Then, writing the document and preparing it for submission can take months. I like to separate writing into three phases. The results and methods come first, because this is where I write what was done, how, and what the results were. Secondly, I address the introduction and refine the results section with the contribution of my. Throughout your document, you should apply the following APA format guidelines: Set page margins in inches on all sides. Double-up all text, including headings. Indent the first line of each. Use an accessible font, for example Times New pt. point. or pt. Pre-writing. Download the article. 1. Choose a topic and research it. Typically, your professor or instructor provides a list of topics to choose from for an essay. Read the assignment rubric, make sure you understand it, and choose a topic that interests you and on which you think you can write a strong paper. 1In each paragraph, the first sentence sets the context, the body contains the new idea, and the last sentence offers a conclusion. For the entire document, the introduction sets the context, the.