Apa Check List

APA (5th ed.) Format and Style Checklist: Part One

Note: Page numbers refer to the location of information in the APA manual (5th ed.).

General Guidelines  Font

The font style must be Times New Roman or Courier New. The font size is 12 pt (p. 285).

 Page Headers

Page headers should include the first two or three words of the title. Type the page header five spaces to the left of the page number (p. 288, 5.06; sample paper, pp. 306-316, Figure 5.1).

Note: Do not confuse the page header with the running head. The running head is typically used ONLY for material submitted for publication (p. 296, 5.15).

Title Page

 Double-space, use upper- and lowercase letters, include a page header, and number the title page as page number 1 (pp. 296-298, 5.15). Detailed instructions for the content of the title page are listed on pp. 10-11 of APA (5th ed.).

Main Body of the Text

 Margins

All four sides of a page must have 1-inch margins, per University of Phoenix guidelines. (APA states at least 1 inch, pp. 286-287, 5.04). Make the right margin ragged (p. 277, 5.04).

 Page Numbers

Page numbers must be 1 inch from the right edge, between the top edge and the first line of text on all pages (p. 288, 5.06; sample pp. 306-320).

 Abstract

Use abstracts only for University of Phoenix papers if they are required for the assignment. When an abstract is required, follow APA guidelines (p. 298, 5.16).

 Title of Paper

Type the title in upper and lowercase letters, center it on the first page of the text, double-space, and then start the text (pp. 298-299, 5.17).

 Headings

Headings indicate the organization of the paper and establish importance. Match the headings to the complexity of the paper. Use at least Level 1 to organize the paper more effectively. The title of the paper on the first page is not considered a separate heading level. If the paper requires two headings, use Level 1 and Level 3; if three headings are