5 Basic Guidelines on How to Cite a Research Paper in APA Style
Using the APA formatting style for academic writing is fairly common. Students are known for getting certain aspects of the formatting style incorrect which can hurt the overall score of your project. Even if you have unique information that helps your work standout, improper use of the formatting style lowers the quality of your work while echoing aspects of plagiarism. It is important to understand basic guidelines when using this formatting style. Here are details to know and things to remember to help you get started.
5 Guidelines You Need to Know
Many get a little confused when reviewing how to quote in a research paper APA formatting. There are details to pay attention to such as line spacing, margins, font size, capitalization of names, and the order of content as it relates to how it is supposed to be presented. While it seems like there are many details to remember they all make a difference. Using this formatting style requires completing many steps. To get an idea of what is required here are a few of the most important elements to remember.
- Use easy to read font throughout the entire assignment. It is suggested to use 12-point font with pages featuring a one-inch margin double-spaced.
- The following content should have its own page: tables and figures, abstract, title page, and references.
- The title page has rules you should follow regarding how content is displayed. This includes were to place your name, school, and creating a page header.
- References are placed in the center of the page. They do not need to be in bold but should be labeled.
- Mention names of authors and dates of publication. Know when to use parentheses when using a name, publication, and date. Avoid using quotes if possible. Use “et al.” when using multiple mentions of an author (list of authors for a source).
Additional Tips to Remember
Consider having research paper examples APA content handy while writing your rough draft. A perfectly writen paper example can make a difference. It can be a study guide to help you write content without making mistakes. It also gives perspective on each element of your paper and how it should look when you are done. Using this formatting style requires a great deal of paying attention to details.
Your school may require you to follow instructions accordingly based on a certain edition. There are updated handbooks and manuals with examples of this formatting style you can use as you write your content. After writing your paper double-check your work especially citations for proper placement of commas, spacing, and correct spelling.