APA Headings and Subheadings | With Sample Paper
Introduction to APA Headings and Subheadings
Headings and subheadings in APA Style provide structure to a document, indicating the content of each section and facilitating easy navigation. The APA 7th edition outlines five levels of headings, each with specific formatting requirements.
Headings Levels Overview
- Level 1: Centered, Bold, Title Case
- Level 2: Left-aligned, Bold, Title Case
- Level 3: Left-aligned, Bold Italic, Title Case
- Level 4: Indented, Bold, Title Case, Ending with a Period
- Level 5: Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case, Ending with a Period
For detailed guidance on formatting APA headings and subheadings, visit Datapott Analytics.
Additional Guidelines for APA Headings
- Text Spacing: Double-space all text, including headings.
- Font Consistency: Use the same font for headings and body text (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt.).
- No Labels: Do not use numbers or letters to label headings.
- No Extra Spacing: Avoid extra “enters” above or below headings.
Note: For longer documents like dissertations, numbering headings may be required based on specific instructions from your supervisor or institution.
For help with formatting and adhering to APA guidelines, Datapott Analytics offers expert assistance.
How Many Heading Levels to Use?
The number of heading levels you use depends on the length and complexity of your paper. Shorter papers may have no headings, while longer ones might use all five levels. Ensure to use at least two subheadings if using subheading levels.
When to Use Each APA Heading Level
- Level 1: Main sections like “Methods,” “Results,” and “Discussion” (Note: The “Introduction” is not labeled as it is understood to be introductory.)
- Level 2: Subsections under Level 1 (e.g., “Sampling Method,” “Data Analysis”)
- Level 3: Subsections under Level 2
- Level 4: Subsections under Level 3
- Level 5: Subsections under Level 4
Section Labels vs. Headings
Section labels are used for specific parts of the paper and are formatted differently:
- Author Note
- Abstract
- Paper Title
- Reference Page
- Footnotes
- Appendices
Section labels are bold and centered, placed on a separate line at the top of a new page.
For more on section labels and heading styles, refer to Datapott Analytics.
Sample Paper with APA Headings
To see how APA headings and subheadings are used in practice, check out our sample paper.
Using Heading Styles in Word or Google Docs
Utilize the “Styles” feature in Word or Google Docs to apply APA heading styles easily and generate a table of contents automatically. For instructions on setting up APA headings in these applications, visit Datapott Analytics.
Citation
To cite this article, use the following format:
Streefkerk, R. (2022, October 24). APA Headings and Subheadings | With Sample Paper. Scribbr. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-headings/
For citation tools and formatting help, visit Datapott Analytics.
