APA Paper Guidelines Except for length, follow the APA Manual for all style and content issues. Length Restrictions: 50-word (maximum) abstract (the word "abstract" is not included in the 50-word limit) 500-word (maximum) main paper excluding words in the results section and abstract (use as many words/numbers as needed to write a full results section) - Note:  Words contained in/on the title page, abstract, results, or reference section are NOT included in this number.   For project papers, if combining the results and discussion into a single section, the 500 word (maximum) count does NOT apply to that section. **You may not combine the results and discussion for the Article Compression.