This is a list of the basic requirements that an APA (6th edition) formatted research paper should meet prior to submission for grading.  Note: Always check with your professor regarding which formatting style is required.

1. Essay title

• is interesting and engages the reader
• reflects the content of the essay
• original (your own title)
• appears as a “running head” on each page of essay (see APA style guide)

2. Title page

• follows APA guidelines for a title page
• contains first and last name of writer
• instructor name                              
• name of course

3. Formatting

• double spaced
• 1”/2.5 cm margins
• 12 point font
• standard font (e.g., Times, Helvetica)
• stapled or paper clipped
• all major words in titles of books and articles are capitalized within the body of the paper
• pages are consecutively numbered starting with the title page, in Arabic numerals, in the upper right-hand corner

4. Introduction

• general opening sentence linked to topic
• roadmap or preview/summary of main points/themes to be developed
• thesis gives a direct, argumentative focus
• thesis is not predictable and formulaic (i.e., does not have a 3-point thesis)
• thesis does one thing: tells the reader the main argument or purpose of essay

5. Body paragraphs

• contain topic sentences
• show evidence of linking words and transitions
• provide evidence and examples to support claims
• contain one main topic/theme per paragraph
• make connections between ideas (cohesion)
• indented at start of each paragraph
• contain in-text citations where needed for reference materials
• have a concluding sentence or phrases that signal end of paragraph

6. Conclusion paragraph

• mirrors the introduction
• summarizes /reviews main essay points
• provides a new insight or emerging questions that arise from the essay
• leaves reader with interesting final thought or suggestions for further consideration

7.  Citation/attribution

• proper quotation marks are put around any material directly copied word for word from references/outside sources
• the author, year, and page number is included in parentheses
• properly paraphrased content with a page number (encouraged)
• changes to key words (i.e., using synonyms)
• changes to sentence structure from original text
• summarizes / synthesizes original text without misrepresenting meaning
• uses language of attribution to indicate source and to grammatically embed reference info into own writing
• quotations over 40 words start on a new line, are indented about ½ an inch, and do not contain quotation marks

8. Language

• spell checked
• appropriate academic tone and word choices
• proofread or edited for grammatical accuracy

9. End references

• appear right after conclusion paragraph on a separate page
• the word References appears at the top of reference list and is centered on the page
• follow APA citation rules
• only the first word of titles and subtitles (and words after a colon or dash) and proper nouns are capitalized
• listed in alphabetical order
• double spaced
• must be used/appear in the body of the essay as in-text citations
• proper indenting, italicizing where applicable

10. Academic integrity

• the ideas and arguments expressed and written in the research paper are wholly my own and
• written for my course assignment
• all content, ideas, and words used from outside references or individuals have been properly cited and referenced as per APA guidelines and SFU policies for academic integrity Section 4.0

Contributed by Anne Hales. Used with permission