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From the OWL resource APA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Headings
APA Style uses a unique headings system to separate and classify paper sections. There are 5 heading levels in APA. They are not, however, used in order. Their respective formatting is as follows:
Level 1 Headings Are Centered and Require Standard Capitalization
Level 2 Headings Are Centered and Italicized with Standard Capitalization
Level 3 Headings Are Italicized, Flush-Left with Standard Capitalization
Level 4 headings are indented: only first words and words after colons capitalized; end with a period.Text follows immediately.
LEVEL 5 HEADINGS ARE CENTERED IN ALL CAPS
Determine how many headings your paper will require. The introduction of a paper is never given its own section name (e.g. Introduction). You may only need one level of basic headings (i.e. Methods, Results, etc.). However, you may require sub-headings within those basic headings and sub-headings below those sections. Most undergraduate papers will use three levels of headings or less. After determining how many headings your paper will require, follow these guidelines:
For one level of headings, use Level 1. In the example below, we use “Principal Findings” and “Rationale” as our only headings.
Image Caption: Sample Level 1 Heading
For two levels of headings, use Levels 1 and 3. Level 3 will act as a sub-heading to Level 1. In the example below, “Principal Findings,” a Level 1 heading, requires two subsections with Level 3 formatting “Using APA for Your Paper” and “Proper Headings.” The next section of the paper, “Rationale,” returns to Level 1 formatting.
Image Caption: Sample Levels 1 and 3 Headings
For three levels of headings, use Levels 1, 3, and 4. Level 1 serves as the main heading. Level 3 goes under Level 1, and Level 4 goes under Level 3. In the example below, we “General guidelines.” and “Special cases.” as Level 4 headings under our existing Level 3 heading “Using APA for your paper. Neither “Proper Headings” (Level 3) or “Rationale” (Level 1) require additional headings at this time.
Image Caption: Sample APA Heading Levels 1, 3 and 4
For four levels of headings, use Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Level 1 acts as the main heading. Level 2 works under Level 1. Level 4 works under Level 3. In the example below we break up Level 1’s “Principal Findings” into two Level 2 sections “Using APA in the University” and “Using APA in the Field.” Levels 3 and 4 follow Level 2.
Image Caption: Sample APA Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 Headings
For five levels of headings, use Levels 5, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Level 5 serves as the main heading. Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 then work in order. Level 5 adds an upper level. Often this level is the title as in the example below. This method is employed more in publishing than in standard university papers.
Image Caption: Sample of Five APA Levels of Heading