How to Write An APA Style Abstract

An abstract is a concise, but complete summary of a paper. It allows the reader the opportunity to know what your paper is about quickly.

Titles of papers (and their abstracts) are used by information services to catalog and retrieve papers.

You spent a great deal of time researching and writing your paper and now you want your abstract page to be in the correct format. Here are the steps to get you there.

Instructions

1. Step one - make sure you are using a standard size paper (8 ½" X 11"). And the paper should be white. No other color will do. The weight of the paper is up to you. I prefer 24 pound. It is slightly heavier and less flimsy.

2. Step two - set your margins for one inch all around.

3. 

   Step three - set your font for Times New Roman, Courier New, or Bookman Old Style. Do not ever use fancy fonts. This is not the time to be creative. This is a case of follow the leader. It will certainly not lose you points.

   Special note: 95% of the time Times New Roman is used so it would probably be the best font to use.

4. Step four - set your font size at 10-12 pt.

5. Step five - insert a header. The header should include the first few words of the title and be followed by the page number. The header should be right justified. Your abstract is page 2 of your document.

6. Step six - center the word Abstract on the second page and then double space to start your text.

7. Step seven - start on the left margin. Do not indent the first word.

8. Step eight - start typing the abstract. There are a couple of very important rules that apply here.

   1. Find the word limit for the abstract. It can vary anywhere from 120 words to 250. Ask your professor.
   2. When using numbers use digits (except when starting a sentence).
   3. Using paraphrasing. Avoid the use of quotations.
   4. Always use an active voice.
   5. In the abstract section, avoid citing references. Save that for your paper.
   6. Remember that an abstract is a summary (and not an introduction).

   If you are at a loss of where to start, try using the lead sentence from each section.

9. Step nine - take the paper by the school's writing lab. They can act as a proofreader and provide invaluable guidance. Follow their advice.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your instructor for an example of a paper. Look over all elements of the paper carefully. Always copy the format of the paper the instructor gives you. The guidelines that I have given are those that are usually used, but again, your instructor is the one grading the paper, so follow their format.

Resources

• more articles by Lu Young
• How to Write An APA Style Title Page
• Boston Terrier Information
• Diabetes Information and Resources
• an amusing website