APA style and citations for dummies - Joe Giampalmi 2021

Adapting APA formatting to reports
Perfecting specialized writings: APA reports
Perfecting presentation: beginnings, endings, and other writings

Successful writing projects begin with accurate formatting, especially the title page. APA doesn’t offer a model title page for reports, so be sure to ask your professor for specific title page requirements. Most business reports include the phrases “prepared for” and “prepared by.” Write the title in title case (refer to Chapter 7). Figure 17-1 shows a sample of a report title page that most professors will accept. Use your imagination for one-inch margins on all four sides.

The report title identifies the focus of the report, and a subtitle narrows that focus.

The APA page layout for report writing follows standard guidelines for research writing. Here’s a list of page formatting guidelines for report writing:

· One-inch margins on all four sides

· Page numbering in the top-right corner

Even though APA requires running heads on title pages for professional scholarly publications, running heads and page numbering on title pages aren’t commonly used on report title pages. Ask your professor about the use of running heads and page numbering on the title page.

· Double spacing between lines and headings

· Flush-left text with five-space paragraph indentations

· Times New Roman font, at 12-point size

© John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

FIGURE 17-1: An example of a report title page.

Report writing — enhance your career opportunities

Effective writing is a valued skill in the workplace, and many business leaders continue to identify writing as a deficient skill among college graduates. Report writing offers an opportunity to enhance your career prospects. Develop your academic report-writing skills by taking leadership of team report projects and team writing projects in general. Reports you create individually and as part of a team provide you with writing samples to accompany your portfolio of work experiences. In the workplace and during internships, volunteer to write reports. Listen for topics under discussion in your workplace environment, such as improving team structures, work-from-home production, communication apps for tablets, and successful employee incentives. Follow this chapter’s guidelines for report writing. If a volunteer report doesn’t result in a job opportunity, it may result in a recommendation. Write your way to career success.

· Five levels of headings (refer to Chapter 14)

· Hard page breaks prior to section headings such as executive summary, acknowledgments, table of contents, introduction, references, and appendices