What overall structure does an APA formatted paper follow?

The overall structure of an APA formatted paper is characterized by its specific components: a title page, an abstract, the main content of the paper, and a references section.

The title page includes the title of the paper, the author's name, and institutional affiliation, setting the stage for the reader. The abstract provides a succinct summary of the paper's main points and research focus, allowing readers to quickly grasp the essence of the work before delving into the details. Following the abstract, the content section forms the body of the paper, where the introduction, methodology, results, and discussion take place, structured in accordance with APA style guidelines. Finally, the references section lists all sources cited in the paper, ensuring proper attribution and providing readers with the means to locate the original works.

This structure not only helps in organizing thoughts clearly but also adheres to the standardized format set forth by the American Psychological Association, which is crucial in academic writing, particularly in the social sciences.