Hello there! As an expert in the field of writing and formatting, I'm here to help you navigate the nuances of APA style. When it comes to the question of whether to use two spaces after a period in APA format, it's important to consider both the historical context and the current standards.

Step 1: English Answer

In the earlier days of typewriting and printing, using two spaces after a period was a common practice. This was largely due to the use of monospaced typewriters where each character, including letters and spaces, occupied the same amount of horizontal space. The extra space after a sentence-ending period helped to clearly delineate sentences for readers. However, with the advent of proportional fonts, which vary the width of characters, the need for two spaces has diminished because the varying character widths already provide a clear visual separation between sentences.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has been a key player in academic writing and has periodically updated its guidelines to reflect technological and typographical advancements. In the 6th edition of the APA Publication Manual, which was the standard until October 2020, it was indeed recommended to use two spaces after a period. This recommendation was based on the typewriter-era convention and was carried forward to maintain consistency in academic writing.

However, with the release of the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual in October 2020, the guidelines have been updated to reflect current typographical standards. The 7th edition now recommends using only one space after a period, aligning with most other contemporary style guides such as the Modern Language Association (MLA) and The Chicago Manual of Style. This change is in part due to the universal use of word processing software, which makes editing and formatting much more flexible and straightforward.

It's also worth noting that the use of two spaces after a period can sometimes be seen as a stylistic choice rather than a strict rule. For instance, in some contexts, particularly where readability is a concern, such as in internal documents or emails, using two spaces might still be preferred by some individuals or organizations.

In conclusion, while the APA used to suggest two spaces after a period, the current standard as of the 7th edition is to use one space. It's always a good idea to check the most recent edition of the APA Publication Manual or consult with your institution's writing center for the most up-to-date guidelines.

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 >>