Updated
Where to start
A student APA paper has a title page, the page number at the top right, author-date citations such as (Walker, 2017), and a References page. Start with APA format for every rule in one place, then use the source pages below for one reference at a time.
Formatting the paper
- APA formatEvery rule for an APA 7 student paper, with a full example.
- Hanging indentSet a half-inch hanging indent in Google Docs, Word and Pages.
- Double spacingDouble-space a paper in Google Docs, Word and Pages, with no extra gaps.
- APA in-text citationsAuthor and date, page numbers, et al., and narrative citations.
- References pageThe APA list of sources: order, spacing, DOIs, with an example.
- APA title pageStudent and professional title pages, line by line.
- APA headingsThe five heading levels, with what each looks like.
- APA abstractWhen you need one, the 250-word limit, and keywords.
- Block quotesWhen a quote becomes a block, and how to set it, in MLA, APA and Chicago.
- Annotated bibliographyEntries with annotations, in MLA and APA, with layout and examples.
- Citing a source in a sourceCite a quote you found in another source: qtd. in, as cited in, quoted in.
- MLA vs APA vs ChicagoThe three styles side by side, and which one your class wants.
How to cite each source
- WebsiteA page or article on a website, with an author.
- Web page with no authorA page with no named person, often by an organization.
- YouTube videoA video on YouTube or another site, including TED talks.
- Journal articleA scholarly article, in print or from a database.
- BookA whole book, print or e-book.
- Chapter in an edited bookA chapter, essay or story in a book with editors.
- Newspaper or magazine articleA news or magazine article, print or online.
- FilmA movie, in a theater or on a streaming service.
- Podcast episodeOne episode of a podcast.
- InterviewA published interview, or one you did yourself.
- Government reportA report or publication from an agency or organization.
- Dissertation or thesisA doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis.
- Social media postA post on X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok or similar.
- ChatGPT or other AIText from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or another AI tool.
- BibleA Bible edition, with book, chapter and verse.
- SongA song or a whole album.
- Lecture or speechA lecture, keynote or talk you attended.