College Paper Help©APA Quick-Start Reference© SheetStudent paper format
- Title page: page number top right; title in bold, centered, upper half; then your name, department and university, course number and name, instructor, and due date.
- 1-inch margins; double-spaced; fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Calibri or Arial, or 11-point Georgia.
- Page numbers top right on every page. Student papers do not need a running head.
- Indent paragraphs ½ inch; repeat the title, bold and centered, at the top of the first text page.
Headings
- Level 1: Centered, Bold, Title Case.
- Level 2: Flush Left, Bold, Title Case.
- Level 3: Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case.
- Do not label the introduction “Introduction.”
In-text citations
- Parenthetical: (Smith, 2020). Narrative: Smith (2020) found …
- Direct quotation: add the page, (Smith, 2020, p. 15).
- Two authors: (Smith & Lee, 2020); in a sentence: Smith and Lee (2020).
- Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2020) from the first citation.
- Group author: (American Heart Association, 2023).
Quotations and numbers
- Short quotes (under 40 words) go in quotation marks with the page number.
- Block quotes (40 words or more): indent ½ inch, no quotation marks, citation after the final period.
- Spell out zero through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.
- Use a serial (Oxford) comma in lists of three or more.
References page
- New page titled References, bold and centered.
- Alphabetical by first author’s last name; double-spaced; ½-inch hanging indent.
- Journal article: Lee, A. A., & Park, J. (2022). Reading habits of first-year students. College Literacy, 12(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
- Book: Smith, J. (2021). Writing in context: A student guide. Oak Press.
- Web page: Garcia, L. (2024, March 5). How to plan a research paper. Writing Center Online. https://www.example.edu/plan
APA is a trademark of the American Psychological Association. College Paper Help is not affiliated with the APA. Always follow your instructor’s requirements.