Download Introduction to APA Format - The Kutztown University Writing Center

Introduction to APA Format
(American Psychological Association)
brought to you by the Kutztown University Writing Center
Prepared with love by Amanda Funk (M.A. English ‘15)
Writing Style
Language should be clear, concise, and plain. Flowery,
complex writing can obscure your meaning.
Clear: be specific in descriptions and explanations
Concise: condense information when you can
Plain: use simple, descriptive adjectives and
minimize figurative language
 Avoid passive voice whenever possible.
Example: Instead of “The study was conducted to
analyze..”
Say, “We conducted a study to analyze…” or “The
authors conducted a study to analyze…”
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Setting up your paper
TITLE PAGE (see handout for instructions)
ABSTRACT
150-250 words
Research topic, research questions, participants,
methods, results, data analysis, conclusions, possible
implications of research, potential for future study
(Depending on the type of paper you are writing, you
may have different content to include. Check with your
professor for guidelines!)
 MAIN BODY (divided into appropriate sections, e.g.
introduction, literature review, methods, conclusion,
discussion, etc.)
 REFERENCES- refer to Purdue OWL or other APA
guide for specifications
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In-text citations
Begin sentences with attributions when you can
According to Smith (2012), this tendency to
exaggerate symptoms can impede the quality of
care.
 If you don’t mention the author in your signal phrase,
cite him/her at the end.
Patients’ haste to return to normal, daily activities
can result in further injury (Smith, 2012).
 If you are directly quoting, include page number.
Smith (2012) notes that patients who are anxious
to return to their normal activities too soon
“heighten the risk of aggravating the injury” (p. 345).
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In-text citations, continued
Citing two authors in signal phrase
Smith and Jones (2008) claim…
 Citing two authors in parenthetical citation
(Smith & Jones, 2008)
 Citing three to five authors in signal phrase for the first
time
Cary, Klein, and Johnson (2010) observe…
 Citing three to five authors in parenthetical citation for the
first time
(Cary, Klein, & Johnson, 2010)
 After first mention, or when 6 or more authors, use “et al.”
(Cary et al., 2010)

Reference Page Sample
from Purdue OWL
Cummings, J. N., Butler, B., & Kraut, R. (2002). The quality of online
social relationships. Communications of the ACM, 45(7),
103-108.
Hu,Y., Wood, J. F., Smith,V., & Westbrook, N. (2004). Friendships
through IM: Examining the relationship between instant
messaging and intimacy. Journal of Computer-Mediated
Communication, 10, 38-48.
Tidwell, L. C., & Walther, J. B. (2002). Computer-mediated
communication effects on disclosure, impressions, and
interpersonal evaluations: Getting to know one another
a bit at a time. Human Communication Research, 28, 317-348.
Underwood, H., & Findlay, B. (2004). Internet relationships and their
impact on primary relationships. Behaviour Change, 21(2), 127140.
 Notice the abbreviation of author first and middle names,
capitalization of article titles, italicized volume numbers,
issue numbers in parentheses but not italicized.
Commonly Used Reference Entries
from Purdue OWL
Article From an Online Periodical with DOI Assigned
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of
Journal, volume number, page range. doi:0000000/000000000000 or
http://dx.doi.org/10.0000/0000
Brownlie, D. (2007). Toward effective poster presentations: An annotated
bibliography. European Journal of Marketing, 41, 1245-1283.
doi:10.1108/03090560710821161
Wooldridge, M.B., & Shapka, J. (2012). Playing with technology: Mother-toddler
interaction scores lower during play with electronic toys. Journal of
Applied Developmental Psychology, 33(5), 211-218.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2012.05.005
 Article From an Online Periodical with no DOI Assigned
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of
Journal, volume number. Retrieved from
http://www.journalhomepage.com/full/url/
Kenneth, I. A. (2000). A Buddhist response to the nature of human rights.
Journal of Buddhist Ethics, 8. Retrieved from
http://www.cac.psu.edu/jbe/twocont.html
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Additional Resources
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Here, you will find everything (seriously,
everything!) you need to know about APA. Check
out the PowerPoint for a more detailed version of
what I’ve presented here.
 You may also use any textbook resources you
may have from one of your classes or the
American Psychological Association.
 If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for,
meet with a tutor in the Writing Center. We can
show you how to look them up!
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Writing Center Contact Info
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You can make an appointment by calling us,
emailing us, or stopping in and signing up for a
time in our appointment book on the front desk.
We are located in Old Main 132.
Phone: 610-683-4733
Email: [email protected]
Hours are Monday-Thursday 9-5, Friday 10-4, and
Monday/Wednesday nights 6-9
We look forward to seeing your works in
progress!
Questions? Ask us!