- FSMHome
- Introduction
- 1. Research and Writing Responsibly
- 2. APA Documentation
- 3. APA Document Formatting
- 4. APA Conventions for Grammar and Mechanics
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4.2. Special Formatting
The APA Publication Manual requires special formatting in certain cases:
4.2.1. Capitalization
APA specifies that commas should be used in specific instances, including:
- Capitalize proper nouns and formal names of tests, conditions, and groups when definite and specific (e.g., Stroop Color‐Word Interference Test, Group A was the control group).
- Capitalize nouns before numbers, but not before variables (e.g., Trial 2, trial x).
- Capitalize specific course and department titles (e.g., GSU Department of Psychology, Psych 150), but do not capitalize when referring to generalities (any department, any course).
4.2.2. Titles
In APA, titles have special rules for formatting, depending upon whether they appear in the body of the paper or on the References page. The formatting also depends on the nature of the work being listed. You will see many examples in the Section 2, “APA Documentation.”
- Article, chapter, or segment titles: On the References page, capitalize the first word of the title, first word after a colon, and any proper nouns. In-text, capitalize all major words.
- Journal, magazine, newspaper titles: Capitalize all proper nouns and all major words.
- Book and report titles: On the References page, capitalize first word of title and all proper nouns. In-text, capitalize all major words.
4.2.3. Italics
Italicize titles of books, newspapers, magazines, edited collections, movies, television series, documentaries, or albums. Italics should be used to introduce new, technical, or key terms. Once the word is used once, do not continue to italicize it (APA, 2010, pp. 104‐105).
4.2.4. Numbers
APA’s general rule is to “use numerals to express numbers 10 and above and words to express numbers below 10” (APA, 2010, p. 111). Refer to the APA Manual for information on exceptions to this general rule.