APA Style Spelling Guide: Master the Rules

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apa style spelling guide master the rules

Concise Guide to APA Style: 7th Edition (OFFICIAL)

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APA Style Spelling Guidelines: A Deep Dive

Navigating the intricacies of academic writing often feels like traversing a minefield.

One wrong step, a misplaced comma, or an incorrect spelling, and your credibility could take a hit.

For those adhering to the American Psychological Association (APA) style, the rules governing spelling are clearly laid out.

This commentary delves into the specifics, drawing heavily from authoritative sources to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Preferred Spelling: The Merriam-Webster Foundation

According to APA guidelines, “Spelling in APA Style papers should conform to Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com).” This serves as the primary source for standard English spellings.

However, the field of psychology has its own nuances.

Psychological Terms: Deferring to the APA Dictionary

When dealing with psychological terms, the APA Dictionary of Psychology takes precedence. “Spellings of psychological terms should conform to the APA Dictionary of Psychology (https://dictionary.apa.org).” This ensures that specialized vocabulary within the discipline is consistently rendered.

The guideline further clarifies the hierarchy: “If a word appears differently in these two dictionaries, follow the spelling in the APA Dictionary of Psychology.

If a word is not in either of these dictionaries, consult an unabridged edition of Webster’ dictionary (https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com) or another dictionary used in your field or language.” This provides a clear path for resolving spelling ambiguities.

Consistency is Key

The importance of consistency cannot be overstated. “If the dictionary offers a choice of spellings, select one and use it consistently throughout your paper.” This reinforces the need for uniformity within a single document.

Plural Forms: Navigating Latin and Greek Origins

Many words of Latin or Greek origin present challenges when forming plurals.

APA Style addresses this directly: “The plural forms of some words of Latin or Greek origin can be troublesome (particularly those that end in the letter “a’).”

The following examples are provided to illustrate preferred spellings:

• Singular: appendix, criterion, curriculum, datum, phenomenon
• Plural: appendices, criteria, curricula, data, phenomena

The guideline emphasizes subject-verb agreement: “Remember that plural nouns take plural verbs.”
For example: “Correct: The data indicate” and “Incorrect: The data indicates”

Possessive Forms: Adding ‘s

Forming possessives follows a straightforward rule: “Form the possessive of a singular name by adding an apostrophe and an “s” (e.g., “Milner’s theory”).

This guideline also applies when a name ends in “s” (e.g., “Descartes’s philosophy,’ “James’s work’).”

Technology Terms: Evolving with the Times

The spellings of technology-related terms are constantly evolving.

APA Style provides a list of preferred spellings for common technology words:
“The spellings of terms related to technology evolve over time.

Use the following spellings for common technology words in APA Style papers: email ebook ereader database data set smartphone internet intranet Wi-Fi website webpage the web home page username login page (but “log in” when used as a verb) emoji (for the plural, either “emoji” or “emojis”).”

This comprehensive list provides clarity on how to render these terms within APA Style papers.

In conclusion, adherence to APA Style spelling guidelines is essential for maintaining academic rigor and clarity.

By consulting the specified dictionaries, maintaining consistency, and staying updated on evolving technology terms, writers can ensure that their work meets the highest standards of scholarly communication.

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Apa Style Spelling Guide Master The Rules

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