Books
There are many books and other resources out there that provide an introduction to APA formatting. At times external resources may not be accurate. As an educator I am “by the book.” Students may choose to use other APA resources, but when it comes to defining the rules of APA Style I use the book. The APA textbook is like a rule book. Therefore, I recommend that students use the book whenever they are unsure of something. If the book is unclear please contact me for clarification. Sometimes I find this website helpful for interpreting the book. If after grading there is a difference between my interpretation of APA and the student’s I encourage a discussion.
The APA book is often found in libraries. Students are not necessarily required to buy the book if they are comfortable using alternate resources. An excellent starting point for understanding APA style beyond just formatting rules can be found in this open textbook. Other online resources are recommended below.