APA Format Style Basics You Can’t Leave Without
This is considered the official style for the American Psychological Association (APA) and is commonly used to cite important sources in psychology and other social sciences. Most students around the globe have no idea about this style and are always surprised, when they are mandated to learn it in college or university level. I indeed once find myself in that similar position several years ago and, to the tell the truth, it was one of my most nasty experiences in the university.
Remember most of us grow up learning the MLA and Chicago style. Therefore, it’s always shocking and surprising experience, when you are told the styles you are used to, are no longer required and you need to change to a new style that is APA. This style was first established in 1929 through an article published in Psychology bulletin that served to lay bare its basic guidelines. These were later revised into the APA publication manual, which is currently in use.
It is understandable that learning APA style can be frustrating for some reasons, but the style is important. Remember APA can’t take away the styles known to you. Therefore, take the challenge positively and learn something new. Here is the basics you need to know about APA that can prove helpful:
1.Point of view and voice
The most important fact you should always remember, when writing in the APA style is your voice and point of view. It should be always be in the first person point of view like: “I was, I studied or I wrote” and when with others your tone should be made of “we”. The voice, however, needs to be passive in every step. It should be able to show, who is actually doing the deed being talked about.
2.Choice of words
Words to be used in APA style should be carefully chosen. The origin of APA style has a great influence on this and sometimes can alter the meaning, but the effect is the same. Use words like respondents to mean subjects like in a case of research and phrases like the evidence suggest in place for our study indicates.
3.Avoid poetic language
APA style is strict on language usage, as a result, your language should avoid elements of being poetic. Your words should be direct to the point instead of using words or phrases that tend to hide the real mean of what you are trying to pass across. It is understandable that poetry is a very important element in writing due to the flavor it adds to the writing, but in APA style it is simply unnecessary.
4.Be clear and conciseness
APA style papers are meant to pass a message in a unique way, but the audience should be able to understand and relate to better. The better way to do that, is by ensuring you writing is clear and focused on the point you intend to convey. Avoid confusion and straying from the point as this alter the whole point of APA formatting style.
