Ask OASISCourse Paper Template: A Tour of the Template
Last updated: 11/14/2020
Visual: The words “Walden University Writing Center,” the Walden University Writing Center logo, and the slogan “Your writing, grammar, and APA experts” appear. The screen shifts to present the words “Course Paper Template” with the title “A Tour of the Template” underneath.
Audio: Music plays.
Visual: The template title page is the visual.
Audio: This video provides a tour of the course paper template and its features. The first page is called the title page.
Visual: As the speaker mentions each feature, the cursor points to the appropriate line.
Audio: The title page includes identifying information: the title of your paper, your full name, the program name, the university’s name, the course number, the title of the course, the instructor name, and the date. Note that some instructors might ask you for specific other information.
The page numbers appear at the top right corner of each page, beginning on the title page. As noted in the APA manual, for student writers, page numbers are the only information required in the header section of a course paper.
Another feature to note is the page break included on the title page. You can see page breaks by toggling the pilcrow symbol found in the “Paragraph” section of the “Home” tab.
Visual: The cursor moves to the top of the page in Microsoft Word and clicks on the pilcrow symbol, which looks like a backwards facing capital P. Symbols become visible on the template title page.
Audio: Clicking this button allows you to see the formatting features in the background of the template. Since the next page in your paper must start at the top of the next page, this page break ensures nothing else appears on the title page.
Visual: The screen transitions to the abstract page. The word “Abstract” is centered on the first line. Double-spaced lines of text are under it.
Audio: The next page included in the template is the Abstract page. The Abstract page starts with the title “Abstract”, which is centered and bolded, as shown. Note that the paragraph is not indented for the abstract. Not all assignments require an abstract. If so, you can delete this page or use the Course Paper Template without an abstract instead.
Visual: The screen transitions to the first page of the body of the paper. The first line is centered and reads, “Title of Paper in Full goes Here.” There are random letters used to represent the size and location of the first paragraph under this title. Below the first sample paragraph is a heading, centered and bold that reads, “Level 1 Heading.”
Audio: The next page in the template starts the body of the paper. The body of the paper begins with a repetition of the paper’s title, centered and bolded, as shown. The template also includes examples of APA-formatted headings. Here, for instance, is an example of a Level 1 heading. As you write your paper, replace all placeholder header text and paragraphs with your writing. Remember to delete any unnecessary headings and other text.
Note that these paragraphs are formatted just as your own paragraphs should be formatted, with a half inch indent on the first line and double spacing.
Visual: The screen transitions to the first references page. The page has the word “References” at the top, centered. Beneath are several example sources, each formatted according to APA style, including a hanging indent.
Audio: This sample reference list provides examples of APA-formatted reference entries. It beings with the title of the list, “References,” centered and bolded. You should use these example reference entries to format your own for sources you use in your own assignments. Remember to delete any entry that you do not cite you in your paper.
Visual: The words “Academic Skills Center: https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/academic-skills-center/” appear on the screen.
Audio: If you have questions about how to use some of the features of Microsoft Word, we encourage you to visit the Academic Skills Center’s website for video tutorials and information on Word support via email or live online tutoring by appointment.
Visual: The email address writingsupport@mail.waldenu.edu appears on the screen.
Audio: Thanks for watching and happy writing!