This handout focuses on how to format in-text citations in APA.
Note: For accessibility purposes, we have used "Track Changes" to make comments along the margins of these samples. Those authored by [AF] denote explanations of formatting and [AWC] denote directions for writing and citing in APA 7.
Note: APA 7 provides slightly different directions for formatting the title pages of professional papers (e.g., those intended for scholarly publication) and student papers (e.g., those turned in for credit in a high school or college course).
Note: This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style .
APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.)
The guidelines for paper format apply to both student assignments and manuscripts being submitted for publication to a journal. If you are using APA Style to create another kind of work (e.g., a website, conference poster, or PowerPoint presentation), you may need to format your work differently in order to optimize its presentation, for example, by using different line spacing and font sizes. Follow the guidelines of your institution or publisher to adapt APA Style formatting guidelines as needed.
However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in student style and one in professional style.
Need help formatting your APA style citations using the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association? Click the image or link below to go to the citation guide.
Student papers typically do not require an abstract (see p. 30 APA 7th manual). Check your assignment or clarify with your professor if you have questions about whether an abstract is necessary.
Format your paper in APA Style (7th edition) in just 6 minutes
Most guidelines in the Publication Manual apply to both professional manuscripts and student papers. However, there are specific guidelines for professional papers versus student papers, including professional and student title page formats. All authors should check with the person or entity to whom they are submitting their paper (e.g., publisher or instructor) for guidelines that are different from or in addition to those specified by APA Style.
APA Style 7th Edition: Student Paper Formatting
These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different professional paper types. Professional papers can contain many different elements depending on the nature of the work. Authors seeking publication should refer to the journal’s instructions for authors or manuscript submission guidelines for specific requirements and/or sections to include.
APA Essay Format (7th ed.) | Essay Writing | The Nature of Writing
This page contains sample papers formatted in seventh edition APA Style. The sample papers show the format that authors should use to submit a manuscript for publication in a professional journal and that students should use to submit a paper to an instructor for a course assignment. You can download the Word files to use as templates and edit them as needed for the purposes of your own papers.
APA In-Text Citations and Sample Essay 7th Edition
The heading at the top of the reference list should say at the top (not Bibliography or Works Cited, unless your instructor tells you otherwise) and .
APA (7th Edition) Referencing Guide
These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different student paper types. Students may write the same types of papers as professional authors (e.g., quantitative studies, literature reviews) or other types of papers for course assignments (e.g., reaction or response papers, annotated bibliographies, discussion posts), dissertations, and theses.
How to Format Papers in APA (7th Edition)
These guidelines will cover how to set up a in APA format. The 7th edition now has specific formatting for student papers versus a professional paper (i.e. one being submitted for publication). If your instructor has requested a different format or additional elements, use your instructor's preferences.