The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in academic writing, especially in the social sciences, nursing, psychology, and education. An APA essay follows a specific structure that ensures clarity, consistency, and professionalism.
🧩 Key Components of an APA Essay
1. Title Page
Includes:
Essay title (centered, bold)
Author’s name
Institutional affiliation
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Due date
All elements are centered and double-spaced.
Use a page number in the top right corner.
2. Abstract (if required)
A brief summary of the paper (usually 150–250 words).
Written on a separate page.
No indentation; single paragraph.
Includes keywords at the bottom (optional).
3. Main Body
Begins on a new page with the title centered at the top.
Use clear headings and subheadings (Level 1, Level 2, etc.).
Paragraphs are indented.
Double-spaced text, 12-point Times New Roman font.
In-text citations follow the author-date format: (Smith, 2020).
4. In-Text Citations
Format: (Author, Year)
For direct quotes: (Author, Year, p. #)
Multiple authors: (Smith & Jones, 2021) or (Smith et al., 2022)
5. References Page
Starts on a new page titled “References” (centered, bold).
Entries are alphabetized by author’s last name.
Hanging indent for each entry.
Follows APA format for books, articles, websites, etc.
6. Formatting Guidelines
1-inch margins on all sides.
Page numbers in the top right corner.
Use professional language and avoid contractions.
Avoid biased or non-inclusive language.
đź“ť Practice Quiz (15 Questions)
1. What is the correct font and size for an APA essay? a) Arial, 10-point b) Times New Roman, 12-point c) Calibri, 11-point d) Courier, 12-point Answer: b
2. Where should the page number appear in an APA essay? a) Bottom left corner b) Top right corner c) Centered at the bottom d) Top left corner Answer: b
3. What is the purpose of the abstract in an APA paper? a) To list references b) To summarize the paper’s content c) To introduce the author d) To provide a conclusion Answer: b
4. How should the title be formatted on the title page? a) Italicized b) Underlined c) Centered and bold d) Left-aligned and bold Answer: c
5. What spacing is used throughout an APA essay? a) Single b) 1.5 spacing c) Double d) Triple Answer: c
6. How are in-text citations formatted in APA style? a) (Author, Title) b) (Author, Year) c) (Title, Year) d) (Author, Page) Answer: b
7. What is a hanging indent? a) First line is indented b) All lines are flush left c) First line is flush left, others are indented d) All lines are centered Answer: c
8. What should the heading of the reference page be? a) Works Cited b) Bibliography c) References d) Sources Answer: c
9. How should multiple authors be cited in-text? a) (Smith and Jones, 2021) b) (Smith & Jones, 2021) c) (Smith et al., 2021) d) Both b and c depending on number of authors Answer: d
10. What margin size is required in APA format? a) 0.5 inch b) 1 inch c) 1.5 inch d) 2 inch Answer: b
11. What should be included on the title page besides the title? a) Author’s name and institution b) Instructor’s name c) Course name and due date d) All of the above Answer: d
12. What is the correct way to cite a direct quote in APA? a) (Author, Year) b) (Author, Year, p. #) c) (Author, p. #) d) (Year, p. #) Answer: b
13. What is the purpose of headings in the body of an APA paper? a) To decorate the page b) To organize content clearly c) To replace citations d) To list references Answer: b
14. What type of language should be used in APA writing? a) Informal and conversational b) Biased and opinionated c) Professional and inclusive d) Slang and abbreviations Answer: c
15. What is the correct order of sections in an APA essay? a) Title page, Abstract, Body, References b) Abstract, Title page, Body, References c) Title page, Body, References, Abstract d) Body, Title page, References, Abstract Answer: a