Identify the types of works you are using as sources within your academic paper. According to APA style guidelines, there are multiple types of sources, depending upon the document you are referencing. For example, journal articles, video clips, blogs, studies and photographs all have their own distinct reference formats.
Sort your works according to their type of reference. By creating a list that compartmentalizes all of your references, you can more easily put all of your sources into APA style. In addition, this list will be beneficial when it comes time to make the bibliography, which APA style requires to be in alphabetical order.
Review the APA style guidelines for each type of work you reference in your paper. Make sure you understand the format for each reference type.
Scan your paper for all of the in-text citations. General rules for APA in-text citations require the author and year for when you make reference to the source. Direct quotations call for the author, year and page number, which follows the quote. For example, a general in-text citation can be either "(Bengs, 2009)," or for a direct quote as follows: According to Bengs (2009), "The best photography is when the picture captures the person's spirit" (p. 3).
Complete your reference section. According to general APA style, all references should be in alphabetical order. Review the reference section of the APA style manual for specific examples of style formats.