Academic Writing
APA Format Quiz
1|Page
,Academic Writing
1. What does APA regulate?
Stylistics
In-text citations
References (a list of all the sources used in the paper)
2. Writing Style
APA emphasizes clear communication, organization, and smooth and precise style
Continuity in presentation of ideas
Smoothness of expression
Precision and Clarity
Avoid colloquial expressions
"I will come up with a research..."
"Many times..."
"Whether or not..."
Avoid approximations that are ambiguous
"quite a large part"
"most people"
Avoid clichés
"Old as time"
"All that glitters is not gold"
3. Active voice
APA Style encourages using the active voice ("We interpreted the results ...").
2|Page
, Academic Writing
Especially when the subject performing the action should be clearly identified (e.g.
"We interviewed ..." vs. "The participants responded ...").
4. Numbers as Numerals
Numbers above 10
Numbers in your abstract (that aren't at the beginning of the sentence)
Numbers immediately preceding a unit of measurement (5-mg dosage)
Numbers that represent mathematical functions (multiplied by 5)
Numbers that represent time, ages, score, or points on a scale.
Numbers that reference a table or a figure (In Table 1)
Numbers as Words
Numbers zero-nine
A number that begins a sentence, title, or heading
Common fractions (one fifth)
Universally accepted usage (the Twelve Apostles)
5. Grammar
Use complete sentences
No fragments
Complex sentences are welcomed (that doesn't mean run-on sentences)
6. No contractions:
Incorrect: "The results didn't show an increase....."
3|Page
APA Format Quiz
1|Page
,Academic Writing
1. What does APA regulate?
Stylistics
In-text citations
References (a list of all the sources used in the paper)
2. Writing Style
APA emphasizes clear communication, organization, and smooth and precise style
Continuity in presentation of ideas
Smoothness of expression
Precision and Clarity
Avoid colloquial expressions
"I will come up with a research..."
"Many times..."
"Whether or not..."
Avoid approximations that are ambiguous
"quite a large part"
"most people"
Avoid clichés
"Old as time"
"All that glitters is not gold"
3. Active voice
APA Style encourages using the active voice ("We interpreted the results ...").
2|Page
, Academic Writing
Especially when the subject performing the action should be clearly identified (e.g.
"We interviewed ..." vs. "The participants responded ...").
4. Numbers as Numerals
Numbers above 10
Numbers in your abstract (that aren't at the beginning of the sentence)
Numbers immediately preceding a unit of measurement (5-mg dosage)
Numbers that represent mathematical functions (multiplied by 5)
Numbers that represent time, ages, score, or points on a scale.
Numbers that reference a table or a figure (In Table 1)
Numbers as Words
Numbers zero-nine
A number that begins a sentence, title, or heading
Common fractions (one fifth)
Universally accepted usage (the Twelve Apostles)
5. Grammar
Use complete sentences
No fragments
Complex sentences are welcomed (that doesn't mean run-on sentences)
6. No contractions:
Incorrect: "The results didn't show an increase....."
3|Page
