1. Author's surname: Include the last name of the author. For multiple authors, include the last names of all authors up to a certain number (usually three or six), then use "et al." For example: (Smith, 2023) or (Smith and Jones, 2023) or (Smith et al., 2023).
2. Year of publication: Include the year in which the source was published. For sources without a specific publication year, use "n.d." (no date). For example: (Smith, 2023).
3. Page number (if necessary): This is especially important when you are directly quoting or referring to specific information from a particular page or pages. Include the page number (or page range) following the year of publication, separated by a comma. For example: (Smith, 2023, pp. 14-15).
This basic format can vary slightly depending on the style guide or referencing system you are using (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). Additionally, some style guides also require including additional information, such as the title of the work or website and specific information for different source types (e.g., book, journal article, online resource, etc.). It's important to follow the specific guidelines of the style you are using to ensure citation accuracy.