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National American University Online Library: APA Stylistics

(The new library site includes APA 7 guidance, a getting-started video, and slides describing the library resources and how to use the online library.)

What is APA Stylistics?

Stylistics allow research papers to have  a uniform look (cover page, page #s, double-spaced paragraphs, etc.)

On the right, you will find a template formatted using APA 7 Stylistic guide.

APA 7 Formatting In Word

APA Formatting Basics for Papers

  • All text should be double-spaced.
  • Use one-inch margins on all sides.
  • Use 12-point font throughout.
  • Font options:
    • sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
    • serif fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or normal (10-point) Computer Modern (the default font for LaTeX)
  • All paragraphs in the body are indented.
  • Title is centered on the page with writer's name and school/institution underneath.
  • All pages should be numbered in the upper right hand corner.
  • Use one space after periods. 
  • A shortened version of the title (“running head”) should be placed in the upper left hand corner.

 

APA 7 Paper Template

APA 7 for Discussion Boards

See the links below for referencing content posted in discussion forums:

  1. Online forum post
  2. Online forum comment

Here is an example of a discussion post using APA 7 formatting:

"Based on the research by Jones (2023), the concept of 'emotional intelligence' is crucial for effective leadership, as it allows leaders to better understand and respond to their team's needs. This aligns with the idea that leaders must be empathetic and adaptable to different situations, which can significantly improve team morale and productivity."

Key points to remember when formatting a discussion post in APA 7th edition:

  • In-text citations:

    Always include the author's last name and the publication year in parentheses after the cited information, like "(Jones, 2023)". 

  • Paraphrasing and quoting:

    When paraphrasing, include the author and year; when directly quoting, add the page number if available. 

  • No title page or running head:

    Unlike a full APA paper, discussion posts typically do not require a title page or running head. 

  • Reference list (if required):

    If the discussion prompt asks for a full reference list, format it according to APA guidelines, including author, publication year, title, publisher, etc. 

Another Example:

Example discussion post with a citation:

"When considering ethical decision-making in the workplace, the concept of 'utilitarianism' often arises, where the choice that benefits the greatest number of people is considered the most ethical (Mill, 1863). However, this approach can sometimes overlook the potential negative impact on individuals within a minority group." 

Key points about this example:

  • In-text citation: "Mill, 1863" is the correct way to cite the author and year of publication in parentheses. 
  • Paraphrased information: The post is paraphrasing the concept of utilitarianism from Mill's work. 
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