1. APA
FORMAT
STYLE
INTENDED FOR USE IN
SCIENCE, MATH, AND SOCIAL STUDIES
RESEARCH PAPERS

2. MAJOR PAPER
SECTIONS
There are 4 major section in an APA
documented paper
1. Title page
2. Abstract
3. Main body
4. Reference page

3. TITLE PAGE
The title page contains 4 components
1. A running head with page number
1. Left side justified with page number on the right
2. The title page will be different from the remainder of the
pages
2. Title of the paper
1. Centered
2. No abbreviated or unnecessary words
3. Author’s name
1. Centered
2. First name middle initial and last name
4. Institutional affiliation
1. School name

4. EXAMPLE APA TITLE PAGE
Running Head: UNITED STATES RESEARCH PAPER 1
1” margins all sides
United States History Research Paper
All text is John P. Student Title information
double spaced is centered
Andress High School

5. ABSTRACT
The abstract contains the following:
1. A running title
1. Pulled from the title page running head
2. And continuing page numbers 2 and beyond
2. A precise summary of your paper
1. All the paper should be in Times New Roman
2. 12 font
3. The purpose of the paper
4. Is between 150-250 words

6. SAMPLE ABSTRACT
United States Research Paper 2
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce students to the history of a nation. This
would include the discovery, inhabitation, development of culture, the foundation of
independence, development of a constitution, and the development of a
government.
keywords: history, government, culture
Note how
the header is
different on
page 2
Note: the
abstract is
NOT
indented
The abstract is
double spaced

7. CITATIONS IN TEXT
Parenthetical in-text documentation means that the writer is using
outside experts as support for the information in the research
paper. And that those experts will be quoted in the paper
1. These are quotes used from other sources such as; books,
magazines, blog; brochures, other research papers,
newspapers, websites, and other outside resources.
2. This is also includes paraphrasing (taking some one else’s
words and re-writing them or stating them in a different way.
3. If credit is not given in the paper AND listed on the reference
page this is called plagiarism , which is stealing.

8. EXAMPLE OF SHORT IN-TEXT
PARENTHETICAL SOURCES
Sources must always include the author and the latest date!
1. The journey through history can be, as Holmes (2011) states “ A
journey of discovering who we are and where we come from…”.
(p. 199).
2. While the history of the Unites States is not as long as other
countries it has been fraught with turmoil. Merriam Cunningham
believed this to be true. She said, “Students of history have much
to learn about the dynamics of social and political growth”
(Cunningham, 2012, p. 56).
3. Richards (2013) found that “…not many American students or
young adults know a great deal about their own country. A sad
state of affairs, indeed” (p. 42).
Note the
period
location at the
end of each
sentence,
Note the
use of
quotation
marks
Note the
use of
ellipsis.

9. EXAMPLE OF LONG
CITATIONS
Quotes are considered long if they contain 40 words or more.
1. It is started on a new lie
2. It is indented ½ from the left margin
3. Long quotation are completely indented ½ inch from the left
margins
4. This quote should come after closing punctuation of the
previous paragraph
5. Quotation marks are not used on long quotes.

10. EXAMPLE LONG QUOTE
Fenimore (2012)found that the final outcome came down to the confrontation
between two opposing armies.
The battle raged on between the occupants of
the city and the troops attempting to capture a
worthy prize that could sustain either force through
the harsh winter looming on the horizon. That
prize held a plethora of necessary supplies such
as: food, potable water, shelter, and medical facilities
to care for wounded soldiers, and easy access to
the harbor. (p. 203)
The source is
Fenimore.
Note the end
punctuation.
Note the
indented lines
and the page
number
The same information
is required on short and
long quotes: Source
name, year, and page
number.

11. REFERENCE PAGE
The reference page lists the resources used when writing a
research paper. And contains the following criteria:
Book-
1. Name of source
2. Date of publication
3. Title of resource
4. Where it was published
5. Name of Publisher, and/or
6. URL (the ENTIRE URL)

12. REFERENCE PAGE
The word – Reference - is typed in the center of your resource
page.
1. References are listed alphabetically by last name ALWAYS.
2. After the first line, indent all following lines. This is called
hanging indention.
3. Remember a reference can NOT be in the body of the paper
if it is not documented on the reference page.
4. Remember a source can NOT be listed in the reference page
if the source is not documented in the body of the
research paper.
1. These sources are the support and proof of the research
being done by students

13. EXAMPLE REFERENCE PAGE
Reference
Cunningham, M.A. (2012). Man’s history and social development. New York, NY:
Russell Sage Foundation.
Fenimore, J.C. (2012). 10 important battles in american history. A list of little
known but vital battles for america, 257. Retrieved from
http://www.Untoldhistory.edu/articles/roundhouseforum
Holmes, T.A. (2011). Men’s and Women’s roles in history: A journey to a new land.
In B.R. Wainrib (ed.), Gender roles in a new frontier (pp. 187-210). New
York, NY: Springer
Richards, N. X. (2013, June 19). Making the grade in today’s schools. Time, 135,
28-31.
Book Source
Source from
an online
webpage
Chapter in an edited
book
Magazine article

14. FANTASTIC RESOURCES!
These resources have wonder information on APA style formatting. Use
these.
Purdue Owl Website
-has great PowerPoint and
YouTube broadcasts on APA
formatting
Citationmachine.net
-actually helps set up your work cited page through a step by
step process.
CAUTION: When using citationmachine make sure
it is the information is current and all the
information needed is documented.