How to Format in APA - A Sample
Informational
There are many varieties of writing formats out there. On the Kansas State Polytechnic campus, regardless of area of study or type of paper/project, we all use a standardized format--APA (American Psychological Association). APA format has many of the same elements you would find in any writing style format; it requires citations both in-text and out, requires certain rules be followed regarding grammar and punctuation, and requires a base-level knowledge of the difference between types of research resources.
To learn more about APA, we highly recommend the Purdue Online Writing Lab's detailed overview. This webpage provides information about APA as a general style and also delves more deeply into how to format citations for articles, books, and more. In addition to the most current APA Manual, Purdue's APA style guide is a great reference to help answer your questions about how to create citations from scratch. It can also provide you with information about frammar, syntax, and punctuation rules as laid out in APA.
APA also requires a certain structure for headings, cover pages, and your references list.
Click here to navigate to this site.
Automatic Generators - Library Databases
Many of our library databases (click here) have automatic citation generators available for the resources you find there. You will need to make sure you are using APA 7th edition. Remember: these are automatically generated by a computer. Computers are stupid. You are smart. Auto generators are NOT 100% accurate--please make sure you double check your generated citations against the APA Manual or Purdue OWL or take your list of citations to the Writing Center for feedback.
View the video below for a quick guide in how to use these generators. (Citations are embedded).
Automatic Generators - Online
Similar to the library databases generators in function, there are also lots of online generators to choose from--the important thing is that you choose wisely AND that--as with the database generators--you don't take the accuracy of these citations for granted. Double check your results.
The Writing Center
Peer tutors are available by appointment at the Writing Center. More information about the services they provide and how to make an appointment can be found by clicking here .
The APA Manual
The APA Manual, 7th edition is the official publication guide for this writing style. It is the MOST comprehensive resource in existence to help you write correct citations and use APA formatting correctly. We have a few copies of this manual available for check out at the library OR you can purchase this manual at the bookstore or online.