Typing Template For APA Papers: A Sample Of Proper Fo 043770

Typing Template for APA Papers: A Sample of Proper Formatting for the APA 6th

This is an electronic template for papers written in APA style (American Psychological Association, 2010). The purpose of the template is to help the student set the margins and spacing. Margins are set at 1 inch for top, bottom, left, and right. The type is left-justified only—that means the left margin is straight, but the right margin is ragged.

Each paragraph is indented five spaces. It is best to use the tab key to indent. The line spacing is double throughout the paper, even on the reference page. One space is used after punctuation at the end of sentences. The font style used in this template is Times New Roman and the font size is 12.

First Heading The heading above would be used if you want to have your paper divided into sections based on content. This is the first level of heading, and it is centered and bolded with each word of four letters or more capitalized. The heading should be a short descriptor of the section. Note that not all papers will have headings or subheadings in them.

First Subheading The subheading above would be used if there are several sections within the topic labeled in a heading. The subheading is flush left and bolded, with each word of four letters or more capitalized. Second Subheading APA dictates that you should avoid having only one subsection heading and subsection within a section. In other words, use at least two subheadings under a main heading, or do not use any at all. When you are ready to write, and after having read these instructions completely, you can delete these directions and start typing. The formatting should stay the same.

However, one item that you will have to change is the page header, which is placed at the top of each page along with the page number. The words included in the page header should be reflective of the title of your paper, so that if the pages are intermixed with other papers they will be identifiable. When using Word 2003, double click on the words in the page header. This should enable you to edit the words. You should not have to edit the page numbers.

In addition to spacing, APA style includes a special way of citing resource articles. See the APA manual for specifics regarding in-text citations. The APA manual also discusses the desired tone of writing, grammar, punctuation, formatting for numbers, and a variety of other important topics. Although the APA style rules are used in this template, the purpose of the template is only to demonstrate spacing and the general parts of the paper. The student will need to refer to the APA manual for other format directions.

GCU has prepared an APA Style Guide available in the Student Writing Center for additional help in correctly formatting according to APA style. The reference list should appear at the end of a paper (see the next page). It provides the information necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any source you cite in the body of the paper. Each source you cite in the paper must appear in your reference list; likewise, each entry in the reference list must be cited in your text. A sample reference page is included below; this page includes examples of how to format different reference types (e.g., books, journal articles, information from a website).

The examples on the following page include examples taken directly from the APA manual. References American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Daresh, J. C. (2004). Beginning the assistant principalship: A practical guide for new school administrators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. Herbst-Damm, K. L., & Kulik, J. A. (2005). Volunteer support, marital status, and the survival times of terminally ill patients. Health Psychology, 24, 225-234. doi:10.1037/.24.2.225 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2003). Managing asthma: A guide for schools (NIH Publication No. ). Retrieved from health/prof/asthma/asth_sch.pdf 

Paper For Above instruction

The provided template offers comprehensive guidance on formatting academic papers according to APA 6th edition standards, which is essential for students in psychology, education, and related fields. Proper formatting not only ensures clarity and professionalism but also allows readers to easily locate and verify sources cited within the paper. This essay discusses the key aspects of the APA formatting style as outlined in the template, including document margins, line spacing, indentation, head formatting, headings and subheadings, citation styles, and the importance of the reference page.

Introduction

Adhering to APA style is fundamental for academic writing that involves research and scholarly discourse. The style emphasizes conciseness, clarity, and consistency, which are vital for effective communication of ideas. The template under review is instrumental in guiding students through the technical aspects of formatting, thus helping them produce high-quality, publication-ready manuscripts.

Formatting Guidelines

According to the template, the margins of the document should be set at 1 inch on all sides, ensuring uniformity across pages. The entire text must be double-spaced, including the references section, which enhances readability. Paragraphs are to be indented five spaces, typically achieved using the tab key, which helps visually separate ideas and fosters organized writing.

The font specified for APA 6th is Times New Roman, size 12. This choice supports legibility and professional appearance. Maintaining consistent font size and style throughout the paper is crucial for adhering to the style guide.

Headings and Subheadings

The APA format allows for structured document organization through headings and subheadings. The first level of headings is centered, bolded, with each significant word capitalized, serving as categorical titles for various sections. Subheadings are flush left, bolded, and also follow the capitalization rule. When multiple subsections are used within a section, at least two should be included to maintain logical flow and avoid creating isolated headings, as per APA guidelines.

Page Header and Running Head

A critical part of APA formatting is the page header, which includes a shortened version of the paper's title (running head) along with the page number. The header appears at the top of each page. In Word 2003, editing the header involves double-clicking the header area without needing to modify the automatic page numbering. The running head helps identify the paper during review and submission, especially when multiple documents are intermixed.

In-Text Citations and Reference List

APA style has specific rules for citing sources within the text, typically including the author’s last name and the year of publication. The reference list at the end of the document provides full details of each source cited, allowing readers to locate original materials. The template demonstrates proper formatting for various source types, including books, journal articles, and online resources. For example, a journal article should list authors, publication year, article title, journal name, volume, page range, and DOI if available.

Importance of Accurate Formatting

Following the APA format meticulously ensures that scholars maintain consistency and avoid accusations of plagiarism. Proper citation not only credits original authors but also bolsters the credibility of the writer’s work. The template facilitates understanding of these conventions, enabling students to develop skills necessary for academic and professional writing.

Conclusion

In summary, the APA 6th edition formatting standards as outlined in the template are essential for creating professional academic manuscripts. Attention to detail in formatting, including margins, spacing, headings, headers, and citations, enhances clarity and scholarly integrity. Mastery of these guidelines prepares students for future academic research, publication, and professional communication.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
• Daresh, J. C. (2004). Beginning the assistant principalship: A practical guide for new school administrators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
• Herbst-Damm, K. L., & Kulik, J. A. (2005). Volunteer support, marital status, and the survival times of terminally ill patients. Health Psychology, 24, 225-234. doi:10.1037/.24.2.225
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2003). Managing asthma: A guide for schools (NIH Publication No. ). Retrieved from health/prof/asthma/asth_sch.pdf