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Basic Formatting Guidelines


Graduate School of Education
Formatting Guidelines
2022

 

Checklist 1: General Formatting

  • Sample: it is recommended that you use the Sample APA (7th ed.) Formatted Thesis Entries (MA, PhD)
  • APA: consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA 7th ed.) for general formatting requirements
  • Paper Size: use A4 (approx. 80 grams) size paper; print on side of the page only
  • Font Type and Size: make sure font size and font type (Times New Roman, 12-point) are consistent throughout the text. It is possible to slightly to reduce the font size in tables, figures, and appendices, if deemed necessary.
  • Margins: All pages except the top margin (4 cm) of the first page of each chapter must meet the following criteria: left-justified, and with a margin of at least 4 cm on the left side, and 2.5 cm on all other sides
  • Spacing: double-space the entire text including blocked quotes. “Before and After Spacing”, which is accessible from Microsoft Word Paragraph dialog box, should be set to 0 pt.
  • Pagination: divide the thesis into two sections to have different page numbers or number formats. Roman numerals are used in the preliminary pages starting from numbering ‘Abstract’ with lower case ‘iii’. The title page counts as page ‘i’ but is not numbered. The numbers should be inserted in the top right corner (approx. 1.5 cm from top right). The Body of Text and the pages that follow use Arabic numerals consecutively starting with page number 1 at Chapter 1.

 

Checklist 2: Preliminary Pages 

  • ▪  Cover Page: Margins Top & Bottom 5 cm (not numbered)
  • Blank Page: leave a blank page after the cover page
  • Dedication Page: Optional
  • Title Page: Title Case (Times New Roman-12pt); refer to the sample (MA, PhD) provided to see how it is arranged
  • Approval Page: refer to the sample (MA, PhD) provided to see how it is arranged; include the information about the universities of external committee members as necessary; top margin: 2.5 cm
  • Abstract: refer to the sample (MA, PhD) provided to see how it is arranged; page numbering to start from this page (i.e. page iii) - top right. It should be between 150 to 250 words not including Keywords; limited to one page; spacing rearrangement is allowed, if more space is needed. Top margin: 2.5 cm
  • Özet: refer to the sample (MA, PhD) provided to see how it is arranged; it should be between 150 to 250 words not including Keywords; limited to one page; spacing rearrangement is allowed, if more space is needed. Top margin: 2.5 cm
  • Table of Contents: double-spaced; Times New Roman-12 pt; it should reflect the corresponding Heading style, inserting a line of periods in the space between the entry name and the corresponding page number. Top margin: 2.5 cm
  • List of Tables: refer to the sample (MA, PhD) provided to see how it is arranged, ensuring page reference is in line with text numbering, inserting a line of periods in the space between the entry name and the corresponding page number. Top margin: 2.5 cm
  • List of Figures: refer to the sample (MA, PhD) provided to see how it is arranged, ensuring page reference is in line with text numbering, inserting a line of periods in the space between the entry name and the corresponding page number. Top margin: 2.5 cm

 

Checklist 3: Body of Text  

 

  • Body of Text:
    • Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph (approx.1.25 cm). It is recommended that you press the Tab key, after you place the insertion point at the beginning of the paragraph you want to indent
  • Spacing: The main body should be double-spaced including blocked quotes. “Before and After Spacing”, which is accessible from Microsoft Word Paragraph dialog box, should be set to 0 pt.; leave a space after each punctuation mark; make sure there is a full stop at the end of each sentence.
  • Footnotes (if any): use the footnote function of the word-processing program that you use.
  • Headings: Format headings after “each chapter” entry based on the explanation given in Appendix 2; no other formatting style is allowed
  • Figure Setup: Set up Figures following the examples given, and links provided,  in Appendix 3
    • Table Setup: Set up Tables following the examples given, and links provided, in Appendix 4
    Note that the Tables that do not fit on one page are to be split; the same Table number and title given in each part; next to the title (cont’d) is written in parenthesis, e.g. Table 4 (cont’d) (See Creating a multi-page table )
     
    • In-text Citations: follow the principles of proper in-text citation (Appendix 5)
    • Mechanics of Style: Ensure clear and consistent written communication
     

    Checklist 4: References  (APA 7th) 

     

     
     

    Checklist 5: Appendix
     

    • ▪  Make sure you use the Sample APA (7th ed.) Formatted Thesis Entries (MA, PhD)