Instructions: If you want to add the content below to your course, use this HTML code. Here is a link for those who need a refresher on using the HTML view in the Rich Content Editor. To change the background color, font colors, or box colors, please refer to "Adding Custom Colors to Boxes While Maintaining Readability " to ensure your color choices are ADA-compliant.

Note: This is formatted as a page for easy copying and pasting. It is intended to be included at the end of an assignment to help students properly format their documents in MLA style before submission.

Note: At times, UDOIT flags color usage; therefore, to resolve this issue, I have added the <div class="phpally-ignore"> to the HTML. This allows ADA readers to disregard color, particularly since it does not convey any significance.

✓ APA Submission Checklist

Before submitting your assignment, use this checklist to make sure your document follows APA 7th edition formatting and citation guidelines.

APA Document Setup

☐ Title Page:

Write the title in the upper half of the title page (three or four lines from the top margin. The title should be centered, bolded, and in title case. Add a blank line after the title. Following the title, include your first and last name, your college or university, the course name and number, your instructor's name, and the assignment due date in month-day, year format.

☐ Page Number: Beginning on the title page, insert a page number in the upper-right corner of the header section.

☐ Font: Consistently use an APA-approved font throughout the document. Avoid changing fonts or font sizes between sections. Most instructors prefer students to use 12-point Times New Roman.

☐ Line Spacing: Double-space the entire document, including the title page, headings, paragraphs, and References page. Do not add extra space before or after paragraphs.

☐ Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the document.

Paper Formatting

☐ Assignment Title: Repeat the assignment title on the first line of the first page of text (page 2), centered, bolded, and in title case.

Example: The Effects of Social Media on College Students

☐ Paragraphs: Left-align your paragraphs and indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inch.

☐ Headings: Use APA heading levels when headings are required. Format headings consistently throughout the paper.

☐ Consistency: Check the entire document to ensure the formatting is consistent from beginning to end.

In-Text Citations & References

☐ In-Text Citations: Include an APA in-text citation whenever you use information, ideas, facts, statistics, or quotations from a source.

☐ Author & Date: APA in-text citations generally include the author's last name and the year of publication.

Example: (Smith, 2025)

☐ Direct Quotations: Include the author, year, and a page number or other appropriate locator when directly quoting a source.

Example: (Smith, 2025, p. 42)

☐ Citation Matches: Every source cited in the paper must have a corresponding entry on the References page, and every source listed on the References page should be cited in the paper.

☐ References Page: Start the References page on a new page at the end of your paper. Bold and center the title References at the top of the page. Do not italicize, underline, or place quotation marks around the title.

☐ Reference Citation Entries: Ensure each source includes the required APA elements and is formatted correctly.

☐ Alphabetical Order: Arrange reference entries in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author, or by the first element in the citation if no author is provided.

☐ Hanging Indent: Use a hanging indent for each References entry. The first line should be flush with the left margin, and additional lines should be indented 0.5 inches.

☐ Double-Spaced: Double-space the entire References page, with no extra space between entries.

☐ Check Your Citations: Do not simply copy a citation generated by a database or citation generator. Compare the citation with the LSSC APA guidelines and correct it as needed.

Final Check Before You Submit

Take a moment to review your document from beginning to end. Ask yourself:

Is everything formatted consistently?
Did you apply 1-inch margins and use double spacing?
Is the title page complete and formatted correctly?
Are all the sources used properly cited in the text?
Does each source on the References page appear as an in-text citation in the paper?
Is the References page formatted properly?
Are the entries in the References page arranged in alphabetical order?
Are all the reference citations formatted with hanging indents?
Have you verified the citations yourself rather than relying on a database or citation generator?
Did you review your document rather than relying on Word's default formatting?
Is the document prepared for submission?

Need more help with APA formatting, References, or In-Text citations?

For further assistance, please get in touch with me via the Canvas Inbox, the Writing Center tutors during their hours of operation, or book an appointment with one of the LSSC Librarians.