This handout focuses on how to format in-text citations in APA.

The following tips can help you in formatting your essay in APA style

An example of APA format includes a title page with the paper's title, author's name, and institutional affiliation centered on the page. The main body of the paper follows with a running head, page numbers, and double-spaced text with 1-inch margins. In-text citations acknowledge sources, with corresponding entries listed alphabetically on a separate references page.

Microsoft Word offers built-in templates and formatting options to help users adhere to APA guidelines. These templates include features such as predefined styles for headings, in-text citations, and the references page. Users can easily apply these styles to their documents, ensuring their papers are formatted correctly according to APA standards.

The four main parts of APA format are the title page, abstract, main body, and references. The title page typically includes the title of the paper, author's name, and institutional affiliation centered on the page. The abstract provides a summary of the paper's main points. The main body contains the introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections. In-text citations acknowledge sources, with corresponding entries listed alphabetically on a separate references page.

Below is an example of a student APA format essay

Below are real examples of some essays formatted according to APA style requirements that can serve as a good basis for you to start writing your own essay. These samples were written by our service according to the specific requirements provided by their corresponding professors or universities and can differ in some ways from what is required from you. So, donât forget to check with the department or course convener for specific details for the paper that you are expected to produce.

Depending on the area and specific requirements put forth by the course, here are two APA main body examples in terms of what sections they should cover.

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a to assist students in creating their title pages.

The main body is broken down into a couple of sections. The main ones are the introduction, methods, arguments/discussions, and conclusions. Depending on the department or subject requirements, the arguments also have specific sections â always remember to check with the professor about what should be covered in the main body of the text. For example, for a policy report, the arguments should include a framework review, an analysis of the organization or policy challenges, and recommendations based on the academic literature.

APA Style: Formatting & Example Paper

If you're including a short direct quote in your APA-format essay, you will need to cite the author, year of publication, and page number (p.) or page number span (pp.). Quotations longer than 40 words should omit the quotation marks and be put in the text using block quotation formatting, on its own line and indented 1/2 inch from the left margin.

This paper contacts numerous comments regarding APA formatting

If the essay is in a chapter of a book, edited collection, or anthology, APA format states that you should cite the last name, first name, title of essay, title of collection, publisher, year, and page range. For example: Smith, John, "The Light House," A Book of Poems, editing by Peter Roberts, Allworth Press, 2005, pp. 20-25.

APA Style Essay Format 2024 (Word)

Instead, the information should be cited parenthetically in the main body of the text. For example: “There was an increase in the number of college students who screened positive for depression/anxiety” (R. Heathfield, personal communication, May 9, 2021).

How to Write an Essay in APA Format

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Below are two APA formatted essay templates

When citing information or quotations taken from an interview, APA format requires that you cite the source, how the information was collected, and the date of the interview. They should not be included in the reference section, however, because they are not something that can be located by a reader in any published source or searchable database.