.

SECTION HEADINGS Section headers help readers follow the organization of a discussion, and are an essential aspect of APA Format. The exact formatting of headings, however, is based on the structure of the paper -- the number of subsections contained in each main section of the discussion. To determine the format for the headings in your papers, you will need to consult your outline. It is an excellent idea, of course, to familiarize yourself with the APA section heading requirements before you begin drafting your outline. ONE OR TWO LEVELS OF HEADINGS for short articles. For short articles and most student papers, only one or two levels of section headings are needed: Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Top Level Heading Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Second Level Section Heading View a sample essay with two levels of section headings. THREE HEADING LEVELS. Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Top Level Heading Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Second Level Section Heading      Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading, ending with a period. View a sample essay with three levels of section headings. FOUR HEADING LEVELS. Centered Uppercase and Lowercase First Level Heading Centered, Italicized Uppercase and Lowercase Second Level Heading Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Third Level Section Heading      Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading, ending with a period. FIVE HEADING LEVELS. CENTERED UPPERCASE FIRST LEVEL HEADING Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Second Level Heading Centered, Italicized Uppercase and Lowercase Third Level Heading Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Fourth Level Section Heading      Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading, ending with a period.