to the left.
• For an example, see the HIU template for professional papers here. ??? (centered)
• Page number in top right corner of the header, starting with page 1 on the title page
• The running head is an abbreviated version of the title of your paper (or the full title if the title is already short).
• Type the running head in all-capital letters.
• Ensure the running head is no more than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
• The running head appears in the same format on every page, including the first page.
• Do not use the label “Running head:” before the running head.
• Align the running head to the left margin of the page header, across from the right-aligned page number.

Abstract Page

The abstract page includes the abstract and related keywords. The abstract is a brief but comprehensive summary of your paper.

Abstract  formatting guidelines:

• It should be the second page of a professional (or graduate level) paper.
• The first line is the section label, “Abstract” (centered and bold )
• The abstract should start one line below the section label
• It should be a single paragraph and should not be indented.
• It should not exceed 250 words.

Keywords are used for indexing in databases and as search terms. Your keywords should capture the most important aspects of your paper in three to five words, phrases, or acronyms. Here are formatting guidelines:

• Label “Keywords” one line below the abstract, indented and in italics (not bolded).
• The keywords should be written on the same line as and one space after the label “Keywords”.
• The keywords should be lowercase (but capitalize proper nouns) and not italic or bold.
• Each keyword should be separated by a comma and a space and followed by a colon.
• There should be no ending punctuation.

20201210 - rrh

See a sample professional paper in APA 7th edition style discussing various formatting issues below..

• Sample professional paper Example borrowed from Liberty University.
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Generate accurate APA citations for free

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• How to write and format an APA abstract

APA Abstract (2020) | Formatting, Length, and Keywords

Published on November 6, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on January 17, 2024.

An APA abstract is a comprehensive summary of your paper in which you briefly address the research problem , hypotheses , methods , results , and implications of your research. It’s placed on a separate page right after the title page and is usually no longer than 250 words.

Most professional papers that are submitted for publication require an abstract. Student papers typically don’t need an abstract, unless instructed otherwise.

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Table of contents

How to format the abstract, how to write an apa abstract, which keywords to use, frequently asked questions, apa abstract example.

Formatting instructions

Follow these five steps to format your abstract in APA Style:

• Insert a running head (for a professional paper—not needed for a student paper) and page number.
• Set page margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm).
• Write “Abstract” (bold and centered) at the top of the page.
• Do not indent the first line.
• Double-space the text.
• Use a legible font like Times New Roman (12 pt.).
• Limit the length to 250 words.
• Indent the first line 0.5 inches.
• Write the label “Keywords:” (italicized).
• Write keywords in lowercase letters.
• Separate keywords with commas.
• Do not use a period after the keywords.

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The abstract is a self-contained piece of text that informs the reader what your research is about. It’s best to write the abstract after you’re finished with the rest of your paper.

The questions below may help structure your abstract. Try answering them in one to three sentences each.

• What is the problem? Outline the objective, research questions , and/or hypotheses .
• What has been done? Explain your research methods .
• What did you discover? Summarize the key findings and conclusions .
• What do the findings mean? Summarize the discussion and recommendations .

Check out our guide on how to write an abstract for more guidance and an annotated example.

Guide: writing an abstract

At the end of the abstract, you may include a few keywords that will be used for indexing if your paper is published on a database. Listing your keywords will help other researchers find your work.

Choosing relevant keywords is essential. Try to identify keywords that address your topic, method, or population. APA recommends including three to five keywords.

An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:

• To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
• To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.

Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarizes the contents of your paper.

An APA abstract is around 150–250 words long. However, always check your target journal’s guidelines and don’t exceed the specified word count.

In an APA Style paper , the abstract is placed on a separate page after the title page (page 2).

Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:

• The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
• The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.

There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2024, January 17). APA Abstract (2020) | Formatting, Length, and Keywords. Scribbr. Retrieved August 21, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-abstract/

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

General Format

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Please use the example at the bottom of this page to cite the Purdue OWL in APA.

You can also watch our APA vidcast series on the Purdue OWL YouTube Channel .

General APA Guidelines

Your essay should be typed and double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11"), with 1" margins on all sides.   Include a page header (also known as the “ running head ”) at the top of every page. For a professional paper, this includes your paper title and the page number. For a student paper, this only includes the page number. To create a page header/running head , insert page numbers flush right. Then type "TITLE OF YOUR PAPER" in the header flush left using all capital letters. The running head is a shortened version of your paper's title and cannot exceed 50 characters including spacing and punctuation.

The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual requires that the chosen font be accessible (i.e., legible) to all readers and that it be used consistently throughout the paper. It acknowledges that many font choices are legitimate, and it advises writers to check with their publishers, instructors, or institutions for guidance in cases of uncertainty.

While the APA Manual does not specify a single font or set of  fonts for professional writing, it does recommend a few fonts that are widely available. These include sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, and 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode as well as serif fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, 10-point Computer Modern.

Major Paper Sections

Your essay should include four major sections: the Title Page , Abstract , Main Body , and References .

Note: APA 7 provides slightly different directions for formatting the title pages of professional papers (e.g., those intended for scholarly publication) and student papers (e.g., those turned in for credit in a high school or college course).

The title page should contain the title of the paper, the author's name , and the institutional affiliation . A professional paper should also include the author note . A student paper should also include the course number and name , instructor name , and assignment due date .

Type your title in upper and lowercase letters centered in the upper half of the page. The title should be centered and written in boldface. APA recommends that your title be focused and succinct and that it should not contain abbreviations or words that serve no purpose. Your title may take up one or two lines. All text on the title page, and throughout your paper, should be double-spaced.

Beneath the title, type the author's name : first name, middle initial(s), and last name. Do not use titles (Dr.) or degrees (PhD).

Beneath the author's name, type the institutional affiliation , which should indicate the location where the author(s) conducted the research.

A professional paper should include the author note beneath the institutional affiliation, in the bottom half of the title page. This should be divided up into several paragraphs, with any paragraphs that are not relevant omitted. The first paragraph should include the author’s name, the symbol for the ORCID iD, and the URL for the ORCID iD. Any authors who do not have an ORCID iD should be omitted. The second paragraph should show any change in affiliation or any deaths of the authors. The third paragraph should include any disclosures or acknowledgements, such as study registration, open practices and data sharing, disclosure of related reports and conflicts of interest, and acknowledgement of financial support and other assistance. The fourth paragraph should include contact information for the corresponding author.

A student paper should not include an author note.

Note again that page headers/page numbers (described above for professional and student papers) also appear at the top of the title page. In other words, a professional paper's title page will include the title of the paper flush left in all capitals and the page number flush right, while a student paper will only contain the page number flush right.

Student APA title page

Title page for a student paper in APA 7 style.

Professional paper APA title page

Title page for a professional paper in APA 7 style.

Begin a new page. Your abstract page should already include the page header (described above). On the first line of the abstract page, center and bold the word “Abstract” (no italics, underlining, or quotation marks).

Beginning with the next line, write a concise summary of the key points of your research. (Do not indent.) Your abstract should contain at least your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and conclusions. You may also include possible implications of your research and future work you see connected with your findings. Your abstract should be a single paragraph, double-spaced. Your abstract should typically be no more than 250 words.

You may also want to list keywords from your paper in your abstract. To do this, indent as you would if you were starting a new paragraph, type Keywords: (italicized), and then list your keywords. Listing your keywords will help researchers find your work in databases.

Abstracts are common in scholarly journal articles and are not typically required for student papers unless advised by an instructor. If you are unsure whether or not your work requires an abstract, consult your instructor for further guidance.

APA Abstract Page

Abstract page for a student paper in APA 7 style.

Please see our Sample APA Paper resource to see an example of an APA paper. You may also visit our Additional Resources page for more examples of APA papers.

How to Cite the Purdue OWL in APA

Individual resources.

The page template for the new OWL site does not include contributors' names or the page's last edited date. However, select pages  still include this information.

In the absence of contributor/edit date information, treat the page as a source with a group author and use the abbreviation "n.d." for "no date":

Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.).  Title of resource.  Purdue Online Writing Lab. http://Web address for OWL resource

Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.).  General Writing FAQs. Purdue Online Writing Lab. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/general_writing_faqs.html

The generic APA citation for OWL pages, which includes author/edit date information, is this:

Contributors' names. (Last edited date).  Title of resource . Site Name. http://Web address for OWL resource

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

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A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

The start of the semester is the perfect time to learn how to create and format APA Style student papers. This article walks through the formatting steps needed to create an APA Style student paper, starting with a basic setup that applies to the entire paper (margins, font, line spacing, paragraph alignment and indentation, and page headers). It then covers formatting for the major sections of a student paper: the title page, the text, tables and figures, and the reference list. Finally, it concludes by describing how to organize student papers and ways to improve their quality and presentation.

The guidelines for student paper setup are described and shown using annotated diagrams in the Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3.40MB) and the A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Style Student Papers webinar . Chapter 1 of the Concise Guide to APA Style and Chapter 2 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association describe the elements, format, and organization for student papers. Tables and figures are covered in Chapter 7 of both books. Information on paper format and tables and figures and a full sample student paper are also available on the APA Style website.

Basic setup

The guidelines for basic setup apply to the entire paper. Perform these steps when you first open your document, and then you do not have to worry about them again while writing your paper. Because these are general aspects of paper formatting, they apply to all APA Style papers, student or professional. Students should always check with their assigning instructor or institution for specific guidelines for their papers, which may be different than or in addition to APA Style guidelines.

Seventh edition APA Style was designed with modern word-processing programs in mind. Most default settings in programs such as Academic Writer, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs already comply with APA Style. This means that, for most paper elements, you do not have to make any changes to the default settings of your word-processing program. However, you may need to make a few adjustments before you begin writing.

Use 1-in. margins on all sides of the page (top, bottom, left, and right). This is usually how papers are automatically set.

Use a legible font. The default font of your word-processing program is acceptable. Many sans serif and serif fonts can be used in APA Style, including 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 12-point Times New Roman, and 11-point Georgia. You can also use other fonts described on the font page of the website.

Line spacing

Double-space the entire paper including the title page, block quotations, and the reference list. This is something you usually must set using the paragraph function of your word-processing program. But once you do, you will not have to change the spacing for the entirety of your paper–just double-space everything. Do not add blank lines before or after headings. Do not add extra spacing between paragraphs. For paper sections with different line spacing, see the line spacing page.

Paragraph alignment and indentation

Align all paragraphs of text in the body of your paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin ragged. Do not use full justification. Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5-in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. For paper sections with different alignment and indentation, see the paragraph alignment and indentation page.

Page numbers

Put a page number in the top right of every page header , including the title page, starting with page number 1. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word-processing program to insert the page number in the top right corner; do not type the page numbers manually. The page number is the same font and font size as the text of your paper. Student papers do not require a running head on any page, unless specifically requested by the instructor.

Title page setup

Title page elements.

APA Style has two title page formats: student and professional (for details, see title page setup ). Unless instructed otherwise, students should use the student title page format and include the following elements, in the order listed, on the title page:

• Paper title.
• Name of each author (also known as the byline).
• Affiliation for each author.
• Course number and name.
• Instructor name.
• Assignment due date.
• Page number 1 in the top right corner of the page header.

The format for the byline depends on whether the paper has one author, two authors, or three or more authors.

• When the paper has one author, write the name on its own line (e.g., Jasmine C. Hernandez).
• When the paper has two authors, write the names on the same line and separate them with the word “and” (e.g., Upton J. Wang and Natalia Dominguez).
• When the paper has three or more authors, separate the names with commas and include “and” before the final author’s name (e.g., Malia Mohamed, Jaylen T. Brown, and Nia L. Ball).

Students have an academic affiliation, which identities where they studied when the paper was written. Because students working together on a paper are usually in the same class, they will have one shared affiliation. The affiliation consists of the name of the department and the name of the college or university, separated by a comma (e.g., Department of Psychology, George Mason University). The department is that of the course to which the paper is being submitted, which may be different than the department of the student’s major. Do not include the location unless it is part of the institution’s name.

Write the course number and name and the instructor name as shown on institutional materials (e.g., the syllabus). The course number and name are often separated by a colon (e.g., PST-4510: History and Systems Psychology). Write the assignment due date in the month, date, and year format used in your country (e.g., Sept. 10, 2020).

Title page line spacing

Double-space the whole title page. Place the paper title three or four lines down from the top of the page. Add an extra double-spaced blank like between the paper title and the byline. Then, list the other title page elements on separate lines, without extra lines in between.

Title page alignment

Center all title page elements (except the right-aligned page number in the header).

Title page font

Write the title page using the same font and font size as the rest of your paper. Bold the paper title. Use standard font (i.e., no bold, no italics) for all other title page elements.

Text elements

Repeat the paper title at the top of the first page of text. Begin the paper with an introduction to provide background on the topic, cite related studies, and contextualize the paper. Use descriptive headings to identify other sections as needed (e.g., Method, Results, Discussion for quantitative research papers). Sections and headings vary depending on the paper type and its complexity. Text can include tables and figures, block quotations, headings, and footnotes.

Text line spacing

Double-space all text, including headings and section labels, paragraphs of text, and block quotations.

Text alignment

Center the paper title on the first line of the text. Indent the first line of all paragraphs 0.5-in.

Left-align the text. Leave the right margin ragged.

Block quotation alignment

Indent the whole block quotation 0.5-in. from the left margin. Double-space the block quotation, the same as other body text. Find more information on the quotations page.

Use the same font throughout the entire paper. Write body text in standard (nonbold, nonitalic) font. Bold only headings and section labels. Use italics sparingly, for instance, to highlight a key term on first use (for more information, see the italics page).

Headings format

For detailed guidance on formatting headings, including headings in the introduction of a paper, see the headings page and the headings in sample papers .

• Alignment: Center Level 1 headings. Left-align Level 2 and Level 3 headings. Indent Level 4 and Level 5 headings like a regular paragraph.
• Font: Boldface all headings. Also italicize Level 3 and Level 5 headings. Create heading styles using your word-processing program (built into AcademicWriter, available for Word via the sample papers on the APA Style website).

Tables and figures setup

Tables and figures are only included in student papers if needed for the assignment. Tables and figures share the same elements and layout. See the website for sample tables and sample figures .

Table elements

Tables include the following four elements: 

• Body (rows and columns)
• Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the table)

Figure elements

Figures include the following four elements: 

• Image (chart, graph, etc.)
• Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the figure)

Table line spacing

Double-space the table number and title. Single-, 1.5-, or double-space the table body (adjust as needed for readability). Double-space the table note.

Figure line spacing

Double-space the figure number and title. The default settings for spacing in figure images is usually acceptable (but adjust the spacing as needed for readability). Double-space the figure note.

Table alignment

Left-align the table number and title. Center column headings. Left-align the table itself and left-align the leftmost (stub) column. Center data in the table body if it is short or left-align the data if it is long. Left-align the table note.

Figure alignment

Left-align the figure number and title. Left-align the whole figure image. The default alignment of the program in which you created your figure is usually acceptable for axis titles and data labels. Left-align the figure note.

Bold the table number. Italicize the table title. Use the same font and font size in the table body as the text of your paper. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the table note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Figure font

Bold the figure number. Italicize the figure title. Use a sans serif font (e.g., Calibri, Arial) in the figure image in a size between 8 to 14 points. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the figure note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Placement of tables and figures

There are two options for the placement of tables and figures in an APA Style paper. The first option is to place all tables and figures on separate pages after the reference list. The second option is to embed each table and figure within the text after its first callout. This guide describes options for the placement of tables and figures embedded in the text. If your instructor requires tables and figures to be placed at the end of the paper, see the table and figure guidelines and the sample professional paper .

Call out (mention) the table or figure in the text before embedding it (e.g., write “see Figure 1” or “Table 1 presents”). You can place the table or figure after the callout either at the bottom of the page, at the top of the next page, or by itself on the next page. Avoid placing tables and figures in the middle of the page.

Embedding at the bottom of the page

Include a callout to the table or figure in the text before that table or figure. Add a blank double-spaced line between the text and the table or figure at the bottom of the page.

Embedding at the top of the page

Include a callout to the table in the text on the previous page before that table or figure. The table or figure then appears at the top of the next page. Add a blank double-spaced line between the end of the table or figure and the text that follows.

Embedding on its own page

Embed long tables or large figures on their own page if needed. The text continues on the next page.

Reference list setup

Reference list elements.

The reference list consists of the “References” section label and the alphabetical list of references. View reference examples on the APA Style website. Consult Chapter 10 in both the Concise Guide and Publication Manual for even more examples.

Reference list line spacing

Start the reference list at the top of a new page after the text. Double-space the entire reference list (both within and between entries).

Reference list alignment

Center the “References” label. Apply a hanging indent of 0.5-in. to all reference list entries. Create the hanging indent using your word-processing program; do not manually hit the enter and tab keys.

Reference list font

Bold the “References” label at the top of the first page of references. Use italics within reference list entries on either the title (e.g., webpages, books, reports) or on the source (e.g., journal articles, edited book chapters).

Final checks

Check page order.

• Start each section on a new page.
• Arrange pages in the following order:
• Title page (page 1).
• Text (starts on page 2).
• Reference list (starts on a new page after the text).

Check headings

• Check that headings accurately reflect the content in each section.
• Start each main section with a Level 1 heading.
• Use Level 2 headings for subsections of the introduction.
• Use the same level of heading for sections of equal importance.
• Avoid having only one subsection within a section (have two or more, or none).

Check assignment instructions

• Remember that instructors’ guidelines supersede APA Style.
• Students should check their assignment guidelines or rubric for specific content to include in their papers and to make sure they are meeting assignment requirements.

Tips for better writing

• Ask for feedback on your paper from a classmate, writing center tutor, or instructor.
• Budget time to implement suggestions.
• Use spell-check and grammar-check to identify potential errors, and then manually check those flagged.
• Proofread the paper by reading it slowly and carefully aloud to yourself.
• Consult your university writing center if you need extra help.

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