Academic Writing
Formatting and Structure
November 2025
Wolaita Sodo university
presented By Sahelu Tesfaye (By Kassahun
Seid Abate)
Formatting Academic Papers:
Elements 3
Literature
Abstract Keywords Introduction
Review
Lists of Lists of Reference
Appendix
Figures Tables Lists
Abstract
• “An abstract is a brief, comprehensive
summary of the contents of the paper. A
well-prepared abstract can be the most
important paragraph in an article” (APA,
2019, p. 135).
• It includes the research problem, question,
methods, findings, conclusion, and
implications.
• Abstracts typically are limited to no more
than 250 words.
Abstract Format
Write the section label
Abstract ends with only “Abstract” in Bold Title Case,
centered at the top of the
one paragraph and we page and place the abstract
do not indent it. below the label. (APA, 2019,
p. 79).
Sample
Abstract
Keywords
• Keywords are words, phrases, or • Write the label “Keywords:” (in italic)
acronyms that describe the most one line below the abstract, indented
important aspects of your paper. 0.5 in. like a regular paragraph,
• They are used for indexing in followed by the keywords in lowercase
databases and help readers find your (but capitalize proper nouns), separated
work during a search. by commas.
• For manuscripts submitted to APA • The keywords can be listed in any order.
journals, provide three to five Do not use a period or other
keywords describing the content. punctuation after the last keyword. If
(APA, 2019, p. 79) the keywords run onto a second line,
the second line is not indented. (APA,
2019, p. 79)
Lists of Figures and Tables
“A list of figures and tables follows the table of contents and will
help you locate specific tables and figures” (APA, 2010, p. 7).
Figures are any images you include in your document, i.e.,
illustrations, diagrams, graphs, photographs, images of artworks, etc.
“A figure may be a chart, graph, photograph, drawing, or any other
illustration, image, or non-textual depiction” (APA, 2019, p. 305).
Lists of…
Tables and figures enable authors to
present much information efficiently and
make their data more understandable.
Tables usually show numerical values
(e.g., means and standard deviations) or
textual information (e.g., lists of stimulus
words and responses from participants)
arranged in an orderly display of
columns and rows.
Lists of…
Go to “reference” on the word document, then select “insert caption”
to insert a figure, table, or equation. Also, select “insert tables or
figures” to create lists of tables or lists of figures. The word system
keeps the sequence of tables and figures by itself.
Lists of figures come first, and Lists of tables follow on the next page.
• In APA style, a “note” for a table or figure
is a brief explanation placed below the
table or figure. It typically begins with the
Table and Figure Notes word “Note” in italics, followed by a
period, and is used to provide additional
context or clarification about the data
presented that is not readily apparent from
the table/figure itself.
Table Notes
• Tables may have three kinds of notes, which are
placed below the body of the table:
• General notes
• Specific notes
• Probability notes.
• Table notes apply only to a specific table and not
to any other table. If information in one table note
is true for another table, repeat the information in
the notes for both tables so that the tables can be
understood on their own. Some tables do not
require table notes at all.
(APA, 2029, p. 317)
Show-How and Practice
Show how to insert a table of contents, tables, and
figures and create lists of tables and figures.
Let students practice inserting tables of contents, tables,
and figures and creating lists of tables and figures.
Introduction
Because the first paragraphs of a paper are The body of a manuscript opens with
understood to be introductory, the heading an introduction that presents the
“Introduction” is not needed. Do not begin specific problem under study and
a paper with an “Introduction” heading; the describes the research strategy.
paper title at the top of the first page of text Because the introduction is clearly
acts as a de facto Level 1 heading. …After
the introduction (regardless of whether it
identified by its position in the
includes headings), use a Level 1 heading manuscript, it does not carry a
for the next main section of the paper (e.g., heading labeling it the introduction.
Method). (APA, 2010, p. 27)
(APA, 2019, p. 94)
Introduction
• Bailey (2018) asserted, “Note that the key points
are often (but not always) found in the first part
of a paragraph” (p. 44).
• An introduction structure often contains:
• a definition of key terms
• relevant background information
• a review of work by other writers on the topic
• the purpose or aim of the paper
• any limitations you imposed
• an outline of your paper (p. 84).
• Problem statement
• Research objectives
• Research Significance
• Research questions/hypothesis
Literature Review
• A literature review is a thorough summary and analysis of existing
research on a particular topic.
• It enables the researcher to encapsulate existing knowledge, pinpoint
gaps, contextualize their research, synthesize relevant information,
and establish credibility within the field.
• The structure of a literature review typically includes an introduction,
body, and conclusion.
Conclusion
• According to Bailey, the Conclusion is:
• (a) Summary of main findings or results
• (b) Link back to the original question to show it has been
answered
• (c) Reference of the limitations of your work
• (d) Suggestions for future possible related research
• (e) Comments on the implications of your research (pp. 87–88).
Reference List
• The reference list at the end of a paper provides the information necessary to
identify and retrieve each work cited in the text.
• To create a reference list entry, first determine the reference group and
category and then choose the appropriate reference type within the category
and follow that example.
(APA, 2019, pp. 427–428)
Reference List
The reference list provides a References are used to document
reliable way for readers to and substantiate statements made
locate the works authors cite to about the literature, just as data in
acknowledge previous the paper are used to support
interpretations and conclusions.
scholarship.
The references cited in the paper do not Label the reference list
need to be exhaustive but should be “References,” capitalized, in
sufficient to support the need for your bold, and centered. Double-
research and to enable readers to place it in space all reference list entries
the context of previous research and (including between and within
theorizing. references).
Use a hanging indent for all
Use the paragraph-formatting
references, meaning that the first
function of your word-processing
line of each reference is flush left
program to automatically apply the
and subsequent lines are indented
hanging indent.
by 0.5 in.
Sample Reference List
Appendices (Appendix)
Include an appendix if it helps readers understand,
evaluate, or replicate the study or theoretical
argument. Ensure all relevant ethical standards
have been followed for materials placed in the
appendices, including copyright attribution,
accurate representation of data, and protection of
human participants. In general, an appendix is
appropriate for relatively brief materials and
easily presented in print format.
• Some examples of material suitable for an
Appendices… appendix are:
• Lists of stimulus materials (e.g., those used
in psycholinguistic research);
• Instructions to participants; (c) tests, scales,
or inventories developed for the study being
reported;
• Detailed descriptions of complex equipment;
• Detailed demographic descriptions of
subpopulations in the study;
• Other detailed or complex reporting items
• The appendix may contain text, tables,
figures, or a combination.
Appendices Format
• Begin each appendix on a separate page after references, footnotes,
tables, and figures. Give each appendix a label and a title.
• If a paper has one appendix, label it “Appendix”; if an article has
more than one appendix, label each appendix with a capital letter
(e.g., “Appendix A,” “Appendix B”) in the order in which it is
mentioned in the text.
• Each appendix should be mentioned (called out) at least once in the
text by its label (e.g., “see Appendix A”).
• The appendix title should describe its contents.
• Place the appendix label and title in bold and centered on separate
lines at the top of the page on which the appendix begins.
• Use title case for the appendix label and title.