Project: Formatting a Research Paper Working with a word processor requires more than just a knowledge of typing. A good word processor includes a number of tools designed to aid in formatting documents to meet the needs of the reader. In this project you will use your word-processing skills and a basic knowledge of APA Style to format a research paper. The skills you will need for this project include the following:

adjusting line spacing (double-spacing)
breaking text into pages (page break)
centering text
changing the font, style, and size of the text
editing text
inserting page numbers
inserting a table
using spell check

Objectives

Format a document using a word processor.
Use APA Style.

Directions

Read the following guidelines carefully before you proceed.

The research paper should contain four sections. They are:
Title page—should include title, student name, course name, and date. Center all text and double-space. Include the page header in the upper-right corner.
Abstract—should appear on a separate page, double-spaced and not indented; center the word "Abstract" on the first line of the abstract page.
Main body—should be double-spaced; the table should be labeled and include a caption.
Reference list—should include the following:
Indent the second and following lines of each reference by pressing the Tab key once.
Double-space.
Start each reference with the author's name (last name, first name).
Alphabetize the references by the last name of the author.
Capitalize only the first letter of a book, article, or Web page.
Capitalize all major words in journal titles.
Italicize the title of a book, journal, newspaper, encyclopedia, or magazine.

Make sure that you follow the rules below as you format:
Keep the margins at one inch on all sides of the paper. (This is the default setting for most word processors.)
Double space. (Set your word processor so that double-spacing is automatic)
Use 12 pt. Arial font.
Indent the first line of each paragraph one-half inch by pressing the Tab key once.
Include page numbers on all pages. (Use the page-numbering feature on your word processor)
Label tables (Table 1) and include captions.
Label images, photographs, or diagrams (Figure 1).
Include a page header in the upper-right-hand corner of every page. To create a page header, type the first 2–3 words of the title of the paper, type five spaces, and type the page number.

Click here to copy the text of the unformatted research paper into a word processor.

Click here to see what your finished paper should look like.