1 Writing in APA Style: A Sample Student Paper Lisa Blackwell Wan

Writing in APA Style: A Sample Student Paper

Lisa Blackwell Wan

Department of the Library, Tarleton State University

LBRY 1001: APA Writing

Dr. Eliza Bibliophile

August 1, 2020

Commented [LBW2]: Use a concise, descriptive title

which lets the reader know about the main idea and related

concepts of your paper. Use Title Case capitalization which

means to capitalize as a book title is done.

Commented [LBW3]: Use two double-spaced lines

between the title and the authors’ lines. If more than one

author is responsible for the paper, list each one on a

separate line followed by the academic affiliation.

Commented [LBW4]: Include the course number

followed by a colon, then the course name.

Commented [LBW5]: List the instructor’s name next.

Commented [LBW6]: The due date for the paper is

shown using the month, date, and year format appropriate

to the country.

Abstract

The abstract, written in the style of the American Psychological Association (APA), provides a succinct

description of the paper in no more than 250 words. Most undergraduate students are not required to

include an abstract, while graduate students’ papers will usually need to contain an abstract. In your

abstract, include descriptions of your hypothesis or thesis statement, followed by the main ideas in your

paper. Be concisely descriptive when writing your abstract. From the abstract, readers will determine if

they want to read this paper. Use keywords to help readers locate your paper. Since this paper is about

writing in APA style, the hypothesis refers to writing using APA style from the Publication Manual of

American Psychological Association (APA Manual), 7

edition. Main ideas involve the main points of

your paper. The main ideas of this paper are described as follows: Student writers should adhere to

APA’s writing standards use of effective writing within the context of scholarship. Papers will be

organized using Levels of Headings. Careful attention to the use of bias-free wording will result in

sensitive writing. Appropriate credit to authors’ information used within your paper is given by using

proper citation. Plagiarism is avoided through the use of citation and care with wording. Reference

entries must be included for all authors cited within the paper. Following APA standards in writing will

result in excellence in writing and papers that communicate the intent of the author.

Keywords: APA writing style, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association,

bias-free writing, plagiarism, paraphrase, quotations, citation, references

Commented [LBW7]: Abstracts are not typically required

for undergraduate students’ papers, while graduate

students are typically required to include an Abstract.

Commented [LBW8]: Place the label “Abstract” on the

first line of the second page, centered, and bolded.

Commented [LBW9]: Begin the abstract using left-

justification. Always use double-spacing.

Commented [LBW10]: See the APA Manual, p. 38.

Commented [LBW11]: Keywords describe, in single

words or short phrases, the most important aspects of your

paper. These words are those which researchers would use

to locate your paper. List words on the next line after the

end of the Abstract. Indent and italicize the word Keywords,

followed by a colon, then list the words in lower case letters

except proper nouns. Do not put a period at the end of the

list. See APA Manual, p. 38-39, Section 2.10.

Writing in APA Style: A Sample Student Paper

A paper written in the style of the American Psychological Association (APA) is the writing style

most often use for papers written in the social sciences, as well as in other areas (American

Psychological Association [APA], 2020). This style ensures excellent written communication for the

greatest comprehension by the reader (Bradley et al., 2020). The introduction informs the reader about

the major points of research found in this paper. The major points are the main ideas of the paper

developed from the outline used to prepare for writing the paper (Cherry, 2020). The outline is based on

your well-defined hypothesis, i.e. the over-arching, guiding principle upon which your research was

based (Chen et. al., 2010). No heading is used for the introduction (APA, 2020). Writing in APA style

requires attention to format, APA writing style, bias-free writing, author citation, and references which

are all covered in this paper. Write your paper using the structure found in the 7

edition of the APA’s

Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual).

Structure

APA Style has evolved since 1929 as informal guide (Bradley et al., 2020), to the first manual in

1952 (Daniel, 2001, as cited in Bradley et al., 2020), to the current 7

edition in 2020. Undergraduate

and graduate students typically use APA Style as a guide in order to produce academic papers with

excellence in writing and organized by Levels of Headings (APA, 2020).

Levels of Headings

APA style uses the devise of Levels of Headings to create a hierarchical system of organization.

Five levels of headings may be used (APA, 2020), although most undergraduate papers use only Levels 1

to 3. Using the levels of headings will allow you to logically present the concepts of your paper.

Level 1 Headings

Level 1 headings are used for the main ideas in your paper. Level 1 headings are centered,

bolded, use Title Case, with wording beginning as a new paragraph (APA, 2020). Ideas contained within

Commented [LBW12]: Begin the body of the paper with

the Title. Use the exact same title as the one on your title

page.

Commented [LBW13]: Groups may be referenced within

your paper. Groups are formally organized units, such as

companies, governments, special tasks forces, etc. If

desired, names of groups may be shortened by giving the

full name of the group, first, followed by the shortened form

within parenthesis. Only use the shortened form throughout

the remainder of the paper. Groups may also author works.

See next comment.

Commented [LBW14]: Citation which uses a group

author’s name may also be shortened at the first citation

use of the group author’s name. For parenthetical citation,

give the full group author name followed by the shortened

form within brackets. For narrative citation, five the full

group author name followed by the shortened form within

parenthesis. Only use this shortened group author name in

citation through the remainder of the paper.

Commented [LBW15]: Elements such as the title of a

book, names of psychological tests, and commonly used

acronyms may be referenced within your paper in a

shortened manner. Use the same construct as with groups,

i.e., give the complete title, name, or words used to create

the acronym, then use parenthesis to enclose the selected

shortened form. Only use the shortened form throughout

the remainder of the paper.

Commented [LBW16]: Example of citation which

includes reference to a secondary source. See page 258,

Section 8.6 in the APA Manual.

Commented [LBW17]: Spell out numbers when used at

the beginning of sentences.

Commented [LBW18]: See page 48, Table 2.3 in the APA

Manual.

the main idea of the Level 1 heading may be broken down into subcategories. These subcategories of

ideas are presented using the Headings, Levels 2 through 5.

Level 2 Headings

Level 2 headings are used for the subcategories of ideas originating from within the Level 1

headings. Level 2 heading are left-justified, bolded, use Title Case, with wording beginning as a new

paragraph (APA, 2020).

Level 3 Headings

Level 3 headings are used for the subcategories of ideas originating from within the Level 2

headings. Level 3 headings are italicized, bolded, use Title Case, with text beginning as a new paragraph

(APA, 2020). Writing your paper requires the use of Levels of Heading and following APA’s writing style.

Writing Style

APA-styled writing is scholarly writing which is different from writing styles such as expository,

narrative, or creative. APA writing style includes a comprehensive array of concepts and requires

attention to detail (APA, 2020).

Continuity, Flow, Transition, Conciseness, Clarity, and Reasonable Length Phrases

APA writing style employs continuity and transitions, while using conciseness and clarity. Phrase

lengths are reasonable with good flow (APA, 2020). Using an outline to guide your writing will help

ensure concepts and ideas are presented with continuity in an organized manner with easy flow (Cherry,

2020). APA (2020) requires that well-constructed transitions lead from one idea to the next prepares the

reader for the next topic. Concise writing uses as few of words as necessary to convey clear and clarified

meaning. Avoid wordiness by constructing meaningful phrases without superfluous wording.

Complicated noun phrases should be replaced with more simplified descriptions. Authors should avoid

overly long sentences and keep paragraphs to a reasonable length. When making comparisons, use

parallel construction. Often, using more words to give complete descriptions of comparisons groups will

Commented [LBW19]: This is a Level 3 heading.

Commented [LBW20]: This is a Level 1 heading.

Commented [LBW21]: This is a Level 2 heading.

Commented [LBW22]: Long paraphrases should start

with the author citation. Repetition of the citation should

not be done unless the topic changes (APA, p. 269).

Commented [LBW23]: When more than one narrative

citation is given within a paragraph, include the year with

the first narrative citation. Do not include the year in

additional narrative citations within this paragraph (APA, p.

265).

ensure parallel construction. Attention to these factors will ensure that the tone is interesting while still

maintaining a scholarly style.

No Contractions, Colloquialisms, Jargon or Anthropomorphisms

APA-style writing should avoid the use of contractions, colloquialisms, and jargon (APA, 2020).

Do not use contractions (APA, 2020), the shortening of two words into one using an apostrophe.

Colloquialisms, which are typically used in spoken language and which use an informal pattern of

speech, should not be used (APA, 2020). Jargon, the use of terminology familiar only to those in a

particular field, should be minimized in order to promote the reader’s understanding (APA, 2020).

Anthropomorphisms should not be used. Anthropomorphism is defined as, “attribut[ing] human

characteristics to animals or to inanimate sources” (APA, 2020, p. 117).

Bias-Free Language

Bias-free language is required when writing according to the APA Manual (APA, 2020). Writers

should use appropriate sensitivity when writing about personal characteristics. When describing

research participant’s age use terminology used by those persons without the use of open-ended age

ranges such as “65 years and older” (APA, 2020; Streetkerk, 2020). Descriptions pertaining to disability

should focus on person-first language, wording designed with focus on the person, rather than identity-

focused language, wording constructed to focus on the condition or malady (APA, 2020; Bradley et al.,

2020; Streetkerk, 2020). However, either construct may be used depending upon the preference of the

persons in these groups. Condescending terminology, slurs, euphemisms, labels, and metaphors should

not be used, even if people within these groups refer to each other in this manner (APA, 2020).

Gender and Sexual Orientation

In order to write with bias-free language, precision concerning gender and sexual orientation

must be used. Gender refers to social assumptions derived from a cultural group. Gender should be

used when referring to social groups. Sex is biological differences involving anatomical parts (Gill & Gill,

Commented [LBW24]: Example of a contraction: “don’t”

for “do not.”

Commented [LBW25]: Example of a colloquialism: using

“looked up” when one actually means “researched.”

Commented [LBW26]: Keywords are italicized when

followed by a definition. Do not italicized the keyword

thereafter (APA, 2020, p. 170, Section 6.22).

Commented [LBW27]: The “[ing] ending was added by

the paper’s author to make the grammar of the sentence

correct. Brackets indicate that “ing” was not part of the

original wording.

Commented [LBW28]: An example anthropomorphism

is, “the data states…” which may conjure up images of

pieces of data actually telling about the findings.

Commented [LBW29]: Example of person-first language:

“person with paraplegia.”

Commented [LBW30]: Example of identity-first language:

“paraplegic.”

Commented [LBW31]: Some groups use the disability

language. For example: “The Deaf” (APA, 2020).

Commented [LBW32]: Examples of gender terms

include: cisgender men…, transgender women…nonbinary.

(APA, 2020, p. 138).

2012). Use sex when biological differences are most impactful. Gender identity is the feeling of being

male, female, or nonbinary based on societal norms (Gill & Gill, 2012), and applies to all people (APA,

2020). Research participants’ gender identity should be indicated using terminology indicated by those

participants. Transgendered or gender-nonconforming persons should be described using terminology

identified by those persons, with definitions for any labels used. Use pronouns identified by the

represented persons. The singular “they” is to be used when identified pronouns are not known (APA,

2020). Sexual orientation is identity arising from sexual and emotional attraction to another person

(Charlebois, 2016). For sexual orientation, use identity-first terminology, and define any vague terms.

Avoid terminology that is inaccurate, demeaning, prejudicial, or which promotes a binary dichotomy

(APA, 2020).

Racial and Ethnic Identity and Socioeconomic Status

Racial and ethnic identity along with socioeconomic status (SES) descriptions should use bias-

free language. Race is shared physical characteristics, and ethnicity refers to those people that identify

with one another due to shared cultural practices (APA, 2020). Use race and ethnicity labels

appropriately for those whom you are describing. Do not use hyphenated words for these terms.

Capitalize terms used for race and ethnicity. SES is identity based on level of education, income and

wealth, occupational standing, and mental and physical health (Romero & Romero, 2008). Use exact

descriptors to reflect SES, giving detailed description of group characteristics. Use first-person

descriptors that avoid insinuation of blame or create contempt for SES (APA, 2020). Always be sensitive

when reporting the intersection of gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnic identity, and

socioeconomic status (APA, 2020).

Giving Appropriate Credit

Scholarly writing includes writing using the information from other authors within your paper.

This information, whether in the form of quotations, paraphrases, correspondence, interviews, intranet

Commented [LBW33]: An example using “sex” is “sex

assigned at birth” (APA, 2020, p. 138).

Commented [LBW34]: Examples of race labels are

“African American”, “European American”, or “Pacific

Islander.”

Commented [LBW35]: Examples of ethnicity labels are

“Latino”, “Acadians”, or “Montagnard.”

Commented [LBW36]: An example of an SES descriptor is

“low-income participants.”

resources, tables, figures, graphs, or copyrighted materials, all must have appropriate citation.

Paraphrases, Quotations, and Plagiarism

APA-styled writing uses paraphrases predominantly, quotations infrequently, and your original

wording sparingly for the creation of papers (APA, 2020). Paraphrasing is using words and ideas from the

authors whose articles and works you researched and conveying this information in your own words.

Quotation is using the authors’ word exactly as presented in their publications. Use quotation when

another author’s words are so meaningful as written, that paraphrasing will not convey the same

meaning or have the same impact (APA, 2020).

Plagiarism occurs when paraphrasing and quotations are used without citation or when

inaccuracies in content exist (APA, 2020). Citation is giving credit to the original authors using accurate

and appropriate citation. Even though you are using your own words in paraphrasing, the words and

ideas that inspired your phrases are the intellectual property of a different author, so citation is

required. Without this citation, paraphrasing may be plagiaristic. Quotations must use the exact words

with correct citations, otherwise it may be plagiarism. Quotations longer than 40 words are presented as

a block quotation. According to the APA (2020), copyright permissions must be attained, “to reprint or

adapt tables, figures, and images or to reprint long quotations” (p. 255). Self-plagiarism may occur if you

use all or part(s) of a previously turned in paper for a different assignment or submit a previously

submitted paper in a different class (APA, 2020).

Citation

APA-styled papers use the author/publication date citation information in the parenthetical and

narrative forms to give credit to the original authors (APA, 2020). Parenthetical citation is when

parenthesis enclose the author(s)’ name(s) and date of publication. Narrative citation is when author(s)

and date of publication information is assimilated within the sentence. Citation for quotations must

include the page number or equivalent locating information within the citation (APA, 2020). All citations

Commented [LBW37]: See the APA Manual for all

instances of required copyright and formatting of copyright

citation.

Commented [LBW38]: See the APA Manual, p. 272 for

more about block quotations.

Commented [LBW39]: Example of narrative citation with

a quote within the sentence.

Commented [LBW40]: See APA Manual, p. 266, Table

8.1: Basic In-Text Citation Styles, for chart of proper number

of authors included in citations.

must correspond with reference entries included in your Reference page(s) (CHOICE Media Channel,

2020).

The Conclusion and References

APA-styled papers end with a concluding paragraph(s) followed by the list of reference entries

(APA, 2020). The concluding paragraph(s) appear at the end of the body section without the heading of

“Conclusion” and includes information about findings or conclusions revealed through the research

process. You may briefly include suggestions of future research related to your research.

References are a list of all the works cited within the paper. The list derives from the research

you have done and may include books, articles, internet resources, etc. Personal communications and

interviews are not included in the list of References if these interactions are not recoverable by others.

In this case, include information about these interactions within the body of your paper using

appropriate citation (APA, 2020). Preference is given to the use of primary resources (original sources),

rather than secondary resources (resources found within a primary source), for information in your

paper (APA, 2020). Create your References page(s) in the format and style prescribed within Chapter 8

of APA Manual (APA, 2020).

Writing in the style of the 7

edition of the APA Manual will result in a smoothly written

research paper based on your hypothesis or thesis statement crediting the scholarly efforts of others

and including your original thoughts (APA, 2020). Using APA’s specific format and structure keeps the

basic layout of your paper uniform with all others using APA-styled writing. When used properly, APA’s

scholarly writing standards will allow a writer to create understandable, thoughtful, and jargon-free

papers. Careful attention to the use of bias-free language and sensitivity pertaining to gender, race, and

sexuality expressed through APA’s style of writing brings inclusivity to your paper. Finally, proper

paraphrasing and quotation, which includes correct and appropriate citations and references to the

original authors, validates your research efforts (APA, 2020).

Commented [LBW41]: Example of parenthetical citation.

Commented [LBW42]: See APA Manual, pp. 65 and 260

for more information about personal communications.

Commented [LBW43]: This is the conclusion paragraph.

Note no label is used.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Disability. APA Style. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-

grammar-guidelines/bias-free-language/disability

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (7

ed.).

Bradley, L., Noble, N., & Hendricks, B. (2020). The APA Publication Manual: Changes in the seventh

edition. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 28(2), 126-130.

https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1066480720911625

Charlebois, J. (2016). Sexual orientation. In C. L. Shehan (Ed.), Wiley-Blackwell encyclopedias in social

science: The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies. Wiley. Credo Reference.

https://tinyurl.com/yaaotug9

Chen, J., Kingston, N., Tiemann, G. & Gu, F. (2010). Hypothesis. In N. J. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of

research design. Sage Publications. Credo Reference. https://tinyurl.com/yaxhouey

Cherry, K. (2020, April 11). How to write an outline in APA format. Verywellmind.com.

https://www.verywellmind.com/apa-outline-format-4685910

CHOICE Media Channel. (2020, Feb. 14). Creating References Using Seventh Edition APA Style [Video].

YouTube. https://youtu.be/gmZIfLX_qs8

Gill, F., & Gill. (2012). Gender identity. In H. K. Anheier, & M. Juergensmeyer (Eds.), Encyclopedia of

global studies. Sage Publications. Credo Reference. https://tinyurl.com/y7r7by38

Romero, L., & Romero, L. (2008). Socioeconomic status. In F. T. Leong, Encyclopedia of counseling. Sage

Publications. Credo Reference. https://tinyurl.com/y8b3c9ab

Streetkerk, R. (2020, March 20). APA Manual 7

edition: The most notable changes. Scribbr.com.

https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-seventh-edition-changes/

Commented [LBW44]: All references follow this pattern

of information (including periods): Who. When. What.

Where. Don’t use the last period at end of DOI’s or URL’s.

Commented [LBW45]: This is a website reference. See

APA Manual, p. 282.

Commented [LBW46]: This is a group authored book

reference. Do not include location information for the

publishers. If the author and publisher are the same (as

shown here), do not include publisher information. See APA

Manual, p. 321-324.

Commented [LBW47]: This is a scholarly journal article

with multiple authors and a DOI reference. See APA

Manual, p. 317.

Commented [LBW48]: Note that the format of all

Reference entries that are longer than one line requires a

hanging-indent for the second line and all other lines.

Commented [LBW49]: This is a website as the source for

a webpage reference. See APA Manual, p. 351.

Commented [LBW50]: This is a YouTube reference. See

APA Manual, pp. 274 and 344.

Commented [LBW51]: This is an entry in an edited

reference work, with multiple authors reference. See APA

Manual, p. 328.

Commented [LBW52]: This is a shortened URL. See APA

Manual, p. 300, Section 9.36 for more about DOI and URL

Shorteners.

Commented [LBW53]: This is a webpage with individual

author reference. See APA Manual, p. 351.

Appendix

Student Papers Format and Tips

Formatting of an APA paper (for all computers except Mac’s):

Use this guide to set up your student paper. Check the APA Manual for professional paper format.

1. Use one of the approved fonts and points throughout your paper. These include: Calibri-11;

Arial-11, Lucida-10, Sans Unicode-10, Times New Roman-12, Georgia-11, or Computer Modern.

2. Use 1-inch margins for all borders of your paper. To ensure that the bottom margin remains at

1-inch, when setting up your paper, find the “Paragraph” dialog box in the ribbon and click on

the “Paragraph Settings” button in the right-hand corner. Click on the “Line and Page Breaks”

tab. Unclick the box in front of “Widow/Orphan control.” Press “Ok.”

3. Use double spacing throughout the entire paper. Adjust your settings to remove extra spacing

after each paragraph by finding the “Paragraph” dialog box in the ribbon, and clicking on the

Line and Spacing icon. Select 2.0, then click box in front of “Remove Space after Paragraph.”

Press “Ok.”

Tips:

1. To save yourself time, create your own APA Template. Undergraduates will create a 3-page

template: Title, Body, References. Graduate’s template with be 4-pages: Title, Abstract,

Body, References. Follow formatting guides above. Mock-up for each template page with

filler words and appropriate bolded fonts and spacing. Save as “APA Template.”

2. Use DOI’s for appropriate Reference entries. If no DOI is given, use CrossRef’s “Free DOI

Lookup”. Go to https://www.crossref.org/guestquery. Fill in the form. Note: not all boxes

must be filled. Click on “search.” If response is “No DOI found” check for spelling errors and

mistakes, then resubmit. If response is still void, then use appropriate URL instead.

Commented [LBW54]: An APA paper may have an

appendix when pertinent information should be included

that would otherwise distract from the body of the paper if

included there.

More than one appendix may be added to a paper. In this

case, the label of appendices includes a letter. Example:

Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, etc.

Commented [LBW55]: Each appendix must have a title,

except in the case of a table or a figure. See the APA

Manual, pp. 41-42.

Commented [LBW56]: See the APA Manual, p. 44,

Section 2.19.