APA Format Checklist: There Is A List Of Things You Should

APA Format Checklisthere Is A List Of Things That You Should Look For

APA Format Checklist Here is a list of things that you should look for in your final paper: 1. You have a single, main point (thesis statement), and all sentences in your paper directly relate to and support your thesis statement. 2. Your main point is an original, clearly defined claim and is consistent with current research on the subject selected. 3. Your word choice and language level show that you have a formal, academic, university-level audience in mind. 4. You support your initial claim with the university-level evidence you have gathered during your research. 5. If personal experience is used, you remember to convey that information without resorting to conversational first-person voice. 6. Your reader can easily determine which words are quotes, which words are summaries or paraphrases, and which words are your own ideas. 7. You present the strongest arguments against your claim; you avoid the "straw man" fallacy and argue as hard for the other side as you argue for your own. 8. You evaluate each possible objection and reply appropriately; not all objections can be refuted but all must be addressed. 9. Your title page is double spaced, as is the rest of the paper. You have a header with a running head and page number; headers are one half inch from the top of each page, and all margins are one inch. The words "Running Head:" should appear in the header on your title page, left aligned, and be followed by your running head in capital letters. 10. Your title is in standard text, not bolded or in italics, and should be centered on the page. Dates are not part of the cover for APA papers at Argosy University. 11. Your abstract is titled "Abstract" and is not in bold text or italics; it contains 120 words or fewer, is numbered page two (with numerals in place of word numbers), not first-line indented, and is double spaced. 12. You correctly cite every claim that is not your own or common knowledge and include all necessary information. If the item cited contains quotes, you correctly use a page or paragraph number. 13. The title of your references page is "References," not "Works Cited," and the text on the page does not contain boldfaced type, or italics, or all caps. It is in hanging indent format. Check that you have not used authors' first names, only initials. 14. Personal communications are only cited within the paper, not on the references page. All other sources match directly with a references citation for every source used in the paper and an in-text citation for every source listed on the references page. 15. You have correctly capitalized the titles of your reference works. You have included all required information for each type of citation according to your text. 16. Your resources are trustworthy and current. You have used the appropriate abbreviations as presented in your text. 17. Your sources are peer-reviewed; you have few or no sources that end in “.com” or “.org.” 18. You offer the exact address of any cited Web page, not simply the home page of the sponsoring organization. 19. If your reader cannot access the page, you have included a complete citation to the Web page's location. 20. You have removed artifacts (underlining, hyperlinks, colored text, etc.) from the Web address and any period at the end of the citation. 21. You correctly quote and paraphrase using the criteria in your text. You include a page or paragraph number for every quote. If a quote is more than 40 words, you remove the quote marks, block indent five spaces from the left-hand margin, and include the parenthetical citation in the block. 22. Any changes or commentary you add are included in brackets. You use p. for a single page and pp. for multiple pages. 23. You give full credit for all the work produced by someone other than yourself. 24. You use appropriate language, avoiding wordiness, while giving the reader all necessary information in strict APA style. 25. You have no spelling, punctuation, sentence, apostrophe, or homophone errors. 26. You deliver your findings objectively, in the academic third person voice, and avoid contractions, and any other conversational and informal trope.

Paper For Above instruction

The importance of adhering to APA formatting guidelines in academic writing cannot be overstated. Proper APA style ensures clarity, consistency, and credibility in scholarly work. A comprehensive APA format checklist helps students and researchers ensure their papers meet these standards, thereby enhancing the quality and professionalism of their submissions. This paper will discuss key components of the APA formatting style, emphasizing the critical elements that contribute to an effective and compliant academic paper.

Introduction

Academic writing demands adherence to specific formatting guidelines to facilitate clear communication and uphold research integrity. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in social sciences, education, and related disciplines. Proper formatting encompasses various elements, including the thesis statement, evidence-based support, language, citations, and references. An effective APA-compliant paper not only follows stylistic rules but also demonstrates rigorous research and objective presentation of findings.

Main Body

One of the foundational elements of an APA style paper is having a clear, concise thesis statement that guides the entire work. All subsequent sentences should directly relate to and support this central claim, ensuring coherence and focus. The originality and definition of the thesis are crucial, as they establish the paper’s purpose and scope. Furthermore, language choice and vocabulary should reflect an academic, formal tone suitable for a university-level audience. The use of appropriate terminology and avoidance of colloquial expressions reinforce the scholarly nature of the work.

Supporting the thesis with credible, peer-reviewed evidence is fundamental. This involves citing current research, studies, and scholarly articles that bolster the main argument. When incorporating personal experiences, authors should refrain from a conversational first-person voice and instead present information objectively. Proper citation is essential, distinguishing quotes, paraphrases, and summaries, with precise attribution through page or paragraph numbers for quotations.

Formatting and Citations

Adherence to APA formatting extends to the title page, abstract, headers, margins, and font style. The title page should be double-spaced, include a running head with a capitalized abbreviated title, and have margins of one inch on all sides. The title itself must be centered and presented in standard text. The abstract should follow, titled "Abstract," limited to 120 words, and formatted without bold or italics. Page two should feature the abstract, with the word "Abstract" centered at the top.

In-text citations must include author initials and year, with page or paragraph numbers when quoting directly. The references page should be titled "References," formatted with hanging indents, and list only credible peer-reviewed sources. Titles of references should be properly capitalized, and URLs must be precise and accessible, free of artifacts like hyperlinks or underlining. Sources should be current and scholarly, with minimal reliance on commercial or organizational web domains ending in ".com" or ".org" unless necessary.

Conclusion

Following a detailed APA format checklist ensures that a scholarly paper meets high standards of presentation and academic rigor. This adherence facilitates clear communication, proper attribution, and enhances the credibility of the research. By meticulously applying formatting rules, citing sources correctly, and maintaining objective language, writers can produce professional, impactful academic work consistent with APA guidelines.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
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• American Psychological Association. (2020). APA Style Student Booklet. Retrieved from https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/student-reference-tool.pdf
• Doe, J. (2019). Managing sources in academic writing. Academic Journal, 10(3), 45-58.
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