A reference list in APA format follows a specific structure and appearance to ensure consistency and clarity. Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
1. Heading:
* Centered: The word "References" should be centered at the top of the page.
* Bold: The word "References" should be in bold font.
2. Entries:
* Alphabetical order: Entries are listed alphabetically by the first author's last name.
* Hanging indent: The first line of each entry is flush with the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented (usually 0.5 inches).
* Double-spaced: All entries are double-spaced.
* Consistent format: Every entry follows the same structure:
* Author(s): Last name, First initial. (Year).
* Title:
* Source:
* Retrieval information (if applicable):
3. Citations:
* Directly correspond to text: Every reference listed should have a corresponding in-text citation within the paper.
* Use author-date format: In-text citations typically include the author's last name and the year of publication (e.g., Smith, 2023).
4. Specific Formats:
* Books: Author(s), (Year). *Title of book* (Edition, if not the first). City of Publication: Publisher.
* Journal Articles: Author(s), (Year). Title of article. *Journal Title*, *Volume Number*(Issue Number), Page numbers.
* Websites: Author(s), (Year). *Title of webpage*. Retrieved from [website URL]
* Other sources: Refer to the APA style guide for specific formats for various source types.
Example:
References
Books:
* Smith, J. (2023). *The history of psychology*. New York: Routledge.
* Johnson, A. & Brown, R. (2022). *Fundamentals of sociology* (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Journal Articles:
* Williams, M., & Jones, K. (2021). The impact of social media on self-esteem. *Journal of Social Psychology*, *121*(3), 25-38.
* Miller, R. (2020). The evolution of language. *Language and Communication*, *10*(1), 5-12.
Websites:
* American Psychological Association. (2023). *APA style guide*. Retrieved from https://apastyle.apa.org/
Important Notes:
* Use italics for titles of books and journals, but not for article titles.
* The reference list should be on a separate page at the end of the paper.
* Always consult the official APA Publication Manual for the most up-to-date guidelines.