apa style essay sample

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How to Write an Essay in APA Format

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

What Is APA Format?

Apa essay format basics.

• Steps to Follow

Frequently Asked Questions

If your instructor has asked you to write an APA format essay, it might at first seem like a daunting task, especially if you are accustomed to using another style such as MLA or Chicago. But you can master the rules of APA essay format, too.

An essay is one type of paper that can be written in APA format; others include lab reports, experimental reports, and case studies. Before you begin, familiarize yourself with some of the basic guidelines for writing a paper in APA format. Of course, it will also be important to follow any other formatting instructions that are part of your assignment.

How do you write an essay in APA format? The basic elements you need to include are:

• A title page
• An abstract
• An introduction, main body, and conclusion
• A reference section
• Proper APA formatting with regard to margins, layout, spacing, titles, and indentations

This article discusses how to write an essay in APA format, including the basic steps you should follow and tips for how to get started.

Whether you’re taking an introductory or graduate-level psychology class, chances are strong that you will have to write at least one paper during the course of the semester. In almost every case, you will need to write your paper in APA format, the official publication style of the American Psychological Association . It is also used for academic journals.

Such rules are generally the same whether you are writing a high school essay, college essay, or professional essay for publication.

APA format is used in a range of disciplines including psychology , education, and other social sciences. The format dictates presentation elements of your paper including spacing, margins, and how the content is structured.

Most instructors and publication editors have strict guidelines when it comes to how your format your writing. Not only does adhering to APA format allow readers to know what to expect from your paper, but it also means that your work will not lose critical points over minor formatting errors. 

While the formatting requirements for your paper might vary depending on your instructor's directions, writing APA essay format means you will most likely need to include a title page, abstract, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference sections.

Your APA format essay should have a title page . This title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and your school affiliation. In some instances, your teacher might require additional information such as the course title, instructor name, and the date.

• The title of your paper should be concise and clearly describe what your paper is about.
• Your title can extend to two lines, but it should be no longer than 12 words.

An abstract is a brief summary of your paper that immediately follows the title page. It is not required for student papers, according to APA style. However, your instructor may request one.

If you include an abstract , it should be no more than 100 to 200 words, although this may vary depending upon the instructor requirements.

Your essay should also include a reference list with all of the sources that were cited in your essay,

• The reference section is located at the end of your paper.
• References should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the author.
• References should be double-spaced.
• Any source that is cited in your paper should be included in your reference section.

When writing in APA essay format, the text will include the actual essay itself: The introduction, body, and conclusion.

• There should be uniform margins of at least one inch at the top, bottom, left, and right sides of your essay.
• The text should be in Times New Roman size 12 font or another serif typeface that is easily readable.
• Your paper should be double-spaced.
• Every page should include a page number in the top right corner.
• The first word of each paragraph in your paper should be indented one-half inch.

For professional papers (usually not student papers), every page of the essay also includes a running head at the top left. The running head is a shortened form of the title, often the first few words, and should be no more than 50 characters (including spaces).

Steps to a Successful APA Format Essay

In addition to ensuring that you cite your sources properly and present information according to the rules of APA style, there are a number of things you can do to make the writing process a little bit easier.

Choose a Topic

Start by choosing a good topic to write about. Ideally, you want to select a subject that is specific enough to let you fully research and explore the topic, but not so specific that you have a hard time finding sources of information.

If you choose something too specific, you may find yourself with not enough to write about. If you choose something too general, you might find yourself overwhelmed with information.

Research Your Topic

Start doing research as early as possible. Begin by looking at some basic books and articles on your topic to help develop it further. What is the question you are going to answer with your essay? What approach will you take to the topic?

Once you are more familiar with the subject, create a preliminary source list of potential books, articles, essays, and studies that you may end up using in your essay.

Remember, any source used in your essay must be included in your reference section. Conversely, any source listed in your references must be cited somewhere in the body of your paper.

Write Your Rough Draft

With research in hand, you are ready to begin. Some people like to create an outline to organize their argument prior to drafting. You may want to start with a very rough outline, and then add details.

Once you have a detailed outline, the next step is to translate it from notes to complete sentences and paragraphs. Remember, this is a first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect.

As you write your paper in APA essay format, be sure to keep careful track of the sources that you cite.

How do you start an APA paper? Your paper should begin with an introduction that includes a thesis statement that presents your main ideas, points, or arguments. Your introduction should start on the third page of your paper (after the title page and abstract). The title of your paper should be centered, bolded, and typed in title case at the top of the page.

Review and Revise

After you have prepared a rough draft of your essay, it's time to revise, review, and prepare your final draft. In addition to making sure that your writing is cohesive and supported by your sources, you should also check carefully for typos, grammar errors, and possible formatting mistakes.

When citing information or quotations taken from an interview, APA format requires that you cite the source, how the information was collected, and the date of the interview. They should not be included in the reference section, however, because they are not something that can be located by a reader in any published source or searchable database.

Instead, the information should be cited parenthetically in the main body of the text. For example: “There was an increase in the number of college students who screened positive for depression/anxiety” (R. Heathfield, personal communication, May 9, 2021).

If the essay is in a chapter of a book, edited collection, or anthology, APA format states that you should cite the last name, first name, title of essay, title of collection, publisher, year, and page range. For example: Smith, John, "The Light House," A Book of Poems , editing by Peter Roberts, Allworth Press, 2005, pp. 20-25.

According to APA format, a two-part essay is formatted the same as an essay, however, you'll need to create two title pages.

If you're including a short direct quote in your APA-format essay, you will need to cite the author, year of publication, and page number (p.) or page number span (pp.). Quotations longer than 40 words should omit the quotation marks and be put in the text using block quotation formatting, on its own line and indented 1/2 inch from the left margin.

The cover page or "title page" in APA essay format should always include the title of your paper, your name, and school affiliation as well as the course title, instructor name, and date, if requested by your teacher.

Nagda S.  How to write a scientific abstract.   J Indian Prosthodont Soc.  2013;13(3):382-383. doi:10.1007/s13191-013-0299-x

American Psychological Association.  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association  (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2019.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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APA Sample Papers

Ever wonder how to format your research paper in APA style? If so, you’re in luck! The team at EasyBib.com has put together an example paper to help guide you through your next assignment. (Actually, looking for MLA? Here’s a page on what is MLA format .)

The featured example is a research paper on the uses of biometrics to inform design decisions in the tech industry, authored by our UX Research Intern Peace Iyiewuare. Like most APA style papers, it includes an APA title page , tables, and several references and APA in-text citations to scholarly journals relevant to its topic. References are an important aspect of scientific research papers, and formatting them correctly is critical to getting a good grade.

This paper follows the formatting rules specified in the 6th edition of The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (the APA is not directly associated with this guide) . We’ve left comments and tips throughout the document, so you’ll know the specific rules around how to format titles, spacing, and font, as well as the citations on the APA reference page .

The reference list needs special care, as it demonstrates to the reader that you have accurately portrayed your outside sources and have given credit to the appropriate parties. Be sure to check our full APA citation guide for more information on paper formatting and citing sources in APA style. There is also a guide on  APA footnotes in case that is your preferred form of citation.

Download the APA Visual Guide

When citations are done, don’t forget to finish your paper off with a proofread—EasyBib Plus’s plagiarism and grammar check can help! Got a misspelled adverb ? Missed capitalizing a proper noun ? Struggling with subject-verb agreement ? These are just a few things our checker could help you spot in your paper.

D. Complete Sample APA Paper

We’ve included a full student paper below to give you an idea of what an essay in APA format looks like, complete with a title page, paper, reference list, and index. If you plan to include an APA abstract in your paper, see the Professional Paper for an example.

If you’re looking for an APA format citation generator, we’ve got you covered. Use EasyBib.com! Our APA format machine can help you create every reference for your paper.

Below is an example of a student APA format essay. We also have PDF versions of both a student paper and a professional paper linked below.

See Student Paper                                 See Professional Paper

Using Biometrics to Evaluate Visual Design

Jane Lisa Dekker

Art Department, Northern California Valley State University

UXAD 272: Strategic Web Design

Professor Juan Liu, PhD

January 29, 2020

      A vast amount of research has been conducted regarding the importance of visual design, and its role as a mediator of user’s experience when browsing a site or interacting with an interface. In the literature, visual design is one aspect of website quality. Jones and Kim (2010) define website quality as “the perceived quality of a retail website that involves a [user’s] perceptions of the retailer’s website and comprises consumer reactions towards such attributes as information, entertainment/enjoyment, usability, transaction capabilities, and design aesthetics” (p. 632).  They further examined the impact web quality and retail brand trust has on purchase intentions. Additional research examining e-commerce sites has shown web quality has an impact on both initial and continued purchase intention (Kuan, Bock, & Vathanophas, 2008), as well as consumer satisfaction (Lin, 2007). Moreso, research on the relationship between visual design and perceived usability (Stojmenovic, Pilgrim, & Lindgaard, 2014) has revealed a positive correlation between the two. As users’ ratings of visual quality increase, their ratings of perceived usability follows a similar trend. Although this research spans various domains, the reliance on self-report measures to gauge concepts like visual design and web quality is prevalent throughout much of the literature.

Although some self-report scales are validated within the literature, there are still issues with the use of self-report questionnaires. One is the reliance on the honesty of the participant. This tends to be more of an issue in studies related to questionnaires that measure characteristics of the participant, rather than objective stimuli. More relevant to this study is the issue of introspection and memory. Surveys are often distributed after a task is completed, and its accuracy is dependent on the ability of the participant to remember their experience during the study. Multiple research studies have shown that human memory is far from static. This can

be dangerous if a researcher chooses to solely rely on self-report methods to test a hypothesis. We believe these self-report methods in tandem with biometric methods can help ensure the validity of the questionnaires, and provide information beyond the scope of self-report scales.

Research Questions

      We know from previous research that the quality of websites mediates many aspects of e-commerce, and provides insight as to how consumers view the webpages in general.  However, simply knowing a webpage is perceived as lower quality doesn’t give insight as to what aspects of a page are disliked by a user. Additionally, it’s possible that the user is misremembering aspects of the webpage or being dishonest in their assessment. Using eye tracking metrics, galvanic skin response, and facial expression measures in tandem with a scale aimed at measuring visual design quality has a couple of identifiable benefits. Using both can potentially identify patterns amongst the biometric measures and the questionnaire, which would strengthen the validity of the results. More so, the eye tracking data has the potential to identify patterns amongst websites of lower or higher quality.

If found, these patterns can be used to evaluate particular aspects of a page that are impacting the quality of a webpage. Overall, we are interested in answering two questions:

Research Question 1 : Can attitudinal changes regarding substantial website redesigns be captured using biometric measures?

Research Question 2 : How do biometric measures correlate with self-reported measures of visual appeal?

      Answering these questions has the potential to provide a method of justification for design changes, ranging from minor tweak to complete rebrands. There is not an easy way for companies to quantitatively analyze visual design decisions. A method for doing so would help companies evaluate visual designs before implementation in order to cost-justify them. To this end, we hope to demonstrate that biometric measurements can be used with questionnaires to verify and validate potential design changes a company or organization might want to implement.

      By examining data from test subjects during a brief exposure to several websites, we hoped to explore the relationship between the self-reported evaluation of visual design quality and key biometric measurements of a subject’s emotional valence and arousal. Subjects were exposed to ten pairs of websites before and after a substantial visual design change and asked to evaluate the website based on their initial impressions of the site’s visual design quality using the VisAWI-S scale, as shown in Table 1.  

During this assessment we collected GSR, facial expressions (limited by errors in initial study configuration), pupillary response, and fixation data using iMotions software coupled with a Tobii eye tracker, Shimmer GSR device, and Affdex facial expression analysis toolkit. This data was analyzed, in Table 2, to discover relationships between the independent and dependent variables, as well as relationships between certain dependent variables.  

Jones, C., & Kim, S. (2010). Influences of retail brand trust, off-line patronage, clothing involvement and website quality on online apparel shopping intention: Online apparel shopping intention. International Journal of Consumer Studies , 34 (6), 627–637. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2010.00871.x

Kuan, H.-H., Bock, G.-W., & Vathanophas, V. (2008). Comparing the effects of website quality on customer initial purchase and continued purchase at e-commerce websites. Behaviour & Information Technology , 27 (1), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/01449290600801959

Lin, H.-F. (2007). The impact of website quality dimensions on customer satisfaction in the B2C e-commerce context. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence , 18 (4), 363–378. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783360701231302

Stojmenovic, M., Pilgrim, C., & Lindgaard, G. (2014). Perceived and objective usability and visual appeal in a website domain with a less developed mental model. Proceedings of the 26 th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference on Designing Futures: The Future of Design , 316–323. https://doi.org/10.1145/2686612.2686660

APA Formatting Guide

APA Formatting

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Citation Examples

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APA 7th Edition Style Guide

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How to Do Hanging Indent in Word for Your Essay? [For Students]

Referencing can be a really dreadful task, especially when you're required to follow specific formatting styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago. These styles often demand hanging indents for organizing the bibliography page, and getting them right can be a challenge. In this article, we'll show you how to add hanging indents in Microsoft Word, making it easier for students to format their references correctly.

Hanging Indents in APA, MLA and Chicago Style

When crafting essays in some of the most widely used academic styles, like APA, MLA, and Chicago, proper formatting is key. One essential element for a well-organized bibliography in all three of these academic styles is the hanging indent .

A hanging indent is a specific text formatting technique where the first line of a paragraph remains flush with the left margin, while all subsequent lines are indented a designated amount. In the context of bibliographies, this creates a visually distinct presentation for each source.

The first line of each citation (typically the author's name) starts at the left margin, while subsequent lines (publication details, title, etc.) are indented by half an inch.

Similar to APA, the first line (usually the title of the work) stands out at the left margin, and subsequent lines containing author information and publication details are indented by half an inch.

The first line of each reference (often the author's name) remains flush with the left margin, while the following lines with publication details are indented slightly (specific indentation amount may vary depending on the reference type).

To ensure accessibility across various devices, including mobile, Windows, and Mac, I'll be using WPS Office for this demonstration. I've found WPS Office to be an incredibly user-friendly office suite, and the fact that it's available for free makes it even more appealing, especially for students. By following along with the steps using WPS Office, you can avoid any potential confusion and seamlessly navigate through the demo.

WPS Office is also compatible with all Word document versions and offers the convenience of converting your papers to PDF without losing formatting, making it a versatile and reliable choice for academic and professional tasks alike.

How to Do Hanging Indent Quickly in Word for Your Essay

Working on essays and formatting them according to the required academic style is crucial because grades depend on it. Moreover, many academic styles require hanging indents in references, so learning how to create hanging indents in Word can be very useful and rewarding!

Since hanging indent is a feature that is not readily visible in the interface, it can be a bit challenging to find while formatting citations in Word. Let's dive right in and explore two different methods to add hanging indents in Word using WPS Office, which can be extremely helpful for students in the long run.

Using Paragraph Option

Let's see how we can add a hanging indent in Word using the paragraph options.

Step 1 : Let's open the document in WPS Office where we need to do the formatting.

Step 2 : Select the text using your mouse on which you want to apply hanging indent formatting.

Step 3 : Right-click to open the context menu, and then click on "Paragraph" to access the paragraph options.

Step 4 : Now, in the Indentation section, navigate to the "Special" field and select "Hanging" from the options.

Step 5 : Ensure that the indent is set to "0.5" in the "By" field. Pay attention to the unit of measurement next to the "By" field and make sure it is set to "inch".

Step 6 : Once the indentation settings have been adjusted, click on OK.

Using the Ruler

Another method that involves using the ruler to add a hanging indent is a rather interactive approach. Let's explore the steps to add a hanging indent using the ruler.

Step 1 : Select the text on WPS Office that you want to format.

Step 2 : After selecting the text, go to the "View" tab in the ribbon menu and ensure that the "Ruler" option is checked to display the ruler.

Step 3 : Now, on the ruler, drag the bottom triangle to add the hanging indent. Ensure that you move the ruler by just 0.5 inches to apply the formatting according to the academic style.

Shortcut for Hanging Indents in Word

Here's a breakdown on how to quickly apply hanging indents in Microsoft Word using keyboard shortcuts, whether you're on Windows or Mac:

Shortcut for Windows:

Step 1 : Open your Microsoft Word document on your Windows system.

Step 2 : Highlight the text you want to format with a hanging indent.

Step 3 : Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard.

Shortcut for Mac:

Step 1 : Open your Microsoft Word document on your Mac.

Step 2 : Select the text you want to format with a hanging indent.

Step 3 : Press Shift + Command + T on your keyboard.

Bonus Tips: How to Convert Word to PDF Without Losing Format

APA, MLA, and Chicago formatting can be tricky, but the real test comes when converting your work to a PDF. Often, this final step disrupts your carefully crafted format, leading to frustration. WPS PDF is a student-friendly tool that simplifies this process, helping you maintain consistent formatting without the stress. It ensures your paper looks as it should, preventing those moments when you're tempted to pull your hair out.

WPS Office is a complete tool that allows you to create, edit, and format documents with ease. It supports all major Word document formats, so you don't need to worry about compatibility issues. With its simple interface and robust features, WPS Office is perfect for students and writers who need to follow strict formatting guidelines.

Let's explore how users can convert their Word documents into PDF format using WPS Office.

Step 1 : Open your written essay document in WPS Office.

Step 2 : Click on the Menu button located in the top left corner.

Step 3 : In the menu, click on "Save as", and then select "Other formats" from the flyout menu.

Step 4 : Now, you will see the Save option. Choose "PDF Format" from the "File Type" field.

Step 5 : Finally, click Save to convert your Word document to PDF .

FAQs About Hanging Indents in Word

Q1. where is hanging indent in word on mac.

Hanging indent is present in the paragraph options on Mac. Simply click on the "Format" menu, then choose "Paragraph," and you'll find it there.

Q2. Why is my hanging indent not working?

Possible Reasons for Hanging Indent Issue:

Hard or soft returns after each line : This disrupts the natural flow of the text, causing the hanging indent to apply to the entire text instead of just the selected part. Remove any hard or soft returns after each line to overcome this issue. Lines should wrap naturally without any inserted returns to ensure the hanging indent works properly.

Incorrect application of the hanging indent : Incorrectly following the steps to apply the hanging indent can lead to the entire text being indented instead of just the desired portion. Follow these steps carefully to ensure that you add the indent correctly:

Step 1 : Navigate to the Format menu.

Step 2 : Choose "Align & Indent" followed by "Indent options".

Step 3 : Within the Indent options, select "Special".

Step 4 : Click on the arrows in the Special menu and choose "Hanging".

Step 5 : Finally, press the "Apply" button.

Q3. Do you need a hanging indent?

Hanging indents make it easier to spot the gaps between different citations and find authors' names in a bibliography. It's important to format your works cited or bibliography correctly. This format enhances readability by visually separating each entry, making it quicker to find author names. It also ensures a neat and organized look, which is essential for maintaining a professional appearance. While hanging indents are standard for styles like Chicago, APA, or MLA, it's always a good idea to check your assignment guidelines to see if this formatting is required before you begin writing.

Learn Indent Essentials with WPS Office

Formatting is crucial when writing an academic paper, and understanding the significance of elements like hanging indents is key, especially in major formatting styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago. Learning how to apply hanging indents and properly cite references is essential to avoid losing marks unnecessarily. With WPS Office, managing formatting becomes effortless, thanks to its user-friendly features and integrated AI for document handling. Download WPS Office now to streamline your document creation and ensure your academic papers meet the required standards.

• 1. How can we make text paragraphs indent automatically
• 2. How to Double Space in Word for Your Essay: A Guide for Students
• 3. How to set hanging indentation in word?
• 4. How to create a hanging indent in WPS Writer
• 5. How to increase or decrease indent in WPS Writer
• 6. How to indent the second line in WPS Writer

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