The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in social sciences, education, and business fields. When it comes to formatting the first page of an APA-style paper, accuracy is crucial to ensure that the paper is taken seriously and to avoid losing points for formatting errors. Here are 8 APA first page tips that ensure accuracy:
Understanding the APA Style
The APA style has specific guidelines for formatting the first page of a paper, including the title page, running head, and abstract. The title page should include the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation. The running head should be a shortened version of the title, and it should be displayed in the top-left corner of every page, including the first page.
APA First Page Tips
Here are 8 tips to ensure accuracy on the first page of an APA-style paper:
- Use a legible font: The APA style recommends using a legible font, such as 12-point Times New Roman.
- Set the margins: The margins should be set to 1 inch on all sides, including the top, bottom, left, and right.
- Include a running head: The running head should be a shortened version of the title, and it should be displayed in the top-left corner of every page, including the first page.
- Center the title: The title should be centered on the page, and it should be in title case, meaning that the first letter of each major word is capitalized.
- Include the author's name and institutional affiliation: The author's name and institutional affiliation should be included on the title page, along with the title of the paper.
- Use an abstract: An abstract is a brief summary of the paper, and it should be included on the second page of the paper.
- Use keywords: Keywords are important for search engine optimization, and they should be included at the end of the abstract.
- Check for errors: Finally, it's essential to check the first page for errors, including spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.
By following these 8 APA first page tips, writers can ensure that their paper is formatted accurately and professionally, which can help to establish credibility and authority in their field.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When formatting the first page of an APA-style paper, there are several common mistakes to avoid, including:
- Using the wrong font or font size
- Incorrectly setting the margins
- Forgetting to include the running head
- Not centering the title
- Not including the author's name and institutional affiliation
- Not using an abstract
- Not including keywords
- Not checking for errors
By avoiding these common mistakes, writers can ensure that their paper is formatted accurately and professionally, which can help to establish credibility and authority in their field.
| APA Style Element | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Font | 12-point Times New Roman |
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides |
| Running Head | Shortened version of the title |
| Title | Centered, in title case |
| Author's Name and Institutional Affiliation | Included on the title page |
| Abstract | Brief summary of the paper |
| Keywords | Included at the end of the abstract |
What is the recommended font for APA-style papers?
+The recommended font for APA-style papers is 12-point Times New Roman.
How should the margins be set for APA-style papers?
+The margins should be set to 1 inch on all sides, including the top, bottom, left, and right.
What is the purpose of the abstract in an APA-style paper?
+The abstract is a brief summary of the paper, and it should provide an overview of the main points and findings.
