What is APA formatting?
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
It is explained here:
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The APA will try to sell you whole books about it, but that should be necessary for an overview and basic understanding. It usually applies to citing references.
APA formatting refers to the guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) for writing academic papers and citing sources. It is commonly used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. APA formatting includes specific rules for organizing the structure of a paper, formatting the text, citing sources, and creating a reference list.
To understand APA formatting in detail, you can refer to the official APA Publication Manual (currently in its 7th edition) or various online resources that provide guidance on APA style. Here's how you can find information about APA formatting:
1. APA Publication Manual: The APA Publication Manual is a comprehensive guide that explains all aspects of APA formatting. You can find the manual in physical or digital format. It covers topics such as paper structure, grammar, citing sources, reference list formatting, and more.
2. Online resources: Several websites provide explanations and examples of APA formatting. The official APA website (www.apastyle.org) is a reliable source for APA guidelines. Additionally, there are online writing centers and university websites that offer detailed instructions and tutorials on APA style.
Here's a brief overview of some key elements of APA formatting:
1. Paper structure: APA papers typically include a title page, an abstract (summary), an introduction, the main body of the paper, and a conclusion. Each section has specific formatting requirements.
2. Text formatting: APA style uses a clear and concise writing style with a specific font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12pt), double-spacing, and 1-inch margins. It also includes rules for headings, running heads, and page numbers.
3. In-text citations: When citing sources within the text of your paper, APA style requires the author's last name and the year of publication (e.g., Smith, 2021). Different citation formats are used based on factors such as the number of authors, direct quotes, paraphrasing, and more.
4. Reference list: APA style has specific guidelines for creating a reference list at the end of the paper. It includes detailed information about each source cited in the paper, such as author(s), publication year, title, and source information.
Remember, it is essential to consult the official APA guidelines or reputable online resources to ensure accurate and up-to-date information on APA formatting.