when formatting your essay your line spacing should be

Generate accurate APA citations for free

Knowledge Base
APA Style 7th edition
APA format for academic papers and essays

APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples

Published on November 6, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on January 17, 2024.

The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual provides guidelines for clear communication , citing sources , and formatting documents. This article focuses on paper formatting.

Generate accurate APA citations with Scribbr

Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines:

Set page margins to 1 inch on all sides.
Double-space all text, including headings.
Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches.
Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.).
Include a page number on every page.

Let an expert format your paper

Our APA formatting experts can help you to format your paper according to APA guidelines. They can help you with:

Margins, line spacing, and indentation
Font and headings
Running head and page numbering

when formatting your essay your line spacing should be

How to set up apa format (with template), apa alphabetization guidelines, apa format template [free download], page header, headings and subheadings, reference page, tables and figures, frequently asked questions about apa format.

Are your APA in-text citations flawless?

The AI-powered APA Citation Checker points out every error, tells you exactly what’s wrong, and explains how to fix it. Say goodbye to losing marks on your assignment!

Get started!

References are ordered alphabetically by the first author’s last name. If the author is unknown, order the reference entry by the first meaningful word of the title (ignoring articles: “the”, “a”, or “an”).

Why set up APA format from scratch if you can download Scribbr’s template for free?

Student papers and professional papers have slightly different guidelines regarding the title page, abstract, and running head. Our template is available in Word and Google Docs format for both versions.

Student paper: Word | Google Docs
Professional paper: Word | Google Docs

In an APA Style paper, every page has a page header. For student papers, the page header usually consists of just a page number in the page’s top-right corner. For professional papers intended for publication, it also includes a running head .

A running head is simply the paper’s title in all capital letters. It is left-aligned and can be up to 50 characters in length. Longer titles are abbreviated .

APA headings have five possible levels. Heading level 1 is used for main sections such as “ Methods ” or “ Results ”. Heading levels 2 to 5 are used for subheadings. Each heading level is formatted differently.

Want to know how many heading levels you should use, when to use which heading level, and how to set up heading styles in Word or Google Docs? Then check out our in-depth article on APA headings .

The title page is the first page of an APA Style paper. There are different guidelines for student and professional papers.

Both versions include the paper title and author’s name and affiliation. The student version includes the course number and name, instructor name, and due date of the assignment. The professional version includes an author note and running head .

For more information on writing a striking title, crediting multiple authors (with different affiliations), and writing the author note, check out our in-depth article on the APA title page .

APA title page - student version (7th edition)

The abstract is a 150–250 word summary of your paper. An abstract is usually required in professional papers, but it’s rare to include one in student papers (except for longer texts like theses and dissertations).

The abstract is placed on a separate page after the title page . At the top of the page, write the section label “Abstract” (bold and centered). The contents of the abstract appear directly under the label. Unlike regular paragraphs, the first line is not indented. Abstracts are usually written as a single paragraph without headings or blank lines.

Directly below the abstract, you may list three to five relevant keywords . On a new line, write the label “Keywords:” (italicized and indented), followed by the keywords in lowercase letters, separated by commas.

APA Style does not provide guidelines for formatting the table of contents . It’s also not a required paper element in either professional or student papers. If your instructor wants you to include a table of contents, it’s best to follow the general guidelines.

Place the table of contents on a separate page between the abstract and introduction. Write the section label “Contents” at the top (bold and centered), press “Enter” once, and list the important headings with corresponding page numbers.

The APA reference page is placed after the main body of your paper but before any appendices . Here you list all sources that you’ve cited in your paper (through APA in-text citations ). APA provides guidelines for formatting the references as well as the page itself.

Creating APA Style references

Play around with the Scribbr Citation Example Generator below to learn about the APA reference format of the most common source types or generate APA citations for free with Scribbr’s APA Citation Generator .

Formatting the reference page

Write the section label “References” at the top of a new page (bold and centered). Place the reference entries directly under the label in alphabetical order.

Finally, apply a hanging indent , meaning the first line of each reference is left-aligned, and all subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

Tables and figures are presented in a similar format. They’re preceded by a number and title and followed by explanatory notes (if necessary).

Use bold styling for the word “Table” or “Figure” and the number, and place the title on a separate line directly below it (in italics and title case). Try to keep tables clean; don’t use any vertical lines, use as few horizontal lines as possible, and keep row and column labels concise.

Keep the design of figures as simple as possible. Include labels and a legend if needed, and only use color when necessary (not to make it look more appealing).

Check out our in-depth article about table and figure notes to learn when to use notes and how to format them.

The easiest way to set up APA format in Word is to download Scribbr’s free APA format template for student papers or professional papers.

Alternatively, you can watch Scribbr’s 5-minute step-by-step tutorial or check out our APA format guide with examples.

APA Style papers should be written in a font that is legible and widely accessible. For example:

Times New Roman (12pt.)
Arial (11pt.)
Calibri (11pt.)
Georgia (11pt.)

The same font and font size is used throughout the document, including the running head , page numbers, headings , and the reference page . Text in footnotes and figure images may be smaller and use single line spacing.

You need an APA in-text citation and reference entry . Each source type has its own format; for example, a webpage citation is different from a book citation .

Use Scribbr’s free APA Citation Generator to generate flawless citations in seconds or take a look at our APA citation examples .

Yes, page numbers are included on all pages, including the title page , table of contents , and reference page . Page numbers should be right-aligned in the page header.

To insert page numbers in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, click ‘Insert’ and then ‘Page number’.

APA format is widely used by professionals, researchers, and students in the social and behavioral sciences, including fields like education, psychology, and business.

Be sure to check the guidelines of your university or the journal you want to be published in to double-check which style you should be using.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2024, January 17). APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/format/

Is this article helpful?

Raimo Streefkerk

Other students also liked, apa title page (7th edition) | template for students & professionals, creating apa reference entries, beginner's guide to apa in-text citation, scribbr apa citation checker.

An innovative new tool that checks your APA citations with AI software. Say goodbye to inaccurate citations!

PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
Browse Articles
Learn Something New
Quizzes Hot
This Or That Game New
Train Your Brain
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Education and Communications
College University and Postgraduate
Academic Writing

How to Format an Essay

Last Updated: August 26, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Carrie Adkins, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Carrie Adkins is the cofounder of NursingClio, an open access, peer-reviewed, collaborative blog that connects historical scholarship to current issues in gender and medicine. She completed her PhD in American History at the University of Oregon in 2013. While completing her PhD, she earned numerous competitive research grants, teaching fellowships, and writing awards. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 85,596 times.

You’re opening your laptop to write an essay, knowing exactly what you want to write, but then it hits you—you don’t know how to format it! Using the correct format when writing an essay can help your paper look polished and professional while earning you full credit. There are 3 common essay formats—MLA, APA, and Chicago Style—and we’ll teach you the basics of properly formatting each in this article. So, before you shut your laptop in frustration, take a deep breath and keep reading because soon you’ll be formatting like a pro.

Setting Up Your Document

Step 1 Read over the assignment’s guidelines before you begin.

If you can’t find information on the style guide you should be following, talk to your instructor after class to discuss the assignment or send them a quick email with your questions.
If your instructor lets you pick the format of your essay, opt for the style that matches your course or degree best: MLA is best for English and humanities; APA is typically for education, psychology, and sciences; Chicago Style is common for business, history, and fine arts.

Step 2 Set your margins to 1 inch (2.5 cm) for all style guides.

Most word processors default to 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins.

Do not change the font size, style, or color throughout your essay.

Change the spacing on Google Docs by clicking on Format , and then selecting “Line spacing.”
Click on Layout in Microsoft Word, and then click the arrow at the bottom left of the “paragraph” section.

Step 6 Put the page number and your last name in the top right header for all styles.

Using the page number function will create consecutive numbering.
When using Chicago Style, don’t include a page number on your title page. The first page after the title page should be numbered starting at 2. [4] X Research source
In APA format, a running heading may be required in the left-hand header. This is a maximum of 50 characters that’s the full or abbreviated version of your essay’s title. [5] X Research source

Step 7 Use a title page with APA or Chicago Style format.

For APA formatting, place the title in bold at the center of the page 3 to 4 lines down from the top. Insert one double-spaced line under the title and type your name. Under your name, in separate centered lines, type out the name of your school, course, instructor, and assignment due date. [6] X Research source
For Chicago Style, set your cursor ⅓ of the way down the page, then type your title. In the very center of your page, put your name. Move your cursor ⅔ down the page, then write your course number, followed by your instructor’s name and paper due date on separate, double-spaced lines. [7] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

Step 8 Create a left-handed heading for MLA Style essays.

Double-space the heading like the rest of your paper.

Writing the Essay Body

Step 1 Center the title of your paper in all style formats.

Use standard capitalization rules for your title.
Do not underline, italicize, or put quotation marks around your title, unless you include other titles of referred texts.

Step 2 Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) for all styles.

A good hook might include a quote, statistic, or rhetorical question.
For example, you might write, “Every day in the United States, accidents caused by distracted drivers kill 9 people and injure more than 1,000 others.”

Step 4 Include a thesis statement at the end of your introduction.

"Action must be taken to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving, including enacting laws against texting while driving, educating the public about the risks, and giving strong punishments to offenders."
"Although passing and enforcing new laws can be challenging, the best way to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving is to enact a law against texting, educate the public about the new law, and levy strong penalties."

Step 5 Present each of your points in 1 or more paragraphs.

Use transitions between paragraphs so your paper flows well. For example, say, “In addition to,” “Similarly,” or “On the other hand.” [12] X Research source

Step 6 Complete your essay with a conclusion.

A statement of impact might be, "Every day that distracted driving goes unaddressed, another 9 families must plan a funeral."
A call to action might read, “Fewer distracted driving accidents are possible, but only if every driver keeps their focus on the road.”

Using References

Step 1 Create parenthetical citations...

In MLA format, citations should include the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information. If the author's name appears in the sentence, use just the page number. [14] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
For APA format, include the author’s last name and the publication year. If the author’s name appears in the sentence, use just the year. [15] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
If you don’t use parenthetical or internal citations, your instructor may accuse you of plagiarizing.

Step 2 Use footnotes for citations in Chicago Style.

At the bottom of the page, include the source’s information from your bibliography page next to the footnote number. [16] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
Each footnote should be numbered consecutively.

Step 3 Center the title of your reference page.

If you’re using MLA format , this page will be titled “Works Cited.”
In APA and Chicago Style, title the page “References.”

Step 4 List your sources on the references page by author’s last name in alphabetical order.

If you have more than one work from the same author, list alphabetically following the title name for MLA and by earliest to latest publication year for APA and Chicago Style.
Double-space the references page like the rest of your paper.
Use a hanging indent of 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) if your citations are longer than one line. Press Tab to indent any lines after the first. [17] X Research source
Citations should include (when applicable) the author(s)’s name(s), title of the work, publication date and/or year, and page numbers.
Sites like Grammarly , EasyBib , and MyBib can help generate citations if you get stuck.

Formatting Resources

Expert Q&A

About This Article

Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Maansi Richard

May 8, 2019

Did this article help you?

Jan 7, 2020

Featured Articles

20 Ways to Make Any Guy Obsessed with You

Watch Articles

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez, Call Box 9000 Mayagüez, PR 00681 (787) 832-4040 ext. 3810, 2151, 2155 [email protected]

APA Style (7th Edition) Guide: Formatting Your Paper

Formatting Your Paper
In-text citations
Annotated Bibliography
Archival Documents
Social media
Audiovisual
Personal Communication
Dissertation/Thesis
Encyclopedia
Conferences
Generative AI
Tables and Figures
Social Media
Guides and Handouts

These guidelines can be used for annotated bibliographies, essays (cause and effect, comparative, expository, narrative, persuasive, response or reaction papers and thesis and dissertations.

Below you will find examples to help you format your paper in APA Style. Although these guidelines are widely used in educational settings, it is always advised to f ollo w the specific instructions given by your professor.

More detailed information is available in Chapter 2: Paper Elements and Format of the APA Style Manual and on the APA Style website section Paper Format .

Text Formatting

For all the following instructions, always make sure to be c onsistent throughout your paper .

Font - use a readable font (sans serif) (Examples: Arial or Calibri). The idea is to make your text clearly distinguishable from italics.

Size - choose between 10 and 12 points

Line Spacing - double-space your entire paper (title page, abstract, text, headings, block quotations, reference list, table and figure notes, and appendices).

Indentation - first line of each paragraph should be .5 inches from left margin. Block quotations are .5 inches as well.

1 inch on all sides
first page (title page) and subsequent pages should include on the top, right side the page number

do not use "justify"

More details in the Student Paper Setup Guide

Title page includes, in this order:

page number, top right side
Author affiliation (Department, University)
Course number and name
Professor's Full Name

More details in the Student Title Page Guide

<< Previous: Home
Next: Citations >>
Last Updated: Jan 24, 2024 8:47 AM
URL: https://libguides.uprm.edu/APA7/en

APA Style & Citation 7th edition

What's new with the 7th edition
Annotated Bibliography
PowerPoint and APA
Citations: References
Citations: In-Text
Library Databases
Books and Ebooks
Media (includes videos)
Other types of sources
Numbers, Capitalization, Italics
Additional Resources

Chat with a Librarian

Contact the library.

The Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday from 10AM - 5PM and Wednesday from 1PM - 8PM.

If you need help from the librarian or need to access the library resources outside of those hours let us know!

Call or text 717-728-2500 or email [email protected] to make an appointment.

Remember the Learning Hub is also open with lots of great faculty and staff willing to help with tutoring, advising, and general questions.

Editable APA Template

APA 7th edition student sample paper To use this as a template, open the document with Word and replace the text with your own, but keep the formatting.

General APA Rules

Rules for all apa papers:.

Margins: 1"
Recommended font: 12-point Times New Roman, or 11-point Calibri, Arial or Georgia; or 10-point Lucida sans Unicode or Computer Modern
Make sure that there is no extra space after each paragraph (Microsoft Word defaults to including one. Fix this by: highlighting your entire paper, clicking the Paragraph Settings button [bottom-right corner of Paragraph section at top of the page/screen], then selecting "Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style" or making the Spacing After = 0.

Sections of an APA Paper

Title Page - check with your instructor if they are requiring a title page
Text of your paper
Appendices - check with your instructor to see if they want you to include appendices

Major Sections of Your Paper

If a title page is required for your assignment, follow these steps:

Place your cursor at the top of the first page Hit Enter on the keyboard 4 times
Capitalize the first letter of all important words (but not words like a, the, of, etc.)
Title may be up to 2 lines (Main Title on First Line: Subtitle on Second)
Title should be no more than 12 words
Title should contain no abbreviations (spell out United States of America instead of using U.S.A.)
Title should contain no unnecessary words
Title font should be bold, and centered on page
Press ENTER twice, then type your full name (with middle initial if you want to include it)
Press ENTER, then type Central Penn College
Press ENTER, then type the course name and number this assignment is for
Press ENTER, type the Instructor's name - check with them for their preferred form
Press ENTER, type the due date in month, date, year format

First Page of Your Essay

1. Type the title of your paper as it appears on the title page - bold font, title case, and centered

2. On the first line of your paragraph, click the left align button to move your cursor back to the left margin

3. Begin writing your paper. Once you have a few lines done, highlight the lines you've written (do NOT include the title), then click the Paragraph Formatting button

4. Under Indentation: Special, choose First Line. The default indentation is 0.5", which is correct

References Page

Your References should begin at the top of a new page immediately after your essay has ended.

1. Type in bold font and center the title: References

2. Press enter, then select the left align button to move your cursor to the left margin

3. Write (or paste) all of your citations. Each citation should begin on a new line. Double line spacing, like the rest of your paper. Do not add any extra spaces between citations.

4. Highlight all of your citations, then click the Sort button in the Paragraph section of the menu. The defaults are correct to sort alphabetically. Click OK. [The sort option is not available in Word online, open your document in the desktop app or manually copy and paste your citations in alphabetical order.]

5. Highlight all of your citations, then select Paragraph options. Under Indentation: Special, select Hanging. The default setting is 0.5", which is correct. Click OK.

<< Previous: What's new with the 7th edition
Next: Annotated Bibliography >>
Last Updated: Apr 18, 2023 5:31 PM
URL: https://guides.centralpenn.edu/APA7th

MJC Library & Learning Center
Research Guides

Ready, Set, Cite (APA, 7th)

Formatting your paper, headings organize your paper (2.27), video tutorials.

How to Avoid Plagiarism
Reference List
In-Text Citations

For help on all aspects of formatting your paper in APA Style, see The Essentials page on the APA Style website.

sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, or
serif fonts such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or normal (10-point) Computer Modern (the default font for LaTeX)
There are exceptions for the title page , tables , figures , footnotes , and displayed equations .
Margins : Use 1-in. margins on every side of the page.
Align the text of an APA Style paper to the left margin . Leave the right margin uneven, or “ragged.”
Do not use full justification for student papers.
Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end of line. However, it is acceptable if your word-processing program automatically inserts breaks in long hyperlinks (such as in a DOI or URL in a reference list entry).
Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in . from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.
There are exceptions for the title page , section labels , abstract , block quotations , headings , tables and figures , reference list , and appendices .

Paper Elements

Student papers generally include, at a minimum:

Title Page (2.3)
Text (2.11)
References (2.12)

Student papers may include additional elements such as tables and figures depending on the assignment. So, please check with your teacher!

Student papers generally DO NOT include the following unless your teacher specifically requests it:

Running head
Author note

For complete information on the order of pages , see the APA Style website.

Number your pages consecutively starting with page 1. Each section begins on a new page. Put the pages in the following order:

Page 1: Title page
Page 2: Abstract (if your teacher requires an abstract)
Page 3: Text
References begin on a new page after the last page of text
Footnotes begin on a new page after the references (if your teacher requires footnotes)
Tables begin each on a new page after the footnotes (if your teacher requires tables)
Figures begin on a new page after the tables (if your teacher requires figures)
Appendices begin on a new page after the tables and/or figures (if your teacher requires appendices)

Sample Papers With Built-In Instructions

To see what your paper should look like, check out these sample papers with built-in instructions.

APA Style uses five (5) levels of headings to help you organize your paper and allow your audience to identify its key points easily. Levels of headings establish the hierarchy of your sections just like you did in your paper outline.

APA tells us to use "only the number of headings necessary to differentiate distinct section in your paper." Therefore, the number of heading levels you create depends on the length and complexity of your paper.

See the chart below for instructions on formatting your headings:

Use Word to Format Your Paper:

Use Google Docs to Format Your Paper:

<< Previous: APA Basics
Next: How to Avoid Plagiarism >>
Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024 3:04 PM
URL: https://libguides.mjc.edu/apa7

Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and CC BY-NC 4.0 Licenses .

TAFT COLLEGE

APA Style Guide, 7th Edition: Formatting Your Paper

Updated About In-text Citations
Updated In-Text Examples
What to Include
Volume/Issue
Bracketed Descriptions
URLs and DOIs
Book with Editor(s)
Book with No Author
Book with Organization as Author
Book with Personal Author(s)
Chapters and Parts of Books
Classical Works
Journal Article
Magazine Article
Multi-Volume Works
Newspaper Article
Patents & Laws
Personal Communication
Physicians' Desk Reference
Social Media
Unpublished Manuscripts/Informal Publications (i.e. course packets and dissertations)
Formatting Your Paper
Formatting Your References
Headings in APA
Annotated Bibliography

APA recommends using the same font throughout your paper. Taft College library staff recommend using 12-point Times New Roman font. If not using Times New Roman, then another serif or sans serif typeface should be used for its readability. Only use different typeface in figure descriptions, in that case, use a font between 8 and 14 points.

Line Spacing & Margins

Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.To add double-spacing in Microsoft Word, highlight all the text you want double-spaced, then click on Page Layout . Next to the word Paragraph click on the arrow. Under Spacing , Line Spacing , select Double and then click OK .

Leave 1 in. margins from top to bottom and side to side. Microsoft Word usually is set to 1 in. margins. You can check this by clicking on Page Layout , then click on Margins. The margin you are using is highlighted, select Normal if it is not already selected.

Number of Spaces after a Period

APA style recommends placing one space after a period

that ends a sentence,
when the period separates parts of a reference entry,
and after author name abbreviations (i.e. Lander, F. K.).

Do not put a space after a period

for internal abbreviations (i.e., U.S., p.m.).

APA Research Paper Template for Word 206

You can save this template in Microsoft Word (Taft College Students can download Office for free ). Above is a template you can use every time you need to set-up a research paper using APA style format. Simply open the template and type your own information every time you need to write an APA style research paper.

APA Research Paper Template for Word 2016 This template was created and saved as a Word template for Microsoft Word 2016.

The new APA 7th edition has a format for writing a professional paper as well as one for a student paper. These directions are a set-up for student papers. In the header, on the right, is the page number, starting with 1. Centered on the page is the full title of the paper in boldface type. Place one extra space after the title of the paper. Following is the author (or authors if this is a group paper), the department and institution to which the paper is affiliated, the course number and course name, the professor's name, and the due date of the paper.

The text of your paper begins on the second page. The full title starts it off at the top center of a new page, in boldface font. For the rest of the paper, you only need page numbers in the header. Remember to cite!

Your References start on its own page and goes at the end of your paper. Title it References, centered, and bold-faced at the top. The references are alphabetized and have a hanging indent.

<< Previous: Websites
Next: Formatting Your References >>
Last Updated: Sep 18, 2023 10:52 AM
URL: https://lib.taftcollege.edu/c.php?g=1060143

APA Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper

About In-text Citations
In-text Examples
How to Paraphrase
What to Include
Volume/Issue
Non-Routine Information
Place of Publication
Retrieval Statement
Book with Editor(s)
Book with No Author
Book with Organization as Author
Book with Personal Author(s)
Chapters and Parts of Books
Classical Works
Journal Article
Magazine Article
Multi-Volume Works
Newspaper Article
Patents & Laws
Physicians' Desk Reference
Social Media
Technical/Company Reports
Unpublished Manuscripts/Informal Publications (i.e. course packets)
Formatting Your Paper
Formatting Your References
Annotated Bibliography
Avoid Plagiarism

APA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font. If not using Times New Roman, then another serif typeface should be used for its readability. Only use different typeface in figure descriptions to add style to the paper (section 8.03).

Line Spacing & Margins

Put two spaces after the period for each sentence in the body of the paper (Note, use only one space after a period in your references at the end of the paper) . Microsoft Word does not have a setting to automatically put in two spaces at the end of a sentence, but you can set-up the grammar check to alert you when only one space is used. In Word 2007, click on File, then click Options. Next, click on Proofing. Under When correcting spelling and grammar in Word , click on Settings. Next to Spaces required between sentences , change the setting to 2. Click OK to exit. This setting will alert you to single spaces after a period with the green squiggle that shows when there is a grammar error in your paper.

Video How-To for Other Popular Applications

Sample Paper

The title page of an APA paper includes a shortened version of your title in the header, with the words: Running head: before it. The shortened title needs to make sense, it is not simply the first 50 characters of the longer title. The running head is on the left, on the right is the page number, starting with 1. Centered on the page is the full title of the paper, the author's name is on the next line, and the institutional affiliation (your school) is on the third line.

If your professor requires an abstract, you will include a summary of your paper on the second page. Start the abstract on a new page. Type the word Abstract on the center top of the page. Include page number and shortened title in the header. You no longer need to type the words

Running head:

before the title. The abstract is typed without any indentation.

Finally, we begin to type the paper! The full title starts it off at the top center of a new page. For the rest of the paper, you only need the title and page numbers in the header. Remember to cite!

APA Research Paper Template

Below is a template you can use every time you need to set-up a research paper using APA style format. Simply open the template and type your own information every time you need to write an APA style research paper. Microsoft Word 2013 will allow you to save personal templates. Once you have the template opened in Word

Click "Save as"

Give the file a name

Under "Save as type", select Word Template

Then when you open Word 2013, you will be able to choose a template rather than a blank document. You might have to select Personal to find your template.

Number of Spaces after a Period

APA style recommends placing two spaces after a period that ends a sentence. This rule is often not enforced by professors. The reasoning behind it is to aid in proofreading. You can read more about it in the APA Style Handbook on pages 87-88. Microsoft Word 2010 and later editions does not allow the user to put in two spaces after a period in any automatic way. You can set-up your grammar check to alert you when you have failed to place two spaces after a period. To do this, go to File-Options-Proofing-Writing Style-Grammar-Settings. In Spaces Required Between Sentences, select 2. Now when you type your paper and insert only one space after a period, you will see a small green squiggly where you fail to put in two spaces, once you do a grammar check of your paper. Keep in mind that APA does not call for two spaces after any period (such as for abbreviations or in the reference list) ONLY when a period ends a sentence do you need two spaces.

Step by Step Instructions for Formatting your APA Style Research Paper

<< Previous: Websites
Next: Formatting Your References >>
Last Updated: Oct 27, 2022 9:47 AM
URL: https://gocolumbia.libguides.com/apa

Essay writing: Formatting

Introductions
Conclusions
Analysing questions
Planning & drafting
Revising & editing
Proofreading
Essay writing videos

Jump to content on this page:

Essays are formal documents and should look professional Advice from the Skills Team

Whilst there are no hard rules about how you format essays, there are some conventions and common practices that are best to follow. If you use the settings on this page, you will produce an acceptably formatted essay.

Document layout

Visual display of the information on this page.

Margins - between 2 cm and 2.54 cm (1 inch) all around.

Line spacing - either 1.5 or double-line spacing.

Paragraph spacing - either 1 clear line between or at least 8 pt space after each paragraph (more if double-line spaced)

Alignment - left aligned (fully justified with a straight right-edge is not recommended as this reduces readability and accessibility). Some longer essays may require subheadings which should also be left-aligned.

Indents - no indents on first lines of paragraphs are needed.

It is also good practice to put your student number and module number in the header of the document and a page number at the bottom of the page.

Text formatting

Font - the default font that comes with MS Word (currently Calibri) is fine for academic work. You may see persistent advice in handbooks that suggests you should use Times New Roman or Arial. If you prefer these, you can change it - but this is no longer a requirement.

Font size - fonts should be 11 or 12 point.

Font style - headings and subheadings, if they are required (most essays will not use them), are usually formatted in bold and should be at least 2 point sizes larger than the standard text. Underlining should be avoided as this is seen as rather dated. Some text can be formatted in italics - see our page Italics, when to use them , for guidance.

Shorter quotations in the text do not need to be italicised and should have double-quotations marks "like this" to indicate they are direct quotations. Longer quotations (what counts as this differs depending on your referencing style) should be created in their own paragraph, single spaced and indented by 1cm from both left and right margins:

For example:

Graduate attributes for employability are described as:

a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that makes graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy. (Yorke, 2006)

The main change in this definition compared to the earlier definition of graduate attributes from Bowden (2000) is that that the attributes are no longer ...

UoH Harvard/APA

Your reference list should be in alphabetical order (by author surname) and single line spaced. There should be a clear line space (or at least 6 pt space) between each reference. All references should be left-aligned with no indentation. For information about how to format individual references, see the Harvard Hull Referencing Guide.

UoH Footnotes

Your reference list should be in alphabetical order (by first author surname) and single line spaced. All references should be left-aligned and have a hanging indent (all but the first line are indented by approx. 1cm). For information about how to format individual references, see the Footnotes Hull Referencing Guide.

Other referencing styles

Please see your individual departmental guidance.

We provide here a Microsoft Word template that can be used for your essays. It has the correct layout and formatting, including useful styles.

Essay template

Download this template to somewhere you can access easily. When you click to open it, it will open a new document based on the template , leaving the original intact.

<< Previous: Conclusions
Next: Analysing questions >>
Last Updated: Nov 3, 2023 3:17 PM
URL: https://libguides.hull.ac.uk/essays
Login to LibApps
Library websites Privacy Policy
University of Hull privacy policy & cookies
Website terms and conditions
Accessibility
Report a problem

Get started with computers
Learn Microsoft Office
Apply for a job
Improve my work skills
Design nice-looking docs
Getting Started
Smartphones & Tablets
Typing Tutorial
Online Learning
Basic Internet Skills
Online Safety
Social Media
Zoom Basics
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Career Planning
Resume Writing
Cover Letters
Job Search and Networking
Business Communication
Entrepreneurship 101
Careers without College
Job Hunt for Today
3D Printing
Freelancing 101
Personal Finance
Sharing Economy
Decision-Making
Graphic Design
Photography
Image Editing
Learning WordPress
Language Learning
Critical Thinking
For Educators
Translations
Staff Picks
English expand_more expand_less

Word - Line and Paragraph Spacing

Word -, line and paragraph spacing, word line and paragraph spacing.

Word: Line and Paragraph Spacing

Lesson 9: line and paragraph spacing.

/en/word/indents-and-tabs/content/

Introduction

As you design your document and make formatting decisions, you will need to consider line and paragraph spacing . You can increase spacing to improve readability and reduce it to fit more text on the page.

Optional: Download our practice document .

Watch the video below to learn how to adjust line and paragraph spacing in your document.

Line spacing

Line spacing is the space between each line in a paragraph. Word allows you to customize the line spacing to be single spaced (one line high), double spaced (two lines high), or any other amount you want. The default spacing in Word is 1.08 lines , which is slightly larger than single spaced.

In the images below, you can compare different types of line spacing. From left to right, these images show default line spacing, single spacing, and double spacing.

Line spacing is also known as leading (pronounced to rhyme with wedding ).

To format line spacing:

Adjusting line spacing

Your line spacing options aren't limited to the ones in the Line and Paragraph Spacing menu. To adjust spacing with more precision, select Line Spacing Options from the menu to access the Paragraph dialog box. You'll then have a few additional options you can use to customize spacing.

Exactly : When you choose this option, the line spacing is measured in points , just like font size. For example, if you're using 12-point text, you could use 15-point spacing.
At least : Like the the Exactly option, this lets you choose how many points of spacing you want. However, if you have different sizes of text on the same line, the spacing will expand to fit the larger text.

customizing line spacing in the Paragraph dialog box

Paragraph spacing

Just as you can format spacing between lines in your document, you can adjust spacing before and after paragraphs. This is useful for separating paragraphs, headings, and subheadings.

To format paragraph spacing:

In our example, we'll increase the space before each paragraph to separate them a bit more. This will make it a little easier to read.

From the drop-down menu, you can also select Line Spacing Options to open the Paragraph dialog box. From here, you can control how much space there is before and after the paragraph.

adjusting paragraph spacing in the Paragraph dialog box

You can use Word's convenient Set as Default feature to save all of the formatting changes you've made and automatically apply them to new documents. To learn how to do this, read our article on Changing Your Default Settings in Word .

Open our practice document .
Select the the date and the address block. This starts with April 13, 2016 , and ends with Trenton, NJ 08601 .
Change the spacing before the paragraph to 12 pt and the spacing after the paragraph to 30 pt .
Select the body of the letter. This starts with I am exceedingly and ends with your consideration .
Change the line spacing to 1.15.

/en/word/lists/content/

Alpha Book Publisher

Email Us: [email protected] .

Call Us: 650 - 887 - 3062.

Line Spacing: Understanding and Optimizing Your Text Formatting for Readability

Line spacing, also known as leading, refers to the amount of vertical space between lines of text in a paragraph. It is an important aspect of text formatting that affects readability and overall aesthetic of a document or webpage. Line spacing can be adjusted to make text more legible and appealing to the eye, and is a crucial aspect of typography.

Table of Content

The Importance of Line Spacing

Line spacing plays a crucial role in determining how easy or difficult it is to read text. If line spacing is too tight, the text can appear cramped and difficult to read. On the other hand, if line spacing is too wide, the text can appear dispersed and lacking in coherence. The ideal line spacing for most text is about 1.5 or 2, depending on the typeface and font size. This provides enough space between lines to make text easily readable, while still keeping the lines of text closely connected.

How to Adjust Line Spacing in Different Applications

Line spacing can be adjusted in a variety of applications, including word processors, design software, and HTML/CSS for web pages. In most word processors, line spacing can be adjusted using the "Line Spacing" or "Paragraph Spacing" option in the Format or Page Layout menu. In design software, line spacing is typically adjusted using the leading option in the character or paragraph styles menu. In HTML/CSS, line spacing is controlled using the "line-height" property.

Tips for Optimizing Line Spacing

When adjusting line spacing, consider the following tips to optimize readability and aesthetic:

Use consistent line spacing throughout the document or webpage.

Consider the typeface and font size when adjusting line spacing.

Avoid using extreme line spacing (e.g. less than 1 or more than 3) as this can make text difficult to read.

Adjust line spacing to complement the overall design and aesthetic of the document or webpage.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is line spacing?

A: Line spacing refers to the amount of vertical space between lines of text in a paragraph. It is an important aspect of text formatting that affects readability and overall aesthetic of a document or webpage.

Q: Why is line spacing important?

A: Line spacing is important because it determines how easy or difficult it is to read text. If line spacing is too tight, the text can appear cramped and difficult to read. If line spacing is too wide, the text can appear dispersed and lacking in coherence.

Q: How do I adjust line spacing in a word processor?

A: In most word processors, line spacing can be adjusted using the "Line Spacing" or "Paragraph Spacing" option in the Format or Page Layout menu. Simply select the desired line spacing value (e.g. 1.5 or 2) to adjust the vertical space between lines of text.

"In conclusion, line spacing plays a crucial role in the readability of your content. By understanding the different options for line spacing and how to optimize them for readability, you can improve the overall presentation of your text. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of different line spacing options and how to use them effectively in your documents, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to improve the readability of their text."

Syndication:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTFGrpxrffLBiWFwncOa1_CSm57OFcdO-oPJB0fzqLcSVoXD0qVwWql-WaMABvvikxIiDaOLwcw2NfM/pub

What Is Standard Line Spacing for a Formal Document?

3-minute read

20th June 2022

When you’re writing an article, essay, report, or any other formal document, formatting elements like line spacing and font size can seem inconsequential. However, it’s important to make your writing as easy to read as possible; and clear, consistent formatting will help with this. Academic journals usually have very strict formatting rules to speed up the peer review process. Your article could be instantly rejected if you ignore these rules. Similarly, you could lose marks on your assignments if you fail to follow your university’s formatting guidelines.

To make it easier for you, we’ve summarized below the line spacing rules for the most common style guides. If your institution uses a different guide than the ones listed here, be sure to check what it says about line spacing.

Line Spacing in APA

APA style was created by the American Psychological Association for its own publications. Now in its 7th edition, APA is used by many universities, publishers, and scientific journals.

Any paper written in APA style should use double line spacing throughout. This includes the abstract, reference list, and block quotes, as well as the main body of text. However, this rule is flexible when it comes to information in tables, figures, and footnotes. Here, you may use single or one-and-a-half-line spacing if you prefer, as long as the data is presented effectively.

Line Spacing in MLA

The MLA Handbook is published by the Modern Languages Association. It’s used primarily within the human sciences (e.g., economics and geography).

Like APA, MLA style calls for double line spacing throughout the document, including the Works Cited list.

Line Spacing in Chicago Style

Published by the University of Chicago Press, the Chicago Manual of Style is widely used in the humanities.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

Chicago style calls for double line spacing for the main text. However, block quotes should be formatted with single line spacing. If your document includes a bibliography or reference list, this should also have single line spacing with a blank line between each entry.

Line Spacing in MHRA

The MHRA style guide, published by the Modern Humanities Research Association, is used mostly in the humanities, especially in the UK.

MHRA style requires double line spacing throughout documents, including footnotes, endnotes, and block quotes. You should not insert any extra spaces between paragraphs. Instead, indicate a new paragraph by indenting the first line by one tab character.

Summary: Line Spacing in Formal Documents

The choice of line spacing may seem irrelevant in academic and other formal writing, but it’s essential that you follow any formatting criteria set out by your university or institution. If you’re not required to follow a specific style guide, we recommend adopting one of the above styles that aligns with your field of study.

Comprehensive formatting is one of the services you can add when you upload a document to us for proofreading . If you’re confident that your writing is already error-free, and you’d just like us to format it to your exact specifications, contact us today for a quote.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

What is a content editor.

Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...

4-minute read

The Benefits of Using an Online Proofreading Service

Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...

2-minute read

6 Online AI Presentation Maker Tools

Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...

What Is Market Research?

No matter your industry, conducting market research helps you keep up to date with shifting...

8 Press Release Distribution Services for Your Business

In a world where you need to stand out, press releases are key to being...

How to Get a Patent

In the United States, the US Patent and Trademarks Office issues patents. In the United...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

Formatting your Thesis and Dissertation:Tools,Tips and Troubleshooting

I am a new Graduate Student at Florida Tech!
Thesis and Dissertation Templates
Learn About Zotero
Formatting Landscape Pages
Line Spacing
Page Numbers
Page Break and Section Breaks
Table of Contents or Figures
Figures Turning Black
Margin issues with Tables
Page numbers not appearing
PDF to PDF/A
Section Breaks
Landscape Page Numbers
Troubleshoot LaTeX formatting issues
Copyright and Creative Commons Licenses Primer
Do I need to embargo my thesis or dissertation?
I'm ready to submit my electronic copy - now what do I do?
What is the process for obtaining print copies of my thesis or dissertation?

Adjust Spacing Between Lines

Spacing Issues on Signature Page

Highlight the text you are wanting to change then on the Home Ribbon, choose the line spacing symbol, select the desired spacing typically 1.5 for Thesis and 2.0 for Dissertations. Using the Add Space or Remove Space options as needed.

For the Signature page copying and pasting one of the signature lines is usually the easiest method.

Then removing any excess lines so the pages stays single paged.

If issues persist there are some alternative layouts in the Thesis Manual and Style Guide

Page 79 (OGP Manual)

<< Previous: Formatting Landscape Pages
Next: Page Numbers >>
Last Updated: Mar 25, 2024 10:53 AM
URL: https://libguides.lib.fit.edu/formattingyourthesisanddissertationtoolstipstroubleshooting

MLA Format Guide - 9th edition

Essay Formatting

How to Create a Header

To add your header, either double-click in the top inch of the page or select the "Insert" tab in Microsoft Word, navigate to the "Header & Footer" section, select "Header," and click the first option titled "Blank."
When editing your header, navigate to the "Design" tab and check the box beside "Different First Page" as every heading after your first page should only include the page number.
Still in the design tab under the "Header & Footer" section, select "Page Number." In the drop-down box, select the first option, labeled "Top of Page," then select the third option labeled "Plain Number 3." Add your last name in front of the page number, and change the font settings to match that of the rest of your paper.
On the next line, set the text alignment to align your text to the left side of the page (under the "Paragraph" section of the "Home" tab) and on four different lines type your first and last name, your instructor's name, the course the assignment is for, and the date in the format DD Month YYYY.
On the next line, center the text (under the "Paragraph" section of the "Home" tab) and type the title of your paper.

An example of an MLA formatted header is included below.

How to Create a Works Cited Page

You can create your Works Cited page before, during, or after you write your essay. If you do not create it before, be sure to document the sources you used, including any website links, so you can go back and create your citations later. Citation format will be discussed in a later section, but this section will detail how to create a Works Cited Page.

At the end of your essay, insert a page break (found under the "Insert" tab) and center the words "Works Cited" at the top of your page (not in the header). If there is only one source being cited, type "Work Cited".
Insert your citations in alphabetical order in the subsequent lines. Make sure they are left aligned.
If your citation is more than one line, apply the hanging indent feature to everything after the first line for each individual entry. You can do this by selecting the second line of the entry, navigating to the "Home" tab in Microsoft Word, selecting the arrow at the bottom right in the "Paragraph" section to open up the "Paragraph Settings" box, and under the "Indentation" section, select the drop-down box labeled "Special," and choose "Hanging". This will move everything but the first line of your citation slightly to the right.

Other essay formatting notes

When formatting your essay, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Use the correct font as listed under the "Home" tab of this guide. Double-space your text, use 12 pt font, and use a legible font style, such as Times New Roman, Ariel, Calibri, etc., ensuring that the regular and italic font styles are distinct.
After the first page, only include your last name and the page number in the top right corner of the header.
Change the paragraph options to remove space before and after all paragraphs. Select the entire essay (you can use the Ctrl + A feature), and in the "Paragraph" section of the "Home" tab, select the drop-down arrow where you can adjust the line spacing and make sure both selections at the bottom of the drop-down box read "Add Space Before Paragraph" and "Add Space After Paragraph". If they say "Remove Space Before Paragraph" and/or "Remove Space After Paragraph," click to remove the space.
On the last page, include a Works Cited page with your citations listed in alphabetical order.
Last Updated: Oct 13, 2023 9:40 AM
URL: https://uaccm.libguides.com/what_is_MLA_style

Affiliate Program

UNITED STATES
台灣 (TAIWAN)
TÜRKIYE (TURKEY)
Academic Editing Services
- Research Paper
- Journal Manuscript
- Dissertation
- College & University Assignments
Admissions Editing Services
- Application Essay
- Personal Statement
- Recommendation Letter
- Cover Letter
- CV/Resume
Business Editing Services
- Business Documents
- Report & Brochure
- Website & Blog
Writer Editing Services
- Script & Screenplay
Our Editors
Client Reviews
Editing & Proofreading Prices
Wordvice Points
Partner Discount
Plagiarism Checker
APA Citation Generator
MLA Citation Generator
Chicago Citation Generator
Vancouver Citation Generator
- APA Style
- MLA Style
- Chicago Style
- Vancouver Style
Writing & Editing Guide
Academic Resources
Admissions Resources

College Application Essay Format Rules

The college application essay has become the most important part of applying to college. In this article, we will go over the best college essay format for getting into top schools, including how to structure the elements of a college admissions essay: margins, font, paragraphs, spacing, headers, and organization.

We will focus on commonly asked questions about the best college essay structure. Finally, we will go over essay formatting tips and examples.

General college essay formatting rules
How to format a college admissions essay
Sections of a college admissions essay
College application essay format examples

General College Essay Format Rules

Before talking about how to format your college admission essays, we need to talk about general college essay formatting rules.

Pay attention to word count

It has been well-established that the most important rule of college application essays is to not go over the specific Application Essay word limit . The word limit for the Common Application essay is typically 500-650 words.

Not only may it be impossible to go over the word count (in the case of the Common Application essay , which uses text fields), but admissions officers often use software that will throw out any essay that breaks this rule. Following directions is a key indicator of being a successful student.

Refocusing on the essay prompt and eliminating unnecessary adverbs, filler words, and prepositional phrases will help improve your essay.

On the other hand, it is advisable to use almost every available word. The college essay application field is very competitive, so leaving extra words on the table puts you at a disadvantage. Include an example or anecdote near the end of your essay to meet the total word count.

Do not write a wall of text: use paragraphs

Here is a brutal truth: College admissions counselors only read the application essays that help them make a decision . Otherwise, they will not read the essay at all. The problem is that you do not know whether the rest of your application (transcripts, academic record, awards, etc.) will be competitive enough to get you accepted.

A very simple writing rule for your application essay (and for essay editing of any type) is to make your writing readable by adding line breaks and separate paragraphs.

Line breaks do not count toward word count, so they are a very easy way to organize your essay structure, ideas, and topics. Remember, college counselors, if you’re lucky, will spend 30 sec to 1 minute reading your essay. Give them every opportunity to understand your writing.

Do not include an essay title

Unless specifically required, do not use a title for your personal statement or essay. This is a waste of your word limit and is redundant since the essay prompt itself serves as the title.

Never use overly casual, colloquial, or text message-based formatting like this:

THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT!. #collegeapplication #collegeessay.

Under no circumstances should you use emojis, all caps, symbols, hashtags, or slang in a college essay. Although technology, texting, and social media are continuing to transform how we use modern language (what a great topic for a college application essay!), admissions officers will view the use of these casual formatting elements as immature and inappropriate for such an important document.

How To Format A College Application Essay

There are many tips for writing college admissions essays . How you upload your college application essay depends on whether you will be cutting and pasting your essay into a text box in an online application form or attaching a formatted document.

Save and upload your college essay in the proper format

Check the application instructions if you’re not sure what you need to do. Currently, the Common Application requires you to copy and paste your essay into a text box.

There are three main formats when it comes to submitting your college essay or personal statement:

If submitting your application essay in a text box

For the Common Application, there is no need to attach a document since there is a dedicated input field. You still want to write your essay in a word processor or Google doc. Just make sure once you copy-paste your essay into the text box that your line breaks (paragraphs), indents, and formatting is retained.

Formatting like bold , underline, and italics are often lost when copy-pasting into a text box.
Double-check that you are under the word limit. Word counts may be different within the text box .
Make sure that paragraphs and spacing are maintained; text input fields often undo indents and double-spacing .
If possible, make sure the font is standardized. Text input boxes usually allow just one font .

If submitting your application essay as a document

When attaching a document, you must do more than just double-check the format of your admissions essay. You need to be proactive and make sure the structure is logical and will be attractive to readers.

Microsoft Word (.DOC) format

If you are submitting your application essay as a file upload, then you will likely submit a .doc or .docx file. The downside is that MS Word files are editable, and there are sometimes conflicts between different MS Word versions (2010 vs 2016 vs Office365). The upside is that Word can be opened by almost any text program.

This is a safe choice if maintaining the visual elements of your essay is important. Saving your essay as a PDF prevents any formatting issues that come with Microsoft Word, since older versions are sometimes incompatible with the newer formatting.

Although PDF viewing programs are commonly available, many older readers and Internet users (who will be your admissions officers) may not be ready to view PDFs.

Use 1-inch margins . This is the default setting for Microsoft Word. However, students from Asia using programs like Hangul Word Processor will need to double-check.
Use a standard serif font. These include Times New Roman, Courier, and Garamond. A serif font adds professionalism to your essay.
Use standard 12-font size.
Use 1.5- or double-spacing. Your application essay should be readable. Double spaces are not an issue as the essay should already fit on one page.
Add a Header with your First Name, Last Name, university, and other required information.
Clearly separate your paragraphs. By default, just press ‘ENTER’ twice.

Sections Of A College Admissions Essay

University admissions protocols usually allow you to choose the format and style of your writing. Despite this, the general format of “Introduction-Body-Conclusion” is the most common structure. This is a common format you can use and adjust to your specific writing style.

College Application Essay Introduction

Typically, your first paragraph should introduce you or the topic that you will discuss. You must have a killer opener if you want the admissions committees to pay attention.

Essays that use rhetorical tools, factual statements, dialog, etc. are encouraged. There is room to be creative since many application essays specifically focus on past learning experiences.

College Application Essay Body

Clearly answering the essay prompt is the most important part of the essay body. Keep reading over the prompt and making sure everything in the body supports it.

Since personal statement essays are designed to show you are as a person and student, the essay body is also where you talk about your experiences and identity.

Make sure you include the following life experiences and how they relate to the essay prompt. Be sure to double-check that they relate back to the essay prompt. A college admissions essay is NOT an autobiography:

Personal challenges

How did you overcome them?
How or how much do past challenges define your current outlook or worldview?
What did you learn about yourself when you failed?

Personal achievements and successes

What people helped you along the way?
What did you learn about the nature of success

Lessons learned

In general, did your experiences inform your choice of university or major?

Personal beliefs

Politics, philosophy, and religion may be included here, but be careful when discussing sensitive personal or political topics.
Academic goals
Personal goals
Professional goals
How will attending the university help you achieve these goals?

College Application Essay Conclusion

The conclusion section is a call to action directly aimed at the admissions officers. You must demonstrate why you are a great fit for the university, which means you should refer to specific programs, majors, or professors that guided or inspired you.

In this “why this school” part of the essay, you can also explain why the university is a great fit for your goals. Be straightforward and truthful, but express your interest in the school boldly.

common app essay format, essay sections 1

College Application Essay Format Examples

Here are several formatting examples of successful college admission essays, along with comments from the essay editor.

Note: Actual sample essays edited by Wordvice professional editors . Personal info has been redacted for privacy. This is not a college essay template.

College Admission Essay Example 1

This essay asks the student to write about how normal life experiences can have huge effects on personal growth:

Common App Essay Prompt: Thoughtful Rides

The Florida turnpike is a very redundant and plain expressway; we do not have the scenic luxury of mountains, forests, or even deserts stretching endlessly into the distance. Instead, we are blessed with repetitive fields of grazing cows and countless billboards advertising local businesses. I have been subjected to these monotonous views three times a week, driving two hours every other day to Sunrise and back to my house in Miami, Florida—all to practice for my competitive soccer team in hopes of receiving a scholarship to play soccer at the next level.

The Introduction sets up a clear, visceral memory and communicates a key extracurricular activity.

When I first began these mini road trips, I would jam out to my country playlist and sing along with my favorite artists, and the trek would seem relatively short. However, after listening to “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs for the 48th time in a week, the song became as repetitive as the landscape I was driving through. Changing genres did not help much either; everything I played seemed to morph into the same brain-numbing sound. Eventually, I decided to do what many peers in my generation fail to do: turn off the distractions, enjoy the silence, and immerse myself in my own thoughts. In the end, this seemingly simple decision led to a lot of personal growth and tranquility in my life.

The first part of the Body connects the student’s past experience with the essay prompt: personal growth and challenging assumptions.

Although I did not fully realize it at the time, these rides were the perfect opportunity to reflect on myself and the people around me. I quickly began noticing the different personalities surrounding me in the flow of traffic, and this simple act of noticing reminded me that I was not the only human on this planet that mattered. I was just as unimportant as the woman sitting in the car next to mine. Conversely, I also came to appreciate how a gesture as simple as letting another driver merge into your lane can impact a stranger’s day. Maybe the other driver is late for a work interview or rushing to the hospital because their newborn is running a high fever and by allowing them to advance in the row of cars, you made their day just a little less stressful. I realized that if I could improve someone else’s day from my car, I could definitely be a kinder person and take other people’s situations into consideration—because you never know if someone is having one of the worst days of their lives and their interaction with you could provide the motivation they need to keep going on .

This part uses two examples to support the writer’s answer to the essay prompt. It ends the paragraph with a clear statement.

Realizing I was not the only being in the universe that mattered was not the only insight I attained during these drives. Over and over, I asked myself why I had chosen to change soccer clubs, leaving Pinecrest, the team I had played on for 8 years with my best friends and that was only a 10-minute drive from my house, to play for a completely unfamiliar team that required significantly more travel. Eventually, I came to understand that I truly enjoy challenging myself and pushing past complacency . One of my main goals in life is to play and experience college soccer—that, and to eventually pursue a career as a doctor. Ultimately, leaving my comfort zone in Pinecrest, where mediocrity was celebrated, to join a team in Sunrise, where championships were expected and college offers were abundant, was a very positive decision in my life.

This part clearly tells how the experience shaped the writer as a person. The student’s personality can be directly attributed to this memory. It also importantly states personal and academic goals.

Even if I do not end up playing college soccer, I know now that I will never back down from any challenge in my life; I am committed to pushing myself past my comfort zone. These car rides have given me insight into how strong I truly am and how much impact I can have on other people’s lives.

The Conclusion restates the overall lesson learned.

College Admission Essay Example 2

The next essay asks the reader to use leadership roles or extracurricular activities and describe the experience, contribution, and what the student learned about themselves.

As I release the air from the blood-pressure monitor’s valve, I carefully track the gauge, listening for the faint “lub-dub” of Winnie’s heart. Checking off the “hypertensive” box on his medical chart when reading 150/95, I then escort Winnie to the blood sugar station. This was the typical procedure of a volunteer at the UConn Migrant Farm Worker Clinic. Our traveling medical clinic operated at night, visiting various Connecticut farms to provide healthcare for migrant workers. Filling out charts, taking blood pressure, and recording BMI were all standard procedures, but the relationships I built with farmers such as Winnie impacted me the most.

This Introduction is very impactful. It highlights the student’s professional expertise as a healthcare worker and her impact on marginalized communities. It also is written in the present tense to add impact.

While the clinic was canceled this year due to COVID-19, I still wanted to do something for them. During a PPE-drive meeting this July, Winnie recounted his family history. I noticed his eyebrows furrow with anxiety as he spoke about his family’s safety in Tierra Blanca, Mexico. I realized that Winnie lacked substantial information about his hometown, and fear-mongering headlines did nothing to assuage his fears. After days of searching, I discovered that his hometown, Guanajuato, reported fewer cases of COVID-19 in comparison with surrounding towns. I then created a color-coded map of his town, showing rates across the different districts. Winnie’s eyes softened, marveling at the map I made for him this August. I didn’t need to explain what he saw: Guanajuato, his home state, was pale yellow, the color I chose to mark the lowest level of cases. By making this map, I didn’t intend to give him new hope; I wanted to show him where hope was.

The student continues to tell the powerful story of one of her patients. This humbles and empowers the student, motivating her in the next paragraph.

This interaction fueled my commitment to search for hope in my journey of becoming a public health official. Working in public health policy, I hope to tackle complex world problems, such as economic and social barriers to healthcare and find creative methods of improving outcomes in queer and Latinx communities. I want to study the present and potential future intervention strategies in minority communities for addressing language barriers to information including language on posters and gendered language, and for instituting social and support services for community youth. These stepping stones will hopefully prepare me for conducting professional research for the Medical Organization for Latino Advancement. I aspire to be an active proponent of healthcare access and equity for marginalized groups, including queer communities. I first learned about the importance of recognizing minority identities in healthcare through my bisexual sister, Sophie, and her nonbinary friend, Gilligan. During discussions with her friends, I realized the importance of validating diverse gender expressions in all facets of my life.

Here, the past experience is directly connected to future academic and professional goals, which themselves are motivated by a desire to increase access among communities as well as personal family experiences. This is a strong case for why personal identity is so important.

My experiences with Winnie and my sister have empowered me to be creative, thoughtful, and brave while challenging the assumptions currently embedded in the “visual vocabulary” of both the art and science fields. I envision myself deconstructing hegemonic ideas of masculinity and femininity and surmounting the limitations of traditional perceptions of male and female bodies as it relates to existing healthcare practices. Through these subtle changes, I aim to make a large impact.

The Conclusion positions the student as an impactful leader and visionary. This is a powerful case for the admissions board to consider.

If you want to read more college admissions essay examples, check out our articles about successful college personal statements and the 2021-2022 Common App prompts and example essays .

Wordvice offers a full suite of proofreading and editing services . If you are a student applying to college and are having trouble with the best college admissions essay format, check out our application essay editing services (including personal statement editing ) and find out how much online proofreading costs .

Finally, don’t forget to receive common app essay editing and professional admissions editing for any other admissions documents for college, university, and post-doctoral programs.

English Composition 1

The proper format for essays.

Below are guidelines for the formatting of essays based on recommendations from the MLA (the Modern Language Association).

Fonts : Your essay should be word processed in 12-point Times New Roman fonts.
Double space : Your entire essay should be double spaced, with no single spacing anywhere and no extra spacing anywhere. There should not be extra spaces between paragraphs.
Heading : In the upper left corner of the first page of your essay, you should type your name, the instructor's name, your class, and the date, as follows: Your Name Mr. Rambo ENG 1001-100 18 January 2022
Margins : According to the MLA, your essay should have a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, left, and right.
Page Numbers : Your last name and the page number should appear in the upper right corner of each page of your essay, including the first page, as in Jones 3 . Insert your name and the page number as a "header." Do not type this information where the text of your essay should be.
Title : Your essay should include a title. The title should be centered and should appear under the heading information on the first page and above the first line of your essay. The title should be in the same fonts as the rest of your essay, with no quotation marks, no underlining, no italics, and no bold.
Indentation : The first line of each paragraph should be indented. According to the MLA, this indentation should be 1/2 inch or five spaces, but pressing [Tab] once should give you the correct indentation.

Putting all of the above together, you should have a first page that looks like the following:

IMAGES

Formatting a Paper
Spacing
How to Format an Essay ⇒ MLA, APA, and Structure Tips
Proper paragraph spacing
MLA Tutorial #1: Basic Paper Formatting
How to Write a Double-Spaced Essay: Full Guide with Examples

VIDEO

How to Format
Formatting Your MLA Essay (Docs)
Formatting Your Essay
10 Lines Simple Essay On My Favourite Festival Holi in English / Holi learn Essay /Holi essay
How to Align text in Microsoft word 2013
How to Format

COMMENTS

Line spacing
Line Spacing. In general, double-space all parts of an APA Style paper, including the abstract; text; block quotations; table and figure numbers, titles, and notes; and reference list (including between and within entries). Do not add extra space before or after paragraphs. Exceptions to double line spacing are as follows:
PDF Student Paper Setup Guide, APA Style 7th Edition
Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.
A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers
The course number and name are often separated by a colon (e.g., PST-4510: History and Systems Psychology). Write the assignment due date in the month, date, and year format used in your country (e.g., Sept. 10, 2020). Title page line spacing. Double-space the whole title page. Place the paper title three or four lines down from the top of the ...
APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.)
Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines: Set page margins to 1 inch on all sides. Double-space all text, including headings. Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches. Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.).
How to Format an Essay: MLA, APA, & Chicago Styles
2. Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) for all styles. Whether you're writing in MLA, APA, or Chicago Style, always use a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) indent. This signals to the reader that a new paragraph is beginning. The easiest way to indent your essay is to press the tab key. 3.
APA Style (7th Edition) Guide: Formatting Your Paper
The idea is to make your text clearly distinguishable from italics. Size - choose between 10 and 12 points. Line Spacing - double-space your entire paper (title page, abstract, text, headings, block quotations, reference list, table and figure notes, and appendices). Indentation - first line of each paragraph should be .5 inches from left margin.
LibGuides: APA Style & Citation 7th edition: Format Basics
1. Type in bold font and center the title: References. 2. Press enter, then select the left align button to move your cursor to the left margin. 3. Write (or paste) all of your citations. Each citation should begin on a new line. Double line spacing, like the rest of your paper.
Formatting Your Paper
The Rules. For help on all aspects of formatting your paper in APA Style, see The Essentials page on the APA Style website.. Font: APA recommends you use: . sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, or
APA Style Guide, 7th Edition: Formatting Your Paper
Line Spacing & Margins. Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.To add double-spacing in Microsoft Word, highlight all the text you want double-spaced, then click on Page Layout.Next to the word Paragraph click on the arrow. Under Spacing, Line Spacing, select Double and then click OK.. Leave 1 in. margins from top to bottom and side to side.
LibGuides: APA Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper
Under Spacing, Line Spacing, select Double and then click OK. Put two spaces after the period for each sentence in the body of the paper (Note, use only one space after a period in your references at the end of the paper). Microsoft Word does not have a setting to automatically put in two spaces at the end of a sentence, but you can set-up the ...
Formatting
Typical layout for an essay is as shown here: Margins - between 2 cm and 2.54 cm (1 inch) all around. Line spacing - either 1.5 or double-line spacing. Paragraph spacing - either 1 clear line between or at least 8 pt space after each paragraph (more if double-line spaced) Alignment - left aligned (fully justified with a straight right-edge is ...
Word: Line and Paragraph Spacing
Select the paragraph or paragraphs you want to format. On the Home tab, click the Line and Paragraph Spacing command. Click Add Space Before Paragraph or Remove Space After Paragraph from the drop-down menu. In our example, we'll select Add Space Before Paragraph. The paragraph spacing will change in the document.
Proper Essay Format Guide (Updated for 2021)
A scholarship essay should be tailored to the specific fund you are applying for, and it is best to avoid a generalized essay. The main components of the scholarship essay format are similar to those in a standard college essay: 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial) First line indent. Double-spacing. 1-inch margins.
Line Spacing: Understanding and Optimizing Your Text Formatting for
5.0 | 1 Rating. Line spacing, also known as leading, refers to the amount of vertical space between lines of text in a paragraph. It is an important aspect of text formatting that affects readability and overall aesthetic of a document or webpage. Line spacing can be adjusted to make text more legible and appealing to the eye, and is a crucial ...
What Is Standard Line Spacing for a Formal Document?
Any paper written in APA style should use double line spacing throughout. This includes the abstract, reference list, and block quotes, as well as the main body of text. However, this rule is flexible when it comes to information in tables, figures, and footnotes. Here, you may use single or one-and-a-half-line spacing if you prefer, as long as ...
Line Spacing
Spacing Issues on Signature Page . Highlight the text you are wanting to change then on the Home Ribbon, choose the line spacing symbol, select the desired spacing typically 1.5 for Thesis and 2.0 for Dissertations. Using the Add Space or Remove Space options as needed.
Unit 6: Formatting & Organization Flashcards
The main theme of the short story "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes is the importance of compassion for others. When creating your heading, you should include key information in what sequence: Your Name, Teacher Name, Course Title, Date. Unit 6: Formatting & Organization. 5.0 (5 reviews) When formatting your essay, your line spacing should be:
LibGuides: MLA Format Guide
When formatting your essay, there are a few things to keep in mind: Use the correct font as listed under the "Home" tab of this guide. Double-space your text, use 12 pt font, and use a legible font style, such as Times New Roman, Ariel, Calibri, etc., ensuring that the regular and italic font styles are distinct.
ENG 1002 Online: The Proper Format for Essays
Heading: In the upper left corner of the first page of your essay, you should type your name, the instructor's name, your class, and the date, as follows: Your Name. Mr. Rambo. ENG 1002-100. 24 February 2017. Margins: According to the MLA, your essay should have a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, left, and right.
College Application Essay Format Rules
Save and upload your college essay in the proper format. ... Just make sure once you copy-paste your essay into the text box that your line breaks (paragraphs), indents, and formatting is retained. ... Use 1.5- or double-spacing. Your application essay should be readable. Double spaces are not an issue as the essay should already fit on one page.
PDF Formatting your essay/report
should have NO quotation marks and be indented 1.3 cm to the right (can vary with the referencing system you are using). Leave 1 blank line between paragraphs or indent the first line (not both). Use 'Paragraph' OR 'Line and paragraph spacing' for 1.5 OR double spacing. Font
ENG 1001: The Proper Format for Essays
There should not be extra spaces between paragraphs. Heading: In the upper left corner of the first page of your essay, you should type your name, the instructor's name, your class, and the date, as follows: Your Name. Mr. Rambo. ENG 1001-100. 18 January 2022. Margins: According to the MLA, your essay should have a one-inch margin on the top ...

Generate accurate APA citations for free

APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples

Generate accurate APA citations with Scribbr

Let an expert format your paper

Table of contents

Are your APA in-text citations flawless?

Creating APA Style references

Formatting the reference page

Cite this Scribbr article

Is this article helpful?

Raimo Streefkerk

How to Format an Essay

Setting Up Your Document

Writing the Essay Body

Using References

Formatting Resources

Expert Q&A

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

APA Style (7th Edition) Guide: Formatting Your Paper

Text Formatting

APA Style & Citation 7th edition

Chat with a Librarian

Editable APA Template

General APA Rules

Sections of an APA Paper

Major Sections of Your Paper

First Page of Your Essay

References Page

Ready, Set, Cite (APA, 7th)

Paper Elements

Sample Papers With Built-In Instructions

Use Word to Format Your Paper:

Use Google Docs to Format Your Paper:

APA Style Guide, 7th Edition: Formatting Your Paper

Line Spacing & Margins

Number of Spaces after a Period

APA Research Paper Template for Word 206

APA Style Guide: Formatting Your Paper

Line Spacing & Margins

Video How-To for Other Popular Applications

Sample Paper

APA Research Paper Template

Number of Spaces after a Period

Step by Step Instructions for Formatting your APA Style Research Paper

Essay writing: Formatting

Jump to content on this page:

Document layout

Text formatting

UoH Harvard/APA

UoH Footnotes

Other referencing styles

Word - Line and Paragraph Spacing

Word: Line and Paragraph Spacing

Introduction

Line spacing

To format line spacing:

Adjusting line spacing

Paragraph spacing

To format paragraph spacing:

Alpha Book Publisher

Line Spacing: Understanding and Optimizing Your Text Formatting for Readability

Table of Content

How to Adjust Line Spacing in Different Applications

Tips for Optimizing Line Spacing

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

Syndication:

Related Articles:

Related Posts

What Is Standard Line Spacing for a Formal Document?

Line Spacing in APA

Line Spacing in MLA

Line Spacing in Chicago Style

Find this useful?

Line Spacing in MHRA

Summary: Line Spacing in Formal Documents