How to Create Lists in APA Format

Lists Within the Sentence

• 1

  Write using parallel grammar. Presenting a list with parallel syntax and concepts makes it easier for your reader to compare items in your list and to follow a sequence of action. An example of parallel structure is, "Participants were instructed to draw a circle, to write about a boy and to jump up and down." Each item in the list contains a verb, preceded by the word to.

• 2

  Include commas after each listed item, with the final commas placed before the conjunction.

• 3

  Use a semicolon if items in your list already contain commas. An example is, "Participants were given: a pencil, which was provided to boys only; six pieces of paper, which was provided to girls only; and a yellow banana."

• 4

  Clarify a complex list using lowercase letters. Use lowercase letters within parenthesis preceding the listed item. An example is, "Participants were given: (a) a pencil, which was provided to boys only during the first session; (b) six pieces of paper, which was provided to girls only during the first session; and (c) a yellow banana, which was provided to both boys and girls during the first session."

Numbered Lists

• 5

  Use a numbered list to outline a procedure or to present itemized information.

• 6

  Capitalize the first word in an item on the list and use appropriate punctuation. Each item in a numbered list can be either a full sentence or a paragraph.

• 7

  Use natural numbers beginning with 1 for your list. An example is:

  The boys ate regularly for the next three weeks.

  1. Seven of the boys had increased heart-rate.

  2. Four of the boys had no noticeable change in heart-rate, but did have lower a cholesterol reading.

  3. Two of the boys contracted pneumonia.

Bulleted Lists

• 8

  Use any symbol for the bullet, although small squares or circles are the default in most word processing programs.

• 9

  Capitalize the first word in every sentence and use appropriate punctuation.

• 10

  Create the bulleted list with full sentences or within the sentence. When you use a bulleted list within a sentence capitalize and punctuate just as you would normally. For example:

  Participants were given

  - a pencil,

  - six pieces of paper, and

  - a yellow banana.

  The use of semicolons is still necessary when commas are used within the sentence. An example is:

  Participants were given

  - a pencil, which was provided to boys only during the first session;

  - six pieces of paper, which was provided to girls only during the first session; and

  - a yellow banana, which was provided to both boys and girls during the first session.