It's a good idea to keep an APA style guide handy as you write. There are numerous books available for resource, but you don't need to spend money purchasing books, because the Internet offers a wealth of information on this subject. One of the best is the OWL APA style guide (see Resources). This resource will walk you through the process of formatting your research paper in APA style, using examples to help make sure that you have it just right.
If you use Microsoft Word, Openoffice or even Wordperfect, you'll find it helpful to use a template for APA-style writing. All of these word processors have templates that allow you to simply type your text into the appropriate sections to create perfectly formatted APA research papers.
The APA style is typically formal and the use of the personal pronoun "I" is not acceptable; however, it is allowed in some some instances when dealing with information from personal experience. Check with the instructor on his views before using "I" in your paper.
Even if you include a statement in your APA paper that is strictly from your personal experience, you will need to find an article or reference that supports your experience. An APA paper needs to be made up of material that can be verified by someone other than the writer. This, however, is subject to teacher preference, so when in doubt, ask your instructor.