SHORT FORM OF TITLE 2
Title of Paper
Your Name
Your Student Number
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate & Professional Programs
Human Development Program Position Paper
Date of Submission (e.g., October 12, 2009)
Abstract
The abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of your position paper. It can be the most important part of your paper because from it, a reader will determine whether or not to read your paper. APA abstracts are typically 150 to 250 words in one double-spaced paragraph. Do not indent the paragraph when only a single paragraph appears on a page. For additional information on abstracts, see the APA manual, pp. 25-27, section 2.04, or seek advice from your instructor or advisor.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Table of Contents
Position Statement
Ethics Statement
[Title of First Section]
Development of Position
Subheading
Subheading
Conclusion
References
Position Statement
The position statement is an assertion about the topic that you believe to be true and that you intend to support and explain in your position paper. The position statement begins on a new page and is typically one double-spaced paragraph. Do not indent the paragraph when only a single paragraph appears on a page.
Ethics Statement
The ethics statement is a statement of social responsibility that defines going beyond self-interest to develop a commitment to use one's talents and skills to help others. It explains how your position contributes to making the world a better place, whether it be for professional, community, state, national or worldly good. It should begin on a new page and be formatted like the abstract and position statement. Generally it is one double-spaced paragraph. Do not indent the paragraph when only a single paragraph appears on a page.
[Optional: Special Insertion Page]
Some students wish to include special material relating to the theme of their paper. This special insertion could be a quote, a song, a graphic or other form of creative expression. If you wish to include a special insertion, place it on a separate page after your Ethics Statement.
A title for this page is optional. If you include a quote from another person, you may not want a title at the top of the page. The author of the quote does not appear on the reference page (unless cited within the paper) but should be identified with the quote, as in the following example:
The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit . . . . A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will, ignorance, and fear.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Burmese social activist
Freedom from Fear speech 1990
If the author is universally known, (e.g., Aristotle, Mother Theresa, Confucius, Sigmund Freud, etc.) the name alone will suffice.
Title of Paper
Title of First Section
The first paragraph of the paper provides an introduction to the paper. This section should not be labeled "Introduction," but should be labeled, using a Level 1 heading style, to indicate the content of the introduction (for example, History of . . . , Description of . . . ). If this section of your paper needs subheadings, use Level 2 headings to subdivide. Use the Tab key, which is preset to indent ? inch, to indent paragraphs ? inch (not five spaces). All lines in the paper are separated by one double space—never more, never less. APA papers never contain underlined text.
The paragraphs have been shortened in this model in order to illustrate headings in a brief space. Paragraphs in an actual paper should never be shorter than three sentences.
Development of the Position
This section begins the main body of the paper and begins with a Level 1 heading. The number and types of heading you use will depend upon the topic you chose and how you develop that topic. To subdivide a Level 1 paper, use Level 2 headings. To subdivide a Level 2 section, use Level 3 headings. The headings in this template illustrate a 3 Level paper.
In-text citations consist of author's last name, followed by year of publication. Citations may appear in the running text or within parentheses. Here are some examples:
Example O ne
Rogers and Hewitt (2001) reported that . . . (quote or paraphrase continues)
Example Two
Feeny and Swartz (2001) argued that. . . (quote or paraphrase continues)
Example Three
The research project was renamed “Discovery Five” (Feeny & Swartz, 2001, p. 5).
In the two citation examples above, note that the word and is spelled out in running text, but replaced by an ampersand (&) within parentheses. The date must immediately follow the author's name or, as in example three, in the parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Throughout your paper use direct quotes sparingly, and when you do use them, provide your own commentary about what you have quoted. When possible, paraphrase rather than quote (i.e. put the idea into your own form of expression), but remember that paraphrases still require source citation. If you do quote, try using only short phrases that you then incorporate into your own sentences. Remember to place quoted material (fewer than 40 words) inside quotation marks and include the page number on which the quote was found (e.g., "p. 12"). Periods and commas are always placed inside (to the left of) quotation marks. If the quote is 40 words or more in length, replace quotation marks with blocked indent (see APA p. 92).
First subdivision of level two . If you need to subdivide a level 2 heading into sections, use level 3 headings as illustrated here.
Second subdivision of level two . Remember that you need at least two headings at each level. If you need more levels of heading than three, check your APA manual for directions.
Paper continues . . .
Conclusion
The conclusion summarizes the main points of the paper and can include suggestions for application in your professional field and recommendations for additional research and social service. It should contain keywords found in your abstract and position statement.
References
American School Counselor Association. (2004, June 26). Ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from oolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=173
Gibbs, J. T. (Ed.). (1991). Children of color. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Johnson, S. L., Cueller, A. K., Ruggero, C. Winett-Perlman, C., Goodnick, P., White. R. et al. (2008). Life events as predictors of mania and depression in bipolar disorder. Journal of Ab n ormal Psychology, 117(2), 268-277. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.117.2.268
Kerrigan, W., & Braden, J. G. (1989). The idea of progress. Portland, OR: Argyle Press.
Kline, T., & Palmer, S. (2001). The ADA and hiring practices of organizations. Consulting Psychology, 13(2), 140-155.
Rose, P. (1999). Modernism: The case of Willa Cather. In H. Bloom (Ed.), American fiction (pp. 123-197). New York: Chelsea.
Trippitelli, C. L., Jamison, K. R., Folstein, M. F., Bartko, J. J., & DePaulo, J. R. (1998). Pilot study on patients' and spouses' attitudes toward potential genetic testing for bipolar disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry , 155(7), 899-904.