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Style Tips

Use a colon

stylized bullet between a grammatically complete introductory clause (one that could stand as a sentence) and a final phrase or clause that illustrates, extends, or amplifies the preceding thought. If the clause following the colon is a complete sentence, it begins with a capital letter.

For example, Freud (1930/1961) wrote of two urges: an urge toward union with others and an egoistic urge toward happiness.

They have agreed on the outcome: Informed participants perform better than do uninformed participants.

stylized bullet in ratios and proportions

The proportion (salt:water) was 1:8.

stylized bullet in references between place of publication and publisher

New York: Wiley. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

(adapted from the fifth edition of APA's Publication Manual, © 2001)

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