As an expert in the field of academic writing and style guidelines, I'm often asked about the finer points of formatting, including the question of whether to use one or two spaces after a period in APA style. This is a common question because the use of spacing can vary widely depending on the context and the specific style guide being followed. Let's delve into the details to provide a comprehensive answer.

Step 1: English Answer

In the realm of academic writing, adherence to a particular style guide is crucial for ensuring consistency and professionalism. The American Psychological Association (APA) has its own set of guidelines, known as the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which is widely used in the social sciences.

Historically, the use of two spaces after a period was a typographic convention that emerged with the advent of the typewriter. The reason for this was that typewriters used monospaced fonts, where each character took up the same amount of horizontal space. To make it easier for readers to identify the end of a sentence, two spaces were used after a period.

However, with the rise of digital documents and the use of proportional fonts in word processing software, this convention has become less necessary. Proportional fonts vary the width of characters, making it easier to distinguish the end of a sentence with a single space.

The latest edition of the APA Publication Manual, which is the 7th edition, released in October 2019, **recommends using a single space after a period** in most cases. This is in line with the modern trend towards single-spacing following periods, which is also the standard in other major style guides such as MLA and Chicago.

It's important to note that while the APA Publication Manual provides general guidelines, there may be specific situations or publications that require two spaces after a period. For instance, some journals or instructors may still prefer the older convention for historical or aesthetic reasons. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check the specific requirements of the publication or assignment you are working on.

In terms of manuscript drafts, the APA does not explicitly state that two spaces should be used after periods. The focus is more on the final published document adhering to the guidelines. However, using two spaces in a draft can be beneficial for some individuals as it can aid in readability during the editing process.

To summarize, for APA style in most academic writing situations, you should use one space after a period. This aligns with the current APA guidelines and the broader shift towards single-spacing in digital documents. However, always consider the specific context and any special instructions provided by your instructor or publisher.

Step 2: Divider

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The Mechanics of Style. Spacing (4.01). Regarding punctuation in manuscript drafts, APA suggests using two spaces after periods ending sentences to aid readability. One space: --Previous research shows that patients are interested in palliative care.Apr 3, 2018read more >>