APA Refresher

Style
7th Edition

This refresher module explains how to refine your use of language

for APA papers. It includes practice questions, instructional
content, and a quiz to test your knowledge.

For additional support with APA style, visit the APA Style area of
the Excelsior Online Writing Lab.
Index
Use this guide to ensure that you are meeting APA style guidelines. This presentation will cover:

Anthropomorphisms Sexual Orientation Bias Point of View

Bias Socioeconomic Status Pronouns

Age Bias Brevity Tone

Disability Bias Colloquialisms Verb Mood

Gender Bias Comparisons Verb Tense

Racial and Ethnic Jargon Voice

Bias
Linguistic Devices Word Choice
 Practice 1
Which of these two statements is an example of appropriate tone?

The craze for quantifiable assessment data on student learning is rooted in misconceptions and lies.

 Assessments of student learning often fall prey to methodological error and ideological bias.

Correct! Strive to maintain a neutral and objective tone in your writing by avoiding exaggerations,
unfounded accusations, and expressions of bias.

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Tone 1
Present ideas directly, but in an interesting
and compelling manner that maintains a
neutral and objective tone.

❌ The idea that mosquito larvae

gestate for six months is patently
absurd. 

✅ Scientific evidence reveals that

mosquito larvae require 8-10
months to gestate.
 Tone 2
Be professional and non-combative when presenting the positions of different
researchers.

❌ Swift and Reynolds failed to address...

✅ Swift and Reynolds did not address…

Imagine a specific reader and write in a way that is educational and persuasive
for that audience.

For more help with choosing the right tone for your audience, check out our resources
on Audience Awareness and Argument and Audience.  
Word Choice

Choose words that convey exactly what you mean.

❌ We feel that… 

✅ We think that…

Brevity 1
Be frugal with what you say and say only what needs to be said.

Whenever possible, convey your ideas with short words and

short sentences.

Avoid wordiness.

❌ Due to the fact that… 

✅ Because of…
Brevity 2
Avoid redundancy.

❌ they were all alike ✅ they were alike

❌ ten different groups vs. ✅ ten groups
❌ absolutely necessary ✅ necessary

Avoid excessively long or short paragraphs.

Colloquialisms
Avoid colloquialisms—language that is interpreted differently by different
readers or in different contexts.

❌ The patient thumbed-up the procedure. 

✅ The patient approved the procedure.

 Jargon
Avoid jargon—special vocabulary used by a particular profession or group that
is difficult for others to understand.

Use common language instead of jargon.

Jargon Common Language

❌ riverine avifauna ✅ river birds
❌ involuntarily undomiciled ✅ homeless
❌ The patient was administered ✅ The patient was placed on a
positive pressure ventilatory support. respirator.
Pronouns 1
A pronoun should agree with its antecedent (the noun that it replaces) in
number and gender.

❌ The two mice in the experiment did his best to escape the cage.

✅ The two mice in the experiment did their best to escape the cage.

It is important to note, however, that, with the seventh edition, APA has
adopted the singular they. This means you should use "they," which was once
considered plural, to refer to a singular person when gender is unknown.

❌ A person should be able to enjoy his or her retirement years. 

✅ A person should be able to enjoy their retirement years. 

Pronouns 2
Avoid ambiguous pronouns by making sure that what they refer to is
easy to identify.

❌ The report includes these in the appendix.

✅ The report includes these charts in the appendix.

 Comparisons
Avoid ambiguous or illogical comparisons.

❌ Three-year-olds are more likely to fight with

siblings than 5-year-olds.
Does this sentence mean that 3-year-olds are more likely than
5-year-olds to fight with siblings? Or does it mean that 3-year-
olds are more likely to fight with siblings and less likely to fight
with 5-year-olds?
Avoid ambiguous or illogical comparisons.

❌ His cholesterol level was higher than peers.

✅ His cholesterol level was higher than the cholesterol level of peers.
Anthropomorphisms
Avoid anthropomorphisms—the attribution of human characteristics to animals
or inanimate sources.

Example 1

❌ The mice mourned for their lost comrade.

✅ The mice were distressed by the death of a peer.

Example 2

❌ The organization learned from the error.

✅ The leaders of the organization learned from the error.

Linguistic Devices
In general, use plain, literal language instead of non-literal language and linguistic
devices. Examples of non-literal language and linguistic devices include alliteration
(i.e., repetition of the same letter or sound in nearby words), clichés (i.e., an overused
phrased), similes (i.e., a figure of speech that draws a comparison using like or as),
and metaphors (i.e., a figure of speech that uses a word or phrase to stand in for
something it does not literally mean).

❌ The pathogen was a veritable death-dealer.

✅ The pathogen had a mortality rate above 90%.

Metaphors can be used to help simplify a complicated idea; however, be careful not
to mix metaphors (e.g., a web of symptoms orbitting a nucleus of causes).
Point of View
Use the appropriate personal pronoun to describe what you did or found.

Avoid using third person to describe what you did or found.

❌ The author analyzed the data.

✅ I analyzed the data.

If you were the only researcher, do not use the "royal we" to describe
what you did or found.

❌ We must conclude... 

✅ I must conclude...
 Practice 2
Which of the following is an example of the active voice?

 Newell (2017) designed the research study.

Correct! In APA style, the active voice is preferred because it emphasizes the action,
sends a stronger message, and supports a concise writing style.

The experiment was designed by Newell (2017).

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Voice
It is preferable to use active voice instead of passive voice in your writing.

Passive Voice Active Voice

❌ The study was conducted under ✅ We performed the study
controlled conditions. under controlled conditions.
❌ It was discovered that the ✅ I discovered that the dosage
dosage was ineffective. was ineffective.
❌ The intervention was delivered ✅ The assistant delivered the
by the assistant. intervention.
Verb Tense 1
Choose the correct verb tense.

Use past tense to describe an action that occurred at a specific, definite time
in the past. This rule applies when discussing another researcher's work or
when reporting your results.

❌ Achebe (2012) reports similar results.

✅ Achebe (2012) reported similar results.

Verb Tense 2
Use present tense when writing about an author or poet's work. Even though
the writer wrote the words in the past, it is customary to use the present tense
in literary essays.

❌ In Hamlet, Shakespeare depicted a family at war with itself.

✅ In Hamlet, Shakespeare depicts a family at war with itself.

Verb Tense 3
Use present perfect tense when describing an action that did not occur at a
specific, definite time or to describe an action beginning in the past and continuing to
the present.
❌ Since then, researchers applied these methods.

✅ Since then, researchers have applied these methods.

Be consistent with verb tense to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
❌ Meineke et al. (2007) conducted a similar study. They find that
participants experienced several adverse effects.

✅ Meineke et al. (2007) conducted a similar study. They found that

participants experienced several adverse effects.
Verb Mood
Use the subjunctive mood (i.e., expressing what is imagined, wished, or possible) to
describe conditions that are doubtful or counterfactual, but not to describe
contingencies.

❌ If the control group were not randomized, the results could be skewed.

✅ If the control group was not randomized, the results could be skewed.
 Practice 3
Mankind continues to struggle with how to find sustainable solutions to managing population growth.

In general, it is advisable to give preferential treatment to challenged individuals who suffer from physical
or mental handicaps.

 The study examined a population of men and women ages 35-45 diagnosed with autism who self-
identified as transgender people of color.

Correct! The correct answer avoids common forms of bias, such as gender, sexual, orientation, race, age,
and disability. Common forms of bias include using one gender to refer to all genders (e.g., mankind),
using inappropriate or outdated labels for sexual orientation, using the word minority as a proxy for non-
White populations, being unclear about age groups, and using condescending euphemisms (e.g.,
challenged) to refer to people with disabilities.

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Bias 1
Writers need to be aware of biases that can creep up when talking about individuals,
groups, events, and ideas.

There are different types of biases, including gender bias, sexual orientation bias,
racial and ethnic bias, disability bias, age bias, and historical and interpretive
inaccuracies.

The following slides will contain some general tips for avoiding bias.
Bias 2
Be specific when discussing groups and individuals.

Example 1: Instead of using men to refer to all human beings, use women
and men.

Example 2: Use borderline personality disorder instead of borderline.

Example 3: For at risk, identify the risk and people (e.g. children at risk for
obesity).
Example 4: Give a specific age range (e.g. ages 18-35) instead of a broad
category (e.g. over 18 years).
Bias 3
Be sensitive to labels.

Respect people's preferences and call them what they prefer to be called.

Avoid referring to individuals as objects (e.g., the gays and the elderly).

Avoid reducing people to a condition (e.g., the narcissists, the depressives).

Use adjectival forms (e.g., gay men, narcissistic patients) or descriptive

phrases (e.g., people diagnosed with depression).
Bias 4
Be sensitive to labels (cont.).

Avoid using labels that may have negative meanings.

Avoid using one group as the standard against which other groups are
judged (e.g., contrasting children with disabilities to normal children).

Be aware of how order of presentation of social groups can imply that

the first-mentioned group is the norm or standard (e.g., men and
women, White Americans and racial minorities).
 A medical
Practice 4 symbol.

Which of the following sentences DOES NOT display gender bias?

There is not enough manpower to adequately staff the unit.

 All clients can choose their primary care provider.

Correct! This answer is gender neutral and avoids stereotypes.

Each patient declared his/her intention for selecting the procedure.

The researchers delivered the survey to the opposite sex.

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Gender Bias 1
Use the term gender to refer to women and men as social groups.

Use the term sex to refer to biological distinctions.

Do not use man as a generic noun (e.g., man instead of women and men) or
as an ending for an occupational title (e.g., mailman instead of mail carrier).

Avoid using combination forms such as he/she or (s)he.

Use the singular they as a third-person, gender-neutral singular pronoun.

Avoid referring to one sex as the opposite sex since it suggests a contrast; use
the neutral term other sex instead.
Gender Bias 2
Do not use the masculine pronoun he to refer to both sexes; use these options
instead:

Replace the masculine pronoun with a gender-neutral phrase.

❌ If a researcher makes these modifications, his study will be stronger.

✅ These modifications make a researcher's study stronger.

Replace the masculine pronoun with the singular they, which is gender neutral.

❌ A researcher who is biased loses his objectivity.

✅ A researcher who is biased loses their objectivity.

Gender Bias 3
Do not use the masculine pronoun he to refer to both sexes. Use the gender-
neutral singular they instead.

Replace the masculine pronoun with the singular they or an article.

❌ A researcher must prepare his study properly.

✅ A researcher must prepare their study properly.

✅ A researcher must prepare the study properly.

Gender Bias 4
Be aware of the difference between transgender and transsexual.

The word transgender is an adjective that refers to persons whose

gender identity or gender expression differs from their birth sex.

The word transsexual refers to transgender persons who have

undergone surgical and/or hormonal alteration of their bodies in
order to live full-time as members of the sex other than their birth
sex. It can be used as an adjective or a noun.

Refer to a transgender person with words (proper nouns, pronouns,

etc.) appropriate to the person's gender identity or gender
expression.
Sexual Orientation Bias

Sexual orientation refers to a pattern of attraction.

The terms lesbians, gay men, bisexual men, and bisexual women are
preferable to homosexual when referring to people who identify this
way.

Be aware that gay can be interpreted to include men and women or

only men. Therefore, consider using gay men and lesbians to avoid
confusion.
Racial and Ethnic Bias 1

Be aware that appropriate racial and ethnic designations change over time
and vary by place.

Be specific and sensitive when selecting racial and ethnic designations.

Avoid language that essentializes or reifies race (e.g., the Black race and the
White race).
Do not use the word minority as a proxy for non-White racial and ethnic
groups.
Racial and Ethnic Bias 2

Designate racial and ethnic groups with capitalized proper nouns (e.g., Black,
White, African Americans, Asian Americans).

Avoid unparallel designations (e.g., African Americans and Whites).

Do not use hyphens in multiword racial and ethnic designations, even if the
words are used as modifiers (e.g., Asian American participants).
Disability Bias
The cardinal rule for reducing disability bias is to use language that maintains the
integrity of all individuals as human beings.
Avoid language that objectifies a person by their condition (e.g., autistic).

Avoid language that uses pictorial metaphors (e.g., wheel-chair bound).

Avoid language that uses excessive or negative labels (e.g., brain damaged).

Avoid language that can be regarded as a slur (e.g., cripple).

Avoid euphemisms that are condescending (e.g., special, challenged).

Use people-first language to describe individuals and groups with disabilities

(e.g., child with autism instead of autistic child, people with dementia instead of
demented people).
Socioeconomic Status Bias
When providing information about socioeconomic status (SES), provide as much
detail as possible about people's income, eduation, and employment.

For example, when discussing "low-income participants" or "high-income

participants," provide information about whether the classifications take into account
household size.

Avoid using broad, generalized, or pejorative terms and use person-first language.

For example, instead of "welfare mothers," use "mothers who receive TANF benefits."

(TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and is the correct name for the current welfare
program in the U.S.)
Age Bias
Report age as part of the description of participants.
Be specific in providing age ranges (e.g.,
ages 18-25).
Avoid open-ended definitions (e.g.,
under 18 years).
Use girl and boy to refer to individuals
under the age of 13.
Use young man and young woman or
male adolescent and female adolescent
to refer to individuals aged 13-17 years.
Use women and men for individuals
18 years and older.
Avoid using the terms elderly and
senior as nouns; they may be
considered derogatory when used as
adjectives.
Avoid using generational descriptors
(e.g., baby boomer, millennial) unless
pertinent to the study.
 Test Yourself
Test your understanding of APA style by answering the following multiple
choice questions.
 Question 1
Which phrase exemplifies concise, scholarly writing?

My work as an intern would prove to be a very uplifting experience, and the work I did helps me even more
today.

Working as an intern with a knowledgeable, competent, and totaly cool therapist really helped me learn a lot.

 Interning with a board certified therapist was an educational experience.

Correct! APA style should be concise and scholarly. 

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 Question 2
a e u se

Correct. Avoid perpetuating stereotypes and aim for gender neutral language.

 Mankind

Correct. Avoid perpetuating stereotypes and aim for gender neutral language.

Mail Carrier

 Female engineer

Correct. Avoid perpetuating stereotypes and aim for gender neutral language.

12 staff hours

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 Question 3
gp p g pp p p y
paper?

The authors find that elementary school children are generally in the stage of concrete operations (Piaget,
1936).

 According to Piaget (1936), elementary school children are generally in the stage of concrete operations.

Correct! Refer to other authors in the third person and use accurate pronouns to describe what you did (e.g.,
I or we). Do not refer to yourself in the third person (e.g., the authors). Do not use second person (e.g., you)
to address your audience.

You should take note that according to Piaget (1936), elementary school children are generally in the stage of
concrete operations.

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 Question 4
You want to include results of a research study on chronic illness in the community, conducted by R.
Diaz and J. Brown in January, 2017 in your paper. Which of the following phrases represents correct
voice and APA citation style?

 Diaz and Brown (2017) conducted a study on chronic illness in the community.

Correct. Active voice is used in APA (conducted not was conducted) and the in-text citation includes both
author's last names and the year of the study.

Diaz, R. & Brown, J. conducted a study on chronic illness in the community in January 2017.

Chronic illness in the community (2017) was investigated by Diaz and Brown in 2017.

A research study was conducted by Diaz, et al. (2017) that investigated chronic illness in the community.

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 Question 5
biases in the conclusions to their research studies.

 The researchers thought it was very cool that the institution provided funding for the study.

Correct. This sentence does use colloquialisms. To avoid confusion, avoid the use of colloquialisms—non-
literal language that can be interpreted differently by different audiences (e.g., go the last mile).

 Scientists should be prepared to fall on their swords by admitting methodological errors, oversights,
and biases in the conclusions to their research studies.

Correct. This sentence does use colloquialisms. To avoid confusion, avoid the use of colloquialisms—non-
literal language that can be interpreted differently by different audiences (e.g., go the last mile).

The researchers were grateful for the financial support provided by their institutions.

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 Question 6
Which of these statements is an appropriate way to avoid disability bias?

Brain-damaged children require additional time, effort, and resources to learn to read.

 Children with damage to the part of the brain that handles language acquisition require additional time,
effort, and resources to learn to read.

Correct. Avoid language that uses excessive or negative labels.

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 Question 7
Linguistic devices should be used sparingly or not at all since they may make your writing unclear or
imprecise. Match each of the following statements with the type of linguistic device it contains.

The solution was like a vat of jelly, rising and undulating erratically. Simile 

The study discovered that all that glitters is not gold. Cliché 

Genetic modification is the philosopher's stone of modern biology. Metaphor 

The black hole had a voracious appetite, swallowing whole any unsuspecting bit of matter or energy that happened to
wander by. Anthropomorphism 

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 Question 8

Drag and drop the correct verb tense into the blan

Eppe and Erinson (2010)   observed

                    that ionic bo
a magnetic field. 

observe dis
Done!
This resource was created by the Excelsior Online Writing Lab.

For additional help, visit our APA Style guide.

Last updated 6/15/2020

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association®, 7th Edition
Slide Score/Total

Slide 3: Which of these two statements is an example of appropriat... 1/1

Slide 17: Which of the following is an example of the active voice? 1/1
Slide 23: Which statement is NOT an example of bias? 1/1
Slide 28: Which of the following sentences DOES NOT display gender ... 1/1
Slide 40: Which phrase exemplifies concise, scholarly writing? 1/1
Slide 41: Which of the following phrases show bias in writing style... 3/3
Slide 42: Which of the following phrases represent wording that is ... 1/1
Slide 43: You want to include results of a research study on chroni... 1/1
Slide 44: Which of the following statements is an example of using ... 2/2
Slide 45: Which of these statements is an appropriate way to avoid ... Total Score 19/19
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Slide 46: Linguistic devices should be used sparingly or not at all... 4/4
 Show solutions  Retry
Slide 47: Correct Verb Tense 2/2