APA

FORMAT
STYLE
INTENDED FOR USE IN SCIENCE, MATH,
AND SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH PAPERS
MAJOR PAPER
SECTIONS
There are 4 major section in an APA
documented paper
1. Title page
2. Abstract
3. Main body
4. Reference page
TITLE PAGE
The title page contains 4 components
1. A running head with page number
1. Left side justified with page number on the right
2. The title page will be different from the remainder of the
pages
2. Title of the paper
1. Centered
2. No abbreviated or unnecessary words
3. Author’s name
1. Centered
2. First name middle initial and last name
4. Institutional affiliation
1. School name
 EXAMPLE APA TITLE PAGE
Running Head: UNITED STATES RESEARCH PAPER 1

1” margins all sides

United States History Research Paper

All text is John P. Student Title information

double spaced is centered
Andress High School
ABSTRACT
The abstract contains the following:
1. A running title
1. Pulled from the title page running head
2. And continuing page numbers 2 and beyond
2. A precise summary of your paper
1. All the paper should be in Times New Roman
2. 12 font
3. The purpose of the paper
4. Is between 150-250 words
 SAMPLE ABSTRACT
Note how
United States Research Paper the header is 2
different on
page 2

Note: the
abstract is
NOT
Abstract
indented

The purpose of this paper is to introduce students to the history of a nation. This

would include the discovery, inhabitation, development of culture, the foundation of

independence, development of a constitution, and the development of a

government.
The abstract is
double spaced
keywords: history, government, culture
CITATIONS IN TEXT
Parenthetical in-text documentation means that the writer is using
outside experts as support for the information in the research
paper. And that those experts will be quoted in the paper
1. These are quotes used from other sources such as; books,
magazines, blog; brochures, other research papers,
newspapers, websites, and other outside resources.
2. This is also includes paraphrasing (taking some one else’s
words and re-writing them or stating them in a different way.
3. If credit is not given in the paper AND listed on the reference
page this is called plagiarism , which is stealing.
EXAMPLE OF SHORT IN-TEXT
PARENTHETICAL SOURCES
Sources must always include the author and the latest date!
1. The journey through history can be, as Holmes (2011) states “ A
journey of discovering who we are and where we come from…”.
(p. 199). Note the
use of
ellipsis.
2. While the history of the Unites States is not as long as other
countries it has been fraught with turmoil. Merriam Cunningham
believed this to be true. She said, “Students of history have much
to learn about the dynamics of social and political growth” Note the
use of
(Cunningham, 2012, p. 56). quotation
marks
3. Richards (2013) found that “…not many American students or
young adults know a great deal about their own country. A sad
state of affairs, indeed” (p. 42).
Note the
period
location at the
end of each
sentence,
EXAMPLE OF LONG
CITATIONS

Quotes are considered long if they contain 40 words or more.

1. It is started on a new lie
2. It is indented ½ from the left margin
3. Long quotation are completely indented ½ inch from the left
margins
4. This quote should come after closing punctuation of the
previous paragraph
5. Quotation marks are not used on long quotes.
EXAMPLE LONG QUOTE
Fenimore (2012)found that the final outcome came down to the confrontation

between two opposing armies.

The source is
The battle raged on between the occupants of
Fenimore.
Note the end
the city and the troops attempting to capture a
punctuation.

worthy prize that could sustain either force through

The same information
is required on short and
the harsh winter looming on the horizon. That
long quotes: Source
name, year, and page
prize held a plethora of necessary supplies such
number.
as: food, potable water, shelter, and medical facilities

to care for wounded soldiers, and easy access to Note the

indented lines
the harbor. (p. 203) and the page
number
REFERENCE PAGE
The reference page lists the resources used when writing a
research paper. And contains the following criteria:
Book-
1. Name of source
2. Date of publication
3. Title of resource
4. Where it was published
5. Name of Publisher, and/or
6. URL (the ENTIRE URL)
REFERENCE PAGE
The word – Reference - is typed in the center of your resource
page.
1. References are listed alphabetically by last name ALWAYS.
2. After the first line, indent all following lines. This is called
hanging indention.
3. Remember a reference can NOT be in the body of the paper
if it is not documented on the reference page.
4. Remember a source can NOT be listed in the reference page
if the source is not documented in the body of the
research paper.
1. These sources are the support and proof of the research
being done by students
EXAMPLE REFERENCE PAGE
Reference

Cunningham, M.A. (2012). Man’s history and social development. New York, NY:

Russell Sage Foundation. Book Source

Fenimore, J.C. (2012). 10 important battles in american history. A list of little

known but vital battles for america, 257. Retrieved from Source from
an online
http://www.Untoldhistory.edu/articles/roundhouseforum webpage

Holmes, T.A. (2011). Men’s and Women’s roles in history: A journey to a new land.

In B.R. Wainrib (ed.), Gender roles in a new frontier (pp. 187-210). New
Chapter in an edited
York, NY: Springer
book
Richards, N. X. (2013, June 19). Making the grade in today’s schools. Time, 135,

28-31.
Magazine article
FANTASTIC RESOURCES!
These resources have wonder information on APA style formatting. Use
these.
Purdue Owl Website
-has great PowerPoint and
YouTube broadcasts on APA
formatting

Citationmachine.net
-actually helps set up your work cited page through a step by
step process.

CAUTION: When using citationmachine make sure

it is the information is current and all the
information needed is documented.