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How to Organize Headings in APA Style Assignments
This is an example of how you should organize headings in APA style papers and is
based on the 7th edition APA citation manual. Please follow the example presented here. The
first paragraph of your paper is preceded by the title of your paper, centered at the top of the page
in bold. The first paragraph is an introduction which should include some historical or
background information on your topic. This should be followed by your purpose statement,
thesis, or the research question that you are trying to answer. You should not use the heading
“introduction” before the introduction; instead, you are to use the title of your paper.
Level 1 Is Centered, Title Case, Bold
Level 2 Is Flush Left, Title Case, Bold
The main parts of your paper are divided by Level 1 headings. These topics or major
arguments can then be divided by Level 2 headings (subheadings). Topics within these
subsections are divided by Level 3 headings. Level 2 headings start at the left margin and are
bolded. Paragraphs following Level 2 headings are indented and start on the line below the
heading, just like this paragraph.
Level 3 Is Flush Left, Title Case, Bold, Italic
Please note that the Level 3 heading is bold and italic. Paragraphs following Level 3
headings are indented and start on the line below the heading, just like this paragraph.
Please follow the example laid out in this paper when you are formatting the headings of
your APA style papers.
