APA Format for a Term Paper

APA Format for a Term Paper

One of the most important requirements for a term paper is that a writer should format it according to the style required. Usually, it depends on the research area that you should deal with, e.g. if you have to deal with humanities, most likely, MLA style is used. APA style is generally used for writing papers on Psychology and exact sciences. In this article, you will find information on how use APA format for a term paper.

APA is a style of writing, formatting, and making references according to the rules adopted by American Psychological Association. To use APA format for a term paper successfully, follow the guidelines presented below.

APA format for a term paper: Generalities

• APA term paper should be written on a standard-size 8.5×11 inch paper using a legible font like Arial or Times New Roman;
• Double-spaced throughout the document to use APA format for your term paper;
• The margins are 1 inch on all sides;
• In the upper right hand corner of each page, a page header should be placed. So, type the first 2-3 words of your title, indent 5 spaces, and set a page number in order to place your page header.

APA format for a term paper: Making references

• To use APA format for a term paper, place the word “References” on a separate page at the end of the document;
• Indent 2 spaces before you include the first entry into your bibliography list;
• Capitalize the first word of the source you are going to include into the reference list;
• Commas should be used in order to separate:
• Surnames from initials;
• Titles of newspapers from p. or pp.;
• (Ed.) from the title of the book.

APA format for a term paper: Abbreviation

• To use APA format for a term paper, explain what a certain abbreviation means if the reader faces it for the first time;
• To use APA format for a term paper, single space if you use some abbreviation within reference, e.g. p.12, 3rd ed.;
• When using APA format for a term paper, add “s” without any apostrophe to make a plural form of abbreviations (MAs, Eds.);
• While using APA format for a term paper, do not use “pp.” for citations taken from journals or magazines. Present the page numbers themselves.

If you need more detailed information, visit the following website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/