writing numbers in essays apa

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Other APA Guidelines: Numbers

Basics of numbers.

Per APA 7, Section 6.32, use numerals to express numbers 10 or above (e.g., 11, 23, 256). Per Section 6.33, write out numbers as words to express numbers up to nine (e.g., three, seven, eight).

Take the APA Style Diagnostic Quiz  to test your knowledge.

Numbers Expressed as Words

Use words to express numbers in these situations:

Seventeen computer programmers went out to dinner last night

The principal presented awards to three fourths of the student body.

(This is a new rule in APA 7. APA 6 recommended using numerals in the abstract.)

Numbers Expressed as Numerals

Use numerals to express numbers in these situations:

She had been a nurse for 3 years.

Chapter 4 was considered required reading.

The student scored a perfect 7.

Each post was roughly 2.45 ft apart.

Teachers gave students ice cream if they scored in the top 5%.

You owe me $5.

Numbers Video

• APA Formatting & Style: Numbers (video transcript)

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Knowledge Check: Numbers

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• Academic essay overview
• The writing process
• Structuring academic essays
• Types of academic essays
• Academic writing overview
• Sentence structure
• Academic writing process
• Improving your academic writing
• Titles and headings
• APA style overview
• APA citation & referencing
• APA structure & sections
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• Structure and sections
• APA examples overview
• Commonly used citations
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• British English vs. American English
• Chicago style overview
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Numbers In Academic Writing – APA Style Guidelines

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Numbers are an imperative part of academic writing , serving as vital tools to represent quantitative data, statistical data, or measures in an accurate and precise manner. Numbers are used across various fields, including sciences, humanities, and business. However, adherence to specific rules is necessary in terms of using numbers effectively in academia, which vary depending on the style guide followed. This article will provide insights into how numbers are used appropriately.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Numbers in Academic Writing – In a Nutshell
• 2 Definition: Numbers in academic writing
• 3 Numbers in academic writing: Exceptions
• 4 Numbers in academic writing: Percentages
• 5 Numbers in academic writing: Statistical results
• 6 Numbers in academic writing: Measurements
• 7 Numbers in academic writing: Long numbers

Numbers in Academic Writing – In a Nutshell

• Academic writing uses numbers in distinct ways depending on style guide.
• Conventions apply to technical number writing and non-technical number writing.
• Numbers are usually written out from one to nine, and numerals are used from 10.
• Technical data and statistics should always appear as numerals for reference.

Definition: Numbers in academic writing

The APA Style is one of the most widely used academic writing styles and is largely adopted by the behavioral and social sciences. A number can be written both numerically or in words within this style.

Typically, a number from one to nine should be written out as words, while numbers from 10 and above should be written out numerically. This general rule also applies to ordinals (first, 10th). Some exceptions do apply, as found next in this article.

Other writing styles utilize different number rules. The Chicago style , for instance, requires numbers to be written out as words up to 100. The MLA style spells out all numbers that can be written within one or two words (three, one hundred, etc.).

Numbers in academic writing: Exceptions

Exceptions to the general rule above apply in the following cases:

1. All numbers should be represented numerically when they are detailing an exact unit of measurement.

• The rock was chiseled 6 cm deep.

2. Write out numerals as words when they begin a sentence, except when dealing with specific years.

• Eighteenth-century scientists advanced the practice of medicine
• 1921 marked the discovery of insulin.

3. A number should be written out when dealing with fractions, set expressions, or other known numeric titles.

• John Milton crafted the poem in 1626, also referred to as the Fifth of November poem.
• According to sources, one-third of the English population perished from the Black Death.
• Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is set in an alternative world in the year 1984 .

Numbers in academic writing: Percentages

When dealing with percentages in the APA Style, use numerals followed by the percent sign % , instead of “percent” or the abbreviations, “pct.”, “pct,”, or “pc”.

• The Spanish flu affected over 25% of the US population.

The same rule when beginning sentences with numerals applies to percentages, i.e., they should be written out as words when they start a sentence.

• Twenty-five percent of the US population was affected.

Numbers in academic writing: Statistical results

Reporting statistics in APA and papers that deal with technical numerical language in qualitative research have their own rules.

Here, all data is written in numerals to remain consistent and easily digested. This applies to the main body, tables, and figures sections of a paper.

Other statistical conventions include:

• Report the majority of statistics to two decimal places.
• Report statistics that can’t exceed 1.0 to three decimal places.
• For values that could exceed 1.0, use a leading zero. Those that can’t exceed 1.0 do not feature a leading zero.
• Italicize statistical values that aren’t Greek letters. E.g. SD .
• Spaces should be left before and after equal, more-than, and less-than signs.

Numbers in academic writing: Measurements

Always use numerals for units of measurement.

• Ampules contain 100 mg in 2 ml .

Numerals should be used for precise ages, timescales, dates, score lines, points of scale, and monetary sums.

• The final score was France 4 , and Croatia 2 .
• The students were aged 18 to 21 years in the study.

Imprecise ages and generalizations are not numbered but written out.

• She was roughly six years old based on his estimation.
• The outcome will be approximately seven times .

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Numbers in academic writing: Long numbers

Longer numbers have their own set of rules. A period should be used to indicate a decimal point.

Commas are to be used to separate large figures every three digits after 1,000.

For sums exceeding 6 numerals, like 1 million and 1 billion, use a combination of numerals and written language.

• HBO Max had 73.8 million subscribers in 2022.
• This is a considerable growth from its 800,000 subscribers in 2015.

Should you write out numbers in academic writing?

As a general rule of thumb, numbers up to nine should be written out in the APA Style, while anything exceeding 10 should appear as numerals.

How are dates written in academic writing?

Dates are always written as numerals.

How are numbers expressed at the beginning of a sentence?

They are written out when they begin a sentence, except for dates and technical data.

Should I use the word "percent" or its symbol "%"?

The APA Style states that the symbol “%” should be used after numerals, while “percent” should be used for written-out figures.

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How to Write an Essay in APA Format

What is apa format, apa essay format basics.

• Steps to Follow

Frequently Asked Questions

If your instructor has asked you to write an APA format essay, it might at first seem like a daunting task, especially if you are accustomed to using another style such as MLA or Chicago. But you can master the rules of APA essay format, too.

An essay is one type of paper that can be written in APA format; others include lab reports, experimental reports, and case studies. Before you begin, familiarize yourself with some of the basic guidelines for writing a paper in APA format. Of course, it will also be important to follow any other formatting instructions that are part of your assignment.

How do you write an essay in APA format? The basic elements you need to include are:

• A title page
• An abstract
• An introduction, main body, and conclusion
• A reference section
• Proper APA formatting with regard to margins, layout, spacing, titles, and indentations

This article discusses how to write an essay in APA format, including the basic steps you should follow and tips for how to get started.

Whether you’re taking an introductory or graduate-level psychology class, chances are strong that you will have to write at least one paper during the course of the semester. In almost every case, you will need to write your paper in APA format, the official publication style of the American Psychological Association . It is also used for academic journals.

Such rules are generally the same whether you are writing a high school essay, college essay, or professional essay for publication.

APA format is used in a range of disciplines including psychology , education, and other social sciences. The format dictates presentation elements of your paper including spacing, margins, and how the content is structured.

Most instructors and publication editors have strict guidelines when it comes to how your format your writing. Not only does adhering to APA format allow readers to know what to expect from your paper, but it also means that your work will not lose critical points over minor formatting errors. 

While the formatting requirements for your paper might vary depending on your instructor's directions, writing APA essay format means you will most likely need to include a title page, abstract, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference sections.

Your APA format essay should have a title page . This title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and your school affiliation. In some instances, your teacher might require additional information such as the course title, instructor name, and the date.

• The title of your paper should be concise and clearly describe what your paper is about.
• Your title can extend to two lines, but it should be no longer than 12 words.

An abstract is a brief summary of your paper that immediately follows the title page. It is not required for student papers, according to APA style. However, your instructor may request one.

If you include an abstract , it should be no more than 100 to 200 words, although this may vary depending upon the instructor requirements.

Your essay should also include a reference list with all of the sources that were cited in your essay,

• The reference section is located at the end of your paper.
• References should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the author.
• References should be double-spaced.
• Any source that is cited in your paper should be included in your reference section.

When writing in APA essay format, the text will include the actual essay itself: The introduction, body, and conclusion.

• There should be uniform margins of at least one inch at the top, bottom, left, and right sides of your essay.
• The text should be in Times New Roman size 12 font or another serif typeface that is easily readable.
• Your paper should be double-spaced.
• Every page should include a page number in the top right corner.
• The first word of each paragraph in your paper should be indented one-half inch.

For professional papers (usually not student papers), every page of the essay also includes a running head at the top left. The running head is a shortened form of the title, often the first few words, and should be no more than 50 characters (including spaces).

Steps to a Successful APA Format Essay

In addition to ensuring that you cite your sources properly and present information according to the rules of APA style, there are a number of things you can do to make the writing process a little bit easier.

Choose a Topic

Start by choosing a good topic to write about. Ideally, you want to select a subject that is specific enough to let you fully research and explore the topic, but not so specific that you have a hard time finding sources of information.

If you choose something too specific, you may find yourself with not enough to write about. If you choose something too general, you might find yourself overwhelmed with information.

Research Your Topic

Start doing research as early as possible. Begin by looking at some basic books and articles on your topic to help develop it further. What is the question you are going to answer with your essay? What approach will you take to the topic?

Once you are more familiar with the subject, create a preliminary source list of potential books, articles, essays, and studies that you may end up using in your essay.

Remember, any source used in your essay must be included in your reference section. Conversely, any source listed in your references must be cited somewhere in the body of your paper.

Write Your Rough Draft

With research in hand, you are ready to begin. Some people like to create an outline to organize their argument prior to drafting. You may want to start with a very rough outline, and then add details.

Once you have a detailed outline, the next step is to translate it from notes to complete sentences and paragraphs. Remember, this is a first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect.

As you write your paper in APA essay format, be sure to keep careful track of the sources that you cite.

How do you start an APA paper? Your paper should begin with an introduction that includes a thesis statement that presents your main ideas, points, or arguments. Your introduction should start on the third page of your paper (after the title page and abstract). The title of your paper should be centered, bolded, and typed in title case at the top of the page.

Review and Revise

After you have prepared a rough draft of your essay, it's time to revise, review, and prepare your final draft. In addition to making sure that your writing is cohesive and supported by your sources, you should also check carefully for typos, grammar errors, and possible formatting mistakes.

When citing information or quotations taken from an interview, APA format requires that you cite the source, how the information was collected, and the date of the interview. They should not be included in the reference section, however, because they are not something that can be located by a reader in any published source or searchable database.

Instead, the information should be cited parenthetically in the main body of the text. For example: “There was an increase in the number of college students who screened positive for depression/anxiety” (R. Heathfield, personal communication, May 9, 2021).

If the essay is in a chapter of a book, edited collection, or anthology, APA format states that you should cite the last name, first name, title of essay, title of collection, publisher, year, and page range. For example: Smith, John, "The Light House," A Book of Poems , editing by Peter Roberts, Allworth Press, 2005, pp. 20-25.

According to APA format, a two-part essay is formatted the same as an essay, however, you'll need to create two title pages.

If you're including a short direct quote in your APA-format essay, you will need to cite the author, year of publication, and page number (p.) or page number span (pp.). Quotations longer than 40 words should omit the quotation marks and be put in the text using block quotation formatting, on its own line and indented 1/2 inch from the left margin.

The cover page or "title page" in APA essay format should always include the title of your paper, your name, and school affiliation as well as the course title, instructor name, and date, if requested by your teacher.

Nagda S.  How to write a scientific abstract.   J Indian Prosthodont Soc.  2013;13(3):382-383. doi:10.1007/s13191-013-0299-x

American Psychological Association.  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association  (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2019.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Essay Papers Writing Online

How to properly format numbers in academic essays – a comprehensive guide.

When writing academic essays, it is crucial to follow certain guidelines to ensure your work is clear, accurate, and professional. One area that often causes confusion is the use of numbers. Should you write numbers out in full or use numerals? Are there specific rules for when to use each format? In this article, we will explore the best practices for using numbers in academic writing to help you convey your ideas effectively.

One of the primary rules to keep in mind when using numbers in academic essays is consistency. Choose a style guide, such as APA or MLA, and stick to its guidelines throughout your paper. This will help maintain a uniform appearance and make your work easier to read. Additionally, consider the context in which you are using numbers. Are you discussing statistics, measurements, or dates? Each of these may require a different approach to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Another important aspect of using numbers in academic writing is knowing when to write them out in full and when to use numerals. In general, numbers zero to nine are typically written out in full (e.g., three, seven), while numerals are used for numbers 10 and above (e.g., 15, 42). However, there are exceptions to this rule, so be sure to consult your style guide for specific cases.

Importance of Using Numbers

Numbers play a crucial role in academic essays as they provide a concrete and quantitative basis for arguments and evidence. When used appropriately, numbers can add credibility and precision to your writing, making your arguments more convincing and compelling.

By including specific numerical data, such as statistics, percentages, or numerical examples, you can enhance the clarity and accuracy of your statements. Numbers can help quantify the magnitude of a problem, demonstrate trends over time, or compare different scenarios effectively.

Additionally, numbers can enhance the reader’s understanding of complex concepts and ideas by providing a clear and measurable context. They can also help you make your arguments more persuasive and impactful by presenting evidence in a concise and structured manner.

Overall, using numbers in academic essays is essential for presenting factual information, supporting your arguments with evidence, and making your writing more precise and effective. Properly integrating numbers into your writing can significantly strengthen your academic work and contribute to its overall quality.

Formatting Guidelines for Numbers

When writing academic essays, it is important to follow specific formatting guidelines for numbers to ensure clarity and consistency throughout your paper. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:

1. Spell out numbers one to nine: In general, spell out numbers from one to nine (e.g., “two apples”, “seven participants”) to improve readability and avoid confusion.

2. Use numerals for numbers 10 and above: Use numerals for numbers 10 and above (e.g., “12 years old”, “22 participants”) to maintain consistency in your writing.

3. Use numerals for measurements and percentages: Always use numerals for measurements (e.g., “5 meters”, “10 kilograms”) and percentages (e.g., “25%”) to provide accurate and precise information.

4. Use commas for numbers with four or more digits: Use commas to separate thousands, millions, etc., in numbers with four or more digits (e.g., 1,000, 10,000,000).

5. Be consistent in using numerical formats: Maintain consistency in how you present numbers within your essay. For instance, if you start a list with numerals, continue using numerals for the rest of the list.

Proper Use of Numerals

When writing an academic essay, it is important to know how to properly use numerals. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Use numerals for numbers 10 and above: When expressing numbers 10 and above, use numerals. For example, “There were 15 participants in the study.”

2. Spell out numbers below 10: For numbers below 10, spell them out. For example, “There were seven different hypotheses tested in the study.”

3. Use numerals for units of measurement and time: Use numerals when expressing units of measurement (5 grams) and time (6 hours).

4. Consistency is key: Be consistent in your use of numerals throughout the essay. If you start with numerals, continue to use numerals for similar types of information.

5. Follow style guidelines: Some academic disciplines have specific style guidelines for the use of numerals. Make sure to follow the guidelines provided by your institution or the journal you are submitting to.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your use of numerals in your academic essay is clear and consistent.

Writing Numbers as Words

When writing numbers in academic essays, it is important to follow the style guide provided by your institution or the specific guidelines of the publication you are submitting your work to. In general, numbers from one to nine are typically written out as words (e.g., “two” or “seven”), while numbers 10 and above are written as numerals (e.g., 10 or 27). However, there can be exceptions to this rule depending on the style guide being used.

It is also a good practice to spell out ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third) rather than using numerals (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd) in academic writing. This helps maintain consistency and clarity throughout your essay. Additionally, when a sentence begins with a number, it is generally recommended to write it out as a word to avoid starting a sentence with a numeral.

Remember to always check the specific style guide you are required to follow for any variations or exceptions when writing numbers in your academic essays. Consistency and accuracy are key to conveying your ideas clearly and professionally.

Consistency in Number Usage

When writing academic essays, it is essential to maintain consistency in the usage of numbers throughout the document. This consistency applies to both the style and format of numbers used in the text. Here are some guidelines to ensure proper usage:

• Choose a style guide and follow its rules for writing numbers. Some style guides prefer spelling out numbers from one to ten and using numerals for numbers above ten, while others may have different preferences.
• Be consistent within the same sentence or paragraph. For example, if you spell out a number in one instance, make sure to do the same for similar numbers in the following sentences.
• Decide on a format for dates, times, and measurements and stick to it throughout the essay. For instance, choose between writing dates in the month-day-year format or the day-month-year format and use it consistently.
• Use numerals for percentages, decimals, fractions, and numbers with scientific units. Make sure to format these numbers according to the conventions of your chosen style guide.

By maintaining consistency in number usage, you can improve the readability and professionalism of your academic writing. Paying attention to these details demonstrates your attention to accuracy and precision in your work.

Tips for Enhancing Clarity

When using numbers in academic essays, it is essential to prioritize clarity to ensure that your reader can easily follow your arguments and understand your points. Here are some tips to enhance the clarity of your numerical expressions:

By following these tips, you can effectively enhance the clarity of your numerical expressions in academic essays and improve the overall readability of your work.

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A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

The start of the semester is the perfect time to learn how to create and format APA Style student papers. This article walks through the formatting steps needed to create an APA Style student paper, starting with a basic setup that applies to the entire paper (margins, font, line spacing, paragraph alignment and indentation, and page headers). It then covers formatting for the major sections of a student paper: the title page, the text, tables and figures, and the reference list. Finally, it concludes by describing how to organize student papers and ways to improve their quality and presentation.

The guidelines for student paper setup are described and shown using annotated diagrams in the Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3.40MB) and the A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Style Student Papers webinar . Chapter 1 of the Concise Guide to APA Style and Chapter 2 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association describe the elements, format, and organization for student papers. Tables and figures are covered in Chapter 7 of both books. Information on paper format and tables and figures and a full sample student paper are also available on the APA Style website.

Basic setup

The guidelines for basic setup apply to the entire paper. Perform these steps when you first open your document, and then you do not have to worry about them again while writing your paper. Because these are general aspects of paper formatting, they apply to all APA Style papers, student or professional. Students should always check with their assigning instructor or institution for specific guidelines for their papers, which may be different than or in addition to APA Style guidelines.

Seventh edition APA Style was designed with modern word-processing programs in mind. Most default settings in programs such as Academic Writer, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs already comply with APA Style. This means that, for most paper elements, you do not have to make any changes to the default settings of your word-processing program. However, you may need to make a few adjustments before you begin writing.

Use 1-in. margins on all sides of the page (top, bottom, left, and right). This is usually how papers are automatically set.

Use a legible font. The default font of your word-processing program is acceptable. Many sans serif and serif fonts can be used in APA Style, including 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 12-point Times New Roman, and 11-point Georgia. You can also use other fonts described on the font page of the website.

Line spacing

Double-space the entire paper including the title page, block quotations, and the reference list. This is something you usually must set using the paragraph function of your word-processing program. But once you do, you will not have to change the spacing for the entirety of your paper–just double-space everything. Do not add blank lines before or after headings. Do not add extra spacing between paragraphs. For paper sections with different line spacing, see the line spacing page.

Paragraph alignment and indentation

Align all paragraphs of text in the body of your paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin ragged. Do not use full justification. Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5-in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. For paper sections with different alignment and indentation, see the paragraph alignment and indentation page.

Page numbers

Put a page number in the top right of every page header , including the title page, starting with page number 1. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word-processing program to insert the page number in the top right corner; do not type the page numbers manually. The page number is the same font and font size as the text of your paper. Student papers do not require a running head on any page, unless specifically requested by the instructor.

Title page setup

Title page elements.

APA Style has two title page formats: student and professional (for details, see title page setup ). Unless instructed otherwise, students should use the student title page format and include the following elements, in the order listed, on the title page:

• Paper title.
• Name of each author (also known as the byline).
• Affiliation for each author.
• Course number and name.
• Instructor name.
• Assignment due date.
• Page number 1 in the top right corner of the page header.

The format for the byline depends on whether the paper has one author, two authors, or three or more authors.

• When the paper has one author, write the name on its own line (e.g., Jasmine C. Hernandez).
• When the paper has two authors, write the names on the same line and separate them with the word “and” (e.g., Upton J. Wang and Natalia Dominguez).
• When the paper has three or more authors, separate the names with commas and include “and” before the final author’s name (e.g., Malia Mohamed, Jaylen T. Brown, and Nia L. Ball).

Students have an academic affiliation, which identities where they studied when the paper was written. Because students working together on a paper are usually in the same class, they will have one shared affiliation. The affiliation consists of the name of the department and the name of the college or university, separated by a comma (e.g., Department of Psychology, George Mason University). The department is that of the course to which the paper is being submitted, which may be different than the department of the student’s major. Do not include the location unless it is part of the institution’s name.

Write the course number and name and the instructor name as shown on institutional materials (e.g., the syllabus). The course number and name are often separated by a colon (e.g., PST-4510: History and Systems Psychology). Write the assignment due date in the month, date, and year format used in your country (e.g., Sept. 10, 2020).

Title page line spacing

Double-space the whole title page. Place the paper title three or four lines down from the top of the page. Add an extra double-spaced blank like between the paper title and the byline. Then, list the other title page elements on separate lines, without extra lines in between.

Title page alignment

Center all title page elements (except the right-aligned page number in the header).

Title page font

Write the title page using the same font and font size as the rest of your paper. Bold the paper title. Use standard font (i.e., no bold, no italics) for all other title page elements.

Text elements

Repeat the paper title at the top of the first page of text. Begin the paper with an introduction to provide background on the topic, cite related studies, and contextualize the paper. Use descriptive headings to identify other sections as needed (e.g., Method, Results, Discussion for quantitative research papers). Sections and headings vary depending on the paper type and its complexity. Text can include tables and figures, block quotations, headings, and footnotes.

Text line spacing

Double-space all text, including headings and section labels, paragraphs of text, and block quotations.

Text alignment

Center the paper title on the first line of the text. Indent the first line of all paragraphs 0.5-in.

Left-align the text. Leave the right margin ragged.

Block quotation alignment

Indent the whole block quotation 0.5-in. from the left margin. Double-space the block quotation, the same as other body text. Find more information on the quotations page.

Use the same font throughout the entire paper. Write body text in standard (nonbold, nonitalic) font. Bold only headings and section labels. Use italics sparingly, for instance, to highlight a key term on first use (for more information, see the italics page).

Headings format

For detailed guidance on formatting headings, including headings in the introduction of a paper, see the headings page and the headings in sample papers .

• Alignment: Center Level 1 headings. Left-align Level 2 and Level 3 headings. Indent Level 4 and Level 5 headings like a regular paragraph.
• Font: Boldface all headings. Also italicize Level 3 and Level 5 headings. Create heading styles using your word-processing program (built into AcademicWriter, available for Word via the sample papers on the APA Style website).

Tables and figures setup

Tables and figures are only included in student papers if needed for the assignment. Tables and figures share the same elements and layout. See the website for sample tables and sample figures .

Table elements

Tables include the following four elements: 

• Body (rows and columns)
• Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the table)

Figure elements

Figures include the following four elements: 

• Image (chart, graph, etc.)
• Note (optional if needed to explain elements in the figure)

Table line spacing

Double-space the table number and title. Single-, 1.5-, or double-space the table body (adjust as needed for readability). Double-space the table note.

Figure line spacing

Double-space the figure number and title. The default settings for spacing in figure images is usually acceptable (but adjust the spacing as needed for readability). Double-space the figure note.

Table alignment

Left-align the table number and title. Center column headings. Left-align the table itself and left-align the leftmost (stub) column. Center data in the table body if it is short or left-align the data if it is long. Left-align the table note.

Figure alignment

Left-align the figure number and title. Left-align the whole figure image. The default alignment of the program in which you created your figure is usually acceptable for axis titles and data labels. Left-align the figure note.

Bold the table number. Italicize the table title. Use the same font and font size in the table body as the text of your paper. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the table note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Figure font

Bold the figure number. Italicize the figure title. Use a sans serif font (e.g., Calibri, Arial) in the figure image in a size between 8 to 14 points. Italicize the word “Note” at the start of the figure note. Write the note in the same font and font size as the text of your paper.

Placement of tables and figures

There are two options for the placement of tables and figures in an APA Style paper. The first option is to place all tables and figures on separate pages after the reference list. The second option is to embed each table and figure within the text after its first callout. This guide describes options for the placement of tables and figures embedded in the text. If your instructor requires tables and figures to be placed at the end of the paper, see the table and figure guidelines and the sample professional paper .

Call out (mention) the table or figure in the text before embedding it (e.g., write “see Figure 1” or “Table 1 presents”). You can place the table or figure after the callout either at the bottom of the page, at the top of the next page, or by itself on the next page. Avoid placing tables and figures in the middle of the page.

Embedding at the bottom of the page

Include a callout to the table or figure in the text before that table or figure. Add a blank double-spaced line between the text and the table or figure at the bottom of the page.

Embedding at the top of the page

Include a callout to the table in the text on the previous page before that table or figure. The table or figure then appears at the top of the next page. Add a blank double-spaced line between the end of the table or figure and the text that follows.

Embedding on its own page

Embed long tables or large figures on their own page if needed. The text continues on the next page.

Reference list setup

Reference list elements.

The reference list consists of the “References” section label and the alphabetical list of references. View reference examples on the APA Style website. Consult Chapter 10 in both the Concise Guide and Publication Manual for even more examples.

Reference list line spacing

Start the reference list at the top of a new page after the text. Double-space the entire reference list (both within and between entries).

Reference list alignment

Center the “References” label. Apply a hanging indent of 0.5-in. to all reference list entries. Create the hanging indent using your word-processing program; do not manually hit the enter and tab keys.

Reference list font

Bold the “References” label at the top of the first page of references. Use italics within reference list entries on either the title (e.g., webpages, books, reports) or on the source (e.g., journal articles, edited book chapters).

Final checks

Check page order.

• Start each section on a new page.
• Arrange pages in the following order:
• Title page (page 1).
• Text (starts on page 2).
• Reference list (starts on a new page after the text).

Check headings

• Check that headings accurately reflect the content in each section.
• Start each main section with a Level 1 heading.
• Use Level 2 headings for subsections of the introduction.
• Use the same level of heading for sections of equal importance.
• Avoid having only one subsection within a section (have two or more, or none).

Check assignment instructions

• Remember that instructors’ guidelines supersede APA Style.
• Students should check their assignment guidelines or rubric for specific content to include in their papers and to make sure they are meeting assignment requirements.

Tips for better writing

• Ask for feedback on your paper from a classmate, writing center tutor, or instructor.
• Budget time to implement suggestions.
• Use spell-check and grammar-check to identify potential errors, and then manually check those flagged.
• Proofread the paper by reading it slowly and carefully aloud to yourself.
• Consult your university writing center if you need extra help.

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• Knowledge Base
• APA Style 7th edition
• Writing in APA Style: Language guidelines

APA Writing Style | Language & Punctuation Guidelines

Published on January 3, 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on October 3, 2023.

The American Psychological Association (APA) published the 7th edition of its style manual in 2019. As well as rules for citation and paper formatting, the manual provides various language guidelines to help you present your ideas in a clear, concise, and inclusive manner.

Key issues include active vs. passive voice, use of pronouns, anthropomorphism, inclusive language, punctuation, abbreviations and acronyms, and numbers.

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Table of contents

Active vs. passive voice, personal pronouns, anthropomorphism, inclusive language, punctuation, abbreviations and acronyms, numbers: words vs. numerals, hyphenation of prefixes and suffixes, other style issues, frequently asked questions about apa language guidelines.

The passive voice , which places the focus on the object of an action rather than on who or what is carrying it out (the agent ), is often overused in academic writing. It can be long-winded, and it sometimes obscures your meaning if you don’t specify the agent.

• The test was completed. [passive voice, agent unclear]
• The test was completed by the participants. [passive voice, long-winded]
• The participants completed the test. [active voice]

APA therefore recommends using the active voice by default. However, that doesn’t mean you can never use the passive voice. When it’s unimportant who carried out a particular action, the passive voice is a better choice.

• James and I mounted the projector on the wall.
• The projector was mounted on the wall.

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Appropriate use of personal pronouns is key to maintaining an academic tone in your writing.

First-person pronouns (I, we) should be used when referring to your own actions and thoughts. Don’t refer to yourself in the third person.

• The researcher(s) administered the test.
• I/we administered the test.

However, avoid the editorial “we,” which involves using “we” to make a generalization about the world or about a group of people.

• We are social creatures.
• Humans are social creatures.

Second-person pronouns (you) should be avoided entirely unless you’re quoting someone else. If you need to make a generalization, use the impersonal pronoun “one” instead, or (usually the better option) rephrase.

• As a teacher, you should be patient with your students.
• As a teacher, one should be patient with one’s students.
• Teachers should be patient with their students.

Use the third-person pronoun “they” to refer to an individual who uses “they” as their chosen pronoun. Also use “they,” not “he or she,” to refer to a generic individual whose gender is unknown or irrelevant in the context.

• When a student agrees to participate, he or she is provided with the necessary materials.
• When a student agrees to participate, they are provided with the necessary materials.
• When students agree to participate, they are provided with the necessary materials.

Anthropomorphism means attributing actions to objects that cannot literally take those actions. Avoid doing this where it confuses your meaning, but feel free to do so when your point remains clear.

• The study wondered whether an algorithm could predict student engagement.
• The researcher wondered whether an algorithm could predict student engagement.
• The table presents the algorithm’s predictions and their accuracy.
• The results suggest that software can help schools improve student well-being.

APA also provides guidance on ensuring your language is inclusive and respectful. Some key points are summarized below.

• Replace terms that are unnecessarily gendered or that have sexist connotations with more inclusive alternatives (e.g., change “fireman” to “firefighter”).
• As mentioned above, use “they” to refer to a person who uses “they” as their chosen pronoun and to refer to a generic individual of unknown gender.
• Capitalize “Black” and “White” when used in the racial sense. Don’t use colors to refer to other racial groups. Also capitalize terms like “Native American,” “Hispanic,” “Indigenous,” and “Aboriginal.”
• Don’t hyphenate terms such as “Asian American” or “African American” in any position.
• Generally, avoid using adjectives as nouns to label groups of people. For example, prefer “people living in poverty” over “the poor.” This emphasizes that poverty is a circumstance in people’s lives, not an essential quality of their existence.

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Besides following general punctuation rules , pay attention to these points when writing in APA Style.

• Always use a comma after the Latin abbreviations “e.g.” and “i.e.”
• Similarly, use a comma after an introductory phrase , even if it’s only a single word. For example, “Conversely, the results of …”
• For proper hyphenation of words, follow Merriam-Webster or, for psychological terms, the APA Dictionary of Psychology .
• Hyphenate fractions only when they are used as adjectives (e.g., “two thirds of the participants,” but “a two-thirds majority”).
• Always use the serial comma (aka Oxford comma ), which means placing a comma before the “and” preceding the final item in a list of three or more items. For example, “grammar, usage, and style.”
• Use double quotation marks, and place a comma or period following a quote inside the quotation marks .

Proper use of abbreviations and acronyms is important, since they help keep your writing concise but can be confusing if used inconsistently or without proper explanation.

• Define an acronym when you first mention it, and use it consistently after that point. You don’t need to define very well-known acronyms like “TV” and “DNA” or abbreviations for standard units of measurement (e.g., “min” for “minute”).
• Redefine an abbreviation in each figure and table in which it appears. The purpose of defining abbreviations in the table or figure is that if other authors reuse the work in a future paper, then the definitions of the terms will be attached.
• Avoid using an acronym in your paper title, except in cases where the acronym is used more commonly than the full term (e.g., “DNA” or “HIV”). You can use acronyms in headings only if they are similarly common or have been defined in the text before that heading.
• It’s fine to begin a sentence with an acronym or abbreviation. However, never begin a sentence with a lowercase abbreviation or a standalone symbol.
• Use periods in the terms “U.S.” and “U.K.” only when they are used as adjectives, not when they are used as nouns. Do not use periods in abbreviations of state, province, or territory names (e.g., “NY”).
• Use the Latin abbreviations “e.g.,” “i.e.,” and “etc.” only in parentheses or within bullet-point lists. APA considers them too informal for the main text.

As a general rule, spell out numbers for zero through nine and use numerals for 10 and above . However, note the following exceptions.

Always use numerals:

• When a number directly precedes a unit of measurement (e.g., 5 cm)
• When referring to statistics, equations, fractions, decimals, percentages, or ratios
• When a number represents time, dates, ages, scores, points on a scale, exact sums of money, or numerals as numerals (but use words for approximations of numbers of days, weeks, months, or years)
• When referring to a specific place in a numbered series
• In the abstract of a paper (this allows you to save space in the character limit)

Always use words:

• For any number that begins a sentence, title or heading (but where possible, rephrase to avoid the issue)
• For common fractions (e.g., “one fifth”)
• For universally accepted usage (e.g., “Twelve Apostles,” “Five Pillars of Islam”)

Use a combination of numerals and words to express back-to-back modifiers (e.g. “2 two-way interactions” or “ten 7-point scales”). In such situations, a combination of numerals and words increases the clarity and readability of the phrase.

Note that when referring to a numbered element of your text, you should use a numeral and capitalize the word preceding it (e.g., “Chapter 2,” “Table 4”).

Prefixes and suffixes are added to words to alter their meaning—prefixes to the start of the word, suffixes to the end. For example, by adding the prefix “post-” to the adjective “natal,” you get another adjective, “postnatal.”

It’s often not clear whether such terms should be hyphenated or written as one solid word. APA helpfully provides a list of prefixes and suffixes that don’t require hyphenation according to their guidelines.

But do hyphenate:

• The prefix “self-” (e.g., “self-deprecating”)
• The word “quasi-experimental”
• Prefixes that end with “a,” “i,” or “o” when the following word starts with the same letter (e.g., “meta-analysis,” “anti-intellectual”)
• When attaching to a number, abbreviation, or capitalized word (e.g., “pre-1914,” “post-Napoleonic”)
• To avoid ambiguity (e.g., “re-form” to mean “form again” as opposed to the usual meaning of “reform”)

APA’s guidelines are extensive. Read more about other style issues not covered in this article by following the links below:

• APA Style citation
• Paper formatting and layout
• Headings and subheadings
• Tables and figures
• Reporting statistics
• Block quoting

Yes, APA language guidelines encourage you to use the first-person pronouns “I” or “we” when referring to yourself or a group including yourself in your writing.

In APA Style, you should not refer to yourself in the third person. For example, do not refer to yourself as “the researcher” or “the author” but simply as “I” or “me.” Referring to yourself in the third person is still common practice in some academic fields, but APA Style rejects this convention.

Yes, it’s perfectly valid to write sentences in the passive voice . The APA language guidelines do caution against overusing the passive voice, because it can obscure your meaning or be needlessly long-winded. For this reason, default to the active voice in most cases.

The passive voice is most useful when the point of the sentence is just to state what was done, not to emphasize who did it. For example, “The projector was mounted on the wall” is better than “James and I mounted the projector on the wall” if it’s not particularly important who mounted the projector.

Yes, APA language guidelines state that you should always use the serial comma (aka Oxford comma ) in your writing.

This means including a comma before the word “and” at the end of a list of three or more items: “spelling, grammar, and punctuation.” Doing this consistently tends to make your lists less ambiguous.

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होम > ब्लॉग > एपीए निबंध प्रारूप: एक अवलोकन

एपीए निबंध प्रारूप: एक अवलोकन

• स्मोडिन संपादकीय टीम
• अपडेट किया गया: अगस्त 21, 2024
• लेखन के लिए चरण-दर-चरण निर्देश

क्या आपको APA निबंध लिखने की ज़रूरत है लेकिन आपको फ़ॉर्मेटिंग नियमों के बारे में कोई जानकारी नहीं है? आप अकेले नहीं हैं, क्योंकि कई छात्रों के मन में शुरू में यही सवाल होते हैं। हम आपको नियमों को समझने में मदद करने के लिए APA निबंध प्रारूप के सभी विवरण साझा करेंगे, ताकि आप एक ऐसा निबंध लिख सकें जिसमें सही लाइन स्पेसिंग, APA उद्धरण और सार पृष्ठ हो।

इसके अलावा, हम APA प्रारूप में लिखते समय किन बातों से बचना चाहिए, इसके शीर्ष उदाहरण भी साझा करेंगे। यह सुनिश्चित करता है कि आप बड़ी गलतियाँ न करें जो आपके अंतिम ग्रेड को प्रभावित कर सकती हैं।

एपीए निबंध प्रारूप का उपयोग करते समय आपको जिन नियमों का पालन करना चाहिए, उनके बारे में अधिक जानने के लिए पढ़ते रहें।

एपीए प्रारूप निबंध क्या है?

एपीए प्रारूप एक शैली मार्गदर्शिका है जिसका उपयोग सामाजिक विज्ञान में अकादमिक शोधपत्र लिखने के लिए आम तौर पर किया जाता है। अमेरिकन साइकोलॉजिकल एसोसिएशन मनोवैज्ञानिकों का प्रतिनिधित्व करने वाले एक अमेरिकी वैज्ञानिक और पेशेवर संगठन ने इस शैली को विकसित किया।

यहां उन प्रमुख बिंदुओं का अवलोकन दिया गया है जिन्हें आपको APA निबंध प्रारूप सीखते समय जानना आवश्यक है:

• शीर्षक पृष्ठ: इसमें पेपर का शीर्षक, लेखक का नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता शामिल है। छात्र पेपर के लिए, इसमें पाठ्यक्रम संख्या और प्रशिक्षक का नाम भी शामिल है।
• सार: शोध का सारांश। यह आमतौर पर 150-250 शब्दों का होता है और इसमें मुख्य बिंदुओं और निष्कर्षों की रूपरेखा होती है।
• मुख्य भाग: इसमें परिचय, विधि, परिणाम और चर्चा अनुभाग शामिल हैं। प्रत्येक अनुभाग को स्पष्ट रूप से लेबल किया गया है और शोध निष्कर्षों को एक स्पष्ट प्रवाह में प्रस्तुत करने के लिए व्यवस्थित किया गया है।
• शीर्षक और उपशीर्षक: सामग्री को पदानुक्रमिक रूप से व्यवस्थित करने और नेविगेट करना आसान बनाने के लिए शीर्षकों के विशिष्ट स्तरों का उपयोग करें।
• पाठ में उद्धरण: लेखक-तिथि पद्धति का उपयोग करके पाठ के भीतर स्रोतों का हवाला दें, उदाहरण के लिए, "स्मिथ, 2020", जो अंत में एक विस्तृत संदर्भ सूची से लिंक करता है।
• संदर्भ: पेपर में उद्धृत सभी स्रोतों की सूची बनाएं, हैंगिंग इंडेंट के साथ प्रारूपित करें, तथा लेखक के अंतिम नाम के अनुसार वर्णानुक्रम में व्यवस्थित करें।
• स्वरूपण: मानक 12-पॉइंट टाइम्स न्यू रोमन फ़ॉन्ट, डबल-स्पेस वाली लाइनें, और सभी तरफ एक-इंच मार्जिन।

एपीए प्रारूप में निबंध कैसे लिखें

अब आइए APA प्रारूप में निबंध लिखना सीखने पर ध्यान केंद्रित करें। यह प्रक्रिया आपको शुरू से अंत तक ले जाएगी और सुनिश्चित करेगी कि आपके पास APA शैली के लिए सही प्रारूपण है। शुरुआती लोग अकादमिक सेटिंग में अच्छे परिणाम प्राप्त करने के लिए इन APA दिशानिर्देशों का उपयोग कर सकते हैं।

1. शीर्षक पृष्ठ

आपको इसकी आवश्यकता होगी निबंध शुरू करें एपीए प्रारूप कवर पेज (या शीर्षक पृष्ठ) के साथ, जो आपके निबंध के लिए मंच तैयार करता है। अपने पेपर के शीर्षक को बोल्ड 12-पॉइंट टाइम्स न्यू रोमन फ़ॉन्ट का उपयोग करके केंद्र में रखें। इसके नीचे, अपना नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता केंद्र में रखें। यहां, आप पाठ्यक्रम की जानकारी, प्रशिक्षक का नाम और यदि आवश्यक हो तो नियत तिथि शामिल कर सकते हैं।

इसके अलावा, सुनिश्चित करें कि शीर्षक संक्षिप्त और वर्णनात्मक हो ताकि सर्वोत्तम परिणाम प्राप्त हो सकें। आप यह जानने के लिए पेशेवर पेपर देख सकते हैं कि यह कैसे करना है। फिर, हेडर में रनिंग हेड रखें। इसमें शीर्षक का संक्षिप्त संस्करण (50 अक्षर या उससे कम) और दाईं ओर संरेखित पृष्ठ संख्या शामिल होगी।

एक नए पृष्ठ पर, सार शामिल करें, जो आपके निबंध का सारांश प्रदान करता है। APA प्रारूप के साथ संरेखित करने के लिए पृष्ठ के शीर्ष पर "सार" शब्द को बोल्ड में केंद्रित करना सुनिश्चित करें। सार स्वयं एक पैराग्राफ होना चाहिए, 150-250 शब्दों के बीच। इसके अलावा, इसमें शोध समस्या, विधियों, परिणामों और निष्कर्ष के मुख्य बिंदुओं को संक्षेप में प्रस्तुत करना चाहिए।

उद्धरणों और विस्तृत व्याख्याओं से बचें और इसके बजाय अपने पेपर का सार बताने पर ध्यान केंद्रित करें। सार पाठकों को APA पेपर में गहराई से जाने के बिना आपके शोध के दायरे को जल्दी से समझने में मदद करता है।

3. मुख्य शरीर

अपने निबंध के मुख्य भाग को एक नए पृष्ठ पर शुरू करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि आपके पेपर का पूरा शीर्षक पृष्ठ के शीर्ष पर बोल्ड में केन्द्रित हो। मुख्य भाग में कई खंड शामिल हैं, जो आम तौर पर परिचय, विधि, परिणाम और चर्चा हैं।

परिचय में, रेखांकित करें शोध पत्र प्रश्न और संदर्भ। फिर विधि अनुभाग में अपनी शोध प्रक्रिया का वर्णन करें। आपको परिणाम अनुभाग में अपने निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत करने होंगे और चर्चा में उनका विश्लेषण करना होगा।

अपनी सामग्री को व्यवस्थित करने के लिए APA की शीर्षक शैलियों का उपयोग करना सुनिश्चित करें ताकि स्पष्टता और प्रवाह सुनिश्चित हो सके। अंत में, पाठ को डबल-स्पेस करना न भूलें और सभी तरफ मार्जिन एक इंच पर सेट करें। APA प्रारूप शीर्षक महत्वपूर्ण हैं और कुछ ऐसा है जिसे छात्र अक्सर अनदेखा कर देते हैं।

मुख्य भाग के बाद, संदर्भों के लिए एक नया पृष्ठ शुरू करें। पृष्ठ के शीर्ष पर "संदर्भ" शब्द को केंद्र में रखकर और बोल्ड करके इस अनुभाग के APA स्वरूपण की शुरुआत करें। अपने निबंध में उद्धृत सभी स्रोतों को लेखक के अंतिम नाम के अनुसार वर्णानुक्रम में सूचीबद्ध करना सुनिश्चित करें। APA शैली को सही करने के लिए आप हैंगिंग इंडेंट का उपयोग कर सकते हैं। इसका मतलब है कि आप पहली पंक्ति को बाईं ओर फ्लश करें और बाद की पंक्तियों को 0.5 इंच इंडेंट करें।

इसके अतिरिक्त, प्रत्येक संदर्भ प्रविष्टि में लेखक का नाम, प्रकाशन वर्ष, शीर्षक और स्रोत विवरण शामिल होना चाहिए। इसे सही करने के लिए, पूर्ण और सटीक स्रोत जानकारी प्रदान करने के लिए APA उद्धरण प्रारूप नियमों का सावधानीपूर्वक पालन करें। यह सुनिश्चित करता है कि आप उचित श्रेय दें और पाठकों को आपके स्रोतों का पता लगाने की अनुमति देता है।

5. पाठ में उद्धरण

अपने पूरे निबंध में, स्रोतों को श्रेय देने के लिए इन-टेक्स्ट उद्धरणों का उपयोग करें। APA प्रारूप लेखक-तिथि प्रणाली का उपयोग करता है। इसलिए, उद्धृत जानकारी के बाद कोष्ठक में लेखक का अंतिम नाम और प्रकाशन वर्ष शामिल करें।

प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों के लिए, निम्न उदाहरण की तरह पृष्ठ संख्याएँ जोड़ें: स्मिथ, 2020, पृष्ठ 15. यदि लेखक का नाम वाक्य का हिस्सा है, तो कोष्ठक में केवल वर्ष शामिल करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि प्रत्येक इन-टेक्स्ट उद्धरण संदर्भ पृष्ठ पर संबंधित संदर्भ से मेल खाता है। पेशेवर और छात्र पत्रों के लिए पाठकों को आपके स्रोतों को सत्यापित करने की अनुमति देकर अकादमिक अखंडता बनाए रखना महत्वपूर्ण है।

6. परिशिष्ट

यदि आपके निबंध में पूरक सामग्री शामिल है, तो संदर्भों के बाद नए पृष्ठों पर एक परिशिष्ट जोड़ें। यदि कई परिशिष्ट हैं, तो प्रत्येक परिशिष्ट को "परिशिष्ट" शब्द के साथ शीर्षक देना सुनिश्चित करें, उसके बाद एक अक्षर (उदाहरण के लिए, परिशिष्ट A) लिखें। इसके अलावा, आपको प्रत्येक परिशिष्ट के शीर्षक को केंद्र में रखना होगा और बोल्ड करना होगा।

मुख्य पाठ को ओवरलोड किए बिना अपने निष्कर्षों का समर्थन करने के लिए परिशिष्ट में विस्तृत तालिकाएँ, आंकड़े या अतिरिक्त डेटा शामिल करें। यह आपके निबंध या पेशेवर पेपर को एक बेहतर रूप देगा। बेहतर लेखन प्रवाह .

अंत में, पाठ में प्रत्येक परिशिष्ट को देखें। आप विशिष्ट पाठ संदर्भों को खोजने के लिए वर्ड प्रोसेसिंग सॉफ़्टवेयर में खोज फ़ंक्शन का उपयोग कर सकते हैं।

एपीए प्रारूप में निबंध का हवाला कैसे दें

इस खंड में, हम उस प्रक्रिया पर चर्चा करते हैं जिसका पालन आपको APA प्रारूप में निबंध का हवाला देते समय करना होगा। अमेरिकन साइकोलॉजिकल एसोसिएशन ने APA लेखन प्रारूप को बेहतर संरचना प्रदान करने के लिए इन नियमों को जोड़ा। यह पाठकों को पेशेवर पत्रिकाओं के बीच स्थानांतरित होने पर डेटा स्रोतों को जल्दी से पहचानने में भी मदद करता है।

एपीए-शैली के पेपर में, स्रोतों का हवाला देने और पाठकों को उनके बारे में बताने के लिए संक्षिप्त इन-टेक्स्ट वाक्यों का उपयोग करें। आप आम तौर पर इन-टेक्स्ट वाक्यों को शामिल करेंगे प्रशंसा पत्र एपीए शैली प्रारूप वाले पेपर में प्रत्येक उद्धरण के साथ एक प्रति अवश्य लिखें, ताकि यह सुनिश्चित हो सके कि कोई साहित्यिक चोरी न हो।

इसके अलावा, सामान्य स्वरूपण नियम बताते हैं कि आपको लेखक का अंतिम नाम और प्रकाशन का वर्ष उपयोग करना होगा। इसे लेखक-तिथि प्रणाली के रूप में भी जाना जाता है। इसके अलावा, यदि आप किसी विशेष भाग का हवाला देना चाहते हैं, तो आप टाइमस्टैम्प या पृष्ठ संख्या का उपयोग कर सकते हैं।

पैरेन्थेटिकल बनाम कथात्मक उद्धरण

आपके इन-टेक्स्ट उद्धरण के दो मुख्य रूप हो सकते हैं: कोष्ठकीय या वर्णनात्मक। यहाँ उनके बीच अंतर का एक उदाहरण दिया गया है:

• पैरेन्थेटिकल उद्धरण: नवीनतम उद्योग रुझानों के अनुसार… (जोन्स, 2024)।
• कथात्मक उद्धरण: जोन्स (2024) कहते हैं कि नवीनतम उद्योग रुझान…

एकाधिक लेखक और कॉर्पोरेट लेखक

आप जिस छात्र शोधपत्र पर काम कर रहे हैं, उसकी प्रकृति के आधार पर आपको कई या कॉर्पोरेट लेखकों का हवाला देने की आवश्यकता हो सकती है। यहाँ कोष्ठकीय उद्धरणों का प्रारूप दिया गया है:

• एक लेखक: (जोन्स, 2024)
• दो लेखक: (जोन्स और एडम्स, 2024)
• 3+ लेखक: (जोन्स एट अल., 2024)
• संगठन: (ब्रांड नाम, 2024)

अब आइये कथात्मक उद्धरण संस्करण पर नजर डालें:

• एक लेखक: जोन्स (2024)
• दो लेखक: जोन्स और एडम्स (2024)
• 3+ लेखक: स्मिथ एट अल. (2024)
• संगठन: ब्रांड नाम (2024)

एपीए प्रारूप निबंध उदाहरण: क्या बचें

अब हम कुछ ऐसी गलतियों के बारे में APA प्रारूप निबंध उदाहरणों पर चर्चा करेंगे जो आपको नहीं करनी चाहिए। यह सुनिश्चित करता है कि आप अपने प्रोजेक्ट को अच्छी तरह से पूरा करें और शीर्ष ग्रेड प्राप्त करें।

एपीए प्रारूप का उपयोग करते समय बचने योग्य प्रमुख लेखन गलतियाँ निम्नलिखित हैं:

• अनुचित उद्धरण: स्रोतों का सही तरीके से हवाला न देने से साहित्यिक चोरी के आरोप लग सकते हैं। इसलिए, सुनिश्चित करें कि प्रत्येक स्रोत का संदर्भ पाठ में उद्धरणों और संदर्भ सूची दोनों में ठीक से दिया गया हो। इसलिए, गलत प्रारूप या अधूरे विवरण का उपयोग करने से बचें। उदाहरण के लिए, प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों के लिए पृष्ठ संख्या शामिल न करना या प्रकाशन वर्ष को छोड़ देना आपके काम की अखंडता से समझौता कर सकता है।
• असंगत स्वरूपण: स्वरूपण में असंगतता आपके निबंध की व्यावसायिकता को कमज़ोर करती है। इसलिए, सुनिश्चित करें कि आपके पास पूरे निबंध में एक समान मार्जिन, फ़ॉन्ट प्रकार और आकार (जैसे कैपिटल अक्षर और अपरकेस और लोअरकेस अक्षर) हों। इसके अतिरिक्त, शीर्षकों को APA शैली का सटीक रूप से पालन करना चाहिए, और लाइन स्पेसिंग और इंडेंटेशन में एकरूपता होनी चाहिए। इन दिशा-निर्देशों से विचलन पाठकों को विचलित कर सकता है और निबंध की विश्वसनीयता को कम कर सकता है।
• शीर्षक पृष्ठ की आवश्यकताओं की उपेक्षा करना: APA प्रारूप में शीर्षक पृष्ठ महत्वपूर्ण है। इसलिए, शीर्षक, लेखक का नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता जैसे आवश्यक तत्वों को छोड़ने से बचें। साथ ही, रनिंग हेड और पेज नंबर मौजूद होना चाहिए। इन तत्वों की अनुपस्थिति भ्रम पैदा कर सकती है और आपके फ़ॉर्मेटिंग में लापरवाही का आभास दे सकती है।
• प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों का अत्यधिक उपयोग: उद्धरण चिह्नों द्वारा दर्शाए गए प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों पर बहुत अधिक निर्भर रहना आपके मूल विश्लेषण और अंतर्दृष्टि को कमज़ोर कर सकता है। इसके बजाय, संक्षिप्त व्याख्या जहाँ संभव हो, संक्षेप में लिखें और अपने बिंदुओं का समर्थन करने के लिए सीधे उद्धरणों का संयम से उपयोग करें। अत्यधिक उपयोग से आपका निबंध कम मौलिक और दूसरों के काम पर अधिक निर्भर लग सकता है।
• गलत संदर्भ सूची स्वरूपण: गलत स्वरूपण से बचने के लिए संदर्भ सूची में प्रत्येक प्रविष्टि को APA दिशानिर्देशों के अनुसार स्वरूपित करें। आपको गलत इंडेंटेशन, इटैलिक का गलत उपयोग या गायब तत्वों जैसी सामान्य गलतियों से बचना होगा। उदाहरण के लिए, पुस्तक के शीर्षकों को इटैलिक करें और लेख के शीर्षकों को सादे पाठ में छोड़ दें।

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्नों

मैं शीर्षक पृष्ठ को apa में कैसे प्रारूपित करूं.

APA शीर्षक पृष्ठ में पेपर का शीर्षक, लेखक का नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता शामिल है। इसके अलावा, APA पेपर के शीर्षक पृष्ठ को केंद्र में रखें और डबल-स्पेस दें। छात्र पेपर के लिए, इसमें कोर्स नंबर, प्रशिक्षक का नाम और नियत तारीख भी शामिल है।

इसके अतिरिक्त, हेडर में संक्षिप्त शीर्षक और पृष्ठ संख्या के साथ एक रनिंग हेड दिखाई देता है। सुनिश्चित करें कि शीर्षक संक्षिप्त और वर्णनात्मक हो, जिसमें प्रमुख शब्द बड़े अक्षरों में हों। इससे आपके प्रोजेक्ट के लिए सबसे अच्छा पेज हेडर मिलेगा।

संदर्भ सूची को APA शैली में प्रारूपित करने का उचित तरीका क्या है?

संदर्भ सूची को हैंगिंग इंडेंट के साथ प्रारूपित किया जाना चाहिए। इसका मतलब है कि प्रत्येक संदर्भ की पहली पंक्ति बाईं ओर फ्लश होनी चाहिए, और बाद की पंक्तियों में 0.5 इंच का इंडेंट होना चाहिए। इसके अलावा, संदर्भों को लेखक के अंतिम नाम के अनुसार वर्णानुक्रम में व्यवस्थित करें।

इसके अतिरिक्त, पुस्तकों और पत्रिकाओं के शीर्षकों के लिए इटैलिक और लेखों और अध्यायों के शीर्षकों के लिए उचित वाक्य-केस का उपयोग करें। पेशेवर शोध-पत्रों के बराबर गुणवत्ता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए हर जगह एकरूपता बनाए रखें।

मुझे APA निबंध के मुख्य भाग की संरचना किस प्रकार करनी चाहिए?

मुख्य भाग एक नए पृष्ठ पर शुरू होता है, जिसमें पेपर का शीर्षक केंद्र में और बोल्ड किया हुआ होता है। इसमें परिचय, विधि, परिणाम और चर्चा अनुभाग शामिल होने चाहिए। साथ ही, APA प्रारूप में शीर्षक शैलियाँ शामिल होनी चाहिए।

टेक्स्ट को एक इंच के मार्जिन के साथ डबल-स्पेस किया जाना चाहिए, और 12-पॉइंट टाइम्स न्यू रोमन फ़ॉन्ट का उपयोग करना चाहिए। इसके अलावा, विभिन्न अनुभागों के लिए शीर्षकों का उपयोग करके सामग्री को तार्किक और स्पष्ट रूप से व्यवस्थित करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि आपके APA पेपर में शीर्षक पृष्ठ पर मुख्य भाग नहीं है।

क्या मैं APA प्रारूप में तालिकाओं और आंकड़ों का उपयोग कर सकता हूँ?

हां, APA प्रारूप डेटा को स्पष्ट रूप से प्रस्तुत करने के लिए तालिकाओं और आंकड़ों के उपयोग की अनुमति देता है। प्रत्येक तालिका या आंकड़े को लेबल किया जाना चाहिए और उसके साथ एक शीर्षक होना चाहिए। इसके अलावा, संदर्भ पृष्ठ के बाद तालिकाओं और आंकड़ों को रखें।

इसके अतिरिक्त, पाठ में प्रत्येक तालिका या आकृति को देखें और सुनिश्चित करें कि वे APA दिशानिर्देशों के अनुसार प्रारूपित हैं। इसमें सामग्री के साथ सर्वोत्तम परिणामों के लिए उचित रिक्ति और संरेखण शामिल है।

यदि किसी स्रोत के लिए कोई लेखक सूचीबद्ध नहीं है तो मुझे क्या करना चाहिए?

यदि कोई लेखक सूचीबद्ध नहीं है, तो लेखक के नाम के स्थान पर कार्य का शीर्षक उपयोग करें। पाठ में उद्धरण के लिए, संदर्भ सूची प्रविष्टि के पहले कुछ शब्दों और प्रकाशन वर्ष का उपयोग करें।

स्मोडिन एआई के साथ अपने एपीए प्रारूप निबंध लिखना शुरू करें

अपने अगले पेपर में उच्च ग्रेड प्राप्त करने के लिए इस लेख में सीखे गए APA निबंध प्रारूप नियमों का उपयोग करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि आप साहित्यिक चोरी से बचने के लिए उद्धरणों का उपयोग करना न भूलें। इसके अलावा, यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए कि आप अपनी कड़ी मेहनत को नुकसान न पहुँचाएँ, बचने के लिए शीर्ष गलतियों के बारे में न भूलें।

क्या आपको अपना APA निबंध प्रारूप प्रोजेक्ट लिखने में सहायता की आवश्यकता है? फिर सफलता की संभावनाओं को अपने पक्ष में करने के लिए Smodin AI का उपयोग करें। हमारा सॉफ़्टवेयर आपको दिखाएगा कि अपने कार्यों के लिए सही फ़ॉर्मेटिंग का उपयोग कैसे करें। हमारा टूलकिट सही APA-शैली का पेपर तैयार करने की प्रक्रिया को तेज़ करेगा।

तो आप किसका इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं? आज ही स्मोडिन एआई को आज़माएँ और आपको परिणाम पसंद आएंगे.

Sample Papers

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.

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.

Sample papers from the Publication Manual

The following two sample papers were published in annotated form in the Publication Manual and are reproduced here as PDFs for your ease of use. The annotations draw attention to content and formatting and provide the relevant sections of the Publication Manual (7th ed.) to consult for more information.

• Student sample paper with annotations (PDF, 5MB)
• Professional sample paper with annotations (PDF, 2.7MB)

We also offer these sample papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) format with the annotations as comments to the text.

• Student sample paper with annotations as comments (DOCX, 42KB)
• Professional sample paper with annotations as comments (DOCX, 103KB)

Finally, we offer these sample papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) format without the annotations.

• Student sample paper without annotations (DOCX, 36KB)
• Professional sample paper without annotations (DOCX, 96KB)

Sample professional paper templates by paper type

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.

• Literature review professional paper template (DOCX, 47KB)
• Mixed methods professional paper template (DOCX, 68KB)
• Qualitative professional paper template (DOCX, 72KB)
• Quantitative professional paper template (DOCX, 77KB)
• Review professional paper template (DOCX, 112KB)

Sample papers are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Chapter 2 and the Concise Guide Chapter 1

Related handouts

• Heading Levels Template: Student Paper (PDF, 257KB)
• Heading Levels Template: Professional Paper (PDF, 213KB)

Other instructional aids

• Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS)
• APA Style Tutorials and Webinars
• Handouts and Guides
• Paper Format

View all instructional aids

Sample student paper templates by paper type

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, discussion posts), dissertations, and theses.

APA does not set formal requirements for the nature or contents of an APA Style student paper. Students should follow the guidelines and requirements of their instructor, department, and/or institution when writing papers. For instance, an abstract and keywords are not required for APA Style student papers, although an instructor may request them in student papers that are longer or more complex. Specific questions about a paper being written for a course assignment should be directed to the instructor or institution assigning the paper.

• Discussion post student paper template (DOCX, 31KB)
• Literature review student paper template (DOCX, 37KB)
• Quantitative study student paper template (DOCX, 53KB)

Sample papers in real life

Although published articles differ in format from manuscripts submitted for publication or student papers (e.g., different line spacing, font, margins, and column format), articles published in APA journals provide excellent demonstrations of APA Style in action.

APA journals began publishing papers in seventh edition APA Style in 2020. Professional authors should check the author submission guidelines for the journal to which they want to submit their paper for any journal-specific style requirements.

Credits for sample professional paper templates

Quantitative professional paper template: Adapted from “Fake News, Fast and Slow: Deliberation Reduces Belief in False (but Not True) News Headlines,” by B. Bago, D. G. Rand, and G. Pennycook, 2020, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , 149 (8), pp. 1608–1613 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000729 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Qualitative professional paper template: Adapted from “‘My Smartphone Is an Extension of Myself’: A Holistic Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Using a Smartphone,” by L. J. Harkin and D. Kuss, 2020, Psychology of Popular Media , 10 (1), pp. 28–38 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000278 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Mixed methods professional paper template: Adapted from “‘I Am a Change Agent’: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Students’ Social Justice Value Orientation in an Undergraduate Community Psychology Course,” by D. X. Henderson, A. T. Majors, and M. Wright, 2019,  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology , 7 (1), 68–80. ( https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000171 ). Copyright 2019 by the American Psychological Association.

Literature review professional paper template: Adapted from “Rethinking Emotions in the Context of Infants’ Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Interest and Positive Emotions,” by S. I. Hammond and J. K. Drummond, 2019, Developmental Psychology , 55 (9), pp. 1882–1888 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000685 ). Copyright 2019 by the American Psychological Association.

Review professional paper template: Adapted from “Joining the Conversation: Teaching Students to Think and Communicate Like Scholars,” by E. L. Parks, 2022, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology , 8 (1), pp. 70–78 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000193 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Credits for sample student paper templates

These papers came from real students who gave their permission to have them edited and posted by APA.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

In-Text Citations: The Basics

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

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  can be found here .

Reference citations in text are covered on pages 261-268 of the Publication Manual. What follows are some general guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay.

Note:  On pages 117-118, the Publication Manual suggests that authors of research papers should use the past tense or present perfect tense for signal phrases that occur in the literature review and procedure descriptions (for example, Jones (1998)  found  or Jones (1998)  has found ...). Contexts other than traditionally-structured research writing may permit the simple present tense (for example, Jones (1998)  finds ).

APA Citation Basics

When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

If you are referring to an idea from another work but  NOT  directly quoting the material, or making reference to an entire book, article or other work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication and not the page number in your in-text reference.

On the other hand, if you are directly quoting or borrowing from another work, you should include the page number at the end of the parenthetical citation. Use the abbreviation “p.” (for one page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages) before listing the page number(s). Use an en dash for page ranges. For example, you might write (Jones, 1998, p. 199) or (Jones, 1998, pp. 199–201). This information is reiterated below.

Regardless of how they are referenced, all sources that are cited in the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining

• Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.
• If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that are four letters long or greater within the title of a source:  Permanence and Change . Exceptions apply to short words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs:  Writing New Media ,  There Is Nothing Left to Lose .

( Note:  in your References list, only the first word of a title will be capitalized:  Writing new media .)

• When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound word:  Natural-Born Cyborgs .
• Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The Case of Hitchcock's  Vertigo ."
• If the title of the work is italicized in your reference list, italicize it and use title case capitalization in the text:  The Closing of the American Mind ;  The Wizard of Oz ;  Friends .
• If the title of the work is not italicized in your reference list, use double quotation marks and title case capitalization (even though the reference list uses sentence case): "Multimedia Narration: Constructing Possible Worlds;" "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry."

Short quotations

If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and page number for the reference (preceded by "p." for a single page and “pp.” for a span of multiple pages, with the page numbers separated by an en dash).

You can introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.

If you do not include the author’s name in the text of the sentence, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation.

Long quotations

Place direct quotations that are 40 words or longer in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout, but do not add an extra blank line before or after it. The parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.

Because block quotation formatting is difficult for us to replicate in the OWL's content management system, we have simply provided a screenshot of a generic example below.

Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style.

Quotations from sources without pages

Direct quotations from sources that do not contain pages should not reference a page number. Instead, you may reference another logical identifying element: a paragraph, a chapter number, a section number, a table number, or something else. Older works (like religious texts) can also incorporate special location identifiers like verse numbers. In short: pick a substitute for page numbers that makes sense for your source.

Summary or paraphrase

If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference and may omit the page numbers. APA guidelines, however, do encourage including a page range for a summary or paraphrase when it will help the reader find the information in a longer work.