APA Style Papers--Computer software?? HELP!!

U.S.A. Florida

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So I am starting MDC full time RN program...first class is on Wednesday (so nervous/excited at the same time)...anyways...it seems all papers we submit have to be in this APA style format...

I have heard of computer programs that automatically format the paper for you..or something like that?? Has anyone used any of these programs for their papers??

Advice/suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance :)

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, Gero, dementia.

You might be thinking of this: Designed to provide fingertip guidance in APA style for a single user installation, APA-Style Helper 5.1 gives clear and straightforward help on how to format references, headings, and more. Try the updated downloadable demo version...

It is not compatible with MS Word 2007.

Really, your best best is to just get the manual. Generally all you need to really know is how to cite things/create a reference list. Occasionally you need to worry about headings and subheadings. You can get that easily enough from the manual. Just be sure you have the 5th edition. Also, I'd suggest you buy the spiral bound version as it's nice to have it be able to sit flat. Then just flag the pages that you'll find yourself using 90% of the time.

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What about a computer software called PERRLA? I have heard a lot about this particular one...

Does anyone have any experience with it??

Thanks...

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, Gero, dementia.

I don't know anything about specific programs except that the one person I know who bought the template version w/o the manual found it was an awful lot of problems and buggy (this was a few years ago) -- and she really wished she'd had the book to refer to. Seriously, for undergrad work, APA isn't all that difficult to follow. You really can get by with the manual -- a lot more versatile...

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Specializes in Tele.
What about a computer software called PERRLA? I have heard a lot about this particular one...

Does anyone have any experience with it??

Thanks...

when I was in my first & last semester at nova (dont' ask! long story) we used PERRLA and it was awesome!!

I was looking for the same thing in another forum.

This program is a life (&paper) saver!!!! after you pay the $30, you download the program, then once you are ready to write your papers a screen pops up and asks your name, you type it, your teacher's name & credentials, title of project, & so on.

it helps you set up the perfect title page, headers w/numbers---------- it's great!! and the only thing is that it only lasts 1 year so then you have to buy it again.

In fact, I will buy it right now!!

PERRLA is the best

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Specializes in Tele.
You might be thinking of this: Designed to provide fingertip guidance in APA style for a single user installation, APA-Style Helper 5.1 gives clear and straightforward help on how to format references, headings, and more. Try the updated downloadable demo version...

It is not compatible with MS Word 2007.

Really, your best best is to just get the manual. Generally all you need to really know is how to cite things/create a reference list. Occasionally you need to worry about headings and subheadings. You can get that easily enough from the manual. Just be sure you have the 5th edition. Also, I'd suggest you buy the spiral bound version as it's nice to have it be able to sit flat. Then just flag the pages that you'll find yourself using 90% of the time.

I had the book- and let me tell you the APA book is not that great. It's so specific that you will be looking and looking for the things that you need.

I bought the PERRLA program, and it's awesome! but of course, for writing you still need that manual.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, Gero, dementia.

I am in the process of writing my doctoral dissertation. I have a few sections of my APA manual tagged, and I manage to basically ignore the rest of the book. I got through my undergraduate program with a 4.0. We had to write a lot of papers and I never got dinged for style. Of course, YMMV

If you think you're going to do a lot of formal writing down the road (i.e. you plan on going on to a graduate program), something to consider is a citation manager like EndNote. Makes references a snap.

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I'm getting my MSN and have to write papers all the time. I first started out with the programs but eventually just decided to learn the APA format using the APA book. The programs have such a huge learning curve and you really don't "learn" how to write APA. You end up spending more time trying to figure out the program than just learning APA.

I also have a writing lab at my school where I email my papers and boy do I learn so much from those corrections. There really are just a few rules you need to learn in order to write the basic school paper.

I've also found the professors have their own ideas of what APA is and what you did in one class is not how the new instructor wants it done...they usually give some basic guidelines...

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Specializes in geriatrics,emergency,hospice.

i downloaded this program that automatically formats your paper for you. i have done countless apa papers, and never had a problemw ith any instructor taking them. you have to save it to your computer, and then enable macro's to have the paper formatted. the web site is :

www.jolenemorris.com/forstudents/apa_jmm.dot

good luck!:up:

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