APA 7 abstract and keywords: format and example

Before writing the abstract

An abstract summarizes the essential content of the paper in one paragraph. It lets readers quickly understand the topic, purpose, and main results or conclusions before reading the full document.

It is not the same as the introduction. The abstract condenses the entire paper; the introduction opens the argument, presents the problem, and leads to the objective.

When an abstract is needed

Student papers do not normally include an abstract or keywords unless the instructor or institution requests them. Manuscripts prepared for publication normally include an abstract, but they must also follow the journal's instructions.

Confirm the expected language and format before writing. Some institutions ask for an abstract in more than one language as an institutional requirement.

What the abstract should contain

The content varies by paper type, but a useful abstract normally answers:

• What problem or topic does the paper address?
• What is its purpose?
• What method or approach was used?
• What are the main results or ideas?
• What conclusion or implication follows?

Do not introduce information that does not appear in the paper. Avoid evaluating your own work with claims such as “this excellent study.”

Abstract format

In APA Style, the abstract:

• begins on a new page after the title page
• has the label Abstract centered and bold
• is normally written as one paragraph
• has no first-line indentation
• remains double-spaced
• is typically no more than 250 words unless the journal sets a different limit

Abstract example

The following information is illustrative:

This study examined the relationship between weekly planning and on-time assignment completion among 84 university students. For six weeks, participants recorded their study schedules and submission dates. Students who planned short, consistent sessions accumulated fewer unfinished assignments. The findings suggest that a simple planning routine can support steady academic work.

The example states the purpose, briefly describes the method, reports the main result, and gives the conclusion. It contains no citations because an abstract should focus on the paper being presented. A citation may be needed in an unusual case, such as identifying the original study being replicated.

How to format keywords

Keywords describe the central aspects of a paper and help databases make it discoverable. Manuscripts submitted to APA journals provide three to five keywords, although another journal may set a different number.

On the line below the abstract:

1. indent the first line by 0.5 inch
2. write Keywords: in italics
3. add the terms in lowercase except for proper nouns
4. separate them with commas
5. do not add punctuation after the final keyword

Example:

Keywords: academic planning, study habits, university education

Choose terms that represent the actual content. Do not turn the line into a list of repeated phrases written only for search visibility.

Common mistakes

• Repeating the title as the first sentence.
• Writing an introduction that omits results or conclusions.
• Including information that does not appear in the paper.
• Indenting the first line of the abstract.
• Exceeding the required length.
• Ending the keyword list with a period.

Checklist

• You confirmed that the paper needs an abstract.
• The abstract represents the whole document, not only the introduction.
• It begins on a new page.
• The paragraph has no first-line indentation.
• It includes only information found in the paper.
• The keywords follow the requested number and format.

After the abstract, the body of the paper begins on a new page.