ABC Book
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SampleABCBook.pdf
A Sample ABC Book for Using the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association (6th ed.)
Source: www.apa.org
Anna Dimy Nguyen
Patricia Acosta Harris
Lamar University
Counseling and Special Populations
© copyright 2014
Page i
Table of Contents
Ampersand Page 1
Block Quote Page 2
Font Page 3
In Text Citation Page 4
List Page 5
Margin Page 6
Numbers Page 7
Parenthetical Citation Page 8
Plagiarism Page 9
Quote Page 10
Reference Page 11
Running Head Page 12
Source Page 13
Spacing Page 14
Title Page Page 15
Page 1
Ampersand
Source: webdesignerdepot.com
The ampersand (&) is the symbol or sign which represents the word
“and” (Ampersand, n.d. [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ampersand]).
When the word “and” is used in a sentence, it is spelled out. In American
Psychological Association (APA) format, the ampersand is generally used in
parenthetical citations and reference entries (American Psychological
Association [APA], 2010).
The ampersand is utilized when two or more authors are listed. A
parenthetical citation with two or more authors is one example where the
ampersand is used. For more information about using the ampersand with
parenthetical citations, refer to page 175 in the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association (6th ed.), also known as the APA Manual. In
reference entries, the ampersand is used before the last author when two or
more authors are listed. Look at page 184 in the APA Manual for an example of
a reference entry with multiple authors (APA, 2010).
Page 2
Block Quote
You quote an author or source when you use the author’s or source’s
exact words in your writing (Quote, n.d. [http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/quote]). Quotations consisting of 40 words or more
should be shown as a block quote (APA, 2010).
A block quote does not have quotation marks. However, the block quote
begins on a new line, and the entire block quote is indented from the left
margin (APA, 2010; Nordquist, n.d.
[http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/blockquotationterm.htm]).
If the quotation comprises 40 or more words, display it in a freestanding
block of text and omit the quotation marks. Start such a block quotation
on a new line and indent the block about a half inch from the left margin
(in the same position as a new paragraph). (APA, 2010, p. 171)
When utilizing block quotes, you will also cite the author’s name, publication
year, and page (or paragraph) number where the quote is found. For additional
information about block quotes, refer to pages 92 and 171 in the APA Manual
(APA, 2010).
Page 3
Font
The font is the type set or style of characters used in a typed work. Font
may also include the size of the characters or type set (Font, n.d.
[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/font]).
Source: www.arro-signs.co.uk
The APA Manual recommends font in the style of Times New Roman in
size 12 point. The entire work should use the same font and size. To adhere to
formatting guidelines recommended by the APA Manual, you may have to
change your font style and size to Times New Roman 12 point font. Read
additional information about font in the APA Manual on pages 228 and 229
(APA, 2010).
Page 4
In Text Citation
An in text citation is giving credit to a source using the author’s last
name and the publication year of the work within the body of your work (The
Writing Lab, n.d. [https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/];
APA, 2010). The APA (2010) only requires the year as part of the citation even
when the month and year is part of the reference. If quoting, a page (or
paragraph) number where the quote may be located should also be included
with the citation. (The Writing Lab, n.d.; APA, 2010).
Source: mypages.iit.edu
In text citations may be accomplished within the body of a sentence or in
parenthesis, known as a parenthetical citation. If a source has an in text
citation, the source must also appear in the reference section. In text citation is
addressed in the APA Manual on pages 174 through 179 (The Writing Lab, n.d.;
APA, 2010).
Page 5
List
A list is a series of items together (Lists, n.d.
[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lists]). The APA (2010) addresses how
to write and bullet lists or series on pages 63 through 65 and 93.
Lists may be identified through bullets, numbers, or letters as
paragraphs, lists, or within a sentence. A sentence containing a basic list uses
commas to separate the items in the list. Remember to include the comma after
the list item before the word “and” or “or.” If the items on a list contain
commas, use a semicolon to separate the items on the list or series. Again,
remember to include the punctuation mark (semicolon) after the item before
the word “and” or “or” (APA, 2010).
Page 6
Margin
The blank space around the edge of a page is the margin. The margin
may also be called the border (Margin, n.d.
[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/margin]).
All four sides of the page should have a margin of one inch. You may
have to change the settings on your document to ensure you have a one inch
margin on the left and right as well as on the top and bottom of the page. The
margin of your paper is addressed in a short paragraph on page 229 of the APA
Manual (APA, 2010).
Page 7
Numbers
Source: goodbooksforyoungsouls.blogspot.com
A number is “a numeral or group of numerals” (Number, n.d., para. 1
[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/number]). Generally, numbers of 10
and higher are written as numerals, and numbers below 10 are written as
words (APA, 2010).
Though numbers bigger than nine are written as numerals, we write out
numbers when they are common fractions or begin a sentence, heading, or
title. In addition to the rule of 10 or higher, numbers are written as numerals
in graphics, before a measurement unit, functions of math, particular place in
a numbered series, and representations of statistics, date, time, age, exact
money, and scores on a point scale. Read pages 111 through 114 in the APA
Manual for additional information about when to write numbers as numerals or
in words (APA, 2010).
Page 8
Parenthetical Citation
A parenthetical citation gives credit to a source by giving the author
and/or publication year in parentheses (Parenthetical, n.d.
[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/parenthetical]; APA, 2010). Only the year is
required as part of the citation even if the month is part of the reference (APA,
2010). A page (or paragraph) number of the location of the quote is required in
a citation when quoting (The Writing Lab, n.d.; APA, 2010).
Source: gal2.piclab.us
If a source has a parenthetical citation in the body of written work, the
source must also appear in the reference section. Parenthetical citations are
addressed in the APA Manual on pages 174 through 179 (The Writing Lab, n.d.;
APA, 2010).
Page 9
Plagiarism
Source: bradfordvts.co.uk
Plagiarism occurs when a person imitates
the thoughts or information of another author
without credit (Plagiarism, n.d.
[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plagiarism]). The result of plagiarism
is the same whether a person knowingly or inadvertently commits this act.
Plagiarism is considered cheating (Information & Research Instruction Suite,
n.d.
[http://vmlibweb.lamar.edu/iris/use/plagiarism/plagiarism_overview_p2.shtm
l]).
To avoid accusations of plagiarism, always give credit to authors and
sources by citing and quoting correctly. When summarizing or paraphrasing a
source in your own words, give credit to the source by providing the author’s
name and publication date. If appropriate, every sentence in your work should
be cited. Minimally, if all information in a paragraph is from the same source or
author, you may cite the source or author at the beginning or end of the
paragraph (Plagiarism, n.d.; Information & Research Instruction Suite, n.d.;
APA, 2010). Refer to pages 15, 16, and 170 of the APA Manual for more about
plagiarism (APA, 2010).
Page 10
Quote
You quote a source or author when you write using the source’s or
author’s exact words (Quote, n.d. [http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/quote]). When quoting less than 40 words, “quotation
marks should be used to indicate the exact words of another” (APA, 2010, p.
15). In addition to using quotation marks when quoting another person, you
must also cite the author’s name, publication date, and page (or paragraph)
number where the quote is found. Additional information about quoting may be
located in the APA Manual on pages 92 through 94 and 170 through 174 (APA,
2010).
Source: brighthub.com
Quotes should only be used when there is no better way to state the
information. The best thing to do is to paraphrase and summarize the
information to show you understand and have synthesized the information
(The Writing Center, n.d.
[http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_PorQ.html]).
Page 11
Reference
A reference is an information source (Reference, n.d.
[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference]). A source in your
reference section must appear in the body of your work as an in text or
parenthetical citation. The APA Manual provides more detailed information
about references on pages 180 through 183 (APA, 2010).
The reference section should include a list of all the references in your
written work. The reference section should begin on a new page and have the
word “References” centered on the first line of the page in Times New Roman 12
point font. Following APA format, the reference section is double spaced. The
first line of each reference entry should be aligned to the left with successive
lines of the entry indented half an inch. You may need to change the settings in
your document for successive lines to indent. Each reference entry generally
includes the author, publication year, title, and all publishing data (APA,
2010).
Source: vyturelis.com
Page 12
Running Head
Source: commapa.wordpress.com
A running head is a repeating headline on successive pages of work
(Running Head, n.d. [http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/running%20head]). Your running head is a shortened
version of your title and should be 50 characters or less. The running head is
placed in your document’s header and should be in Times New Roman 12 point
font. The running head should be aligned to the left margin and in all capital
letters with the page number aligned to the right margin (APA, 2010).
The first page (title page) of your document will have a slightly different
running head in that the words “Running head: ” precede the actual running
head. When setting up your header in a Microsoft Word document, check the
box for a “Different First Page” in order to make your first page (title page)
different. Additional information regarding running heads may be found in the
APA Manual on pages 23, 229, and 230 (APA, 2010).
Page 13
Source
A primary source is a source written at the time of study. A secondary
source is a source of information for a primary source (Princeton University
Library, n.d. [http://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html]). You should
limit the use of secondary sources (APA, 2010).
Source: grammar.about.com
If you are reading a primary source of information that refers to
additional references (secondary sources), do not use or list secondary sources
unless you read the secondary source for yourself. If you read the secondary
source, the secondary source becomes a primary source. Look on page 178 of
the APA Manual for information about secondary sources (APA, 2010).
Page 14
Spacing
Spacing refers to the space arrangement (Spacing, n.d.
[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spacing]). The APA (2010)
discusses spacing on pages 87, 88, 115, 118 through 123, and 229.
There is one space after punctuation marks such as commas, periods,
colons, and semicolons. The exception to the one space after punctuation
marks occurs with periods in abbreviations. A space is used between a symbol
and number except in cases of angle measurements (APA, 2010).
For line spacing, APA (2010) uses double spacing throughout the entire
work. You may need to change the paragraph setting of your document to zero
spacing before and after paragraphs. Changing to this setting will ensure
additional spacing is not added when the “enter” key is pressed to start a new
paragraph.
Page 15
Title Page
The title page is the first page of the document. It includes the title,
author, and publication information (Title Page, n.d.
[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/title+page]). The APA (2010)
additionally includes the running head, affiliated institution, and author note
on the title page. The author’s name is recommended to include the first name,
middle initial, and last name to reduce confusion or identification mistakes.
Formatting for the title page is similar to the entire document in line
spacing and font. The title page should be double spaced like the entire
document. The font for the title page is Times New Roman 12 point font (APA,
2010). As such, the use of themed, bordered, or automatically formatted title
pages should not be used.
The title is 12 words or less and should convey a complete explanation.
The title is centered between the margins on the left and right within the top
half of the page. The running head is a shortened version of the title. Additional
information about the title page may be located on pages 23 through 25 and
229 of the APA Manual (APA, 2010).
Page 16
References
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American
Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
Ampersand [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ampersand
Font [Def. 2]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/font
Information & Research Instruction Suite. (n.d.). Plagiarism defined. In
Plagiarism, Part 1: Overview. Retrieved from
http://vmlibweb.lamar.edu/iris/use/plagiarism/plagiarism_overview_p2
.shtml
Lists [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lists
Margin [Def. 2]. (n.d.). In The Free Dictionary. Retrieved from
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/margin
Nordquist, R. (n.d.). In About.com. Retrieved from
http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/blockquotationterm.htm
Number [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/number
Parenthetical [Def. 2]. (n.d.). In The Free Dictionary. Retrieved from
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/parenthetical
Page 17
Plagiarism [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plagiarism
Princeton University Library. (n.d.) What is a primary source?. In Getting Started With Your
Research. Retrieved from
http://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html
Quote [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/quote
Reference [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/reference
Running Head. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/running%20head
Spacing. (n.d.) In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/spacing
The Writing Center. (n.d.). Paraphrasing vs. quoting – Explanation. In The Writer’s Handbook:
Avoiding Plagiarism. Retrieved from
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_PorQ.html
The Writing Lab. (n.d.). In-text citations: The basics. In The Writing Lab. Retrieved from
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
Title Page [Def. 1]. (n.d.) In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/title+page
