{"id":57160,"date":"2020-11-06T10:00:02","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T09:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.nl\/?p=57160"},"modified":"2022-01-03T13:49:22","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T12:49:22","slug":"apa-abstract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/apa-style\/apa-abstract\/","title":{"rendered":"How to write and format an APA abstract"},"content":{"rendered":"
This article reflects the\u00a0APA 7th edition<\/strong>\u00a0guidelines. Click here<\/a> for APA 6th edition guidelines.<\/figure>\n

An APA abstract is a comprehensive summary of your paper in which you briefly address the research problem<\/a>, hypotheses<\/a>, methods<\/a>, results<\/a>, and implications<\/a> of your research. It\u2019s placed on a separate page right after the title page<\/a> and is usually no longer than 250 words.<\/p>\n

Most professional papers that are submitted for publication require an abstract. Student papers typically don\u2019t need an abstract, unless instructed otherwise.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How to format the abstract<\/h2>\n

APA abstract example<\/h3>\n

\"APA<\/a><\/p>\n

Formatting instructions<\/h3>\n

Follow these five steps to format your abstract in APA Style:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Insert a running head<\/a> (for a professional paper\u2014not needed for a student paper) and page number.<\/li>\n
  2. Set page margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm).<\/li>\n
  3. Write \u201cAbstract\u201d (bold and centered) at the top of the page.<\/li>\n
  4. Place the contents of your abstract on the next line.\n
      \n
    1. Do not indent the first line.<\/li>\n
    2. Double-space the text.<\/li>\n
    3. Use a legible font<\/a> like Times New Roman (12 pt.).<\/li>\n
    4. Limit the length to 250 words.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    5. List 3\u20135 keywords<\/a> directly below the content.\n
        \n
      1. Indent the first line 0.5 inches.<\/li>\n
      2. Write the label \u201cKeywords:\u201d (italicized).<\/li>\n
      3. Write keywords in lowercase letters.<\/li>\n
      4. Separate keywords with commas.<\/li>\n
      5. Do not use a period after the keywords.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        How to write an APA abstract<\/h2>\n

        The abstract is a self-contained piece of text that informs the reader what your research is about. It\u2019s best to write the abstract after you\u2019re finished with the rest of your paper.<\/p>\n

        The questions below may help structure your abstract. Try answering them in one to three sentences each.<\/p>\n