How to Write a Journal in APA Format

Have an editor review your journal for APA sytle consistencies before publishing.

Using a common citation style, such as American Psychological Association (APA) format, for your journal will standardize content so the journal looks neat and professional. Because APA style dictates how citations are formatted, using APA will ensure that your journal's readers can easily access resources cited by its authors, improving your journal's credibility.

Instructions

1. Review APA article formatting style using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Familiarize yourself with the main components of an article written in APA style: title page, abstract, body and references.

2. Examine the formatting of each article you will publish in your journal. In addition to the major components listed in Step 1, APA style dictates that each article have a header consisting of its title and the page number, as well as 1-inch margins. The organization recommends Times New Roman font. Ensure that each article you plan to publish is consistent with these APA formatting requirements.

3. Edit each article's reference page to correspond to APA citation style. APA citation style requires that each resource used in an article be cited using specific information that differs based on resource type. Compare each resource cited with the APA Manual's citation examples and edit accordingly. Also, edit the reference page formatting so it corresponds to the regulations set forth by the APA Manual.

Tips & Warnings

• You can amend APA style to suit your journal's needs by adding or eliminating regulations. For instance, you can make the abstract optional or require each essay to end with an author biography. Remain consistent in your formatting changes and do not make changes to citation style to maintain credibility.

References

• American Psychological Association: APA Style
• Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style Guide