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Chapter 10

Writing a Paper in APA Style (Social Sciences)

Book Version 15
By Boundless
Boundless Writing
Writing
by Boundless
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Section 1
Introduction to APA Style
When to Use APA Style

APA style, which is based on the American Psychological Association style manual, is widely used in many forms of academic writing.

Overall Structure and Formatting of an APA Paper

Every paper written in APA style has the same basic structural elements. 

Section 2
APA: Structure and Formatting of Specific Elements
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APA: Title Page and Running Head

APA papers have a title page and a "running head," or a line at the top of every page to identify the paper.

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APA: Abstract

An APA abstract should summarize your entire paper and should be formatted according to the APA style guide.

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APA: Headings

In APA style, headings are used to organize your writing and give it a hierarchical organization.

APA: Series and Lists

In APA style, there are specific formats for series and lists.

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APA: Block Quotations

In APA style, format quotations of more than 40 words as block quotations.

Section 3
APA: Empirical Research Papers
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APA: Reporting Statistics

Because papers using APA style often report experimental data, you must be able to discuss statistics in your paper. 

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APA: Tables and Figures

APA style has specific rules for formatting tables and figures.

Section 4
APA: Citations and References
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APA: The References Section

In APA style, the sources you cite in your paper are listed all together at the end, in the References section.

APA: How to Reference Different Types of Sources

In APA style, there are different formats for citing sources at the end of your paper depending on the type of source.

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APA: In-Text Citations and Parentheticals

In APA style, there are different formats for citing sources in text depending on the type of source.

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Boundless Writing by Boundless
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Chapter 9
Writing a Paper in MLA Style (Humanities)
  • Introduction to MLA Style
  • MLA: Structure and Formatting of Specific Elements
  • MLA: Citations and References
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Chapter 10
Writing a Paper in APA Style (Social Sciences)
  • Introduction to APA Style
  • APA: Structure and Formatting of Specific Elements
  • APA: Empirical Research Papers
  • APA: Citations and References
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Chapter 11
Writing a Paper in Chicago/Turabian Style (History)
  • Introduction to Chicago/Turabian Style
  • Chicago/Turabian: Structure and Formatting of Specific Elements
  • Chicago/Turabian: Citations and References – Notes and Bibliography (NB) System
  • Chicago/Turabian: Citations and References – Author–Date (AD) System
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