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SPARK

Student Papers and Academic Research Kit

Citations & Formatting

The precise format (footnotes, endnotes, in-text citations) for citing sources would typically be expected to follow one of the styles that have become standard within disciplines (e.g., APA style or MLA style). For a more detailed discussion of these conventions see the Creating Bibliographies module.

General Formatting Plan

The following are guidelines for most academic writing. However, they do not necessarily reflect the particular rules of every course assignment. Always refer to assignment instructions and industry style guides for specific formatting protocols.

  • Margins should be 2.5 to 3.0 cm (or approx. 1 inch) on each side.
  • All text should be in a standard 12-point Times New Roman font, and double spaced.
  • If used, a title page should include the author’s name and the title of the essay.
  • Pages should be numbered.
  • Format citations using the citation style determined by the field of study or individual assignment instructions. Maintain consistency in format style for all citations. Each academic essay also requires a reference or bibliography section at the end of each paper. These references should be placed in alphabetical order according to the last name of the first author of each source.
  • Headings and subheadings may sometimes be used to indicate major sections and subsections of the essay. Check with the course instructor or department guidelines before including headings and subheadings.