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How to Make a Heading in APA Style

The headings of a paper or article act as a road map to guide the reader through the turns and along the avenues of your argument. In the publication style of the American Psychological Association (APA), each of the five possible heading levels, numbered 1 through 5, has its own stylistic conventions. This establishes a formatting consistency that has two important results. It gives your text a balanced and attractive appearance, and it prevents confusion on the part of your reader. Follow the APA's guidelines when you want to format your headings according to APA style.

Instructions

    • 1

      Center a level 1 heading in APA style. Use boldface text in title case (uppercase and lowercase) for your level 1 heading. Do not place a period after a level 1 heading in APA style.

    • 2

      Begin a level 2 heading flush left, or against the left margin of your text in APA style. Use boldface text in title case for your level 2 heading. Do not place a period after a level 2 heading in APA style.

    • 3

      Indent a level 3 heading in APA style with your tab button. Use boldface text in sentence case followed by a period. Sentence case means you should capitalize only the first word of the heading and any proper nouns such as the name of a person or place.

    • 4

      Indent a level 4 heading in APA style using your tab button. Use boldface and italicized text in sentence case followed by a period.

    • 5

      Indent a level 5 heading in APA style using your tab button. Italicize your level 5 heading, but do not use boldface. Use sentence case followed by a period.

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