An APA abstract is a 150–250 word summary of your paper that appears on its own page, directly after the title page. It gives readers a complete but concise overview of your paper’s purpose, method, results, and conclusions — enough to decide whether to read the full paper.
APA Abstract Format Requirements
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Page position | Own page, after the title page (page 2) |
| Label | «Abstract» — centered, bold, at the top of the page |
| Word count | 150–250 words |
| Line spacing | Double |
| First-line indent | None — abstract paragraph starts at the left margin |
| Font | Same as body text |
| Keywords line | Optional but recommended — on the line after the abstract text |
| Structured vs. unstructured | Depends on paper type (see below) |
Source: APA Publication Manual, 7th Edition, Chapter 2, Section 2.9.
Do Student Papers Need an Abstract?
Not always. APA 7th edition states that student papers do not require an abstract unless the instructor or institution requests one. For short course papers (5–10 pages), an abstract is typically not needed. For longer research papers, theses, and dissertations, it is generally expected.
When in doubt, check your syllabus or ask your professor before spending time writing an abstract.
Structured vs. Unstructured Abstracts
| Type | When used | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Unstructured | Most student papers, literature reviews, theoretical papers | One continuous paragraph, no internal labels |
| Structured | Empirical research papers, clinical reports, meta-analyses | Uses labeled sections: Objective, Method, Results, Conclusions |
Example: Unstructured Abstract
This study examined the relationship between sleep duration and academic performance among undergraduate students at a large public university. A survey of 312 students collected data on self-reported sleep hours, grade point average, and study habits over one semester. Students sleeping fewer than six hours per night showed significantly lower GPAs compared to those sleeping seven or more hours (p < .001). Perceived stress mediated the relationship between sleep and GPA in approximately 40% of cases. These findings suggest that institutional sleep health interventions may produce measurable academic benefits at relatively low cost.
Keywords: sleep duration, academic performance, undergraduate students, GPA, stress
Example: Structured Abstract
Objective: To examine whether mindfulness-based interventions reduce test anxiety in high school students.
Method: A randomized controlled trial with 180 students assigned to an 8-week mindfulness program or a waitlist control condition. Anxiety was measured using the Test Anxiety Inventory at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Results: Intervention students showed significantly lower test anxiety at post-intervention (d = 0.72) and at follow-up (d = 0.58) compared to controls.
Conclusions: Mindfulness training produces meaningful reductions in test anxiety that persist at 3-month follow-up. School-based implementation is feasible within existing curriculum structures.
How to Format the Keywords Line
The keywords line appears directly below the abstract paragraph, on the same page. Format it as follows:
- Start with the label Keywords: in italics, followed by a colon.
- List 3–5 keywords in lowercase, separated by commas.
- No period at the end of the keywords line.
- Keywords should reflect the main concepts of your paper — the terms someone would search to find your work.
Correct format:
Keywords: academic writing, APA format, citation style, student papers, reference list
What to Include in Each Part of the Abstract
| Component | What to cover | Approximate word count |
|---|---|---|
| Problem/purpose | What question does the paper address? Why does it matter? | 30–50 words |
| Method | Who were the participants? What design or approach was used? | 40–60 words |
| Results | What were the main findings? Include key statistics if relevant. | 40–60 words |
| Conclusions | What do the findings mean? What are the implications? | 30–50 words |
Abstract Word Count by Paper Type
| Paper type | Recommended word count |
|---|---|
| Standard APA research paper | 150–250 words |
| Thesis or dissertation | Often 250–350 words (check institutional requirement) |
| Systematic review or meta-analysis | 250 words typical |
| Journal submission | Check journal’s author guidelines — often 150–200 words |
Common Abstract Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it’s a problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| First-line indent in the abstract | APA requires no indent for the abstract paragraph | Remove the tab; start at the left margin |
| Citations in the abstract | Abstracts should be self-contained; citations usually don’t belong | Remove references; only cite if the paper is directly about a specific work |
| Writing the abstract before the paper | You can’t accurately summarize what you haven’t written yet | Write the abstract last, after completing the full paper |
| Copying the introduction | The abstract and introduction serve different purposes | Write the abstract from scratch; it summarizes the whole paper, not just the problem |
| Exceeding 250 words | Goes beyond the APA maximum | Cut background context — keep only findings and conclusions |
APA 6 vs APA 7: Abstract Changes
The core abstract requirements stayed the same between editions. The main change in APA 7 is that student papers are no longer required to include an abstract (it was previously expected for all papers). The keywords line was also formalized in APA 7 — in APA 6, keywords were sometimes placed before the abstract rather than after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the abstract mention the title of the paper?
No. The title already appears on the title page and as a header on the first page of the body. The abstract should stand on its own — a reader who sees only the abstract should understand the paper’s purpose, method, and findings without needing the title.
Can I use abbreviations in the abstract?
Define abbreviations on first use within the abstract itself, even if you define them again in the body. The abstract is read independently and cannot rely on definitions from the body of the paper.
Does the abstract count toward the paper’s word limit?
It depends on your instructor’s instructions. Most course assignments with a word limit refer to the body text only. When in doubt, ask. Professionally submitted manuscripts typically count abstract and body words separately.