AMA does not have a specific style for formatting papers, so check with your instructor or assignment guidelines when it comes to margins, line spacing, fonts, indents, title papers, etc.
Recommended Formatting Guidelines
Always refer to the assignment guidelines when it comes formatting your writing. If your assignment does not specify any formatting, follow these general AMA guidelines:
- Margins: One inch margins are required around the text. Leave the right margin unjustified (ragged). No columns!
- Line Spacing: Double-space the main text (single space only within the abstract, notes, titles and headings, block quotes, tables and figures, and references—everything but the main text)
- Font: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font
- Indents: Half-inch indents are standard (use the “tab” button) for new paragraphs
- Page Numbers: Place page numbers in the top right-hand corner throughout (starting with the title page)
- Page Headers: Put the title of your document in the top left-hand corner of the page
- Title Page: If your assignment requires a title page, on the first blank page of your document center the following:
- Title of document
- Your name
- Your Instructor’s name
- Course title
- Due date
- No Title Page: If your assignment does not require a title page, in the right-hand corner of your first page, include:
- Your name
- Your instructor’s name
- Course title
- Due date
References Page
- This is a separate page at the end of your paper. Each citation in the text must be listed on the References page; each listing on the References page must appear in the text.
- Left-justify the word References. Then double space and start your list with 1.
- References are listed numerically in the order they are cited in the text of the paper. Put a period after each number.
- Single space each reference. Double space between references.
- If the citation extends to a second line, do NOT indent.
