The minimum formatting requirements for an APA 7th edition student paper include the following:
- Margins: 1-inch on all sides of each page[1].
- Font: Legible and consistent throughout the paper. Common choices include 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 12-point Times New Roman, and 11-point Georgia[1][3][5].
- Line Spacing: Double-spacing for the entire document, including references. There should be no extra space before or after paragraphs[1][3][5].
- Paragraph Alignment: Left-align text without justification; indent the first line of each new paragraph by 0.5 inches[5].
- Page Size: Standard letter size (8.5″ x 11″)[3].
- Page Numbers: Include in the top right corner of every page, beginning with the title page[1][3][5].
- Title Page: Centered and bold paper title a few lines below the header, followed by author name, institutional affiliation, course number and name, instructor name, and due date[3][4].
- Headings: Specific rules for style and formatting of headings and subheadings. Main headings are bolded and centered[1][4].
- Sections: Four main sections: Title Page, Abstract (optional for student papers unless required), Main Body, and References. The references section begins on a new page, with entries in alphabetical order and formatted with a hanging indent[2][3].
References
- [1] APA 7 Formatting: Step-By-Step Guide + Free Template – Grad Coach
- [2] APA 7th Edition Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper – IRSC Libraries
- [3] LibGuides: APA Citation Style, Seventh Edition: Formatting Guidelines
- [4] APA 7th Edition General Information and Tips – USC
- [5] Student Paper Setup Guide, APA Style 7th Edition
Leave a Reply