Running head: ABBREVIATED TITLE OF YOUR PAPER

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Note: The running head is an abbreviated title of the paper. The running head is located at the top of pages of a manuscript or published article to identify the article for readers. The running head should be a maximum of 50 characters, counting letters, punctuation, and spaces between words. The words "Running head" is on the cover page but not on the rest of the document. The running head title is all CAPS. Page 1 begins on the cover page. The entire document should be double­spaced, have 1" margins on all sides, and use 12 pt. Times New Roman font.

The blue information in this paper is informational. After reading the information, please delete it, and use the paper as a template for your own paper. Edit the black writing with your own information for your paper to keep the correct format. Save this Template in a file for future use and information.

Your Full Title of Your Paper
Brittany Peck
Coun5004­Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors
Professional Identity Paper
Capella University
March, 2015

APA STYLE PAPER TEMPLATE

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Abstract
(Optional, check with your instructor)
An abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of a paper. It allows readers to quickly review the key elements of a paper without having to read the entire document. This can be helpful for readers who are searching for specific information and may be reviewing many documents. The abstract may be one of the most important paragraphs in a paper because readers often decide if they will read the document based on information in the abstract. An abstract may not be required in some academic papers; however, it can still be an effective method of gaining the reader's attention. For example, an abstract will not be required for
Capella's First Course, PSYC3002. The following sentences serve as an example of what could be composed as an abstract for this paper. The basic elements of APA Style will be reviewed including formatting of an APA Style paper, in­text citations, and a reference list. Additional information will address the components of an introduction, how to write effective paragraphs using the MEAL plan, and elements of a summary and conclusion section of a paper.

APA STYLE PAPER TEMPLATE

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APA Style Paper Template: A Resource for Academic Writing
Please change the titles in this document to fit your paper.
APA (American Psychological Association) Style is most commonly used to cite sources within the social sciences. APA Style is used when writing papers in the psychology programs offered at Capella University. This document serves as an APA Style template for learners to use when writing their own papers, as well as a resource containing valuable information that can be used when writing academic papers. For more information on APA Style, learners can refer to the
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (American Psychological
Association, 2010a).
The author demonstrates in the first section of this paper, how an introduction effectively introduces the reader to the topic of the paper. In APA Style, an introduction never gets a heading. For example, this section did not begin with a heading titled "introduction", similar to the following section, which is titled "writing an effective introduction". The following section will explain in greater detail a model that can be used to effectively write an introduction in an academic paper. The remaining sections of the paper will continue to address APA Style and effective writing concepts including section headings, organizing information, the MEAL plan, the conclusion, and the reference list.
Writing an Effective Introduction
An effective introduction often consists