Yes, except for the abstract, indent the first line of each paragraph (see instructions below). Paragraphs are indented by 0.5" or by using the Tab key once. A sample paper can be found in the APA Help Handbook.
Each paragraph's first line should be indented one-half inch (or five to seven spaces) from the left margin. The American Psychological Association advises two spaces following end-of-sentence punctuation. Headings Though headers are not needed in APA style, they might assist readers in following your material. They can be used to divide an article into sections, or to provide general topic labels. Use these guidelines to form headings that will help readers find what they're looking for: no more than one-third of all words in a sentence can be letters; only the most important words should be given titles. Using titles helps readers identify relevant information faster and make connections between ideas within the text.
Paragraphs should be indented from the left margin, with the first line of each paragraph beginning 1/2" from the edge. Only use single spacing after sentences ending in questions marks, exclamation points, or periods. Do not put a period at the end of a sentence unless it is part of a quoted phrase or word count.
Try writing several paragraphs on different topics within a single page. Indent each paragraph separately so the reader knows where one section ends and another begins.
Now try writing out some paragraphs without indenting them. This makes it easier to read through your work quickly without getting distracted by margins and tabs.
You must follow the APA format requirements listed below throughout your paper:
In an APA Style paper, align the text to the left margin. Allow the right margin to be irregular, or "ragged." When submitting student papers or articles for publication, do not use complete justification. At the end of each line, do not use hyphens (manual breaks).
Align the title of the paper with the date it was published using these guidelines: Put the title in large, bold font and center it within the page margins. Place the author's name(s) below the title and print it/them in small, italic font. You may want to include a contact information section at the end of the article with your email address and website link.
Paragraphs should be indented 1/2 inch on all sides but the last. Use the hanging indent method to start paragraphs at a lower-level heading; then follow it up with a regular indent to bring the beginning of the paragraph back up to that level.
All pages of your paper should have exactly one horizontal rule per page. The rule should be in the top corner of the page near the top of the column on which it appears. It can be as simple as three dashes across from side to side or it can be a picture if you like. Just make sure that it is wide enough to cover the entire page so there are no gaps between columns when binding the paper.
In general, double-space the abstract, text, block quotes, table and figure numbers, titles, and notes, and reference list in an APA Style document (including between and within entries). There should be no excess space before or after paragraphs. Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
If you are using Microsoft Word to edit your paper, then press CTRL+D to add a paragraph break. You should do this every time you stop writing to avoid ending up with two consecutive body paragraphs without a break in between. A typical manuscript has one continuous flow of thought, so there is no need to insert a paragraph break between each section.
When you send your paper off for publication, follow their instructions. Some journals require a separate title page for the abstract or essay, while others include it along with the main body of the paper. Make sure to check with the journal before submitting your work.
Finally, look at other papers that have been published in the same journal. How do they handle breaks between sections? Between chapters? Within essays? The answer to these questions will help you decide how to structure your own paper.
APA Guidelines in General Your essay should be double-spaced and typed on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11") with 1 inch margins on both sides. You should pick a Times New Roman font of 10-12 points or a comparable font. Add a page header to the top of each page. Use only black ink, plain watercolor paint, or pencil.
Include page numbers when citing sources, especially articles. You can use the NPR Style Guide for reference.
An Abstract An abstract is a brief summary of the topic discussed in the paper. It usually includes why the topic is important, who are some key people involved, and what questions remain unanswered. Some examples of good abstracts include: "Why climate change is a big deal and how it will affect the world." Or "Who are some famous scientists who have studied climate change?"
The Abstact should be written in sentences that are concise but not vague. It should give readers a clear idea of what the paper is about. Try not to go over one page. One purpose of an abstract is to attract attention from potential reviewers or editors, so make sure it's accurate and well written.
Body The body of the paper discusses the topic in detail.
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