What is APA Style — overview and history

What Is APA?

APA (American Psychological Association) Style is a standardized system for formatting academic papers and citing sources widely used in the social sciences. Founded almost a century ago, the association published its first style guide in 1929 to bring consistency to scientific writing. It is now in its 7th edition.

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Blog post header image for "APA Citations for Nursing Students: The Sources You'll Cite Most." Text reads "APA Citations for Nursing Students – The Sources You'll Cite Most" against a light blue background. A stethoscope and a small notepad with a pen are displayed on the right side of the image, representing the intersection of clinical practice and academic writing.

APA Citations for Nursing Students: The Sources You’ll Cite Most

Nursing students work with a specific set of sources that come with their own APA formatting considerations – from peer-reviewed journal articles and CDC publications to clinical practice guidelines and UpToDate. This guide covers the sources you’ll cite most in nursing school, with examples and practical guidance for each one.

June 11, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for the APA 101 series. Text at the bottom reads "APA 101: The Five Heading Levels – How to Format & Use Them Correctly in Your Paper." Above the title, five pill-shaped columns numbered 1 through 5 display the formatting rules for each APA heading level: Heading 1 is centered, bold, and title case; Heading 2 is flush left, bold, and title case; Heading 3 is flush left, bold, italicized, and title case; Heading 4 is indented, bold, title case, and ends with a period; Heading 5 is indented, bold, italicized, title case, and ends with a period.

APA 101: The Five Heading Levels

APA 7 gives you five heading levels to work with – and each one has its own formatting rules. But knowing how they look is only half the job. This post covers how to format all five levels correctly and how to use them well, including heading hierarchy, the symmetry rule, and why your introduction never gets a heading.

June 8, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for the PERRLA Feature Spotlight series. Text reads "A New Way to Manage Your References & Research with PERRLA" against a teal background. A laptop screen displays PERRLA Online's redesigned References panel, showing a reference list on the left and a side panel on the right with file upload, description, and research notes sections visible.

Feature Spotlight: A New Way to Manage Your References & Research in PERRLA

Managing sources while writing a paper just got easier. PERRLA Online’s redesigned References panel keeps your full reference list visible while you view and edit individual references in a side panel – and a new file upload feature lets you attach PDFs, Word docs, and more directly to each reference in your library.

June 4, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for the APA Obscura series. Text reads "Using et al. in APA 7 Citations" against a dark blue background, with the subtitle "Delving into the Weirdness of APA 7." A network diagram on the right shows one highlighted figure node connected to several others, representing a group of co-authors condensed into a single et al. citation.

APA Obscura: When to Use et al. in APA Citations

Et al. looks simple – until you realize the rules changed in APA 7, and there’s a whole ambiguity problem most students never learn about. This post covers exactly when to use et al., what’s different from APA 6, how to handle two sources with the same first author, and why et al. never belongs in your reference list.

June 1, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for "What Is MLA Format? Rules, Examples, & Quick Guide." A copy of the MLA Handbook, Ninth Edition is displayed on the left against a dark red background with a geometric pattern. Text on the right reads "What is MLA Format?" with the subtitle "Rules, Examples, & Quick Guide."

What is MLA Format? Rules, Examples, & Quick Guide

MLA format is the standard citation and formatting system for humanities papers – and it has more specific rules than most students realize. This guide covers everything: page setup, in-text citations, Works Cited formatting, how to handle titles, and the most common mistakes to avoid, with examples throughout and a quick reference checklist at the end.

May 28, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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How to Write an APA Paper in Google Docs with PERRLA

PERRLA is now available in Google Docs – and it works just like it does in PERRLA Online and the Word Add-In. This step-by-step guide walks you through installing the PERRLA Add-On, creating a formatted APA 7 paper, adding references, and citing sources, so you can write your next paper without leaving Google Docs.

May 25, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for the APA 101 series. A laptop, a blue pen, a small notepad, and a white mouse are arranged on a blue background. Text reads "APA 7th Edition – In-Text Citations: A Complete Guide."

APA 101: In-Text Citations – A Complete Guide

Citing your sources inside your paper is just as important as the reference list at the end, and the APA format has specific rules for how to do it. This guide covers the basic citation format, how to handle multiple authors, what to do when there’s no author, narrative citations, and how to combine multiple sources in one parenthetical.

May 21, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for the APA Obscura series. Text reads "Citing a Secondary Source in APA 7th Edition" against a blue background. Three white rectangular blocks are arranged in a stair-step pattern with arcing arrows connecting them left to right, representing the chain of transmission from a primary source through a secondary source to the reader.

APA Obscura: Citing a Secondary Source

You found the perfect idea ... but in someone else's paper, not the original source. APA has a specific way to handle this: he secondary source citation. This post covers when it's appropriate, how to format the "as cited in" construction in your paper, and the one reference list rule most students get wrong.

May 18, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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An image with the text "Student Paper vs. Professional Paper: Six APA Differences That Matter" against a blue background with a stack of books in the bottom right corner.

Student Paper vs. Professional Paper: Six APA Differences That Matter

APA 7 doesn’t format all papers the same way – and if you’re setting up a student paper using rules meant for professional manuscripts, your formatting will be off before you write a single word. Here are the six biggest differences between student and professional APA papers, so you get it right from the start.

May 14, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for the PERRLA Feature Spotlight series. Text on the left reads "Creating Tables & Figures with PERRLA" with the subhead "Add perfectly formatted tables and figures to your papers in just a few steps." On the right, a screenshot of PERRLA's Insert Figure interface shows a figure title field with the example entry "Map of Sasquatch Sightings" and an option to select an image from the user's computer.

Feature Spotlight: Creating Tables & Figures with PERRLA

Tables and figures are two of the trickiest formatting areas in APA – and two of the most important. This post breaks down exactly what APA 7th Edition requires for each, then shows you how PERRLA handles all of it automatically, from table titles to figure notes, in just a few clicks.

May 11, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for the APA 101 series. A laptop keyboard is visible on the left side of the image against an orange background. Text on the right reads "APA 7th Edition – Why & What to Cite."

APA 101: Why & What to Cite

Citations aren’t just a formality – they’re the backbone of academic writing. But what actually needs a citation, and what happens when you skip one? This post breaks down why we cite, what plagiarism really means, and exactly which types of content require a source, so you can write with confidence.

May 7, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Blog post header image for APA Obscura series. Text reads "Citing TED Talks in APA 7" against a dark blue curtain background with a spotlight, representing the stage setting of a TED Talk.

APA Obscura: TED Talks

TED Talks make for compelling research sources – but do you know how to cite them correctly in APA? Whether you’re linking to TED.com, YouTube, or a TEDx event, the format varies in a few key ways. Here’s exactly what you need, including reference examples and in-text citation tips.

May 4, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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An image of the interface used to create references for AI tools directly within PERRLA's reference engine along with the text "What's New?" along the left side of the image.

From the PERRLA Newsletter: Finals Week Is Here – Plus Two Updates Worth Knowing About

Finals are here – and PERRLA has two updates timed just right. You can now cite AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini directly inside PERRLA’s reference engine. And a redesigned References panel – now in Beta – makes managing sources easier, with a new file upload feature that lets you attach and view documents right in your browser.

May 1, 2026

Graysen @ PERRLA

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Text that reads, "When to Spell Out Numbers in APA: Eight Rules You Need to Know," against a blue background with cascading numerals.

When to Spell Out Numbers in APA: Eight Rules You Need to Know

APA 7th Edition has specific rules for when to use numerals versus spelled-out numbers. This post covers eight key rules – including the zero-through-nine baseline, the measurement exception, sentence-starting numbers, statistical values, and ordinals – with examples throughout and a quick reference guide for easy scanning.

April 30, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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The PERRLA logo appears over light blue cogs along with the text, "Why is PERRLA's Reference Engine the Best?"

Why is PERRLA's Reference Engine the Best?

Most APA citation tools – Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, EasyBib – run on the same generic open-source engine. PERRLA's Reference Engine is different: human-built using the APA, MLA, and Turabian manuals. It handles every reference type and variation accurately. And unlike the competition, PERRLA formats the entire paper, not just the citations.

April 27, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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A search bar with APA 7th Edition and formatting a webpage reference

APA 101: Formatting a Webpage Reference

Citing a webpage in APA 7 takes five elements: author, date, title, site name, and URL. This post walks you through each one with examples and additional guidance for special cases, like when there's no author listed.

April 23, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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How AI Detection Works & What Students Need to Know

AI detectors have become ubiquitous seemingly overnight, but do you know how they work? Learn what they're really measuring, why they sometimes flag innocent writers, and why your best defense has nothing to do with outsmarting them.

April 20, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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A calendar with dates slightly faded in the background, overlaid with the text "When to Include a Retrieval Date in an APA 7th Edition Reference."

APA Obscura: When to Include a Retrieval Date in an APA 7th Edition Reference

Most APA references don't need a retrieval date, but some do. Getting it wrong not only clutters your reference list, but it can also cost you points. Learn exactly when to include one, when to skip it, and how to format it correctly.

April 16, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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A smartphone displaying social media logos for Reddit, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, representing APA 7th Edition citation guidelines for social media.

How to Format APA Citations for Social Media Posts

Social media posts are showing up in research papers more than ever. Here's your quick guide to citing them correctly in APA 7th Edition format.

April 13, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Using tags in PERRLA to quickly search and organize references in a research library.

Meet PERRLA Tags: The Easiest Way to Manage Your Research

Your research library shouldn't feel like a scavenger hunt. PERRLA's new Tags feature lets you create custom labels, attach them to your sources, and search your library with a simple # shortcut. We've even included some tag ideas to get you started – because that deadline isn't going to wait.

April 9, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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APA 7 reference formatting guide highlighting punctuation and capitalization rules for citations.

APA Reference Lists: Punctuation & Capitalization Pitfalls

APA 7 reference lists have more formatting rules than most people realize, and punctuation and capitalization are where mistakes pile up fast. Getting the details wrong can cost you points, delay a journal submission, or quietly undermine an otherwise strong paper. The good news? Once you know the rules, they stick.

April 6, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Step-by-step breakdown of an APA 7 journal article reference with labeled citation elements.

APA 101: Formatting a Journal Article Reference

APA 7 journal article references follow a specific seven-part structure. Each element has distinct formatting rules around italics, capitalization, and punctuation. Though the process is more involved than other reference types, understanding each component helps make things more manageable.

April 2, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Citing sources without page numbers in APA

APA Obscura: Citing Material Without Page Numbers

When a source lacks page numbers, APA style offers alternatives to help readers locate quotations.For webpages and ebooks, you can use section headings, abbreviated headings, or paragraph numbers. For audiovisual sources, you can use timestamps. For canonical works, use built-in numbering systems. The guiding principle is to help your reader find the passage.

March 23, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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PERRLA Chrome Extension for research notes

Feature Spotlight: Creating Research Notes with PERRLA’s Google Chrome Extension

PERRLA's Google Chrome Extension streamlines research by letting you instantly create references from any webpage and save quotations as Research Notes. Those notes can then be inserted directly into your paper, complete with a perfectly formatted citation.

March 19, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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APA 7 book reference format example

APA 101: Formatting a Book Reference

In APA 7, book references have four main components: author, date, title, and source. While there are many variations of this formula, this brief tutorial on formatting a basic book reference is a helpful place to start.

March 16, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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What is APA Style — overview and history

What Is APA?

APA (American Psychological Association) Style is a standardized system for formatting academic papers and citing sources widely used in the social sciences. Founded almost a century ago, the association published its first style guide in 1929 to bring consistency to scientific writing. It is now in its 7th edition.

March 12, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Citation within a quotation in APA format

APA Obscura: There's a Citation in This Quotation

If you find the perfect quotation for your research paper, but there's a citation inside the quoted work, don't fret. You can still include the quotation in your paper by following a couple of simple guidelines.

March 9, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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PERRLA March 2026 newsletter highlights

From the PERRLA Newsletter: Something Big is Coming & Two Updates You'll Love Right Now

Check out the latest announcements and updates from the March 2026 newsletter, including Tags in PERRLA Online, an upgrade to PERRLA's Google Chrome Extension, and details on a new Institutional Affiliate Program.

March 7, 2026

Graysen @ PERRLA

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Academic citation tools simplifying APA formatting

How Can Academic Citation Tools Simplify APA Formatting?

APA citation generators offer multiple benefits for students working on research papers. Quality tools help students save time by automating the citation process, allowing them to focus on content rather than formatting. These tools also reduce the risk of errors by ensuring adherence to the latest APA guidelines.

March 5, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Citing multiple sources in one citation with PERRLA

Feature Spotlight: Citing Multiple Works with PERRLA

In APA 7, when multiple authors make similar points you'd like to reference in your paper, you'll need to combine their citations into a single set of parentheses. Let's take a look at how to properly format such a 'merged' citation both manually and with PERRLA.

March 2, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Cover image of PERRLA case study highlighting a nursing student improving writing skills in RN–BSN and MSN programs.

PERRLA Partnership: A Proven Platform for Student Success

PERRLA helps our partner institutions improve student APA accuracy, emphasize good writing practices, and reduce grading time. But don't just take our word for it; check out what representatives from Stephen F. Austin University's DeWitt School of Nursing had to say after a recent PERRLA pilot program.

February 26, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Converting research sources into APA references

APA 101: Turning Research into References

A good reference list shows you have grounded your research paper in credible, established evidence. By consistently gathering reliable sources and formatting them correctly, you can produce a clean, verifiable reference list. While everyone’s research style is different, you may find this simple workflow to be helpful.

February 23, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Personal communications in APA style

APA Obscura: Don't Get 'Personal' on Your Reference Page

Sources like personal interviews, text messages, or unrecorded classroom lectures can be viable, even if your reader is unable to view them. These types of sources are called "personal communications," and even though they won't appear on your reference page, they still need to be cited in your paper.

February 19, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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PERRLA All Types tab for reference creation

Feature Spotlight: Get the Most from PERRLA with the ‘All Types’ Tab

PERRLA doesn't just handle the "big three" reference types (books, journal articles, and webpages). With the 'All Types' tab, you can use PERRLA to easily create perfectly formatted references for every reference type.

February 16, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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APA 7 reference page layout example

APA 101: Let’s Build a Reference Page

Start a new page titled References (centered, bold), double-space and alphabetize entries, and use a 0.5″ hanging indent – or let PERRLA build it automatically.

February 12, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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PERRLA February 2026 newsletter

From the PERRLA Newsletter: Google Docs & Upcoming Features

PERRLA's February 2026 newsletter covers Google Docs integration progress and upcoming features for the spring semester.

February 7, 2026

Graysen @ PERRLA

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APA paper introduction section

APA Obscura: Your Introduction Needs No Introduction

APA 7 doesn’t require an Introduction heading – the paper’s first paragraphs are assumed to be introductory. On page 2 of a student paper, repeat the title (bold, centered, Title Case), press Return once, and begin the body; if an instructor explicitly requests an Introduction heading, always follow their directions.

February 3, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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APA 7 paper body formatting guide

APA 101: Formatting the Body of Your Paper

The body of an APA 7 student research paper is where your ideas, evidence, and arguments come together, and correct formatting helps readers focus on your content. This post walks through the key APA requirements for the body of a paper, including page numbering, repeating the title on page two, paragraph formatting, spacing, and the optional use of headings.

January 29, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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PERRLA reference accuracy — real sources only

Numbers Can Be Imaginary. Your References? Not So Much

PERRLA never fabricates references: we pull data from authoritative ISBN/DOI databases and page metadata, our tool won’t invent sources, and we provide features to help demonstrate a student’s authorship and preserve academic integrity.

January 26, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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APA 7 title page format example

APA 101: Start right with a Proper Title Page

Your APA 7 title page is your paper’s first impression — this quick guide shows exactly what to include and how to format it, and PERRLA can build it automatically.

January 20, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Importing .bib files from Zotero and Mendeley into PERRLA

Import .bib Files to PERRLA – Bring your library and research notes with you

Import .bib files from Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, and other tools into PERRLA to convert references and research notes into accurate APA, MLA, or Turabian citations in seconds.

January 12, 2026

Graysen @ PERRLA

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Emoji in APA citations

APA Obscura: Even Emoji Have to Play by the Rules

Emojis are valid in APA 7 references – include the emoji itself when possible, or if you can’t, write the emoji’s name in square brackets (e.g., [grinning face emoji]) – and PERRLA will automatically format social-media references to follow these rules.

January 8, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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Setting up an APA 7 student research paper

APA 101: Setting up your Student Research Paper

A great research paper starts with a great idea, but turning that idea into a successful student research paper begins with a correctly formatted document – this first APA 101 installment explains the difference between APA student and professional papers and reminds students to follow their instructor’s requirements first.

January 5, 2026

Brian @ PERRLA

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APA citation with many authors

APA Obscura: That’s a Lot of Authors

APA 7’s rules for works with large author lists: include all authors in references up to 20, but for 21 or more list the first 19, an ellipsis, and the final author; in-text citations still use et al.

December 29, 2025

Brian @ PERRLA

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Organizing research paper outline before finals

Organizing Your Thoughts Before Final Papers are Due

Beat end-of-semester stress by outlining your research paper. Learn how to structure your introduction, body, and conclusion, place evidence, and use PERRLA to streamline the writing process.

December 9, 2025

Brian @ PERRLA

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PERRLA 2026 renewal pricing update

We're Making a Change to Renewal Pricing

We need to update our renewal pricing – active subscriptions will keep their current rate as long as they remain active, but expired accounts that renew after Jan 15, 2026 will pay current pricing.

November 13, 2025

Graysen & Joey

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PERRLA Google Docs add-on development progress

Exciting Progress on Our Google Docs Add-On: A PERRLA Update

PERRLA’s development team is ~75% complete on the Google Docs Add-On, prioritizing core capabilities and a rearchitected reference engine to guarantee identical citation and formatting behavior across platforms. We're targeting an early-2026 release with incremental updates through the year to reach full feature parity.

November 7, 2025

Joey Nixon, CTO

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Evaluating AI-generated content for academic research

Consider the Source – Why AI Outputs Need Vetting in Academic Research

AI-generated text can fabricate information and even pollute future models, so researchers must vet sources carefully and prioritize academic integrity when using or citing LLMs.

October 22, 2025

Brian @ PERRLA

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PERRLA supporting academic integrity

How PERRLA Supports Academic Integrity (without replacing the work)

PERRLA supports integrity-friendly workflows without replacing the intellectual work students must do.

October 7, 2025

Graysen, CEO

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Student writing at a desk demonstrating academic tone

Academic Tone & Voice – Sound Smart without Sounding like a Robot

Academic tone is about clarity, precision, and evidence – not sounding robotic.

October 1, 2025

The PERRLA Team

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PERRLA fall development update — Google Docs integration

Fall Dev Update: Google Docs is on the Way!

PERRLA’s Fall development priorities with a focus on the first-phase Google Docs integration.

September 23, 2025

PERRLA Team

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Beginner's guide to APA in-text citations

APA In-Text Citations: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Them Right

If you're new to APA Style, learning how to cite your sources can feel overwhelming – but it doesn't have to be.

August 23, 2025

PERRLA Team

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PERRLA version history proving paper authorship

Prove Your Paper is Yours: Using PERRLA’s Version History

PERRLA’s Version History records every edit, citation, and save, creating a 30-day timeline of your writing process. It helps prove authorship, demonstrate effort, and build trust with professors by showing how your paper developed step by step.

August 19, 2025

PERRLA Team

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And So It Goes...

Cliff Batson says goodbye, and longtime PERRLA insiders Joey Nixon and Graysen Pack say hello. The company keeps its mission, mascot, and pricing, but supercharges features to help students write smarter, stress-free papers.

August 9, 2025

Cliff Batson, Joey Nixon, & Graysen Pack

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PERRLA summer 2025 new features

What's New: Summer Feature Roundup

PERRLA’s summer updates add Word for Web support, one-click clean paper downloads, cloud backups, and in-app reference library access. These features streamline academic writing, with more integrations and tools planned to further simplify formatting and citation management.

August 5, 2025

PERRLA Team

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MLA 9 Works Cited page formatting guide

MLA Works Cited Page: Format & Examples

Learn how to create a clean, properly formatted MLA 9 Works Cited page that gives credit where it’s due. This quick guide covers essential rules, common pitfalls, and easy shortcuts to make citation formatting stress-free.

August 4, 2025

PERRLA Team

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Step-by-step guide to structuring a college paper

How to Structure a College Paper (without Falling Apart)

Struggling to start a college paper? Learn a simple, proven structure – introduction, body, and conclusion – plus a powerful outlining tip that makes writing clearer, faster, and far less overwhelming from start to finish.

August 2, 2025

PERRLA Team

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How to cite ChatGPT and AI tools in APA format

Citing AI in APA Style: How to Cite ChatGPT and Other Generative AI Tools

Learn how to properly cite ChatGPT and other AI tools in APA style, avoid plagiarism pitfalls, and understand when and how to credit AI assistance – plus practical tips, examples, and common mistakes every student should know.

July 30, 2025

PERRLA Team

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Why professors shouldn't spend class time on APA mechanics

Why Professors Shouldn’t Be Teaching APA in Class

APA style matters – but teaching its tedious rules in class misses the point. Professors should focus on critical thinking, credible sourcing, and strong arguments, while tools handle formatting – freeing students to engage with ideas that truly matter.

July 25, 2025

PERRLA Team

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How to paraphrase effectively and avoid plagiarism

How to Paraphrase like a Pro and Avoid Plagiarism

Paraphrasing isn’t as simple as it sounds. Learn how to restate ideas clearly, avoid common mistakes, and cite correctly so you can write with confidence, stay original, and never worry about accidental plagiarism again.

July 20, 2025

PERRLA Team

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APA 7 references page formatting guide

A Quick Guide to Formatting the References Page in APA 7 Style

Struggling with APA References? This quick, no-stress guide breaks down exactly how to format your page perfectly – spacing, punctuation, and all – so your citations look polished, professional, and completely professor-proof.

July 15, 2025

PERRLA Team

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