This checklist is intended to identify the parts of a student paper formatted in APA style.
Check with your professor to determine which parts are required for your assignment.
This list follows requirements from the seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Wellehan Library
Saint Joseph’s College
Student Paper APA Checklist
Click here to see a sample student paper.
Font and Size
Use the same font throughout the paper.
Times New Roman 12-point and 11-point Calibri are examples of acceptable fonts and sizes.
Click here to see other font recommendations.
Margins
Use a one-inch margin at top, bottom, left and right of every page.
Spacing
Double space throughout.
Click here to see exceptions.
Pagination
Page numbers are used on all pages of the paper.
They should be placed in the header section, flush with the right margin.
Indentation
Indent the first line of every paragraph.
Do not indent the first line of the Abstract.
Running Head
A running head is not required for a student paper.
If your instructor requires one, see the Running Head section of the Professional Paper APA Checklist included in this guide.
Title Page
Use these guidelines for the title page unless your instructor has other requirements.
Click here and scroll to the heading, “Student Title Page,” for more information.
The title page includes the following:
Page number
Paper title written in title case, bold, centered and in the upper half of the page
Author name and Affiliation, which is the name of department or program and school attended.
Course number and name
Instructor's name
Due date written as "Month Day, Year"
Abstract
Only include if specified by your instructor.
If required, do not indent the first line.
Text (Body)
Begin the text on a new page after the title page and abstract (if an abstract is used).
Write the title on the first line of the page of the text; the title is in title case, bold, and centered.
References List
Click here for reference list entry examples.
Begin the references list on a new page.
The heading “References” is capitalized, in bold and centered.
The hanging indent format is used for all entries.
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