Written

Communication
 Under this topic

• Paper format
• In-text citations
• References
• Grammar
 Paper Format

• Format of a paper allows readers to focus on a

paper’s content rather than its presentation.
• The guidelines for paper format apply to both
student assignments and manuscripts being
submitted for publication to a journal.
• Student assignments will be focused on here.
 Paper Format

• All papers, including student papers, generally include

a title page, text, and references.
• They may include additional elements such as tables
and figures depending on the assignment.
• Student papers generally do not include an abstract
unless requested.
 Paper Format
• Table of contents or order of the pages of an APA Style
paper in this order:
• Title page
• Abstract
• Text
• References
• Foot notes
• Tables
• Figures
• Appendices
 Paper Format

• Title Page Setup

• A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are
both student and professional versions of the title page.
• Students should use the student version of the title page
unless their instructor or institution has requested, they use
the professional version.
 Paper Format

• Student title page

• The student title page includes the paper title, author
names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and
name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor
name, assignment due date, and page number.
 Guidelines for student title page
Element Format Example
Paper title Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Contributions of
Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize major words of the title. Psychology to
Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if Botswana’s
desired. There is no maximum length for titles; however, keep titles economy
focused and include key terms.

Author Place one double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author Lorato Kenosi
names 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's name.

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

Course Provide the course number as shown on instructional materials, followed PSY 218:
number by a colon and the course name. Center the course number and name on Communication in
and name the next double-spaced line after the author affiliation. Psychology
 Guidelines for student title page
Element Format Example
Instructor Provide the name of the instructor for the course using the Prof. Seth
name format shown on instructional materials. Center the instructor's Oppong
name on the next double-spaced line after the course number and
name.
Assignment Provide the due date for the assignment. Center the due date on March 8, 2024
due date the next double-spaced line after the instructor's name. Use the
date format commonly used in your country. 8th March,
2024

8 March, 2024
Page Use the page number 1 on the title page. Use the automatic page- 1
number numbering function of your word processing program to insert
page numbers in the top right corner of the page header.
Sample student title page
 Font

• A variety of fonts are permitted in APA Style papers.

Font options include the following:
• sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-
point Lucida Sans Unicode
• serif fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point
Georgia, or normal (10-point) Computer Modern (the
default font for LaTeX)
 Page Header

• The page header appears within the top margin of every

page of the paper.
• For student papers, the page header consists of the page
number only.
• For professional papers, the page header consists of the page
number and running head.
• Insert page numbers in the top right corner.
• The page number should show on all pages.
• The title page carries page number 1.
 Line Spacing

• In general, double-space all parts of an APA Style

paper, including the abstract; text; block quotations;
table and figure numbers, titles, and notes; and
reference list (including between and within entries).
• Do not add extra space before or after
paragraphs.
 Line Spacing

• Exceptions to double line spacing are as follows:

• title page: Insert a double-spaced blank line between the title
and the byline on the title page.
• tables: The table body (cells) may be single-spaced, one-and-a-half-
spaced, or double-spaced, depending on which is the most effective
layout for the information. Double-space the table number,
title, and notes.
• figures: Words within the image part of a figure may be single-
spaced, one-and-a-half-spaced, or double-spaced, depending on which
is the most effective layout for the information. Double-space
the figure number, title, and notes.
 Margins

• Use 1-inch margins on every side of the page for an

APA Style paper.
 Paragraph Alignment and
Indentation
• Paragraph alignment
• Align the text of an APA Style paper to the left margin.
• Leave the right margin uneven, or “ragged.”
• Do not use full justification for student papers or
manuscripts being submitted for publication.
• Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end
of line.
 Paragraph Alignment and
Indentation
• Paragraph indentation
• Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from
the left margin.
• You may use the tab key.
• Do not use the space bar to create indentation.
 Paragraph Alignment and
Indentation
• Exceptions to paragraph indentation requirement
• Tile page: the title (in bold), byline, affiliations, course number and
name, instructor, and assignment due date should be centered on the
title page.
• Section labels: Section labels (e.g., “Abstract,” “References”) should be
centered (and bold).
• block quotations: Indent a whole block quotation 0.5 in. from the left
margin.
• headings: Level 1 headings should be centered (and in bold), and Level
2 and 3 headings should be left-aligned (and in bold or bold italic,
respectively). Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular
paragraphs.
• reference list: Reference list entries should have a hanging indent of 0.5
in.
 Headings

• Headings identify the content within sections of a paper.

• Make your headings descriptive and concise.
• 5 Levels of heading
• There are five levels of heading in APA Style.
• Level 1 is the highest or main level of heading,
• Level 2 is a subheading of Level 1
• Level 3 is a subheading of Level 2
• And so on through Levels 4 and 5.
 Headings

• Avoid these common errors related to headings:

• Avoid having only one subsection heading within a section,
just like in an outline.
• Do not label headings with numbers or letters.
• Double-space headings; do not switch to single spacing
within headings.
• Do not add blank lines above or below headings, even if a
heading falls at the end of a page.
 Format of Headings
Level Format
1 Centered, Bold, Title Case Heading

Text begins as a new paragraph.

2 Flush Left, Bold, Title Case Heading

Text begins as a new paragraph.

3 Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading

Text begins as a new paragraph.

4 Indented, Bold, Title Case Heading, Ending With a Period. Text
begins on the same line and continues as a regular paragraph.

5 Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading, Ending With a Period.

Text begins on the same line and continues as a regular paragraph.