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How to use apa format

A step by step guide to formatting your college essays using APA style.

10
STEPS
TOOLS

\ud83d\udd06Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.

🔆Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.

\ud83d\udd06Click on Microsoft Office Word. (Years and versions may vary).

🔆Click on Microsoft Office Word. (Years and versions may vary).

\ud83d\udd06Change your font to Times New Roman.

🔆Change your font to Times New Roman.

\ud83d\udd06Change font size to 12.

🔆Change font size to 12.

\ud83d\udd06Click on page layout.

🔆Click on page layout.

\ud83d\udd06Ensure the margins are set to one inch. NOTE: One inch margins are generally the default setting.

🔆Ensure the margins are set to one inch. NOTE: One inch margins are generally the default setting.

\ud83d\udd06Under the home tab, click the arrow to expand the paragraph section.

🔆Under the home tab, click the arrow to expand the paragraph section.

\ud83d\udd06Chang line spacing to double.

🔆Chang line spacing to double.

\ud83d\udd06Click the box next to "Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style."

🔆Click the box next to "Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style."

\ud83d\udd06Click OK.

🔆Click OK.

\ud83d\udd06Click the insert tab.

🔆Click the insert tab.

\ud83d\udd06Click Page Number, scroll over Top of Page, and click Plain Number 1.  NOTE: This number will eventually be tabbed over to the right side.

🔆Click Page Number, scroll over Top of Page, and click Plain Number 1. NOTE: This number will eventually be tabbed over to the right side.

\ud83d\udd06Once Plain Number 1 is chosen, the tool bar will change, providing the option to click the box under Design that says, "Different First Page."

🔆Once Plain Number 1 is chosen, the tool bar will change, providing the option to click the box under Design that says, "Different First Page."

\ud83d\udd06The cursor should be in front of the page number 1.  Type Running head: TITLE OF THE ESSAY.  NOTE: "Running head" is standard type and the title of the essay is in all caps.

🔆The cursor should be in front of the page number 1. Type Running head: TITLE OF THE ESSAY. NOTE: "Running head" is standard type and the title of the essay is in all caps.

\ud83d\udd06Hit the tab key until your page number is on the right side of the page.

🔆Hit the tab key until your page number is on the right side of the page.

\ud83d\udd06Close the header and footer tab.

🔆Close the header and footer tab.

\ud83d\udd06Hit enter until you reach the second page.

🔆Hit enter until you reach the second page.

\ud83d\udd06Click on the insert tab again.

🔆Click on the insert tab again.

\ud83d\udd06 Click on Page Number, scroll over Top of Page, and click on Plain Number 1 again in order to return your cursor to the header section on the second page.

🔆 Click on Page Number, scroll over Top of Page, and click on Plain Number 1 again in order to return your cursor to the header section on the second page.

\ud83d\udd06The cursor should now be next to the page number 2.

🔆The cursor should now be next to the page number 2.

\ud83d\udd06Type the title of your essay in all caps. NOTE: Do NOT type "running head" again. That term appears on the first page only.

🔆Type the title of your essay in all caps. NOTE: Do NOT type "running head" again. That term appears on the first page only.

\ud83d\udd06Tab the page number 2  to the right side of the screen.  The page number and headers are now set and will populate automatically as the essay is typed.

🔆Tab the page number 2 to the right side of the screen. The page number and headers are now set and will populate automatically as the essay is typed.

\ud83d\udd06Close the header and footer.

🔆Close the header and footer.

\ud83d\udd06APA Style includes a title page.  Center your cursor and begin the title information on upper half of the page.

🔆APA Style includes a title page. Center your cursor and begin the title information on upper half of the page.

\ud83d\udd06The title of the essay, subtitle if applicable, student's name, and educational affiliation should be typed and centered as shown above.

🔆The title of the essay, subtitle if applicable, student's name, and educational affiliation should be typed and centered as shown above.

\ud83d\udd06Print articles should include an author's note.  This is optional for student essays.  It is a good idea to check with your instructor to find out whether he or she requires an author's note.

🔆Print articles should include an author's note. This is optional for student essays. It is a good idea to check with your instructor to find out whether he or she requires an author's note.

\ud83d\udd06You can begin typing your essay on the second page.  APA includes centered subheading.  Your instructor may also require an abstract, which would appear before the start of your essay.

🔆You can begin typing your essay on the second page. APA includes centered subheading. Your instructor may also require an abstract, which would appear before the start of your essay.

  • A Computer
  • Microsoft Word