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HD Thesis Course Guide: APA Formatting

Manuscript Format

Margins

  • Use 1" margins for the entire document.
  • Use a 1/2" indent for every paragraph and footnote.
  • Indent set-off quotations 1/2" from the left margin.

Text Formatting

  • Use 12 pt Times New Roman font.
  • Double-space the text, title, headings, footnotes, quotations, references and captions.
  • Two spaces after end of sentence punctuation is recommended 
  • Leave only one space after:
    • commas, colons, and semicolons;
    • periods that separate parts of a reference citation
    • periods following the initials in personal names (e.g., J. R. Zhang) (American Psychological Association, 2010, pp. 87-88).
  • Exceptions for single spacing after punctuation:
    • Do not insert space after periods in abbreviations or around colons in ratios
    • Space twice after punctuation marks at the end of a sentence

Page Header (Running Head)

  • Include a running head on every page.
  • Page number should be flush right.
  • Type the entire title in capital letters. Title should be flush left.
  • Shorten the title if necessary. It cannot exceed more than 50 characters.
  • Actual words "Running head" only appear on title page

Title Page

  • Title should not include abbreviations or exceed more than 12 words.
  • Title should be typed using upper and lower case letters.
  • Center the title and position in the upper half of the page.
  • Center the author's name directly under the title.
  • Format the name omitting titles (Dr, Prof, etc.) and degrees: First name, middle initial, last name.
  • Center the institutional affiliation directly under the author's name.
  • Author's notes are not required for dissertations and theses.

Introduction

  • Begin introduction on a new page.
  • Identify it with the running head or abbreviated title and the page number.
  • Type the title of the manuscript in upper and lower case letters, centered, at the top of the page.
  • The summary itself should be single spaced without indentation.

References (Reference Page)

  • Starts on new page
  • The word "References" should appear (without quotation marks) should be centered at the top of the page
  • Double-space all reference entries
  • Use a hanging indent for reference- first line of each reference is flush with the left margin while subsequent lines are indented.

Appendices

  • Begin each appendix on a new page.
  • Center the word Appendix and the identifying capital letter (A, B, etc.) at the top of the page.
  • Center the title of the appendix, and use upper and lower case letters.
  • Begin the text of the appendix flush left, followed by indented paragraphs.

Adapted from American Psychologial Association (2010) Publication manual (6th ed.).  Washington, D.C.: American Psychologial Association

References

References provide bibliographic information for the sources you used, thereby allowing your reader to identify and locate those materials. To format the page:

  • Begin the list on a new page at the end of your paper
  • Use 1" margins
  • Include the Running Head
  • Center the References title
  • List sources alphabetically
  • Double space within and between entries
  • Indent entries longer than one line by a 1/2"

APA 6 Helpful Guides