Preparation of Optional Manuscript Elements
All elements of a manuscript should be submitted together, at the same time.
- Appendix / Appendices
Appendices are discouraged. If essential, refer to the APA Publication Manual for the proper formatting of your appendix. If included, it should be placed in the main manuscript document between the reference list and the biographical statements.
- Tables
Tables organize relevant, essential data that would be too awkward or too lengthy to include in the text, and should be used only to provide data not already included in the text. For example, participant demographics take less space presented in a descriptive paragraph than they do as a table. Do not list participants one by one; instead, present group characteristics.
Tables are to be accompanied by both their number (Table 1, Table 2, etc.) and their title or caption. Avoid shading and the use of multiple fonts. Table placement is mentioned in the text, but the tables themselves are placed at the very end of the document. The author should designate placement of each table within the manuscript by entering (on a separate line between paragraphs), “//INSERT TABLE 1 ABOUT HERE//.” (When published, tables are generally placed following the first paragraph in which they are mentioned.) Detailed formatting guidelines are contained in the APA Publication Manual. Take special care to verify from the guidelines that the information you wish to submit as a table actually is a table.
Click here for Tips on Tables.
- Figures
Like tables, figures should be used sparingly, and only when it is necessary to clarify complex relationships in the text. Avoid shading and the use of multiple fonts. Figure placement should be mentioned in the manuscript text, but the figures themselves are to be placed in a separate document, with all figure numbers (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) and figure titles together, in order, on one page, followed by the figures¾each on a separate page. The author should designate placement of each figure within the manuscript by entering (on a separate line between paragraphs), “//INSERT FIGURE 1 ABOUT HERE//.” (When published, figures are generally placed following the first paragraph in which they are mentioned.) Detailed formatting guidelines for figures are contained in the APA Publication Manual. Take special care to verify from the guidelines that the information you wish to submit as a figure actually is a figure. Important note: The figure number and title should be included on the previous page, and not saved as part of the figure itself.
