An APA essay paper is a format of essay writing that follows the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA). It is commonly used in the social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology, and is often used in business and medical research papers. The APA format has specific rules for structuring the essay paper, which includes the title page, main body, and references.
The title page of an APA essay paper should include the title of the paper, the author's name, and the institutional affiliation. This page should also include a running head and page numbers. The running head is a brief phrase or title that appears at the top of each page. The title should be centered in the top half of the page, while the author and institutional affiliation are placed on the bottom half.
The main body of an APA essay paper includes the introduction, which introduces the topic and presents the thesis statement; the body paragraphs, which provide evidence to support the thesis statement; and the conclusion, which summarizes the main points of the paper. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph, followed by supporting sentences that provide evidence for that point. The paragraphs should be organized logically and comprehensive for readability.
The final component of an APA essay paper is in-text citations and references. In-text citations are included in the main text to indicate where specific information has been cited from external sources. The reference section of an APA paper follows a specific style that must be followed precisely. All sources cited must be listed alphabetically in this section.
Adhering to these guidelines properly is essential to producing a well-written APA essay paper. It helps ensure that all information is accurate and that it is presented in a way that is easily understood by the reader. Following these rules will also help ensure that your paper follows best practices for academic writing.