summary paper

  1

APA Writing Tips

Essay format: 1) 2-3 pages is not 1.75 pages or 3.25 pages 2) do not press “return” twice after a paragraph 3) do not underline 4) I can tell if your margins are off, so check your computer default and make sure your

right margin is not set at 1.25 inches (need 1-inch margins all around) 5) Use Times New Roman, font 12

Content:

1) No opinions So no: I and we

2) Title of your paper Rule: Avoid the term “paper” as your title

3) References, not Works Cited Rule: In APA, only use “references” (works cited is for MLA)

4) Writing numbers Rule: write out numbers under 10 (i.e., two, seven, nine) and use actual numbers over 10 (i.e., 15, 25, 100) Note: Spell out all numbers when you begin a sentence with a number.

5) Parentheses

In formal writing, avoid whenever possible

6) Page numbers for in-text citations Rule: when citing always include the page number(s) EX: (Smith, 2020, p. 128) Note: APA only requires page number(s) for direct quotes and APA recommends to include page number(s) when paraphrasing. In this class, you will be required to include page number(s) for direct quotes and when you are paraphrasing.

7) Page number(s) Rule: one page (p. 57) Rule: more than one page (pp. 102-103)

Avoid: (pp. 102-104)

8) In-text citations Rule: only need to include last name and not the author’s full name EX: Correct (Doe, 2019, p. 12) // Incorrect (John Doe, 2019, p. 12)

  2

9) et al. Rule: When you have 2 authors, avoid starting with et al. when citing for the first time EX: 2 authors 1st time: (Smith & Green, 2019, p. 9) 2nd time, 3rd time, etc.: (Smith & Green, 2019, p. 10)

Rule: Start with et al. for your in-text citations when you have 3 or more authors.

EX: 3 authors 1st time: (Lee et al., 2018, p. 55) 2nd time, 3rd time, etc.: (Lee et al., 2018, p. 59)

EX: 8 authors 1st time: (Green et al., 2020, p. 232) 2nd time, 3rd time, etc.: (Green et al., 2020, p. 233)

10) List/order

(a) abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz; (b) abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz; and (c) abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz (1) abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz; (2) abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz; and (3) abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

11) Use formal/objective language Yes: There is limited research on // No: It is horrible that there is limited research on Yes: Obstacles exist in terms of // No: It is very tough for

12) No contractions in formal writing Yes: cannot // No: can’t Yes: did not // No: didn’t

13) Avoid starting your sentences with the following words:

- And - But - Because