Running head: SHORTENED TITLE 1. Title of Paper. Student Name. Austin Peay State University

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1 Running head: SHORTENED TITLE 1 Title of Paper Student Name Austin Peay State University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for EDUC 5000 Spring 2015 Dr. John R. McConnell III

2 SHORTENED TITLE 2 Abstract An abstract is a single paragraph, without indentation, that offers a comprehensive summary of the contents of a paper. A paper could be an experimental report, literature review, metaanalysis, theory-oriented paper, methodological paper, case study, or just an assignment for class, which may or may not require an abstract. For example, an abstract for an experimental report should tell the reader what problem was investigated, who participated in the study, what methodology was used, the basic findings of the study, and what the results implied and/or how they could be applied. Writing a good abstract requires that it be accurate, non-evaluative, coherent, readable, and concise. It may help to compose the abstract after the paper is written. Keywords: APA formatting, grammar, mechanics, sixth edition, writing

3 SHORTENED TITLE 3 Title of Paper The sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association [APA], 2010) presents a writing style that is used in many of the social sciences. This template provides examples of the title page, abstract, first couple of pages of the main body, headings, and citation and reference style, as set forth in the APA manual. The first section of the paper is the introduction. Notice that it starts with the paper s title and not a Level 1 heading, unlike other sections of the paper. The flow of the paper should resemble an hourglass, where the beginning and end of the paper are more general than the middle. APA formatting requires all parts of the paper to be double-spaced, and margins are one inch on all sides. Requiring a standard format makes papers easier to read and write. When using other people s ideas, theories, and findings, one must cite them properly. This is true when using one s own published work, as well. Failure to cite sources properly constitutes plagiarism. Sources are cited by the last names of the author(s) and the year of publication (Author, 2015; Author & Author, 2014). If three to five authors are involved, then all of them should be listed the first time the source is cited (Author, Author, & Author, 2013). The next time this source is cited in the paper, only the first author is listed followed by et al. and the year of publication (Author et al., 2013). If six or seven authors are involved, then only the first author is listed followed by et al. and the year of publication, for all instances the source is cited. In the reference section, however, all of the names must be listed. It is highly recommended that direct quotations are not used unless someone has said something so well that it could not possibly be said better. If the direct quotation consists of

4 SHORTENED TITLE 4 fewer than 40 words, then "put the quote within quotation marks, and follow the quote with the author(s), publication year, and page number(s) in parentheses" (Author, 2015, p. 123). Similarly, the author might be mentioned earlier in the sentence: As Author (2015) noted in her earlier work on quotations, "Quotations should be used sparingly and only when they add to the content of the paper" (p. 123). Notice that when the author is mentioned in the main text of a sentence, the year of publication appears in parentheses immediately after the author's name. The page number(s) must always be included when there is a direct quotation. Direct quotations containing more than 40 words require a block quotation: For a block quotation, the left margin is increased half an inch, and the first word of each paragraph except the first within the quote is indented an additional half inch. The right margin remains in the same place, and the quote is double-spaced like the rest of the paper. When the quote is complete, citation information that did not appear immediately prior to the quotation is provided in parentheses at the end. This includes the author(s), publication year, and page number(s) in parentheses followed by no period. (Author, Author, & Author, 2013, p. 123) An example of the section listing references is on the last page. Take note of the hanging indentions and double-spacing (with no extra spacing between references). The information provided in this template is not intended to be a substitute for the APA manual. The APA manual alone should be used as the definitive guide to the APA writing style, and a student should plan to spend a lot of time looking up information concerning formatting rules and guidelines. Remember, it is the student s responsibility to learn the rules and guidelines set forth by the APA for writing a paper. It is also important to remember that professors, publishers, and institutions

5 SHORTENED TITLE 5 have the prerogative to adapt and/or ignore certain rules and guidelines to suit their own purposes. They have the final word on the requirements for the paper. These requirements take precedence over rules and guidelines in the APA manual and those discussed in this template. Heading Level 1 Heading Level 2 Heading level 3. (Text after Level 3 and beyond begin on the same line.) Heading level 4. Heading level 5.

6 SHORTENED TITLE 6 References American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Author, A. A. (2015). Title of article. Title of Periodical, 3(7), doi:xx.xxxxx (for articles with DOI) Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (2014). Title of article. Title of Periodical, 3(7), Retrieved from (for articles without DOI) Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2013). Title of book. Location: Publisher.