Professional Development “How to APA”: A brief introduction to APA style

Although research in the SLA fi eld is generally said to follow guidelines published by the American Psychological Association (APA), many SLA researchers and even journals often fail to use APA style outside the references section. This article will fi rst discuss briefl y types of research covered by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, then highlight key elements of research articles prepared for publication according to APA guidelines. While not a comprehensive guide to APA style, it is hoped that this article may serve as a useful beginning point for future researchers in the fi eld of SLA who are looking to improve their writing style in preparation for publication