Basic Structure
1. Heading: "References" or "Works Cited" is centered at the top of the page.
2. Entries: The list of references follows, arranged alphabetically by the author's last name (or by the first word of the title if there is no author).
3. Hanging Indentation: Each entry is indented on the second and subsequent lines. This makes the list visually appealing and easy to scan.
Entry Formatting (General Principles)
* Order: Elements are presented in a specific order (see below).
* Punctuation: Commas and periods are used to separate elements.
* Italics: Titles of books, journals, and websites are italicized.
* Capitalization: Use title case (capitalize all major words) for book and article titles.
* Spacing: Double-space the entire reference list.
Standard Entry Components
The precise elements within a reference entry depend on the source type (book, journal article, website, etc.). Here's a general structure:
* Author: Last name, First initial. (If multiple authors, include all authors).
* Year: (Year of publication).
* Title: *Title of the work* (for books, journals, websites).
* Publication Details: This will vary depending on the source:
* Book: City of publication: Publisher.
* Journal Article: *Journal Name*, Volume number (Issue number), Page numbers.
* Website: Retrieved from [URL] (for websites with a clear date, add "Accessed on [Date]").
Examples
* Book:
Smith, J. (2020). *The history of science*. New York: Penguin Books.
* Journal Article:
Jones, A. B., & Davis, C. D. (2021). The impact of climate change on biodiversity. *Nature*, 590(7846), 452-458.
* Website:
World Health Organization. (2023). COVID-19: Situation reports. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2020-DON384
Important Notes
* Style Guides: Different style guides (MLA, APA, Chicago) have specific rules for formatting references. Be sure to follow the guidelines of the style guide required for your work.
* Consistency: Use consistent formatting for all entries. This helps ensure clarity and avoids confusion.
Finding Help
* Online Resources: Many online resources, including Purdue OWL (https://owl.purdue.edu/) and the MLA Handbook (https://www.mla.org/), provide comprehensive guides to reference formatting.
* Your Instructor: If you're unsure about how to format a reference, don't hesitate to ask your instructor or a librarian for help.