General Guidelines
Formatting
Here is a sample of a perfectly formatted research paper.
Important Resource: The OWL's APA guidelines
Method of Sourcing/Citation (used for in-text citation and the References page):
Order of Paper
- Length: 1500 - 2000 words
- # of sources required: 5 (1 books, 4 other = online, documentary, encyclopedia, magazine, newspaper). Note: You may use Wikipedia as a source, but only once.
- Papers must be typed and double-spaced; you must use Times New Roman font
- Margins must be set at 1 inch all around
- Each page must include a running head/title. Note: on the first page write this: Running head: TITLE OF RESEARCH PAPER IN ALL CAPS. But on the pages after the title page, just include the title, and not the words "Running head," like so: TITLE OF RESEARCH PAPER IN ALL CAPS.
- You must write the page number at the top right of each page
- The paper should be divided into three sections (one section per main point), with about two to four (go for three) paragraphs per section (plus an introduction and conclusion, of course).
- Create section titles for each major section of the paper. Centre the title of each section, and type the text in bold writing. Note: after your title page, you should write the title of your paper a second at the top of the page, and then start your introduction. You don't have to write the word introduction—the title is sufficient. You do, however, have to write Conclusion to indicate that your last paragraph is your conclusion.
- Try to include at least one quote per paragraph
- Don't forget to include a title page
Here is a sample of a perfectly formatted research paper.
Important Resource: The OWL's APA guidelines
Method of Sourcing/Citation (used for in-text citation and the References page):
- APA style.
Order of Paper
- Title Page
- Outline
- Introduction
- Body Paragraphs
- Conclusion
- References