APA - American Psychological Association

APA References List formatting rules call for the end documentation to begin on a new page at the end of your document and that it carry the next sequential number available. For instance, if your paper is 6½ pages long, the References List should begin on page 8, not halfway down page 7.

Note: Unless informed otherwise, you can count on your instructor not counting the References List in the total page count of an eight page assignment.

The page itself should be formatted in the following way:

• The title of the page-References List-should be centered one inch from the top of the page.
• Double space between the title and the first entry, then double space all entries.

Individual entries should be formatted in the following way:

• The first line of an entry is flush with the left margin.
• When the entry has a second line, give that line a hanging indent five spaces in from the margin.
• Entries are listed alphabetically by author: last name first.
• Use only one space after periods and colons.
• Spell out months containing up to four letters; abbreviate all others to three letters (i.e., July, Dec.).

Select from the links below to view examples of the basic References List formatting rules and specific variations to these rules.

• APA Directory of References List Formatting Rules
• APA Directory of Variations to References List Formatting Rules

Note: These directories include only the most common formatting rules. If what you are looking for is not covered in them, please click on Additional APA Resources for more information. When formatting online Web site and Internet sources becomes confusing, clarify expectations with your instructor.