APA is commonly known as "AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION" style of documentation, mostly used in social sciences. APA style is amended according to the 6th edition of APA Manual of the American Psychological Association. APA style essay gives details of the following elements:

• Names and order of headings

• Organization and formatting of references and citations

• Arrangement of tables

• Arrangement of footnotes

• Arrangement of figures and appendices

• Arrangement of manuscript and documentation features

APA style provides guidelines of citations for both electronic and print resources which include:

CHAPTER 1: Documentation Guidelines:

• Margins: One inch on all sides

• Alignment: Flush left (creating uneven right margin)

• Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the essay, includes:

 Title page

 Abstract

 Body of the document

 Footnotes

 References

 Appendixes

 Tables and figures

• Punctuation and Spacing: Space once after:

 Colons

 Commas and semicolons within sentences

Give two spaces after punctuation ending sentences

• Paragraph Indentation: 5-8 spaces

• Running Head: The running head is a short title that appears at the top of the pages of a paper or published article. It should not exceed 40 to 50 characters, including punctuation and spacing

• Pagination: The page number appears one inch from the right edge of the paper on the first line of every page

• Order of Pages:

 Title Page

 Abstract

 Body

 References

 Appendixes

 Footnotes

 Tables

 Figures

• Font Size and Type: Times New Roman font 12-pt

CHAPTER 2: Title Page

• Pagination: Page 1

• Key Elements

• Paper Title

• Author(s)

• Institutional affiliation

CHAPTER 3: Abstract: It is one-paragraph summary of essential elements of the paper.

• Pagination: Page 2

• Heading

• Format: Word limit is between 150 and 250 words. All numbers in the essay should be typed as digits rather than words

CHAPTER 4: BODY:

• Pagination: Page 3

• Title

• Introduction

• Headings

• Main headings

• Subheadings

Some examples of citation are as follows:

Single author:

Chang (2007) discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.

Two authors:

Chang and Paul (1996) discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.

Three to five authors:

Chang, Paulin and Mak (1990) conducted a study that discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.

Chang et al. (1990) discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.

A recent study found a possible genetic cause of smoking (Chang et al., 2005).

Multiple publications, same author:

Recent studies have found a possible genetic cause of smoking (Lie, 1990, 2002a, 2004b).

Lie (1990, 2002a, 2004b) has conducted studies that have discovered a possible genetic cause of smoking.

Above are the essential elements of APA style essay. Preparing a good APA style essay requires lot of work and effort. By following the above guidelines, one can easily write a good APA style essay.