HI everyone:

Here are some quick tips for APA style formatting, taken from my research on the 6th edition of the APA Style Manual.

You need a Running head, which should look like this:

Running head: CAPITALIZE YOUR TITLE

The Running head belongs at the top of your page, flush left.

When you use an author’s name in the sentence, you don’t need it in the parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence.  For example:

Rich (2018) states that “here is the quote” (p. 123).   Note: please notice that the 6th edition now places the period at the very end of the sentence, not after the direct quote. This is a change from earlier editions.

When you use two or more authors’ names, use the word “and” if you mention them in the sentence; use the “&” symbol if you only use them in the parenthetical citation. Here are two examples:

Rich and Jones (2018) argue that “here is your quote” (p. 234).

Scholars contend “here is your quote” (Rich & Jones, 2018, p. 234).

Note that I have not used the first initials of either author in the in-text citations. Use their initials  only in the reference page. Youl will also usse the “&” symbol on the reference page.

If you begin a sentence with a number, you must spell out that number. Here are a couple of examples:

50 of the boys came with us. (Incorrect.)

Fifty of the boys came with us. (Correct.)

This is just a quick start to help you out. What issues have you faced with APA formatting? I find two of the three colleges where I work now ask for APA formatting. Previously, we were told to teach MLA.

Best,

Dr. Sheri