APA (mini) Style Guide
The Essential
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Cover (Title) Page with required information such
as: title of paper, student's name, course number and title, cluster/group
number and location, date of submission, faculty member's name.
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Font style must be Times Roman, American Typewriter,
or Courier. Font size for word processors is 12 pt, for typewriter is pica
or elite. Font for description of figures should be Sans Serif.
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Page Headers could be the first two or three words
of the title. Type above or 5 spaces to left of page number. Do not confuse
with running head.
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Double space everything including title page and block
quotes.
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Margin all four sides 1".
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Page Numbers are 1" from right edge, between top edge
and first line of text on all pages.
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Running Head not required for APA papers unless specifically
assigned. If used, type flush left at top or title page, below page header
in all uppercase letters.
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Executive Summary (or Abstract) is recommended
for papers larger than 10 pages. This summary can be one half of one page
to one page in length.
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Headings indicate organization of paper and establish
importance. Match to complexity of paper (unless guidelines were given).
It divides the body of the paper in logical divisions.
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Table of Contents is recommended for a written paper
over 5 pages in length.
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Justification is flush left style leaving right margin
ragged. Do not divide words at the end of the line.
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Paragraphs indented 5-7 spaces. Use tab key for consistency.
It should contain one topic. Do not use one sentence paragraphs or lengthy
paragraphs.
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Punctuation use space after commas, colons, semi columns,
and two spaces after periods.
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Abbreviations have to be spelled out the first time.
They are accepted as words.
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Capitalization only after a period and a colon.
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Highlighting text by using underline, italics and
bold should be avoided.
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Introduction and Conclusion sections should
be used accordingly.
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Reference(s) (or Reference List) starts on
new page, centered in upper and lowercase letters. Alphabetize by author
name, double space, and indent first line of each entry 5-7 spaces.
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Citations (Quotations) in text must specifically
match reference page.
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Appendix(ces) should be placed
at the end of the body of paper, before the references. It should contain
additional materials, tables, important information related to text but
not included in the text. They should be numbered as A, B, C, etc. Each
appendix starts on a new page, with the title centered, double space.
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Charts, Figures, Tables should be properly named:
title of table goes on top, title of figure and chart goes on bottom.
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Page Numbering should strictly follow the APA style.
No page number on title page, then start with Roman numbering placed on
the bottom of the page, centered. When regular text starts use Arabic numbers,
placed on the right margin, either on top or the bottom of each page.
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Running headers and footers are not recommended.
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Number of pages: the cover page, table of contents,
executive summary, references page, and appendices do not count.
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Quotations and annotations: special attention
should be paid vis-à-vis plagiarism.
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Footnoting is not recommended.
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Nevertheless, attention should also be paid to proper paragraph
indentation, correct spelling, proper use of grammar,
professional vocabularies, and use of words.
An Example
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Introduction:
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Should contain purpose, scope, what will be studied, discussed,
examined
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The major points of the introduction should match the assignment
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Adding a statement as to why the issue is important adds
strength to the paper.
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Body of the paper:
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Delivers what is described in the introduction
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Ideas flow in logical sequence
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Major points are organized using headings and supported with
references
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Ideas are stated clearly and concisely
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Transition sentences bridge topics.
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Conclusion:
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Flows logically from the paper
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Summarizes major points
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Leaves the reader with a final thought to take away, lends
strength and power
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Is not identified by a heading of Conclusion or Summary unless
specified by a particular assignment.
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Do not use:
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Bullets (too casual)
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Biased language (gender, age, disabilities, etc.)
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Contractions are too casual and considered slang
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Colloquial expressions (e.g., write up for
report)
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Italics in a manuscript, items are underlined
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Jargon like knife and gun club
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Slang like drive-by, as is so often, so many people,
and that is so true, unless essential to the meaning of the text
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Wordiness; be concise and precise, say exactly what
you mean, do not add flowery adjectives to scholarly writing.
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Grammar:
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Editorial we. For clarity restrict your use of we,
instead use educators, or humans.
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First person use third person unless otherwise indicated
by the assignment or instructor. "I" generally refers to your opinion.
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It’s vs. its (it’s means it is)
(its shows possession)
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Parallel Construction. Make certain that all elements
of the parallelism are present before and after the coordinating conjunction
(e.g., and, but, or, nor)
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Subject/Verb agreement
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Numbers in general express in words for numbers less
than ten.
Where to Find Them (in the APA
Style Guide Manual)
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Title Page - pages 7-8, 248-250
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Abstract - pages 9-11, 250
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Grammar - pages 23-46
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Guidelines to Prevent Bias - pages 46-60
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Punctuation - pages 62-70
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Use of 'and/or' - page 69
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Capitalization - pages 75-79
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Abbreviations - pages 80-89
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Headings - pages 90-93, 242-243
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Quotes - pages 95-98
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Numbers - pages 99-105
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Tables - pages 120-141
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Figures - pages 141-162
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Citations in Text - pages 168-174
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Reference List - pages 174-221 (Examples - pages 189-221)
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Use of 'et al.' - page 183
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Manuscript Preparation - pages 237-272 (Annotated Example - pages
258-272)
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Ethics - 292-298