How to write a paper in ASA format

When writing a paper using the ASA format, there are some things to pay attention to. These include:

1. Font

Like every other writing style, the acceptable font is Times New Roman 12 points. It is also expected that the work is double-line spaced. Additionally, quotations in blocks can be spaced using a single line. The ASA paper format template requires that at least a 1.25 margin be given at all four borders.

2. In-text citation

As with the MLA Style, in-text citations should be done by writing the author’s last name. The year of publication in brackets should be written next. Only the year should be enclosed in brackets if the author’s name is part of the text. For example, Kress and van Leeuwen (1984) suggest that readers must easily interpret multimodal representations.

If the idea is used, but the author’s name is not cited within the text, both should be in parenthesis. For example, readers should easily interpret multimodal representations (Kress & van Leeuwen, 1984).

Where a work cited has three or more authors, the last name of all the authors should be written first. After that, the year of publication should be written. In subsequent mentions, the first person’s last name is followed by “et al.”

If the page number is included, it should come after the year of publication, separated by a colon. There should be no space between the last name, the colon, and the year of publication.

3. Quotation

Quotation marks should enclose in-text quotations. This is followed by the author’s last name, year of publication, and page number and should come before the period.

For block quotes, quotation marks should not be used. Usually, blocked quotations are used for lengthy quotations. These are usually separated with indented paragraphs justified at the center.

4. Referencing

References in ASA research paper format are usually done using the author’s last name first and arranged in alphabetical order. The reference section is titled “references.” All works cited in the paper must reflect in the reference section.

Works by the same author should be arranged based on which work came first. All the works should be grouped. Six ellipses should be used in place of the author’s name, followed by the year of publication. Works by the same author in the same year should be distinguished by adding letters to the year of publication.

A reference that exceeds one line should be indented using a hanging indentation on the second line. If the date of the publication is unknown, use N.D. where the date should be. Titles of books and periodicals should be italicized or underlined if italics are unavailable.

The city and state of publication must be included in the place of publication. If the country is a foreign country, the country should be included. For books, write the author’s last name followed by a comma. Afterward, write the author’s first name and the middle initial and end it with a period.

This is followed by the year of publication ending with a period. After this is the title of the book, italicized or underlined, ending with a period. Follow that with the place of publication and name of publisher separated by a colon.

For journal articles, it is the same format. The difference is that after the year of publication, the title of the journal enclosed in quotation marks follows. The volume of the article comes after the article title. A colon follows this; the page number ends with the period sign.

The issue number in parenthesis can follow the volume number for journals that do not use page numbers. It is advisable to consult your course advisor or institution to know what particular ASA paper format example to use.

Conclusion

For every research, it is essential to follow the guidelines strictly. Heavy penalties could be attached to disregarding formats. You can go online to get a comprehensive ASA format paper example.

The Modern Language Association, known as MLA, is based in the United States. The MLA guideline is used mainly by those in the arts and humanities. The guidelines provided for writers by the association are popularly known as the MLA research paper format. This article guides you on how to format an MLA research paper.

How to format MLA paper like a distinction student

Like every other writing style, MLA has its way of formatting research papers. Here are some things to pay attention to when writing a paper in the MLA Style:

1. Heading

Knowing how to head a MLA paper is essential because the heading is the first thing seen in the work. The heading of an MLA paper must include the writer’s name and the lecturer or supervisor’s name. The course title and course number, then follow these.

The last thing is the due date of submission. After these things have been written, add the paper’s title. The title must be centralized, and the title case must also be used.

2. Work cited

The work cited section of an MLA paper includes all the referenced works in the paper. MLA citing in paper should only involve works that have been referenced. MLA citation in paper writing must also be done alphabetically.

The title “works cited” should be centralized, and a single enter space should be left before the MLA referencing. For references that go beyond one line, a hanging indentation should be used for the other lines apart from the first. Some online software can help you sort your works cited accurately.

3. Headings and subheads

Headings and subheadings are not compulsory in an MLA paper. However, having one can help you structure your MLA paper outline well. MLA heading should be done in the title case and aligned to the left. Ensure that you use standard font size and style for your headings and subheadings is advisable and ensure that the MLA paper headings don’t end with a full stop.

4. Tables and figures

Tables and other materials generally referred to as figures, should be as close to the relevant and associated texts as possible. Tables are usually numbered, labeled, and followed by a descriptive caption that states the source of the table. The table’s title and label should appear above the table on different lines.

The title and number must appear in bold. Any information or explanation about the table comes after the table. The text in the table should be double-line-spaced and follow the usual format. Usually, ‘figure’ is abbreviated to “fig.”

5. Referencing

For in-text citations, the writer’s last name should be followed by the page number. These are usually enclosed in brackets except when the author’s name begins the quotation. The author’s surname also comes before the writer’s name when citing in an MLA paper. Every in-text citation has to appear on the work cited page.

This is followed by the book’s title or article (which should be enclosed in quotation marks) in the journal. The publisher or title of the journal is then stated. The place of publication − if applicable − the year of publication, and the page numbers are also included. If it is the title of a book, it should be written in italics.

The title of the journal should be italicized. After the publisher’s name, the next thing that should follow is the name of the place where the book was written. The last thing to include is the year. For a journal, the title of the journal should be followed by the volume number and pages.

6. Font

The acceptable font for an MLA paper is Times New Roman, size 12. The paper is expected to be double-spaced to make it legible for reading.

How to write MLA paper

In writing an MLA paper, Times New Roman is the only acceptable font. The font size should be 12 inches, and the margin should be one inch on each border. The text should be double-line spaced, and all paragraphs should be indented by 1 and 1/2 inches.

Using the tab key rather than the spacebar to indent paragraphs is advisable. The MLA guideline can be downloaded online.

Conclusion

Everything in an MLA paper, from the heading to the conclusion, is essential. It is important to understand and follow the guidelines strictly when writing the paper. An MLA research paper outline can help you eliminate errors in time. Not adhering to the instructions in the guidelines could cost you marks; therefore, accuracy is needed.