Writing a research paper can be a daunting process, but the added pressure of having to write that paper in APA format can be even more intimidating. While writing an APA paper can seem like a big hassle, the format is required in many different types of courses outside of psychology including education, health sciences and sociology. Learning how to write a solid APA format paper now can save you a lot of headaches later down the road.
Familiarize Yourself With APA Style
The first step to is gain a basic understanding of APA style and how it differs from other formats you may have used in the past.
Basic Rules of APA Format
Examples of APA Format
Maintain a Working Bibliography
As you research the topic, keep a working bibliography of all your sources. Even if you don't end up using each and every resource in your finished paper, having a list of all your potential sources will make it much easier to create your final reference list. When you do use a source in your paper, you simply need to include an in-text citation and add it to your references page. By doing this, you'll save yourself the hassle of going back to figure out where the original sources of your citations.
Follow the Guidelines Given by Your Instructor
While there are many resources out there to help you with APA format, you should always pay careful attention to the directions given by your instructor. Some teachers may have certain requirements that they expect you to follow, and failing to adhere to these guidelines could end up costing serious points.
Learn more about how to write an APA paper.
Related Reading:
- 10 Steps for Writing a Better Psychology Paper
- Finding Ideas for Psychology Term Papers
Join Me on Facebook or Follow Me On Twitter
Photo by Laurence Gough/iStockPhoto
Comments