Running Head: Short Title Of Paper 50 Characters Or L 316100
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This paper provides guidelines for formatting an APA-style academic paper, including instructions on how to set up the running head, page numbers, abstract, headings, in-text citations, references, and overall formatting standards. It emphasizes the importance of double-spacing, 1-inch margins, sans flashy formatting, and professional writing style. The paper also discusses how to cite sources correctly within the text and in the reference list, including the proper treatment of classical and religious texts like the Bible.
Paper For Above instruction
The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides a standardized format for scholarly writing, ensuring clarity, uniformity, and credibility. Proper formatting begins with setting up the manuscript correctly, including the use of a running head, which is an abbreviated title of no more than 50 characters, appearing at the top of every page. The running head must be placed flush left, with the page number flush right, often configured using the "insert header" feature in word processors by selecting "different first page" and adjusting spacing appropriately. Notably, the phrase "Running head:" appears only on the first page, while subsequent pages display only the shortened title (APA, 2010).
In addition to the header setup, the paper’s first page typically contains the title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation centered and double-spaced. When a paper includes an abstract, it should be located immediately after the title page, formatted as a single paragraph without indentation, centered heading labeled "Abstract" (not bold), and should summarize the key points of the study or discussion in approximately 150–250 words. If the assignment does not specify an abstract, it can be omitted (APA, 2010).
Formatting all text in the document involves double-spacing throughout, 1-inch margins on all sides, and a readable font such as Times New Roman 12-point. Paragraphs should be aligned left, with no extra spacing before or after paragraphs, which requires adjusting the paragraph spacing settings—particularly important when using word processing software like Microsoft Word to avoid unwanted gaps (APA, 2010). Headings within the paper should be formatted using the five levels specified by APA, which facilitate logical organization and clarity, avoiding hanging headings at the bottom of pages by adding extra spacing if necessary.
In writing style, scholarly professionalism dictates the avoidance of first-person pronouns unless explicitly allowed, along with maintaining an objective tone and formal language. Casual, subjective, or dramatic language should be replaced with precise, clear, and formal expressions. Instead of "In this paper I will discuss...", one should write "This paper discusses..." and similarly rephrase other sentences to uphold academic integrity and professionalism.
Sources must be properly cited throughout the paper. Any information derived from external sources requires appropriate in-text citations, including author(s) and year of publication, and page or paragraph numbers when quoting directly. Paraphrasing should always be restating the ideas in one's own words, with proper attribution. It is crucial to avoid plagiarism by not simply swapping a few words but genuinely synthesizing and citing the sources (APA, 2010). Sources cited in the text must be included in the reference list, formatted according to APA guidelines.
References should be presented on a separate page titled "References," centered at the top, without bold, and formatted with hanging indents. The entries must be double-spaced and alphabetized by the surname of the first author. Different types of sources, such as journal articles, books, and online materials, have specific formatting rules—these should be closely followed according to the latest APA manual (APA, 2010). For example, journal articles include the volume, issue, and page numbers, with a DOI if available. When citing classical works like the Bible, the in-text citation should include the specific passage and the translation version, but such works do not appear in the reference list (APA, 2010).
Adherence to these formatting guidelines ensures that scholarly papers are professional, accessible, and credible. The process involves attention to detail, including proper line spacing, font, margins, heading structure, citation style, and respectful use of language, contributing to the clarity and impact of academic writing.
References
- American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
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