APA: Headings

If you are required to use headings in your paper, here are a few basic tips about how to use them. Headings help separate different sections of longer papers.

• DO NOT list a heading for the introduction - because it is expected that the first paragraph of research papers is an introduction, there is no need to label it with a heading. 
• Do not number your headings - they should be named by what you are covering in that section.
• Headings are in Bold and in Title Case (capitalized like the title of a book or movie).
• It's helpful to have an outline of your paper - the list of the main topics and, if necessary, any subtopics. If you need help with creating an outline, we have a video. The Writing Center can also help you with your outline. Use the button on the right side of the page to schedule a Writing Center appointment.

APA names the different types of headings as Level 1 Heading and Level 2 Heading. Level 1 Headings are centered. Level 2 Headings are NOT centered.

We have an example of a paper with just Level 1 Headings and another example of a paper that uses both Level 1 and Level 2 Headings.

---

Sample Heading 1:

Level 1 Heading for First Main Section After Your Introduction Paragraph

      Blah, blah, blah. This is you talking about the first main topic of your paper. When you move to the next main topic of your paper, you will create another heading, centered and bold, just like the example above.

Level 1 Heading for Next Main Section 

Blah, blah, this is your next paragraph.

---

A sample outline for level 1 headings may look like this:

Intro

1. Main topic 1
2. Main topic 2
3. Main topic 3

Conclusion

---

Sample Heading 2:

If you have subtopics in your paper - where you are breaking your main topics down into different categories - you will use level 1 and level 2 headings and it will look like this.

Level 1 Heading for First Main Section After Your Introduction Paragraph

     You may have a brief explanation of the topics you're about to cover.

Level 2 Heading 

     Explain your first subtopic here

Level 2 Heading

     Explain your next subtopic here. There should be more than one level 2 heading. If you don't have a second one, then you probably can stick with the level 1 (centered) heading.

Level 1 Heading for Next Main Section 

Level 2 Heading 

     Explain your first subtopic here

Level 2 Heading

     Explain your next subtopic.

---

An example of topic/subtopic may be treatments. Your level 1 heading (centered and bold) will say Treatments and then you will have separate level 2 headings for each type of treatment you are explaining.

A sample outline for a paper with level 1 and level 2 papers may look like this:

Introduction

1. Main topic 1

1. 1. Subtopic 1
   2. Subtopic 2

  2. Main topic 2

1. 1. Subtopic 1
   2. Subtopic 2

Conclusion

Contact the Library

 Phone: 712-325-3478

 Email: cyberlibrary@iwcc.edu

 Ask a Librarian

Questions about formatting, citations, or finding sources? 

Schedule an appointment with library staff by clicking the Schedule Appointment button.

 

When is the library open? Find our hours here. 

Contact the Writing Center

 Phone: 712-388-6841

 Email: writingcenter@iwcc.edu

Questions about your writing assignments? The Writing Center can help with outlining, organizing, paraphrasing, and other writing questions. Click the button to schedule.