Crafting An Essay Using The APA Format – Helpful Suggestions

Citation formats are used to create conformity in writing among students. It is easier for professors to find what is necessary if they know where everything is. The APA style of citation formatting is usually used by behavioral and social sciences. Make sure you do your assignment in whatever format that your professor recommends so you don’t lose point needlessly. Here are some ways to craft an essay using the APA formatting style:

• The paper should be double-spaced and the font size should be 12 point and the suggested style of print is Times New Roman
• Usually there is a Title Page for this citation style. A title page makes your essay look more professional which will set you up for a better grade with your professor. You should include the title of your essay, the name of the school and course as well as your name. All of this should be centered in the middle of the page and each line should be double-spaced.
• After the Title Page comes an Abstract. This is usually about 150 words and states what your thesis statement is and what you are going to talk about in your essay as well as the main points that you will be discussing. It may be the only thing that some people read. It also will be the deciding factor on whether some people read your essay or not so take your time when you are writing this. The next thing using this formatting style is your Introduction.
• After your introduction is where you would put the methods you used in your experiments as well as the results of your tests. Use this spot to detail all of your results. Put any tables and graphs here as well. This spot is a better place to explain your results than to try and incorporate it into your actual essay.
• Use this area to brag about your findings and your successes while you explain the results of your tests. You should be very excited about this part so take advantage of the opportunity to pat yourself on the back and tell everyone what you have accomplished.
• If you have a Reference list – this is where it would go. There is software available in whatever citation style you are using which is a great idea so you don’t make silly mistakes with the formatting.
• After the Reference list comes your Appendices if you have any. Here you would put lengthy tables that didn’t fit with your findings earlier.