An APA style essay is a research paper or document written in the style guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA). This style is commonly used in the social sciences and other fields, such as education, nursing, and business. An APA style essay follows a specific formatting and citation style, which can be found in the APA manual or online.
There are several key components to an APA style essay. First, it should have a title page, which includes the title of the paper, the author's name, and the institutional affiliation (if applicable). The title page should also include a page header, which is a shortened version of the title that appears at the top of every page.
The body of an APA style essay should be divided into sections, with headings and subheadings used to organize the content. The main sections of the paper should include an introduction, literature review, method section, results section, and discussion. Each of these sections should be clearly labeled and separated from one another.
An APA style essay should also include in-text citations and a reference list. In-text citations are used to acknowledge the sources of information used in the paper, and they should be included whenever a direct quote or paraphrase is used. The reference list, also called the works cited or bibliography, should be included at the end of the paper and should contain a list of all the sources cited in the paper.
There are also specific guidelines for formatting an APA style essay, including the use of Times New Roman font, double spacing, and 1-inch margins on all sides. The title should be centered and written in title case, with the main sections of the paper written in upper and lower case. Tables and figures should also be labeled and numbered, and they should be referred to in the text of the paper.
Overall, an APA style essay is a well-organized and properly formatted research paper that follows the guidelines established by the American Psychological Association. By adhering to these guidelines, authors can ensure that their work is clear, concise, and easy to read and understand.