What Is APA Format?
Your instructor might have specific requirements, but most papers in APA format should include the following:
Double-spaced text with no extra spaces between paragraphs.Size 12 Times New Roman font, or a similarly legible font.One-inch page margins on all sides.A header that includes the title of your paper and the page number.A title page that includes the title of your paper, your name, and your school’s name.Body paragraphs begin with a 1/2 inch indent.A References page at the end of the paper.In-text citations for specific quotes or facts.
The Google Doc APA template includes headings that you may or may not need. For example, your instructor might not require a ‘Methodology’ or ‘Results’ section. The American Psychological Association’s website has the official guidelines for APA style.
How to Use the APA Template in Google Docs
Google Docs offers several templates that automatically format your documents. To set up the APA template in Google Docs:
How to Do APA Format on Google Docs
Since the template can be a little confusing, you should understand how to set up APA style in Google Docs step-by-step. Once you format your paper, you can save it to use as your own personal template for the future:
Formatting References for APA Style
At the end of your paper, there should be a separate page that begins with the word “References” (without quotation marks) centered below the heading. The appropriate format for each reference depends on the type of source. For instance, use the following format to reference articles found on the web:
Author last name, first name (year, month day). Title. Publication. URL.
So, an online news article can be referenced as follows:
Kelion, Leo (2020, May 4). Coronavirus: UK contact-tracing app is ready for Isle of Wight downloads. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52532435.
Your references should be alphabetized by the author’s last name, and each entry needs a hanging indent, which means that every line after the first one is indented.
In-text Citations for APA Style
APA style also requires in-text citations. Follow all facts or quotes with a citation in the format (Author last, publication year, p. #) after the quote or before the sentence’s end punction. For example:
(Atwood, 2019, p. 43)
You can omit the page number if you’re referencing an entire work.
