APA Paper Setup Checklist

Start here before touching anything else — these settings affect the entire paper.

• Margins are set to 1 inch on all sides Quick check
• Font is consistent throughout — Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt, or Arial 11pt Quick check
• Double spacing everywhere — body text, block quotations, and the reference list Common error
• No extra blank lines before or after headings Common error
• No extra paragraph spacing — Word adds this by default, you must remove it Common error

Your application serves as your title page. Skip the title page section in the Student Paper Setup Guide entirely. Move directly to the abstract.

• Abstract starts on its own page using a page break — not enters Common error
• Full paper title repeated at the top of the first page of body text — centered, bold
• Introduction begins directly below — do NOT write "Introduction" as a heading Note
• Text is left-aligned (ragged right); first line of every paragraph indented 0.5 inch

🚫 Do not use the Enter/Return key or spacebar to push content to a new page. Every Level 1 section below starts on its own page using a real page break. Check each one.

• Abstract — starts on its own pageRequired
• Background and Significance — starts on its own page (begins with your repeated title)Required
• Methods — starts on its own pageRequired
• Data Analysis — starts on its own pageRequired
• Expected Impact — starts on its own pageRequired
• Budget and Budget Justification — starts on its own pageRequired
• Project Timeline — starts on its own pageRequired
• References — starts on its own page (after all content, before appendices)Required
• Baseline Standard Operating Procedures — starts on its own pageRequired
• Intervention Operating Procedures — starts on its own pageRequired

Every major section uses a Level 1 heading and starts on its own page. Subsections inside Methods use Level 2 or 3 — they do not start new pages.

• All Level 1 headings are centered and bold, title case
• All Level 2 headings (subsections under Methods) are flush left and bold, title case
• Level 3 headings (if used) are flush left, bold, and italic, title case

• References page appears after all paper content but before any appendices Order matters
• All entries use hanging indent — first line flush left, remaining lines indented 0.5" Common error

• Each appendix starts on its own page (page break before each — already checked in Section 4)
• Appendices appear after the References, in the order they're mentioned in the text

Your document should be completely clean before you submit, with no visible comments in the margins and no tracked changes showing.

• All feedback comments have been addressed and resolved or deleted Required
• Track changes are accepted and cleared — no revision marks visible in the document Required