An APA literature review pulls together published studies on a topic and shows what we know, what’s debated, and where recent work is heading. Your task is to organize sources, connect themes, and present a readable map of the field that follows APA 7 paper format. This guide walks you through setup, headings, citations, and references so your review reads clean and looks consistent.
APA Literature Review Format Checklist
Before you write a line, set the document. The settings below match APA 7 and keep your file ready for grading or submission.
| Element | APA 7 requirement | Where to set it |
|---|---|---|
| Paper size & margins | Letter (8.5×11 in), 1-inch on all sides | Page setup > Margins |
| Font | 11-pt Calibri, 11-pt Arial, 10-pt Lucida Sans Unicode, 12-pt Times New Roman, or 11-pt Georgia | Home > Font |
| Line spacing | Double throughout, including title page and references | Paragraph > Spacing |
| Paragraphs | Left align, first line indent 0.5 in | Paragraph > Indents |
| Page numbers | Top right on every page, starting at 1 | Insert > Page number |
| Running head | Only for professional papers; all caps, left header | Header & Footer |
| Headings | Five levels available; title acts as Level 1 for the opening text | Styles |
| Tables & figures | Number and title each; place after first callout | Insert > Table/Picture |
| References | Hanging indent 0.5 in; alphabetized; DOIs as links | Paragraph > Indents |
If your course needs an abstract, put it on page two after the title page. Many student reviews skip the abstract unless the instructor requests one. For wording and structure tips, see the Purdue OWL guide to literature reviews.
Formatting An APA Literature Review The Right Way
Page setup
Start with the settings from the checklist. Stick to one legible font across the file. Keep double spacing everywhere, including block quotes and the reference list. Leave one space after sentence-ending punctuation. Use standard black text on a white background, and avoid text effects.
Title page
Center the paper title in bold, in title case, three to four lines down from the top margin. Add your name, affiliation, course, instructor, and due date on separate double-spaced lines under the title. Add the page number in the top right. Student papers do not need a running head; professional papers do.
Headings that guide the reader
Headings create a clear route through your argument and keep related studies together. APA 7 offers five levels. Use them in order, starting with Level 1 for main sections and stepping down as needed. Formatting for each level appears on the official APA headings page.
- Level 1: Centered, bold, title case; text starts as a new paragraph.
- Level 2: Left-aligned, bold, title case; text starts as a new paragraph.
- Level 3: Left-aligned, bold italic, title case; text starts as a new paragraph.
- Level 4: Indented, bold, title case, ending with a period; text runs on.
- Level 5: Indented, bold italic, title case, ending with a period; text runs on.
Structuring the review
Open with a brief context that defines the scope: topic, years searched, and any limits on methods or geography. Move to clusters of studies that share a theme, method, or result. Within each cluster, compare findings, show where authors agree, and point out gaps. Close the section with a short bridge sentence that sets up the next cluster.
Topic sentences that synthesize
Begin each paragraph with a claim that ties several sources together, not a summary of one paper. Follow with evidence and citations. Keep paragraphs focused by using one claim per paragraph.
Bias-free wording and tense
Use people-first and bias-free terms. Describe what studies found (past tense) and what the literature shows in general (present tense). Avoid loaded labels and vague descriptors.
In-text citations that match references
APA uses the author–date system. Add the author surname and year in parentheses or as part of the sentence. For three or more authors, use the first author’s name plus “et al.” every time. Rules and examples appear on the APA author–date page.
Quotations and paraphrases
Favor paraphrases that capture the idea in your voice. Reserve quoted lines for exact wording or definitions. For quotes under 40 words, keep them in the paragraph with quotation marks; add the page or paragraph number. For 40 words or more, use a double-spaced block quote with no quotation marks.
Transitions that keep flow
Link paragraphs with short signposts: “Earlier work found…,” “Later studies questioned…,” “A recent trial showed…”. These brief cues help readers track the thread without breaking pace.
Plan Your Review And Outline
Pick sources with purpose
Target peer-reviewed articles, scholarly books, and reputable reports that speak directly to your research question. Track database names and date ranges in a small note at the start of your paper. Screen abstracts first, then scan methods and results. Keep a short note for each source that states its aim, sample, method, and main finding.
Create a synthesis matrix
Set up a grid with studies in rows and themes in columns. Mark where each study contributes. Common columns include theory used, measures, sample size, main result, and limits. This matrix reveals clusters and gaps, which become your headings and subheadings.
Draft a working outline
A clear outline speeds writing and keeps headings in order. Here’s a simple pattern you can adapt to your topic and course length.
Opening context
Scope of the review, why the topic matters to the field, and any limits on time span, population, or design.
Theme or method cluster A
Topic sentence stating the claim. Two to four studies that align, then a counterpoint if one exists. Close with the takeaway.
Theme or method cluster B
Repeat the pattern with a new angle. Keep the reader oriented with brief bridges between sections.
What the map now shows
Trends, blind spots, and where current evidence is thin. Tie this back to your research question or assignment aim.
Word processors: quick setup
Microsoft Word: Layout > Margins set to 1 in; Home > Styles for headings; Paragraph > Line spacing set to Double; Special > First line 0.5 in; Insert > Page number > Top of page, right.
Google Docs: File > Page setup set to 1 in; Format > Line & paragraph spacing > Double; Format > Align & indent > Indentation options > First line 0.5 in; Insert > Page numbers > Top right.
Style choices that aid reading
Prefer short, direct sentences. Use concrete nouns and active verbs. Replace strings of citations with the two or three that best represent a point. When several sources say the same thing, cite them in one set of parentheses separated by semicolons. Define acronyms the first time. Numbers below 10 are usually spelled out; use numerals for 10 and above unless a style exception applies. Keep titles in title case in headings, but use sentence case for article and chapter titles in references.
When naming authors, alternate between narrative and parenthetical citation so the prose does not feel repetitive. Vary reporting verbs with care—found, tested, estimated, reviewed. Keep parallel structure when listing outcomes. Avoid sweeping claims; tie statements to the cited study’s scope and sample.
Evidence And Citation Patterns
Keep your citations tidy and consistent. The table below shows common patterns for author–date citations and the matching reference entry basics.
| Case | In-text format | Reference entry basics |
|---|---|---|
| One author | (Lopez, 2023) or Lopez (2023) | Lopez, A. (2023). Title of work. Publisher or journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxxx |
| Two authors | (Lopez & Kim, 2023) or Lopez and Kim (2023) | Lopez, A., & Kim, J. (2023). Title of work. Source. https://doi.org/xx.xxxx |
| Three or more authors | (Lopez et al., 2023) | Lopez, A., Kim, J., Chen, R., & Patel, S. (2023). Title of work. Source. https://doi.org/xx.xxxx |
| Group author | (World Health Organization, 2022) | World Health Organization. (2022). Title of work. Publisher. URL or DOI |
| No author | (Title of article, 2021) | Title of article. (2021). Source. URL or DOI |
APA Literature Review Format Guide For Students
Reference list setup
Start the reference list on a new page titled References, centered and bold. Double-space all lines. Use a 0.5-inch hanging indent. Alphabetize by author surname, then by year. For identical first authors, order by the second author, and so on. Use sentence case for article and chapter titles; use title case for journal names.
DOIs and URLs
Present DOIs as live links, using the format https://doi.org/xxxxx. Use URLs for works that lack a DOI. Drop retrieval dates unless the source is designed to change over time.
Sample forms you can copy
Journal article: Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Book: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Chapter in an edited book: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In E. E. Editor & F. F. Editor (Eds.), Title of book (pp. xx–xx). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Web page with group author: Group Name. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Site Name. URL
Tables and figures inside a review
Short comparison tables can make patterns across studies easy to scan. Give each table a number and a clear title in bold, place it after the first callout, and add a note if you adapted data. Keep figures simple and label axes in plain language.
Notes on tense and voice
Use active voice for what studies did and found. Switch to present tense when stating what the literature shows or what your synthesis indicates. Keep pronouns direct. Avoid vague “this study” if the subject is unclear; restate the author or the concept.
Putting sources in conversation
Blend sources by aim or method. A paragraph might start with a claim about a theme, cite two or three papers that align, then add a counter-finding. Close with the takeaway: trend, gap, or boundary condition. That rhythm signals synthesis instead of a string of summaries.
Common layout mistakes
- Inconsistent font sizes or spacing.
- Headings used out of order or skipped levels.
- Reference entries without matching in-text citations.
- Missing hanging indents or broken DOIs.
- Long quotes where a paraphrase would serve the same purpose.
Quick Writing Moves That Help
Cite with purpose
Every citation should support a sentence-level claim. Swap vague verbs like “shows” with sharper choices: “reports,” “tests,” “compares,” “extends.” Tie each citation to a reason you included it.
Keep paragraphs tight
Most paragraphs land between 130 and 180 words in reviews that read well. Shorter than that often reads choppy; longer than that can bury the point. If a paragraph sprawls, split it by theme.
Calibrate scope
State the span of years and the main databases you searched. Mention the inclusion limits you used, such as peer-reviewed journals or human subjects only. That one sentence helps readers judge breadth.
Use clear signals
Guide the reader with compact cues: “Across seven trials…,” “Across three longitudinal cohorts…,” “Across two meta-analyses…”. These signals keep the scan quick.
Final Checks Before You Submit
Step-by-step scan
- Title page styled and complete.
- Page numbers present from page 1 onward.
- Margins, font, spacing, and indents consistent.
- Headings styled by level and used in order.
- Every in-text citation has a matching reference entry.
- Reference list alphabetized with live DOIs where available.
- Tables or figures numbered, titled, and placed after callout.
- File exported to PDF if requested for stable layout.
For visual models and section guidance, see the Purdue OWL guide to literature reviews, the APA headings page, and the APA author–date page. Match the look, keep your synthesis sharp, and your APA literature review will be both readable and ready for review.
One last check: skim line by line for style details—italics on titles, commas in reference elements, en dashes in page ranges, sentence case in article titles, and live DOIs. A tight format signals care and keeps attention on your claims and evidence, not on spacing errors or broken links. Carefully.