If you are taking a psychology class, you might very likely be asked by your instructor to write an APA paper at some point. An APA paper is simply a written paper that follows APA format, the official writing format of the American Psychological Association.

General Rules of APA Format

Although your instructor may have other specific formatting requirements for you to follow, here are some general guidelines for how to write an APA paper.

• Use standard-sized paper (8.5 inches by 11 inches).
• Use a 1-inch margin on all sides.
• Type and double-space your paper
• Use a 12-point font such as Times New Roman.
• Include a page header. Student papers have a page number on the top right of each page. Professional papers include the page title on the top left of each page in addition to the page number on the top right.

APA Paper Sections

The exact structure of your paper will vary somewhat depending upon the type of paper you have been asked to write. For example, a lab report might be structured a bit differently than a case study or critique paper. A lab report will include extra sections detailing the method, results, and discussion related to your experiment or study.1

Title Page

The title page should contain a running head, the title of the paper, your name and your school affiliation. This page provides important details for your readers, so it is important to learn how to write a title that accurately yet briefly relates your paper’s theme.

Abstract

The abstract is a very short summary of your paper. This section is placed immediately after the title page. According to the rules of APA format, your abstract should be no more than 150 to 250 words.2 However, your instructor may issue specific requirements about the length and content of your abstract, so always check with the instructions and grading rubric provided for your APA paper.

Body

The exact format of this section can vary depending upon the type of paper you are writing. For example, if you are writing a lab report, the main body will include an introduction, a method section, a results section, and a discussion section. Check with your instructor for more specific information on what to include in the main body of your APA paper.

Reference Section

The reference section is where you include any and all references that were used to write your APA paper. Remember, if you cited something in the main body of your paper, it must be included in the reference section. This section should begin on a new page, with the word “References” centered at the very top of the page.

Writing an APA Paper, Step by Step

While writing an APA paper may seem difficult or confusing, start by breaking it down into more manageable steps. As you research your topic, creating an outline and a working bibliography can help you structure your paper and keep track of all of the references you use.

Begin by doing your research and then write your paper. Be sure to keep a careful record of all your references. Only write the abstract section of your paper after you are completely finished writing your paper.

Finally, put all of your references together and create a title page. Once you have completed these steps, edit and proofread your paper. Review your finished APA paper to be sure that all of the formatting is correct.

If you need additional help with APA format, consider purchasing a copy of the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.