How To Write Apa Style

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely used formatting and citation style in the social sciences, education, and business fields. It provides a set of guidelines for formatting manuscripts, citing sources, and presenting research findings. In this article, we will discuss the basics of APA style and provide tips for writing in this style.

Introduction to APA Style

APA style is designed to be clear, concise, and easy to read. It is commonly used in academic and professional settings, and is required by many journals and publications. The APA style manual provides detailed guidelines for formatting, citing, and presenting research, including guidelines for headings, margins, font, and line spacing.

General Guidelines

Here are some general guidelines for writing in APA style:

• Use a clear and concise writing style
• Avoid using first person pronouns (I, me, my) unless necessary
• Use active voice instead of passive voice
• Avoid using jargon and technical terms unless necessary
• Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Formatting Guidelines

APA style has specific guidelines for formatting manuscripts, including guidelines for margins, font, and line spacing.

The following are the basic formatting guidelines:

Citation Guidelines

APA style uses a parenthetical citation system, where the author’s last name and year of publication are included in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

For example:

The study found that cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety (Smith, 2020).

If the author’s name is included in the sentence, only the year of publication is included in parentheses:

Smith (2020) found that cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.

Reference List Guidelines

The reference list is a list of all sources cited in the manuscript, formatted according to APA style guidelines.

Here are some general guidelines for formatting reference list entries:

• Arrange entries in alphabetical order by author’s last name
• Use a hanging indent for each entry (0.5 inches)
• Use title case for titles of sources (e.g. Journal of Psychology)

For example:

Smith, J. (2020). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety. Journal of Psychology, 25(1), 1-10.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips for writing in APA style:

• Use a title page with the manuscript title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation
• Use an abstract to summarize the manuscript (150-250 words)
• Use headings to organize the manuscript and provide a clear structure
• Use tables and figures to present data and research findings

By following these guidelines and tips, writers can ensure that their manuscripts are formatted and cited correctly in APA style.