How to Format an APA Title Page, Abstract, and Headings

You’ve written your psychology paper, but you’re stuck on formatting. Does the title need to be bold? Where does the page number go? Do you need a running head? Getting the APA 7th edition format right is a key step to a professional paper.

This guide is your resource for formatting the three most important setup components: the Title Page, the Abstract, and the section Headings. This page is a “micro” guide. For a complete overview, see our main APA Format Guide.

We also have detailed guides on APA in-text citations and the APA reference list.

What is APA Style?

APA Style is the official writing and formatting standard of the American Psychological Association. It ensures writing is clear, concise, and consistent. The rules are in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (7th edition).

Student Paper vs. Professional Paper

APA 7th edition distinguishes between two types of papers:

• Student Papers: For class assignments. They do not require a running head (unless your instructor says so).
• Professional Papers: For journal publication. They do require a running head and an author note.

This guide focuses on STUDENT papers.

General APA Page Layout (7th Ed.)

Before you write, set up your document with these rules:

• Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Font: APA 7 is flexible. Recommended fonts include Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt, Arial 11pt, or Georgia 11pt. Check with your instructor.
• Spacing: Double-space the *entire* paper, including the title page, abstract, and reference list. No extra spaces between paragraphs.
• Page Numbers: Place page numbers in the top-right corner of every page, starting with “1” on the title page.
• Running Head: You do not need a running head for a student paper.

The 4 Main Sections of an APA Paper

A standard APA paper has four parts, each starting on a new page.

1. Title Page
2. Abstract
3. Main Body
4. References

This guide will cover formatting for the first three. For the References section, see our complete guide to the APA reference list.

Section 1: The APA Student Title Page

The title page is page 1. All text should be centered and double-spaced. The student title page includes:

• Title: The title of your paper, in bold and Title Case. Place it 3-4 lines down from the top.
• Author Name: Your full name.
• Affiliation: Your university (e.g., University of California, Los Angeles).
• Course: The course number and name (e.g., PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology).
• Instructor: Your instructor’s name (e.g., Dr. Jane Smith).
• Date: The assignment’s due date.

Example Student Title Page

Section 2: The Abstract

The abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of your paper. As this guide to writing abstracts notes, its purpose is to help readers “quickly ascertain the paper’s purpose.” It should be 150-250 words.

Abstract Formatting Checklist

• New Page: The abstract starts on a new page (page 2).
• Heading: The word “Abstract” should be centered and bolded at the top.
• Paragraph: The abstract is a single paragraph. Do not indent the first line.
• Keywords (Optional): If requested, indent the line below the abstract and type *Keywords:* (italicized), followed by 3-5 keywords.

Example Abstract Formatting

Section 3: APA Headings (The Main Body)

The main body of your paper starts on a new page (page 3). Re-type your paper’s title at the top (centered, bolded) before the introduction begins. APA uses 5 levels of headings to organize your paper. Most student papers use Levels 1-3.

See the Purdue OWL guide on headings for a detailed chart.

The 5 Levels of APA Headings

Example of Headings in an IMRaD Paper

Common Formatting Pitfalls