Some APA papers may not have any headings. Some may only have one or two levels of headings. Use the number of heading levels you need depending on the complexity of your paper.
Not sure if you need headings? Check with your instructor!
APA style headings have five possible levels: Level 1 headings are used for top-level or main sections, Level 2 headings are subsections of Level 1, and so on.
Because the first paragraphs are a paper are understood to be introductory, the heading "Introduction" is not needed.
The paper title, centered and in bold, on the first page of text acts as a de facto Level 1 heading.
| Level | Format |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Centered, Bold, Title Case Heading Text begins as a new paragraph. |
| 2 |
Flush Left, Bold, Title Case Heading Text begins as a new paragraph. |
| 3 |
Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading Text begins as a new paragraph. |
| 4 |
Indented, Bold, Title Case Heading, Ending With a Period. Text begins on the same line |
| 5 |
Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading, Ending With a Period. Text begins on the same line and continues as a regular paragraph. |
