How to Write an APA Paper: Full Guide to APA Format (7th Edition)

If the words “APA style paper” make your palms sweat, you’re not alone.

Whether you’re a psychology major, nursing student, or just taking a course that requires APA format, figuring out how to format everything just right can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a professional, APA-formatted paper—step by step, using real examples and tips that actually make sense.

📘 What Is APA Format?

APA style is the writing and citation format developed by the American Psychological Association. It’s most commonly used in the social sciences, health sciences, education, and business.

The current edition is APA 7th, which simplified a lot of the older rules.

APA papers emphasize:

Clear structure
Objective tone
Proper citation of sources
Consistent formatting throughout the document

✍️ Parts of an APA Paper (Student Version)

Here’s what your APA paper should include (unless your instructor asks for a different structure):

Title Page
Abstract (optional for students)
Main Body (with headings and subheadings)
References Page

Let’s walk through each one.

1️⃣ Title Page Format (APA 7th for Students)

Your title page should contain:

Title of the paper (bolded and centered)
Your name
Institutional affiliation (e.g., your college/university)
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Due date

✅ Example:

How Social Media Impacts Teen Mental Health

Jordan M. Collins
University of Modern Learning
PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology
Professor D. Watkins
April 20, 2025

📝 Double-space everything and center it on the top half of the page.

2️⃣ Abstract (Optional for Student Papers)

An abstract is a 150–250 word summary of your paper. Most student papers don’t require one unless assigned by the professor.

If included:

Title it “Abstract” (bold and centered)
Write in one paragraph with no indent
Keep it concise and objective

3️⃣ Main Body Format (The Essay Itself)

Your main paper starts on page 2 or 3 (after the title/abstract).

General Formatting:

Font: 12pt Times New Roman, 11pt Arial, or Calibri
Double-spacing throughout
1-inch margins
Page numbers in the top-right corner
No running head for student papers (unless asked)

Heading Levels:

APA uses five heading levels. Most student essays use just Levels 1–2.

Level 1 (Centered, Bold)

Example: The Impact of Media on Teens

Level 2 (Flush Left, Bold)

Example: Social Comparison and Anxiety

4️⃣ In-Text Citations (APA 7th)

APA in-text citations follow the author-date format:

Paraphrased: (Lopez, 2021)
Quoted: (Lopez, 2021, p. 45)
Multiple authors: (Lopez & Zhang, 2022) or (Lopez et al., 2022)

💡 Always match your in-text citations to the full reference on the last page.

5️⃣ References Page Format

The reference page should:

Start on a new page
Be titled “References” (bold and centered)
List sources alphabetically by author’s last name
Use hanging indentation
Be double-spaced

✅ Example References:

Book:
Brown, K. T. (2019). The adolescent brain and behavior. Springer.

Journal Article:
Nguyen, J., & Thomas, L. (2021). Instagram use and mental health. Journal of Youth Psychology, 34(3), 112–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jyp.2021.03.004

Website:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, January 15). Teen depression facts. https://www.cdc.gov/teens/depression

🔍 APA Paper Template (Student Version)

Here’s a quick outline you can follow:

✅ Common APA Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Forgetting to cite sources
🚫 Incorrect spacing or indentation
🚫 Using bold or underline for titles in the text (not APA)
🚫 Putting URLs on the references page without removing hyperlinks
🚫 Listing references that don’t appear in the text (or vice versa)

🛠 Tools to Help With APA Formatting

Google Docs – Has a built-in APA template
Scribbr Citation Generator – Great for quick references
Zotero & Mendeley – Useful for managing sources
Purdue OWL – The ultimate academic style guide

🧠 But even with these tools, it’s still smart to double-check manually.

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