How Do You Write an Article Review in APA Format?

By Staff Writer | Last Updated December 28, 2015

To write an article review in APA format, start by formatting the citation of the article. Read through the article and identify the standard APA sections, such as the abstract, introduction, method, study and results. An APA article ends with a discussion section. Next, read and review the text, noting if each section is covered with the appropriate content. Decide if the article presents the content in a logical progression.

Take notes on what the purpose of the article is, and whether the information presented is relevant. Include the primary argument or objective, and whether the information is comparable to other studies on the same content. Make a list of the main points from each section, and note whether any graphs, images or statistics presented are relevant or effective. Jot down the strengths or weaknesses of the article, and whether the article achieves its objective. Research any references presented in the article to ensure they are presented or formatted correctly.

Use your notes to complete a review document according to the requirements set forth by your instructor. In the conclusion, discuss whether the article is successful in advancing the field of study it is examining. If required, include a personal assessment of whether the article supports what the instructor teaches in class.

In the citation, begin with the last name and first initial of the author. Follow this with the year the author published the article in parentheses, follow by a period outside of the closing parentheses. Write out the name of the article, with the name of the journal following it in parentheses. Place the volume number next in parentheses, and the issue number in another set of parentheses. End the citation with the page numbers of the article.