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Doing academic projects is not such an easy job, considering the various factors that come into play. It can be the amount of research that needs to be done, understanding the subject matter, and much more. However, there is one complicated aspect, which is the latest APA 7th Edition, that must be implemented effectively for better grades. Hence, this blog will talk about each of the insights that this formatting style affects.
What Is APA 7th Edition?
The most current version, APA 7th edition, was released in October 2019, which is the successor of the 6th edition. The updates include many helpful changes, such as easier guidelines for student papers, easier in-text citations, and new guidelines for a wide range of source types. However, some new changes have penetrated this style of formatting, leading to premium results.
What’s New In This APA Citation Style?
From the previous APA versions, there has been a whole new set of changes that are critical to understand when applying it. Thus, some of the changes include:
Clear Distinction Between Student & Professional Papers
A clear and significant shift in the APA guidelines 7th edition, includes the introduction of separate formatting rules for student and professional papers. Previously, APA provided a universal structure that left students wondering whether author notes were necessary. APA 7 has cleared that up. Now, student papers are much simpler and easier to understand, which leaves them with fewer complex tasks.
Font Sizes To Choose From
This style of APA has given a wider range of font options for the sake of accessibility and readability. APA allows the following fonts: Calibri (11 pt), Arial (11 pt), Georgia (11 pt), Lucida Sans Unicode (10 pt), and the traditional Times New Roman (12 pt). Thus, writers now have the freedom to choose whichever font option suits their various needs.
Simpler In-Text Citations
The former guidelines called for citing a three to five-author source by writing out all of their last names on the first citation and then using et al. This was completely forgettable, as well as clumsy in the text! Therefore, this formatting style allows you to use et al. for any source without multiple authors, making the format much easier.
Focus On Inclusive & Bias-Free Language
Language changes, and APA has changed with it. One of the most significant updates in this APA edition is the detailed guidance on using inclusive, bias-free language. In this case, the new guidelines encourage writers to use language that acknowledges and respects people of all backgrounds and experiences. In the prior versions, the use of biased language was an essential factor, but now this has changed.
Better Guidelines For Citing Digital Sources
Students and researchers are definitely using more online content, so the APA needed to make some changes. This APA citation style addresses those users by providing clear and more thorough directions on sites, social media, podcasts, webinars, etc. Through this, you will be able to cover a whole spectrum of sources that can prove to be useful.
General Format For APA Style Guide
It is crucial to know the basics of writing your academic papers in a well-defined manner, which is only possible with the help of a proper layout. Thus, a format for the APA style guide is mentioned below in detail.
Margins
Your whole paper should have 1-inch margins on every corner. This is standard practice to keep documents consistent and allows for appropriate white space, which keeps reading text comfortable on the eyes. Most word processors will automatically set the margins to 1 inch. However, keeping a check on paper every time you do it can be a beneficial practice.
Line Spacing
If you're following APA guidelines, 7th Edition, all the papers you write for classes should be double-spaced. This includes the title page, text of the paper, headings, block quotation, reference list, and even captions to a table. Do not make the mistake of adding space before or after paragraphs. Double-space text is easier to read, and it gives instructors the space to put in comments when they evaluate your work..
Alignment & Paragraph Indentation
Text alignment should be left-aligned (not justified), meaning the text should be left and right-margined. These texts are much easier to read, and they are much less likely to have uneven spaces between the words. Also, the first line of every paragraph should be marked 0.5 inch.
Font & Typography
The APA references page format offers options in font choices to allow you to choose one of several readable, accessible fonts. The fonts are:
- Calibri 11 pt
- Arial 11 pt
- Georgia 11 pt
- Lucida Sans Unicode 10 pt
- Times New Roman 12 pt
Be sure to use the same font throughout the paper, including headings, page numbers, and references. The font you choose should not only meet APA specifications, but also any preferences your instructor may have.
Page Numbers
Each page should have page numbers, which is a professional way to work, starting from the title page. Most commonly, they are placed in the top-right corner, which is inside the header. In this version of APA, you no longer require a running head unless stated otherwise.
Challenges You Might Face With APA 7th Edition
It is certain that while doing an academic task, the application of this APA style guide will bring out some challenges in front of you. However, you can save yourself from making mistakes by knowing what they are.
Knowing When To Use Each Level of Heading
A unique style is used with each level, with different combinations of bold, italics, and placement. Who doesn’t have the slightest understanding of this might misuse them, leading to inconsistent headings. APA is all about clear and logical structure, and ensuring you select the appropriate heading level is important for your logical flow.
Difference Between In-Text Citations & Reference Entries
Another common mistake is the confusion of the basic difference between in-text citations and the reference list. Beginners sometimes include full titles, URLs, or publication details in the body of their paper instead of putting that information on the references page. Instead, sometimes they forget to cite sources in the body of their paper altogether.
Formatting References Page Correctly
The APA references page format regularly throws people for a loop, even if they understand the format. Typical mistakes include forgetting to use hanging indent, wrong line spacing, and not putting the reference entries in alphabetical order. Another issue is being inconsistent, such as italicising titles sometimes and other times not, or switching between comma and period styles. All these aspects can lead to an academic task that produces lower grades.
Knowing When To Italicise vs Use Quotation Marks
The current APA version is made up of exact rules for various sources, and mixing up italics and quotation marks. If the sources are taken from books and journals, their titles have to be italicised. Meanwhile, the use of articles and web pages makes it necessary to write their titles in quotation marks. Therefore, this level of detail is simply not achievable by an average Joe.
Managing Multiple Source Types
APA 7 accepts everything from blogs and Reddit threads to court proceedings and government reports. With many citation formats, it is easy to confuse oneself in the numerous options or end up with an incorrect template. Due to the diverse nature of sources to select from, it can be difficult to apply them in the best manner.
Special Treatment For Table of Contents
Luckily for you, the table of contents doesn’t have any such requirements for the APA style guide. This goes true for both professional and student papers. However, if your instructor wants you to include a table of contents, go for the general guidelines. Thus, without hesitation, you can shift this section between the abstract and introduction.
Quick APA Formatting Checklist You Must Follow
Before you submit any of your work, it is considered a best practice to follow the checklist. And this is what the Assignment Writers have been doing for 14+ years for the previous version of APA, and now is the time for the 7th version.
Is Your Paper Double-Spaced?
Every element of an APA-style paper, including the title page, body of the paper, body paragraphs, headings, block quotes, and more, has to be written in double space. Consistent double-spacing enhances readability and provides the instructor room to make comments.
Are Margins Set To 1 Inch On All Sides?
The whole paper should have 1-inch margins on the top, bottom, left and right. The default margins in most word processors are 1 inch, but it's always a good idea to check before you submit. Consistent margins help the paper look neat and ensure the content is effective.
What About The Approved Fonts?
While the APA guidelines 7th Edition provides several font options, the selected font must remain readable and accessible. The font choice should be consistent throughout the whole document, including the title page, headings, page numbers, and reference lists. Changing font mid-document can confuse the reader and can be counted as unprofessional behaviour.
Does Your Title Page Include All Necessary Elements?
The student paper title page should be clean and simple. The title page should include centred, double-spaced information in the upper half of the page. The title page should contain the paper title, name of the author, institutional affiliation, course name and number, instructor name, and due date.
Are All In-Text Citations Properly Formatted?
By following the APA style guide, you must have a properly formatted in-text citation for all sources that you use within your paper. Usually, an in-text citation would include the author’s last name and the publication year, as follows: (Smith, 2008). For APA 7 rules regarding references, when using sources with more than one author or group authors, end it with et al.
Conclusion
At first, mastering the rules of the APA 7th Edition format can be dreadful for students, but it is an important skill for creating high-quality academic content. With new updates from easier in-text citations to more practical guidance on inclusivity language, to, most importantly, more guidance on digital sources. This version is meant to be more user-friendly and accessible to students than ever before. Understanding the rules surrounding margins, font, spacing, headings, citations, references, and beyond will make your work look professional and qualitative. And if you don’t know how to navigate through this, then the Assignment Writers will help you out.
