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APA 7th Citation Guide

A guide on APA Style 7th edition, derived from the APA Style Manual

Types of Papers in APA Style

APA 7th gives guidance for a variety of paper types, both for professional and student writers. In this section, we will look at the format for student papers and two sample student papers.

APA recognizes the following as types of student papers:

  • Annotated bibliographies
  • Cause-and-effect essays
  • Comparative essays
  • Expository essays
  • Narrative essays
  • Persuasive essays
  • Précis
  • Response or reaction paper
  • Thesis or Dissertation

Paper format and elements

Paper Elements

Element

 Requirements
Title Page
  • Title in bold and centered
  • Name of each author
  • Affiliation: typically the department and university
  • Course number (including any letters preceding it) and name
  • Instructor name
  • Assignment due date
  • Page number
  • NOTE: Running heads are no longer required for student papers in APA 7th.
Abstract
  • APA no longer recommends abstracts for student papers, but ask your instructor for more information.
Text Body
  • Body text should be left-aligned and double-spaced with each paragraph indented.
  • APA recommends section headings, but ask your instructor for more information.
  
Reference List
  • Reference list should be on a separate page.
  • Title the reference list 'References', bold and centered.
  • List references alphabetically, double-spaced with a hanging indent.
  • For references that have the same author/s, list these alphanumerically, with the most recent year first.

 

Paper Format

  • Use an acceptable font, including: 11pt Calibri, 11pt Arial, 10pt Lucida, 12pt Times New Roman, or 11pt Georgia. Whichever you choose, be consistent.
  • Double-space the entire paper, unless presenting statistics or data in another format is more readable.
  • Use 1" margins on all sides.
  • Left-align text. 
  • Indent the first line of each paragraph .5".

Sample papers for download

Sample papers available for download

Most students should follow APA Style's Student Paper format. If you are unsure whether to follow the Student Paper format or the Professional Paper format, double-check with your professor. 

Student papers in APA Style
Professional sample papers available for download
Learn more