Make Outline, Organize Note and Write in APA

Make a Tentative Outline

  • The purpose of an outline is to help you think through your topic carefully and organize it logically before you start writing.
  • A good outline is the most important step in writing a good paper. Check your outline to make sure that the points covered flow logically from one to the other. Include in your outline Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Body, Conclusion, and References. Review the sample provided in the resources section of this page.

Organize Your Notes

  • Organize all the information you have gathered according to your outline.
  • Critically analyze your research data.
  • Using the best available sources, check for accuracy and verify that the information is factual, up-to-date, and correct.
  • Opposing views will enhance the quality of your project and help shape your readers’ understanding and opinion.
  • Do not include any information that is not relevant to your topic, and do not include information that you do not understand. Make sure the information that you have noted is carefully recorded and in your own words.
  • Document all ideas borrowed or quotes used.  As you organize your notes, include detailed bibliographical information for each cited paragraph and have it ready to transfer to your references section of your Capstone.  This will ensure that your Capstone Research Project is not plagiarized.

Using the APA Writing Style

The publication manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) is the style manual of choice for the College.

 

APA spotlights the ideas being presented, not the manner of presentation. Manuscript structure, word choice, punctuation, graphics, and references are all chosen to move the idea forward with a minimum of distraction and a maximum of precision.  To achieve this clarity of communication, publishers have developed rules of style. These rules are designed to ensure clear and consistent presentation of written material. Editorial style concerns uniform use of such elements as punctuation and abbreviations, construction of tables, selection of headings, citation of references, and presentation of statistics.

When editors or teachers ask you to write in APA Style®, they are referring to the editorial style that many of the social and behavioral sciences have adopted to present written material in the field. APA Style was first developed in 1929 by a group of social scientists who wished to establish sound standards of communication. Since that time, it has been adopted by leaders in many fields and has been used by writers around the world.

Instructional Video and Sample Papers

General Information

References

Punctuation

Grammar and Writing Style

Formatting

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