Tips for Writing in APA Style

APA guidelines regulate the formatting for a piece of writing, but also determine the style of writing. Style deals with choices about language use as opposed to how words appear on the page. When writing in APA Style it is important to:

  • Use the first person singular or plural point of view
  • Use active, not passive voice
  • Foreground the Research
  • Avoid offensive/biased/problematic language
    • Example of respectful language: “Participants suffering from alcohol addiction reported higher levels of perceived stress.”
  • Use discipline-specific terminology
  • Use “clear, concise, and concrete” language
  • Avoid poetic language

For more information on formatting and conventions for APA citations please refer to the Purdue OWL Website (new tab)