APA 7th Edition Thesis Formatting Checklist | AJOHAZ USA

 

How to Format Your Thesis in APA 7th Edition: A Complete Checklist

Formatting plays a crucial role in presenting your thesis professionally. Many students focus on research content but lose valuable marks due to poor formatting. The APA 7th Edition style, widely accepted in universities across the USA, UK, and other countries, provides specific rules for structure, citations, and presentation. This detailed guide offers a complete checklist to help you format your thesis correctly — and introduces how AJOHAZ can help you achieve a flawless, publication-ready document.

Why APA 7th Edition Formatting Matters

APA formatting ensures your thesis meets international academic standards. It provides consistency in structure, referencing, and visual presentation. Examiners value clarity, readability, and professionalism — and formatting affects all three.

When your document follows APA 7th Edition precisely, it signals that you understand research ethics and academic discipline. Improper margins, inconsistent headings, or missing citations can lead to lower evaluation scores, even with strong content.

Step 1: Set Up the Document Layout

Before writing, configure your document according to APA standards.

• Paper size: 8.5 × 11 inches (standard US letter)

• Margins: 1 inch on all sides

• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point size (Arial or Calibri may be accepted by some institutions)

• Line spacing: Double spacing throughout

• Indentation: 0.5 inches for the first line of every paragraph

• Alignment: Left-aligned text, not justified

Setting these basics ensures your entire document maintains professional consistency.

AJOHAZ provides APA thesis formatting and template setup services, ensuring your file meets every technical requirement before submission.

Step 2: Create the Correct Title Page

The title page is your thesis’s first impression. APA 7th Edition requires:

• Thesis title (bold, centered, and in title case)

• Author’s full name

• Department and university name

• Course name and code

• Supervisor’s name (if required)

• Date of submission

Each element should appear centered and double-spaced on the page. For graduate theses, some universities request page headers or institutional logos; AJOHAZ can adjust these according to your specific guidelines.

Step 3: Add Page Numbers and Running Head

• Insert page numbers in the top right corner.

• A running head (shortened title) is optional for student papers but mandatory for publication manuscripts.

• Use the same font as the rest of your document.

AJOHAZ assists in formatting running heads, page headers, and automatic numbering systems for multi-chapter theses to maintain accuracy throughout long documents.

Step 4: Organize Chapters Properly

A typical APA-style thesis includes:

1. Title Page

2. Abstract

3. Acknowledgment

4. Table of Contents

5. List of Figures/Tables (if applicable)

6. Chapters (Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion)

7. References

8. Appendices

Each main chapter should begin on a new page. Ensure your headings follow the APA 7-level heading system, using bold, italics, and capitalization correctly.

If you find formatting chapter levels confusing, AJOHAZ provides APA 7th Edition structural formatting to ensure perfect heading hierarchy and numbering.

Step 5: Format In-Text Citations Correctly

APA 7th Edition uses the author-date citation style.
Example: (Smith, 2021) or (Smith & Brown, 2020).
For direct quotes, include page numbers: (Johnson, 2022, p. 45).

When citing multiple authors:

• Two authors: use “&” between names — (Clark & Evans, 2023).

• Three or more authors: use “et al.” — (Harris et al., 2022).

AJOHAZ can perform a citation audit to ensure every source in your thesis is properly cited and matched to your reference list.

Step 6: Create an Accurate Reference List

The reference list should start on a new page, titled References in bold and centered. Entries must be:

• Double-spaced

• Hanging indent of 0.5 inches

• Alphabetized by authors’ last names

Examples:

• Book: Khan, R. (2021). Modern Education in Pakistan. Oxford University Press.

• Journal: Patel, A., & Singh, D. (2022). Gender roles in modern literature. Journal of Cultural Studies, 18(3), 211–227.

• Website: World Health Organization. (2023). Global education trends. https://www.who.int

AJOHAZ editors provide automated reference correction and ensure compliance with the latest APA 7th formatting.

Step 7: Format Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should be labeled properly.

• Tables: number and title above (bold)

• Figures: number and title below

• Use consistent fonts and line spacing

AJOHAZ designs APA-compliant tables, charts, and figures for SPSS or NVivo data, ensuring professional visual presentation.

Step 8: Proofread and Check Formatting Consistency

Once formatting is complete, perform a detailed check for:

• Font uniformity

• Heading consistency

• Page breaks

• Proper numbering in Table of Contents

• Reference accuracy

AJOHAZ provides a final thesis formatting and proofreading package, ensuring your entire document passes technical review on the first submission.

Common APA 7th Edition Mistakes Students Make

1. Inconsistent heading levels

2. Missing DOIs or URLs in references

3. Incorrect citation punctuation

4. Not updating reference years

5. Tables or figures without titles

These small issues can affect your evaluation or journal acceptance. AJOHAZ ensures every formatting rule is applied accurately and consistently.

Why Choose AJOHAZ for APA 7th Edition Thesis Formatting

AJOHAZ is a global academic writing and editing team providing professional research support to students and scholars in the USA, UK, and the Middle East. The company offers customized thesis formatting, proofreading, and Turnitin-safe rewriting services.

AJOHAZ Services Include:

• Thesis Formatting (APA, MLA, Harvard)

• Research Proposal and Dissertation Writing

• SPSS/NVivo Data Analysis

• Turnitin-Safe Paraphrasing and Editing

• Academic Proofreading

• PowerPoint/Viva Preparation

Website: www.ajohaz.com
Email: ajohazteam@outlook.com
Helpline / WhatsApp: +92 324 9514394

Final Thoughts

A well-formatted thesis reflects professionalism and academic integrity. Using APA 7th Edition ensures your work meets global standards and stands out for precision and clarity. If you’re struggling with technical formatting or citation consistency, AJOHAZ offers expert help to make your thesis ready for submission and publication.

Contact AJOHAZ today through www.ajohaz.com or email ajohazteam@outlook.com to get professional APA formatting and proofreading support tailored to your university’s requirements.