Adjust format settings. Set the font to the standard Times New Roman or something similar and the size 10 or 12 point, depending on your specific requirements. Set the margins to 1 inch and line spacing to double space. Some instructors give specific requirements.
Type the header on the title page. Begin by inserting the header “Running Head: INSERT THE ESSAY TITLE HERE.” The title of your paper must be in all capital letters and flush left. Then insert the page number in the header flush right. On all additional pages, the header does not need to state “Running Head;” it needs only the paper's title flushed left and the page number flushed right. Close the header.
Complete the title page. Add the essay's title to the upper half of the page and center it. Beneath the title, type the author’s name (first name, middle initial and last name). Beneath that add the institutional affiliation, such as the college or university you attend and at which you conducted research.
Type the abstract. If you are required to have an abstract, it belongs on a new page. The abstract needs a header, stating the article's title and the page number. It also needs the title “Abstract” centered at the top of the page. The abstract is a summary of the key ideas and research topics and results within your essay. If your research includes specific data or connections to the work studied, include it in your abstract. APA format suggests that the abstract should be about 150 to 250 words. An optional part of the abstract is to add keywords from your essay so that it can be found easier than otherwise within search databases. Add the keywords at the end of the abstract. Type “Keywords:” in italics, and then list the keywords in regular font; center them on the page.
Write the body of the essay. As with the other pages, include the header on each page of this section. Type the essay's title at the top of the section's first page, and center it. From this point, write your essay in a similar way to any other style.
Check citations. In-text citations must include the author’s name and the year of publication. If an article you reference has several authors, type all of their names only the first time you reference the article. After that, type only the first name in the list of authors and use “et al.” to reference the rest of the authors.
Type the references page. Start a new page. This should be the very last page of the essay and should be titled "References" at the top center of the page. Alphabetize and double-space each entry. Begin each entry with the author's surname followed by her first name. The format of a reference can vary depending on its origin, such whether it is a book, journal or online sources. Double-check your reference page against a reputable APA style guide.