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APA Style Guide

A Note About Writing APA Papers

When writing your APA -style paper, check your assignment to see what formatting standards your instructor would like you to use. No class standards are the same, and no two assignments are the same. Your APA-style paper may feel very similar to writing other papers in the past, or it might be more strict in guidelines.

For an in-depth look at a fully specific APA-Style Paper, check out this paper at The Owl At Purdue or APA Style Guide

Essay Vs. Research Paper

Audience Perspective Is Also Considered Includes Compare and Contrast, Argumentative, Analytical, Cause And Effect, and Subject-Basis Uses Writer’s Point Of View essay research paper BETWEEN AN ESSAY AND A RESEARCH PAPER? Usually Shorter In Length Not Comprehensive Presents Abstract Thought Includes Academic, Narrative, and Philosophical Versions Determines Insights After Researching Viewpoints And Studies Usually Longer In Length Needs Extensive Research Demonstrates Knowledge Of A Topic Author Does Not Always Include Personal Perspective WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE

APA Sample Cover Page

Cover Example

The following information is provided from APA Style and is modified to suit CPTC needs:

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution. An example is provided above of a Running Header.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Student title page element

Format

Example

Paper title

Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize major words of the title. Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired. There is no maximum length for titles; however, keep titles focused and include key terms.

Seeing Sasquatch: Perception, Memory, and the Human Need for Mystery

Author names

Place one double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author names. Center author names on their own line. If there are two authors, use the word “and” between authors; if there are three or more authors, place a comma between author names and use the word “and” before the final author name.

Justin Credible

Author affiliation

For a student paper, the affiliation is the institution where the student attends school. Include both the name of any department and the name of the college, university, or other institution, separated by a comma. Center the affiliation on the next double-spaced line after the author name(s).

Coastal Pines Technical College

Course number and name

Provide the course number as shown on instructional materials, followed by a colon and the course name. Center the course number and name on the next double-spaced line after the author affiliation.

PSYCH 1101: Introduction to Psychology

Instructor name

Provide the name of the instructor for the course using the format shown on instructional materials. Center the instructor name on the next double-spaced line after the course number and name.

Dr. Will B. Liev

Assignment due date

Provide the due date for the assignment. Center the due date on the next double-spaced line after the instructor name. 

October 31, 2025

Page number

Use the page number 1 on the title page. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processing program to insert page numbers in the top right corner of the page header.

1

APA Sample Abstract

Abstract Sample

The following information is provided from OWL at Purdue and is modified to suit CPTC needs:

  • Begin a new page after your cover page.
  • Your abstract page should already include the page header.
  • On the first line of the abstract page, center and bold the word “Abstract” (no italics, underlining, or quotation marks -labeled as Section Header).
  • Beginning with the next line, write a concise summary of the key points of your research. (Do not indent.) Your abstract should contain at least your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and conclusions. You may also include possible implications of your research and future work you see connected with your findings. Your abstract should be a single paragraph, double-spaced. Your abstract should typically be no more than 250 words.
  • You may also want to list keywords from your paper in your abstract. To do this, indent as you would if you were starting a new paragraph, type Keywords: (italicized), and then list your keywords. Listing your keywords will help researchers find your work in databases.
  • Abstracts are common in scholarly journal articles and are not typically required for student papers unless advised by an instructor. If you are unsure whether or not your work requires an abstract, consult your instructor for further guidance.