APA Rules for Formatting Instructions Using the Imperative Mood

📚 APA & the Imperative Mood: A Formatting Deep Dive

The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides guidelines for various aspects of academic writing, including grammar and formatting. When providing instructions, the imperative mood (commands or requests) is frequently used. While APA doesn't explicitly forbid the imperative mood, it's essential to use it judiciously and maintain a professional tone. Let's unravel how to use it effectively within the APA framework.

📜 A Brief History

APA style originated in 1929 when a group of psychologists, anthropologists, and business managers sought to standardize scientific writing. The goal was to improve reading comprehension and ensure consistency in research reporting. Over the years, it has evolved, adapting to changes in scholarly publishing and communication.

🔑 Key Principles for Imperative Use in APA

• ✍️ Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your instructions are direct and easy to understand. Avoid ambiguity.
• 🎩 Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and objective tone even when using commands.
• 🚫 Avoid Overuse: Don't overuse the imperative mood; vary sentence structure to prevent a dictatorial sound.
• 🎯 Specific Instructions: When providing instructions, make them as specific as possible to reduce potential errors.
• 💡 Context Matters: Consider the context of your writing. Instructions in a methods section differ from those in a user manual.

📝 Real-World Examples

Let's see how these principles apply in practice:

🔬 Example 1: Methods Section

• 🌡️ Poor: 'You should measure the temperature.'
• ✅ Better: 'Measure the temperature using a calibrated thermometer.'

📊 Example 2: Data Analysis

• 🧮 Poor: 'Calculate the mean and standard deviation.'
• ✅ Better: 'Calculate the mean and standard deviation using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R).'

✍️ Example 3: Report Writing

• 🖋️ Poor: 'Write your introduction.'
• ✅ Better: 'In the introduction, clearly state the research question and provide relevant background information.'

📈 Further Considerations

• 📚 Use Active Voice: Generally, APA prefers active voice. Therefore, phrase your imperative sentences actively (e.g., 'Conduct the experiment' rather than 'The experiment should be conducted').
• 📍 Be Precise with Terminology: Use technical terms accurately and consistently. For example, specify statistical tests precisely (e.g., 'Perform a t-test').
• 🔑 Provide Rationale When Necessary: If the instruction benefits from explanation, briefly provide it (e.g., 'Randomize participant assignment to minimize bias').

🧮 Mathematical Examples (LaTeX)

• ➕ Instruction: 'Calculate the sum of squares.'
• ✅ Example:

  The sum of squares ($SS$) can be calculated using the formula:

  $SS = \sum_{i=1}^{n} (x_i - \bar{x})^2$

🧪 Scientific Examples

• ☣️ Instruction: 'Prepare the bacterial culture.'
• ✅ Example:

  Prepare the bacterial culture by inoculating $5$ mL of LB broth with a single colony of *E. coli* from a freshly streaked agar plate. Incubate at $37^{\circ}C$ for $16$ hours with shaking at $200$ rpm.

🎓 Conclusion

Using the imperative mood in APA style requires a balanced approach. While it is acceptable for providing clear instructions, maintain a professional tone by avoiding overuse and ensuring clarity. By following these guidelines, you can effectively convey instructions while adhering to the principles of APA style.