As an expert in the field of academic writing and formatting, I can provide you with a detailed explanation regarding the formatting of an abstract in APA style. The American Psychological Association (APA) has specific guidelines for writing and formatting academic papers, and these guidelines include instructions on how to present an abstract.

Step 1: English Answer

In APA style, the abstract is a brief summary of the main points of your paper. It is typically a single paragraph that provides an overview of the research question, methodology, results, and conclusion. The abstract serves as a stand-alone section that can be read independently of the full text. It is often used by readers to determine whether the full paper is relevant to their interests.

According to the most recent APA guidelines (7th Edition), the abstract should be placed on a separate page at the beginning of your paper, after the title page and before the main body of the text. Here are the key points to consider when formatting an abstract in APA style:


1. Title and Heading: The word "Abstract" should be centered on the first line of the page, without any bold or italics. It is not a section heading but rather a title for the entire page.


2. Indentation: Unlike the main body of the paper, where the first line of each paragraph is typically indented, the abstract in APA style should be left-aligned with no indent. This means that the first line of the abstract starts immediately after the centered title "Abstract."


3. Spacing: The abstract should be double-spaced, just like the rest of the paper.


4. Font and Size: Use the same font and font size as the rest of the paper, which is usually Times New Roman in 12-point size.


5. Content: The abstract should be concise and informative. It should not exceed a page in length and should not include any citations, headings, or subheadings.


6. Key Words: After the abstract, about five to seven key words may be included to help readers find your paper in databases. These key words are not part of the abstract itself but are a separate section and should be indented as per the usual paragraph formatting.

7.
Page Numbers: The abstract page should not have a page number. Page numbers in APA style typically start on the first page of the main text.

8.
Margins: The margins should be set to one inch on all sides, as per the standard APA guidelines.

It is important to note that while the abstract is not indented, the rest of the paper, including the introduction, literature review, method, results, discussion, and conclusion sections, follows the standard APA indentation rule of indenting the first line of each paragraph.

For a more comprehensive understanding of APA guidelines, it is recommended to consult the official APA Publication Manual or use an APA style guide. These resources will provide you with detailed instructions and examples to ensure your paper is formatted correctly.

Step 2: Divider

read more >>

Yes, you should indent the first line of every paragraph, except for the Abstract. If your instructor requires an Abstract, it should be left aligned, with no indent. Check the APA Help guide to see a Sample Paper.May 2, 2018read more >>