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I check all papers for APA format. You should have a copy of the latest edition
of the APA Publication Manual (5th Edition). When I make a notation in your papers
about errors in format, I will reference the page in the Publication Manual.
I have created a Microsoft® Word 2000+ template to help you format an APA paper.
You do not have to use it--its use is purely optional. It isn't as fancy as one
of the templates for which you can pay $39.00, but it works and it is free. If you don't know how
to use a Word template, refer to my Web section Microsoft Office for
help (or contact me via e-mail). Instructions for using the APA Template
- Word 2000, Word XP, or Word 2003 is required.
- The APA template contains Word macros, so you
must have your macro security set to
medium:
- For Word 2000: TOOLS > MACRO > SECURITY > SECURITY LEVEL TAB
- For Word XP and Word 2003: TOOLS > OPTIONS > SECURITY TAB > MACRO SECURITY
- Download the template from the link below and save it to your local computer
(on the desktop or into your "My Documents.". Do NOT open
the file online--choose SAVE instead of OPEN.
(To download without opening it online, RIGHT CLICK on the link
below and choose "Save Target As.....")
NOTE: This template file is a template,
not a Word
document. When you save it, be sure to save it with a
.DOT extension or rename the file so it ends with .DOT instead
of .DOC.
- Check to be sure you downloaded the
template correctly. The icon representing the file you
downloaded should look like this (notice the yellow
bar along the top):
 If
your icon does not have the yellow bar, rename the template so
it ends with .DOT instead of .DOC.
- To start the APA template, double click on the file you downloaded.
Do NOT open the file from within Word. Do NOT save the
file in your Word Templates folder -- it should be on your
desktop or in your "My Documents" folder.
- When Word asks what you want to do about macros, click Enable Macros
If Word doesn't ask whether or not to enable macros, you
didn't do step #2 above properly.
The APA Template helps with many of the formatting requirements, but it does not
help with the specifics of formatting the references (it does set up the
references page in hanging indents, but does not provide guidance about the
formatting of each reference itself). Here is a little more help from the
APA Citation Machine--this is an invaluable tool. Use it:
http://citationmachine.net/
Here is an APA Reference Card you can print and use to polish your paper:
APA Reference Card (PDF, 60 KB)
If you are a student at University of Phoenix, be sure to use
the WritePoint checking tool in the Center for Writing Excellence (CWE).
This checking tool takes less than a minute to provide mechanical review and
comments about the final draft of your paper. Access CWE from your rEsource page
or in the SERVICES menu of your main student Web page.
Finally, here are a few links to excellent APA information:
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