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In Section 4.2 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.), APA (2020) states that you should use verb tenses consistently throughout your work. See a chart of when and how to use past tense (Rodriguez found) and present perfect tense (Researchers have shown) at the APA Style website .
Author/Date Citation Method
APA publications use the author/date in text citation system to briefly identify sources to readers. Each in-text citation is listed alphabetically in the reference list. All in-text citations referenced in the body of work musr appear in the reference list and vice versa.
Variations of author/date within a sentence Here are some examples of how the author/date citation method are formatted within different parts of a sentence. Please note the author, publication date, and study are entirely fictional.
Citing works with more than one author
Journal articles
Sharifian, N., & Grühn, D. (2019). The differential impact of social participation and social support on psychological well-being: Evidence from the Wisconsin longitudinal study. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development , 88 (2), 107-126. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091415018757213
Shiraev, E. (2017). Personality theories: A global view. SAGE.
Chapter from a book
Ochs, E., & Schieffelin , B. B. (1984). Language acquisition and socialization: Three developmental stories and their implications. In R. A. Shweder & R. A. LeVine (Eds.), Culture theory: Essays on mind, self, and emotion (pp. 276 320). Cambridge University Press.
Webpage from a website
World Health Organization. (2020, June 15) . Elder abuse . https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/elder-abuse
View many more examples in the APA Style Manual or on the APA Style website .
Here are some general APA Style resources. Scroll down further to see more details about citations and paper formatting.
Several print copies of the APA 7th edition Publication Manual are available for checkout at the Mardigian Library.
(Sorry, APA does not provide an eBook version of this for libraries at the present time.)
If you're new to citation, this brief video will cover an introduction to in-text citations and reference lists in APA 7th edition. Scroll down for more recommended resources about citations.
More information including examples and sample papers can be found at the recommended websites below:
CEHHS uses the current version of the APA Publication Manual (7th edition) for all matters of format with the exception of some particular requirements for the Title page, pagination (especially of front matter) and top margins. Unless otherwise stated in the CEHHS Ed.D. Dissertation Guide below, defer to APA 7th edition.
Some formatting aspects to be sure you are following correctly include:
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Creating a toc in apa, dnp spp toc examples, edd toc examples, important: signature page, the abstract & keywords.
If you are on this tab, you have probably been asked to format a dissertation or Scholarly Practice Project paper using APA format. Use the below information to help you format the different pieces of your paper. Please check with your academic department to see if they have an official dissertation/SPP format template for your program.
A note on Table of Contents: Most APA papers do not require a Table of Contents (TOC). If you are writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Practice Project, you may be asked to include one. Please note: the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association does not have an official stance on formatting a Table of Contents page .
Below, you will find some general information and examples of Table of Contents (TOC), Abstracts and Keywords, and the Signature page that you may find helpful.
Use the below examples as a reference point for forming your Table of Contents. These should be used as a baseline for formatting-- yours will be more specific to your headings and subject-matter.
Your signature page is one of the most important pieces of your final product. It proves that you completed the dissertation! Below is an example of what your signature page should look like (names blanked out for privacy).
If you have any questions about the signature page or how to get it signed, please contact your program director.
ABSTRACT : An abstract is required for your Dissertation or Scholarly Practice Project and must be included before submitting your final copy to Proquest. An abstract is a brief, comprehensive overview of your paper. Generally, it should not exceed 250 words.
KEYWORDS : You should also include keywords. Keywords are descriptive terms that encompass the themes of your paper. Think about what terms you used when searching for your topic in the databases. This is what researchers will use to find your paper!
If the database or archive requires users to log in before they can view the dissertation or thesis, meaning the url will not work for readers, end the reference with the database name., author, a. a. (year). title of dissertation (publication no. xxxxxxxxx). [doctoral dissertation or masters thesis, name of, institution that awarded the degree]. name of source i.e. proquest dissertations and theses global. url for, the dissertation or thesis., d'arcangelis, g. s. (2009). the bio scare: anthrax, smallpox, sars, flu and post-9/11 u.s. empire (order no., 3388146). [doctoral dissertation, university of california los angeles]. proquest dissertations and theses, global. , * ** remember: each source listed on the reference page must correspond to at least one in-text citation in the body of the paper; each in-text citation must correspond to a source listed on the reference page., when a dissertation or thesis is unpublished, include the description “[unpublished doctoral dissertation]” or “[unpublished master’s thesis]” in square brackets after the dissertation or thesis title., in the source element of the reference, provide the name of the institution that awarded the degree., author, a. a. (year). title of dissertation [unpublished doctoral dissertation or unpublished, masters thesis], name of institution that awarded the degree. , johnson, b. (2005). balanced scorecard applications [unpublished master's thesis]. worthington university..
Various examples.
Dissertation or thesis available from a database service:
Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (year of publication). Title of dissertation or thesis (Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis). Retrieved from Name of database. (Accession or Order No.)
For an unpublished dissertation or thesis:
Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (year of creation). Title of dissertation or thesis (Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis). Name of Institution, Location.
Thesis, from a commercial database | Nicometo, D. N. (2015). (Order No. 1597712). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1717577238). |
Dissertation, from an institutional database | Andrea, H. (2014). (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://etd.ohiolink.edu/ |
Unpublished master’s thesis | Curry, J. (2016). (Unpublished master’s thesis). Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, CA. |
See Ch 7 pp. 207-208 APA Manual for more examples and formatting rules
Formatting:
Published Thesis - Available online / from a database
Author Last name, First Initials. (Year). Title of Thesis or Dissertation [Type of thesis, Name of institution awarding degree]. Database name. Web address
Unpublished Thesis - Available in print from a college or university
Author Last name, First Initials. (Year). Title of Thesis or Dissertation [Unpublished type of thesis]. Name of institution awarding degree.
Published Thesis - From a database
Kral, T. R. (2020). Impact of mindfulness meditation on brain function, connectivity, and structure (Publication No. 27833897) [Doctoral dissertation, The University of Wisconsin-Madison]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Published Thesis - Available online
Hunsaker, C. (2020). Beyond theory: Simulation and role-play in interpreter education [Master's thesis, Western Oregon University]. Western Oregon University Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons wou.edu/theses/61
Unpublished Thesis - Available in print form at a college or university
Carlin, A. (2017). Effective pairing methods for students in a second grade dual language classroom. [Unpublished Master's thesis]. Western Oregon University.
Author
Thesis or Dissertation Title
Identify Type of Dissertation or Thesis
Name of Institution
Database Publication
Online Publication Not in a Database
Reference list.
(Author's surname, Year)
This was seen in an Australian study (Couch, 2017).
Couch (2017) suggests that…
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis [Type of thesis, Name of institution awarding degree]. Name of archive or site. https://xxxxxx
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis (Database Publication number, if assigned) [Type of thesis, Name of institution awarding degree]. Database Name.
Taffe, S. (2017). The Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders: The politics of inter-racial coalition in Australia, 1958–1973 [Doctoral thesis, Monash University]. Bridges. https://doi.org/10.4225/03/59d4482289ea4
Bozeman, A. Jr. (2007). Age of onset as predictor of cognitive performance in children with seizure disorders (Publication No. 3259752) [Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis or dissertation [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation or Master's thesis]. Name of Institution.
Imber, A. (2003). Applicant reactions to graduate recruitment and selection [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Monash University.
For further guidance, see the APA Style website- Published Dissertation or Thesis , Unpublished Dissertation or Theses .
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Published on 8 June 2022 by Tegan George .
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organise your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.
Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation, such as:
In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organisational structure of your thesis or dissertation . This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.
How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, frequently asked questions about outlines.
While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.
To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.
Download Word template Download Google Docs template
It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilising some of the alternative constructions presented below.
The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.
You can also present your information using the ‘IS-AV’ (inanimate subject with an active verb) construction.
A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.
Another option is to use the ‘I’ construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.
To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and ‘I’ construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.
As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as ‘discuss’, ‘present’, ‘prove’, or ‘show’. Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.
Address | Describe | Imply | Refute |
Argue | Determine | Indicate | Report |
Claim | Emphasise | Mention | Reveal |
Clarify | Examine | Point out | Speculate |
Compare | Explain | Posit | Summarise |
Concern | Formulate | Present | Target |
Counter | Focus on | Propose | Treat |
Define | Give | Provide insight into | Underpin |
Demonstrate | Highlight | Recommend | Use |
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organise your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.
When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .
All level 1 and 2 headings should be included in your table of contents . That means the titles of your chapters and the main sections within them.
The contents should also include all appendices and the lists of tables and figures, if applicable, as well as your reference list .
Do not include the acknowledgements or abstract in the table of contents.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
George, T. (2022, June 08). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 10 July 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/outline-thesis-dissertation/
Other students also liked, dissertation table of contents in word | instructions & examples, how to write a dissertation proposal | a step-by-step guide, thesis & dissertation acknowledgements | tips & examples.
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Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.
Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:
In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.
How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.
While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.
For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .
To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.
Download Word template Download Google Docs template
It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.
The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.
You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.
A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.
Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.
To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.
As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.
Address | Describe | Imply | Refute |
Argue | Determine | Indicate | Report |
Claim | Emphasize | Mention | Reveal |
Clarify | Examine | Point out | Speculate |
Compare | Explain | Posit | Summarize |
Concern | Formulate | Present | Target |
Counter | Focus on | Propose | Treat |
Define | Give | Provide insight into | Underpin |
Demonstrate | Highlight | Recommend | Use |
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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .
The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved July 10, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/
Other students also liked, dissertation table of contents in word | instructions & examples, figure and table lists | word instructions, template & examples, thesis & dissertation acknowledgements | tips & examples, what is your plagiarism score.
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Theses and dissertations are already intensive, long-term projects that require a lot of effort and time from their authors. Formatting for submission to the university is often the last thing that graduate students do, and may delay earning the relevant degree if done incorrectly.
Below are some strategies graduate students can use to deal with institutional formatting requirements to earn their degrees on time.
Scholars in your own discipline are the most common readers of your dissertation; your committee, too, will expect your work to match with their expectations as members of your field. The style guide your field uses most commonly is always the one you should follow, and if your field uses conventions such as including all figures and illustrations at the end of the document, you should do so. After these considerations are met, move on to university formatting. Almost always, university formatting only deals with things like margins, font, numbering of chapters and sections, and illustrations; disciplinary style conventions in content such as APA's directive to use only last names of authors in-text are not interfered with by university formatting at all.
If your institution has a template for formatting your thesis or dissertation that you can use, do so. Don't look at another student's document and try to replicate it yourself. These templates typically have the necessary section breaks and styles already in the document, and you can copy in your work from your existing draft using the style pane in MS Word to ensure you're using the correct formatting (similarly with software such as Overleaf when writing in LaTeX, templates do a lot of the work for you). It's also often easier for workers in the offices that deal with theses and dissertations to help you with your work if you're using their template — they are familiar with these templates and can often navigate them more proficiently.
These templates also include placeholders for all front matter you will need to include in your thesis or dissertation, and may include guidelines for how to write these. Front matter includes your table of contents, acknowledgements, abstract, abbreviation list, figure list, committee page, and (sometimes) academic history or CV; everything before your introduction is front matter. Since front matter pages such as the author's academic history and dissertation committee are usually for the graduate school and not for your department, your advisor might not remember to have you include them. Knowing about them well before your deposit date means you won't be scrambling to fill in placeholders at the last minute or getting your work returned for revision from the graduate school.
Many graduate students leave this aspect of submitting their projects until it's almost too late to work on it, causing delays in obtaining their degree. Simply being aware that this is a task you'll have to complete and making sure you know where templates are, who you can ask for help in your graduate office or your department, and what your institution's guidelines are can help alleviate this issue. Once you know what you'll be expected to do to convert to university formatting, you can set regular check-in times for yourself to do this work in pieces rather than all at once (for instance, when you've completed a chapter and had it approved by your chair).
Most theses and dissertations are published through ProQuest or another publisher (Harvard, for instance, uses their own open publishing service). For this reason, it may be the case that your institution requires all images or other content obtained from other sources to fall under fair use rules or, if an image is not considered under fair use, you'll have to obtain permission to print it in your dissertation. Your institution should have more guidance on their specific expectations for fair use content; knowing what these guidelines are well in advance of your deposit date means you won't have to make last-minute changes or removals to deposit your work.
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Writing a thesis or dissertation can be an exciting yet challenging task for students. But crafting it with the correct APA thesis format or APA dissertation format is crucial to its success. The American Psychological Association (APA) is the most widely used formatting style in academic writing, particularly in the field of psychology.
Go to the Dissertation Topics Page
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Its guidelines cover everything from in-text citations, referencing, and formatting. In this post, we will guide you on how to write your thesis with the correct APA dissertation format. So let's get started!
Example 1: Effect of Brand Love on Consumer's Buying Behaviour
Example 2: Impact of Leadership Style on Professional Satisfaction of Nurses: A Case Study Note : Below is a complete guide with some more examples and tips for you to ace the skill of dissertation writing in fashion.
What is APA Dissertation Format?
APA thesis format is a set of guidelines and standards created by the American Psychological Association (APA) for formatting academic papers, including dissertations and theses. These guidelines ensure consistency and uniformity in research writing, which is important for academic integrity and credibility. Therefore, understanding and applying the APA thesis format is essential for graduate students and scholars who want to write high-quality and impactful dissertations and theses.
Purpose of APA Thesis Format
Using the APA thesis format provides a standard way of presenting your research and findings, making it easier for readers to understand and evaluate your work. It also helps you avoid errors and confusion, such as inconsistent citation styles, incorrect spacing and font, or improper headings and subheadings. Moreover, following the APA thesis format enhances the professionalism and scholarly quality of your work, which is crucial for publishing and presenting your research in conferences and other academic settings. By following the APA guidelines, you can ensure that your research is properly documented, structured, and communicated, which will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in your field.
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APA style references enable readers to explore the sources you have consulted, facilitating further research and the development of new knowledge. By providing accurate and complete references, you contribute to the scholarly conversation and allow others to build upon your work or explore related topics.
Plagiarism, which is the act of using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution, is a serious academic offense. APA style references help you avoid unintentional plagiarism by clearly indicating which ideas and information are derived from other sources. By following APA guidelines, you ensure that you appropriately cite and attribute the work of others, reducing the risk of plagiarism.
Citing a dissertation APA style can seem overwhelming at first, but it's an important part of any thesis. The good news is that once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. Here are the basic steps for citing a dissertation in APA format:
For example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Davis, R.
For example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Davis, R. (2021). The Effects of Climate Change on Coral Reefs. Global Journal of Climate Research,
For example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Davis, R. (2021). The Effects of Climate Change on Coral Reef. Global Journal of Climate Research, 5 (3), 85-91.
For Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Davis, R. (2021). The Effects of Climate Change on Coral Reef Global. Journal of Climate Research , 5(3), 85-91. /doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.es.23.110192.000513?journalCode=ecolsys.1
Remember to double-check your formatting and citation style against the APA guidelines. Proper referencing is key to ensuring your thesis is credible and trustworthy. With a little practice, you'll soon be an expert at citing dissertations in APA format!
Additional Guidelines
By following these steps and guidelines, you can create accurate and properly formatted references in APA style for various sources.
Template for Citing Reference in APA Format
Order: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the article. Name of the Periodical, volume(issue), #–#. https://doi.org/xxxx
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L. (2022). Effects of Exercise on Mental Health Journal. Journal of Health Psychology, 10(2), 123-145.https://doi.org/10.4088%2Fpcc.v08n0208a
Template for Book in APA Dissertation Format
Order: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Copyright Year). Title of the book (7th ed.). Publisher. DOI or URL
Example: Burns, A. (2018). Milkman . Faber & Faber. https://amzn.to/2ObKrVf
In conclusion, the APA style reference format is an essential aspect of academic writing and research. By following the guidelines, you ensure credibility, academic integrity, and transparency in your work. APA style references allow you to properly acknowledge the contributions of other researchers, avoid plagiarism, and provide the necessary information for replicability and verification. Additionally, APA-style references facilitate further research and the development of new knowledge by allowing others to explore the same sources and build upon your work. It is important to consult the official APA Publication Manual or specific guidelines provided by your institution for comprehensive instructions on referencing different types of sources.
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When I was a student, I was told to submit my essays in APA format. At the time, I had no idea what that even meant or how to do it. If this sounds familiar to you, don’t worry—I’ve been there, too. In this guide, I’ll show you the easiest way to understand APA format and a simple hack to help you comfortably write your essays and then format them in APA style.
APA format is commonly used in the social and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, and economics, as well as in fields like business and nursing. This standardized format is adopted by professionals, researchers, and students to structure and present research papers, essays, and other academic documents.
It ensures consistency and clarity in communication within these disciplines by providing specific guidelines for nearly all aspects of manuscript formatting, from font choice to margins and punctuation. By adhering to paper APA format 7th edition style, writers in these fields can effectively share their findings and ideas in a clear and organized manner.
Understanding the guidelines is key when learning how to write a paper in APA format for students. However, there's one important point that is often missed by many: the APA 7th edition now has different guidelines for students and professionals. So, if you notice a few extra details that might be missing in the guidelines below, it is because we have skipped the APA 7th edition guidelines for professionals to avoid any confusion. Let's review the guidelines:
General Formatting:
Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
Font: Use a readable font such as Times New Roman (12 pt.).
Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the document, including the title page, abstract, references, and any other sections.
Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (use the tab key or the paragraph formatting function).
Alignment: Left-align all text except for headings, which follow specific formats.
Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the top right corner of every page, starting on the title page (which is considered page 1).
Title Page: Follow guidelines for the placement of the title, author information, affiliation (your school), course information, and instructor's name.
Abstract: Include a brief summary of your paper on a separate page after the title page.
Body Text: Write in clear and concise language, avoiding jargon. Use headings to organize your content.
In-text Citations: Cite your sources within the text using the author’s name and publication year in parentheses. There are specific formats for different types of sources.
Reference List: Start a new page for your references, listed alphabetically by the first author's last name. Follow specific formatting guidelines for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).
Here's what a title page of a reference paper template looks like in APA format:
After understanding the guidelines, the next step is to apply them effectively to format your paper in APA 7th edition style. To achieve this, we need an efficient writing tool that provides all the necessary formatting tools. Since we're just starting our journey to format essays in APA style, the tool should be easy to use. For these reasons, I'll be using a professional writing tool— WPS Office .
WPS Office not only provides all the necessary tools but also has a major benefit—it's completely free to use. I recommend downloading WPS Office on your system to ensure you can follow the steps smoothly. So, let's begin. I have an example paper that I will format in APA style using WPS Office.
Before you begin formatting your essay, let's set the page margins according to APA 7th edition guidelines, which require 1-inch margins on all sides.
Step 1: To set the page margins in WPS Writer, simply go to the Page Layout tab.
Step 2: In the Page Layout ribbon, locate the Margin fields on the left end of the ribbon.
Step 3: Here, set all margins—top, bottom, left, and right—to 1 inch.
Once you've adjusted the margins, we can proceed with formatting the rest of the document.
Next, let's adjust the font and line spacing according to APA style requirements.
Step 1: Go to the Home tab in WPS Writer and change the font to “Times New Roman” in the “Fonts” field.
Step 2: To change the font size, enter "12" in the "Font size" field.
Step 3: For adjusting line spacing, simply click on the "Line spacing" icon in the Home ribbon and select "2.0" to apply double spacing in your essay.
Once we've completed setting the general formatting of our entire essay according to APA style, we now need to prepare the header.
Step 1: To set the header, double-click on the header area to enter the header in WPS Writer.
The header in APA style for students includes only the page number on the top right.
Step 2: To insert the page number, click on the "Page Number" button in the Header/Footer ribbon.
Step 3: From the Page Number drop-down menu, select the "Header right" option to insert the page number on the top right.
Step 4: Next, we need to set the header height to "0.5 in" in the "Header height" field.
Sure! Let's start formatting each page of your essay, beginning with the title page. The title page should include the title of your paper, your name (as the author), the professor's name, course details, university name, and the due date. Each of these headings should start on a new line with 3-4 blank lines at the top of the page. This formatting ensures that your essay's title page follows APA style guidelines accurately.
Step 1: Press the "Enter" key on the keyboard to leave 3-4 blank lines at the top of the page.
Step 2: Type the title of your essay and center align it by clicking on the "Center" icon in the Home ribbon.
Step 3: Make the title bold by selecting the title text and clicking on the "Bold" icon in the Home ribbon.
Step 4: Press the "Enter" key twice to create a blank line between the title and the essay details. Then, enter the essay details in the following order, each on a separate line:
Your name (Author)
Department, University
Course Name, Course code
Professor's name
Step 5: After entering the essay details as described, ensure that each detail is centered on the page by selecting all the text with your mouse. Then, click on the "Center" icon in the Home ribbon to center-align the selected text.
Step 1: To insert a new blank page after the title page, place the cursor at the end of the due date on the title page and go to the Insert tab.
Step 2: In the Insert ribbon, click on "Breaks" and then select "Page Break" from the drop-down menu. This will create a new blank page where we will enter our abstract.
Step 3: Enter the heading "Abstract" in bold font style and center align it.
Step 4: Type the body of the abstract with no indentation. Simply start typing the abstract text.
After completing the abstract, insert another page break to start the next section of your essay.
To ensure your paper adheres to APA style guidelines for headings and paragraph indentation, here's how you can format them:
Step 1: On a new blank page, enter the Level 1 heading and ensure it is centered and in bold.
Step 2: For the body of the headings, indent the first line of each new paragraph by “0.5 in” by pressing the “Tab” key on your keyboard
Level 1 Heading: Centered and bold. It is used for main sections, like "Methods" or "Results".
Level 2 Heading: Left-aligned and bold. It is used to divide the main sections into subsections.
Level 3 Heading: Left-aligned, bold, and italicized. It further divides subsections into smaller parts.
Level 4 Heading: Indented, bold, and ends with a period. Text immediately follows this period, and it continues with lowercase text.
Level 5 Heading: Indented, bold, and in italics. Similar to Level 4, it also continues with lowercase text..
Essays can be lengthy, so including a table of contents can help make navigation easier. Let's take a look at how we can add a table of contents in WPS Writer.
Step 1: The Table of Contents is placed right after the title page, so the first step is to create a blank space after the title page using a Page Break.
Step 2: Now, on the blank page, go to the References tab and click on the Table of Contents button.
Step 3: From the Table of Contents drop-down menu, select any of the default templates available. I prefer using the 3rd template as it allows coverage of 3 levels of headings.
Step 4: Once the Table of Contents has been added, ensure that its heading is set to "Table of Contents", and it is formatted in bold and centered alignment.
Step 5: Additionally, ensure that the font settings of the Table of Contents are set to Times New Roman and 12-point font size.
Before completing our essay, it's important to insert references that were helpful during the research process. For this, the end of your essay will include a separate References page.
Step 1: On a blank page at the end of your essay, enter the heading "References". Center align the heading and make it bold.
Step 2: List all the works cited in your essay. You can use the free Scribbr citation generator to generate APA 7th edition citations, which makes the process easier and ensures accuracy.
Step 3: Ensure the references are formatted with hanging indents using the Ruler in WPS Writer. To access the ruler, go to the View tab and check the "Ruler" checkbox in the ribbon.
Step 4: Drag the arrow on the ruler to half an inch to set the hanging indent .
Step 5: Then, drag the rectangle (below the ruler) back to 0 to reset the left indent for the subsequent lines of each reference.
And here is our APA 7th edition formatted essay from scratch. As you may have noticed, the whole process can be lengthy without an outline, but formatting your essay step by step makes the process clearer and easier to complete. I've used a few other writing tools for formatting, but I recommend WPS Writer because of its ease of navigation—all formatting tools are readily available in the tab, with no need to navigate through extra menus or open additional guides to learn additional steps. Try using WPS Writer for your essay assignments and experience the difference.
WPS Office not only provides the necessary tools for students to efficiently format their essays according to APA 7th edition, but it also offers tools to easily convert these papers to PDF format within the WPS Writer application. Therefore, because submitting your work promptly is the next step after writing, ensure that your submission doesn't cost you any marks due to formatting issues after putting in so much effort.
To convert your essay documents to PDF using WPS PDF without quality loss, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Open your document in WPS Writer.
Step 2: Click on the Menu button at the top left corner of the screen.
Step 3: Select "Export to PDF" from the menu that appears.
Step 4: Adjust any settings, such as the output path, in the Export to PDF window.
Step 5: After configuring the settings, click on "Export to PDF" to save your essay document as a PDF.
1. how should i format tables and figures in apa style.
To correctly format a table in APA style, follow these guidelines:
Boldly label the table number above the table.
Provide a brief, italicized title in the title case just below the table number.
Avoid using vertical lines in the table design.
Use horizontal lines sparingly, only where necessary for clarity.
Ensure column and row headings are clearly labeled and concise.
Maintain consistent number formatting, such as decimal places.
Include any necessary notes below the table to explain details or sources.
To correctly format a figure in APA style, follow these guidelines:
Place the figure number in bold above the figure.
Provide a brief, italicized title in the title case beneath the figure number.
Include clear labels and legends within the image if needed.
Add any pertinent notes below the figure.
An APA Style citation for a journal article includes the author's name(s), the year of publication (in round brackets), the title of the article, the name of the journal in italics, the volume (in italics) and issue number, the page range of the article, and a DOI (if available).
APA format:
Author's last name, First name initial. (Year of publication). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), Page range. DOI or URL
Johnson, M. (2023). Explore with us. Journal of random discoveries, 5(2), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2023.5.2.123
APA website citations include the author's name, publication date, the title of the page or article in italics, the website name, and the URL. If no author is known, begin with the title of the article. If updates to the content are possible, include a retrieval date.
Author's Last Name, First initial. (Year, Month Date of publication). Title of the page. Name of the Website. URL
Johnson, M. (2024, March 12). Explore with us. Random Discoveries. https://www.randomdiscoveries.com/explore-with-us
I personally find APA format to be the most complex of all formats, but doing it on WPS Office sure makes it easy. The fact that it’s so user-friendly, with every feature readily available, is a huge advantage. The best part is that WPS Office is completely free. As a student, finding a good office suite that is cost-effective can be a challenge, and I’ve been there. Download WPS Office and spare yourself the hassle of hunting for an office suite— WPS Office is the answer to all your problems.
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your dissertation in APA Style, 7th Edition. rmatting Your DissertationPage and Text RequirementsPage SizeIt is recommended that Standard Letter. (8.5 x 11 inches) is used, unless otherwise specified.Margins1 inch for all ma. p, bottom, left, right) throughou. the entire document.SpacingAll text should b.
te.Style ManualIt is recommended that APA Style Seventh. is used. It should be in 12-point type using Times. ew Roman font.SpacingThe test in the manuscript should be double-spaced. The right margin of the text should not be justified, but. -aligned, also known as ragged right, like the test in this guide.
The same format can be adapted for other published theses, including undergraduate theses, by changing the wording of the bracketed description as appropriate (e.g., "Undergraduate honors thesis"). Include a URL for the dissertation or thesis if the URL will resolve for readers (as shown in the Miranda and Zambrano-Vazquez examples).
To cite an unpublished dissertation (one you got directly from the author or university in print form), add "Unpublished" to the bracketed description, and list the university at the end of the reference, outside the square brackets. APA format. Author last name, Initials. ( Year ).
The 7th edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association was created by the American Psychological Assocation (APA), and contains the complete guidelines on how to format material for publication and cite your research.It is a set of style rules that codifies the components of scientific writing in order to deliver concise and bias free information to the reader.
Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines: Set page margins to 1 inch on all sides. Double-space all text, including headings. Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches. Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.).
Basic guidelines for formatting the reference list at the end of a standard APA research paper Author/Authors Rules for handling works by a single author or multiple authors that apply to all APA-style references in your reference list, regardless of the type of work (book, article, electronic resource, etc.)
Thesis, from a commercial database. Lope, M. D. (2014). Perceptions of global mindedness in the international baccalaureate middle years programme: The relationship to student academic performance and teacher characteristics (Order No. 3682837) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland].ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
This checklist corresponds to the writing and formatting guidelines described in full in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Refer to the following chapters for specific information: paper elements and format in Chapter 2. writing style and grammar in Chapter 4. bias-free language in Chapter 5.
CEHHS uses the current version of the APA Publication Manual (7th edition) for all matters of format with the exception of some particular requirements for the Title page, pagination (especially of front matter) and top margins. Unless otherwise stated in the CEHHS Ed.D. Dissertation Guide below, defer to APA 7th edition.
If you are on this tab, you have probably been asked to format a dissertation or Scholarly Practice Project paper using APA format. Use the below information to help you format the different pieces of your paper. Please check with your academic department to see if they have an official dissertation/SPP format template for your program.
To format a paper in APA Style, writers can typically use the default settings and automatic formatting tools of their word-processing program or make only minor adjustments. The guidelines for paper format apply to both student assignments and manuscripts being submitted for publication to a journal. If you are using APA Style to create ...
Revised on February 20, 2019. The layout requirements for a dissertation are often determined by your supervisor or department. However, there are certain guidelines that are common to almost every program, such as including page numbers and a table of contents. If you are writing a paper in the MLA citation style, you can use our MLA format guide.
When a dissertation or thesis is unpublished, include the description "[Unpublished doctoral dissertation]" or "[Unpublished master's thesis]" in square brackets after the dissertation or thesis title. In the source element of the reference, provide the name of the institution that awarded the degree. Pattern: Author, A. A. (year).
Provide guidance on the APA format style based on the 6th edition of the APA Publication Manual. Basics of APA Formatting; In Text Citations Toggle Dropdown. In Text Quick View ; ... Title of dissertation or thesis (Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master's thesis). Name of Institution, Location.
Thesis or Dissertation Title. Italicize the title. The first word of the title and subtitle is capitalized as are proper nouns but all other words are lowercase. If a title ends with a question mark or exclamation point, use those punctuation marks instead of a period at the end. Identify Type of Dissertation or Thesis.
Format Online. Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis [Type of thesis, Name of institution awarding degree]. Name of archive or site. https://xxxxxx. Stored in a database ... For further guidance, see the APA Style website- Published Dissertation or Thesis, ...
Example 1: Passive construction. The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise. Example: Passive construction.
Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.
Make the formatting changes in the Formatting area [1]: Click on the Format button [2], and select the Paragraph option from the list. 2. Apply paragraph 'Spacing' [3] to your headings using the arrow buttons to increase/decrease, or type directly into the 'Before' and/or 'After' boxes. 3.
Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George.Revised on November 21, 2023. A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process.It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to ...
University Thesis and Dissertation Templates. Theses and dissertations are already intensive, long-term projects that require a lot of effort and time from their authors. Formatting for submission to the university is often the last thing that graduate students do, and may delay earning the relevant degree if done incorrectly.
Here are the basic steps for citing a dissertation in APA format: Start with the author's name: Begin with the last name, followed by a comma and the first initial. For example: Smith, J. Multiple Authors: For references with multiple authors, include all the authors' last names in the order they appear on the source, separated by commas.
Here's what a title page of a reference paper template looks like in APA format: Title Page of APA Paper format template. How to Set up APA Format Paper [Step-by-Step] After understanding the guidelines, the next step is to apply them effectively to format your paper in APA 7th edition style.