

LISTS IN APA FORMAT PAPER UPDATE
The first time you use APA Style, you need to update the default heading styles to reflect the APA heading guidelines. This allows you to save the styling and apply it with just a click. For help making a References list, view our Annotated References List. Any time you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or include information that you’ve read from an outside source, you must include that source in your references list, correctly formatted in APA style. Instead of formatting every heading individually, you can use the “Styles” feature in Word or Google Docs. A references list is a formatted list of all sources you cited within your paper. Using heading styles in Word or Google Docs Use section labels for the following sections in an APA formatted paper: Section labels are placed on a separate line at the top of a new page in bold and centered. They’re similar to headings but are formatted differently. In addition to regular headings, APA works with “section labels” for specific parts of the paper. If there is just one subheading, the top-level heading is sufficient. This continues all the way down to heading level 5.Īlways use at least two subheadings or none at all. For example, under “Methods” (level 1) you may have subsections for “Sampling Method” and “Data Analysis” (level 2). Heading level 2 is used for subsections under level 1. There is no “ Introduction” heading at the beginning of your paper because the first paragraphs are understood to be introductory. Heading level 1 is used for main sections like “ Methods”, “ Results”, and “ Discussion”. It’s also perfectly fine for some sections in your paper to go as deep as five levels, where others use only heading level 1. In fact, shorter student papers may have no headings at all. How many heading levels should you use?ĭepending on the length and complexity of your paper, you may not use all five heading levels. Instructions from your supervisor or university always overrule the APA guidelines. Note: In longer documents, such as dissertations, you might be required to number your headings. Don’t add extra “enters” above or below headings.Don’t label headings with numbers or letters.Use the same font for headings and body text (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt.).Double-space all text, including the headings.

Using heading styles in Word or Google DocsĪs well as the heading styles, there are some other guidelines to keep in mind:.How many heading levels should you use?.It is centered, in bold font, and all major words should be capitalized. Your title should be presented as a first- level heading. The following provides summaries and examples of all of the headings in APA, from your title, which is a first- level heading, to fifth- level headings. What is a first level heading in APA format?ĪPA Headings. Use an easy-to-read font such as Calibri or Times New Roman. Have a title page, a reference list, and a byline. These include: Type on standard-size (8.5-inch by 11-inch) paper. Indented, bold, sentence case capitalization,** a final period. There are some basic rules of APA format that apply to any type of APA paper. Times New Roman font for both the body text as the headings.

According to the manual, italics are appropriate for: Titles of books, journals and periodicals, films, and videos.ĪPA heading formatting The APA formatting guidelines for each heading style are outlined in the table below. As a general rule, use italics sparingly. Subsequently, question is, can you italicize in APA format? APA has specific guidelines for the use of italics. However, in APA Style, the heading “Introduction” is not used, because what comes at the beginning of the paper is assumed to be the introduction.īoldface Formatting Use boldface only for headings within the body of your paper, that is, within the text itself-these headings we refer to by levels (Levels 1–3 use boldface Level 4 uses boldface and italic Level 5 uses italics only). Only the headings at Levels 1–4 use bold.
