Headings are section titles in your research paper. In APA, you can have up to 5 levels of headings. Every heading level must contain at least two listings; otherwise, incorporate the material into the heading above that level. In other words, you cannot have just one subheading under “Findings”; you must have at least two.
| Level | Format |
|---|---|
| 1 | Centered, boldface, first letter in Uppercase. |
| 2 | Flush left, boldface, first letter in Uppercase. |
| 3 | Indented, boldface, begin with first letter in Uppercase and end the title with a period. Text continues on the same line. |
| 4 | Indented, boldface, italicized, begin with first letter in Uppercase and end the title with a period. Text continues on the same line. |
| 5 | Indented, italicized, begin with first letter in Uppercase and end the title with a period. Text continues on the same line. |
Sample APA Headings:
Sample APA Headings: 2 levels (Tip: omit level 2 and you get a paper with one level)
Sample APA Headings -- Two Levels
Sample APA Headings: 3 levels
Sample APA Headings -- Three Levels
Sample APA Headings: 4 levels (Tips: level 5 is the same as level 4 but without boldface)
Sample APA Headings -- Four Levels
References:
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition
- Saginaw Valley State University, Writing and Research Center handouts