The reference page is a crucial element of any APA-formatted paper. It lists all the sources you cited in your paper, allowing readers to find the original material and verify your information. Here's a detailed breakdown of the APA format for a reference page:
1. Title:
* Heading: "References" centered at the top of the page.
* Font: Use the same font, size, and spacing as the rest of your paper (usually Times New Roman, 12pt, double-spaced).
2. Order and Organization:
* Alphabetical: References are listed alphabetically by the first author's last name.
* Multiple entries by the same author: Order alphabetically by the year of publication (oldest to newest). If the same author has multiple works from the same year, add lowercase letters (a, b, c) after the year to distinguish them.
3. Basic Format:
* Hanging Indent: The first line of each reference is flush left, while subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.
* Author: Last name first, followed by initials. For multiple authors, separate with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author.
* Year of publication: In parentheses directly after author names.
* Title: Italicize the titles of books, journals, and websites. Use sentence case for titles, capitalizing only the first word and proper nouns.
* Retrieval information: For electronic sources, include the retrieval date if the content may change.
4. Specific Examples:
* Journal Article:
* Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. *Journal Title*, *Volume Number*, *Issue Number*, page range.
* Example:
* Smith, J. D., & Jones, K. L. (2023). The impact of social media on self-esteem. *Journal of Social Psychology*, *153*, 1, 25-40.
* Book:
* Author, A. A. (Year). *Title of book*. Publisher.
* Example:
* Brown, L. M. (2020). *The psychology of color*. Penguin Books.
* Website:
* Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). *Title of page or document*. Retrieved from [URL]
* Example:
* American Psychological Association. (2023, October 27). *APA Style*. Retrieved from https://apastyle.apa.org/
* Other Sources:
* APA provides detailed formatting guidelines for different types of sources, including dissertations, conference proceedings, and reports.
5. Additional Notes:
* Direct quotes: Include the page number or paragraph number in parentheses after the quote.
* Personal communication: Cite personal communications (e.g., emails, interviews) in the text, but do not include them in the reference list.
* Formatting and spacing: Ensure consistent formatting (font, spacing, etc.) throughout the reference page.
Resources:
* APA Style Manual, 7th Edition (The official guide)
* APA Style Website: https://apastyle.apa.org/
Remember, consistency and accuracy are crucial when creating a reference page in APA format. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your sources are properly acknowledged and that your paper is professionally presented.