My anthropology professor said that our format doesn't combine words like 'will not --> won't' but now I need APA. And I can't find the answer through using my GoogleFu. Does APA format require all words to be separate?
And I quote: http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2015/12/contractions-in-formal-writing-whats-allowed-whats-not.html Contractions are a part of informal writing. Thus, avoid contractions in scholarly writing, except for under the following circumstances: If you are reproducing a direct quotation that contains a contraction (e.g., a quotation from a research participant), leave the contraction as-is. If you are writing about contractions (e.g., in a paper about language), naturally you must be able to use contractions as linguistic examples. If you are reproducing an idiom that contains a contraction (e.g., “don’t count your chickens before they hatch”), leave the contraction (no need for “do not count your chickens…”). If you are making an off-the-cuff or informal remark within an otherwise formal paper, it is okay to use a contraction as part of your writing voice. You might find this kind of remark in a footnote or a parenthetical statement. Scientific writing should be formal but it doesn’t have to be stuffy. It is okay to have a moment of informality as long as the overall tone is appropriately formal.
