Learn how to format your article according to publishing guidelines, including margins, spacing, font, headings, title page, abstract, and more. Download free templates and use the APA citation. 1. Set basic layout settings. An APA style paper should use a point font size and be double-spaced. First, learn how to format your article according to the APA th edition, including margins, font, line spacing, headings, tables, figures, and the reference list. See, there are a few key elements that make up writing an essay in APA style: The title page. The title page should include the title of your work, the names of the authors, and each person's name. 8. Write a research paper outline. Before you jump in and write the entire document, start with an outline. This will help you see if further research is needed and provide a framework for writing a more compelling article. Your supervisor may even request an outline to approve before you begin writing the first draft of the full document. The first title arrives. In this article, the first title is “Literature Overview”, so it ends. Your writing style and topic will determine what your first title will be. The following titles, just as important as the first title, also appear here, Method, Results and Discussion. The results section should be written in the past tense. Be concise and objective. You will have the opportunity to give your own interpretations of the results in the discussion section. Use APA format. As you write, How to Write a Good APA Paper, QUICK Steps. A warning: an APA article is no different from other academic work in content or approach. The only difference between APA articles and other types of assignments is that the former are referenced using APA referencing style, an author-date citation method. Now let's start with the basic rules: Your title page for the APA format article always starts on a separate document. page. The same goes for an abstract section, a references page, figures and tables. APA style recommends writing research papers in the past tense. The recommended font is point, dot or Times New Roman,