If you ever need to write a psychology paper, you will need to know a little bit about writing in APA format. APA format is the official style used by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is commonly used to cite sources in psychology, education and social sciences. APA format may seem difficult, but it will become easier once you familiarize yourself with the rules and format.
Students are sometimes tempted to dismiss APA formatting as an afterthought; something to think about after a paper is written. However, simple mistakes in the formatting of your paper can lead to major losses in points. I've seen examples of many student papers where some quick fixes in APA format would have meant the difference between an C or an A letter grade.
One of the best ways to ensure that your psychology writing is in tip-top shape is to think about APA format during all the steps of the writing process, including the planning, research, writing and editing stages. By knowing how to properly use in-text citations and credit your sources, you can be sure that your paper is ready to face your instructor's scrutiny.
Image courtesy Cheryl Lee
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