APA 7 paper introduction and body: structure and examples

What the body of the paper is

The body is where you develop the document's main contribution. Its organization depends on the assignment. An argumentative essay, literature review, and research report do not need the same sections.

APA Style guides the presentation and organization of the text, but it does not require a section called “Development.” Choose headings that describe the actual content and follow the structure required by the course.

How the first page of text begins

The text begins on a new page after the title page or abstract, if one is included. On the first line, repeat the full paper title in bold and centered.

The opening paragraphs function as the introduction, so do not add an Introduction heading. The paper title serves that purpose. If the introduction contains subsections, the first subsection uses a Level 2 heading.

Review the format for the five heading levels to apply the hierarchy correctly.

How to write a paper introduction

The introduction leads readers from the general topic to the paper's specific purpose. No paragraph count works for every assignment. The section should be long enough to explain the problem, but it should not become a complete review of everything published on the subject.

In an essay, the introduction often ends with the position or central idea the paper will develop. In a research report, it leads to the objective, question, or hypothesis that guided the study.

Before drafting, answer these questions in one sentence each:

1. what topic or problem the paper addresses
2. why it deserves attention
3. what is already known
4. what still needs to be explained
5. what question, objective, or position the paper will develop

These answers create the introduction's progression. Include only the background readers need to understand the purpose. Claims drawn from other works need in-text citations.

Parts of a clear introduction

The introduction does not need a separate heading for each part. This sequence can help organize the ideas:

1. Present the topic: orient readers without opening with a dictionary definition or an extremely broad statement.
2. Explain its importance: identify the situation, consequence, or need that makes the topic worth examining.
3. Summarize relevant background: connect the most useful sources instead of listing studies without explaining their relationship.
4. Define the scope: clarify the aspect, group, period, or context the paper addresses and what it leaves outside its boundaries.
5. State the purpose: end with the objective, question, hypothesis, or central position.

For research reports, APA recommends briefly explaining the historical background, context, and difference between the current work and what is already known. The objective should fit the method used. In a course essay, the same principle means that the central idea prepares readers for the argument that follows.

Example of an academic paper introduction

The citations and names in this example are illustrative:

Several assignments due in the same week can make it difficult for students to begin each task early enough. Academic planning can distribute the work and reserve specific times for making progress (Mora, 2023; Ruiz & Peña, 2024). However, more information is needed about which strategies students can maintain when schedules and workloads change.

This paper examines how brief, scheduled sessions can help first-year students distribute assignments across the week. It compares study regularity, the number of pending assignments, and the difficulties reported by participants.

The first paragraph presents the problem, explains its importance, and connects the background. The second defines the group and states the objective. In an actual paper, each citation in the example must lead to a complete reference.

Avoid openings such as “since the beginning of humanity” when they do not provide precise context. Do not announce results that have not yet been explained or include sources unrelated to the objective.

How to organize the main sections

After the introduction, divide the content by its main ideas. Topics of equal importance should use the same heading level.

An essay might be organized as follows:

Paper Title
Introductory paragraphs without an Introduction heading
Planning Study Sessions
Distributing Assignments Across the Week
Barriers to Maintaining the Habit
Conclusion

Do not create a single subsection within a section. If an idea requires division, use at least two subsections or keep the content together without that extra level.

How to close the paper

APA Style does not require a section called Conclusion in every document. The ending depends on the type of paper and the assignment instructions.

When used, the conclusion should bring together the main answer, explain its importance, and close the discussion. It should not introduce sources, arguments, or results that readers have not seen before.

Example ending:

Dividing assignments into short sessions does not remove every difficulty, but it offers a concrete way to start on time and monitor progress. The strategy works best when the schedule reflects the actual workload of each week.

Papers with research sections

An empirical report usually needs more specific sections. Method explains what was done, Results reports what was found, and Discussion interprets those findings. Review Method, Results, and Discussion before applying those labels.

Checklist

• The text begins on a new page.
• The paper title appears centered and bold.
• You did not add an Introduction heading at the beginning.
• Headings describe the function of each section.
• Ideas progress in a logical order.
• The ending answers the purpose stated at the beginning.
• Citations lead to their complete references.