Creating an accurate and appropriately formatted reference list is an essential aspect of academic writing. In this blog post, we'll discuss the guidelines for crafting APA7 reference list entries, covering different source types to help you master this crucial part of the citation process.
Understanding the Purpose
The reference list at the end of your paper provides full information about the sources you cited within your work. This allows readers to locate and review these sources themselves. In APA7, references should be ordered alphabetically by author surname, and chronologically per author where multiple works by the same author are cited.
Basic Structure
The basic structure of an APA7 reference list entry includes the author's surname, followed by their initials, the publication date in parentheses, the title of the work, and the source.
For example:
Smith, J. (2020). An example book title. Publisher.
Book References
When citing a book, after the author and date, write the title of the book in sentence case and italicize it. The publisher's name comes after the title.
For example:
Johnson, L. (2018). Mastering academic writing: A guide for students. Education Press.
Journal Article References
For journal articles, after the author and date, include the title of the article (in sentence case), the title of the journal (in title case and italics), the volume number (in italics), the issue number (in parentheses, not italicized), and the page range of the article.
For example:
Miller, R. (2019). Learning strategies in modern education. Journal of Education and Learning, 12(3), 34-45.
Online Article References
When citing an online article or webpage, include the author, date, title of the article (in sentence case), and the URL.
For example:
Brown, T. (2020). Exploring online learning. Education Today. https://www.educationtoday.com/onlinelearning
Multiple Authors
When a source has up to 20 authors, list all of them by their last names followed by initials, separating each with a comma, and using an ampersand (&) before the final author's name.
For example:
Davis, B., Thomas, J., & Peterson, R. (2018). Collaborative learning in classrooms. Education Weekly.
No Author
If a source has no author, start with the title of the work, followed by the date.
For example:
Comprehensive guide to modern education. (2019).
DOI
For articles accessed online that have a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), include the DOI at the end of the reference, formatted as a URL (i.e., https://doi.org/xxxxx).
For example:
King, M. (2020). E-learning trends in the 21st century. Online Learning Journal, 15(4), 78-92. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Mastering the APA7 reference list format might seem overwhelming at first, but with practice, it becomes a seamless part of your writing process. If you're ever unsure, consult the APA7 manual, or consider reaching out to our professional academic editing services. We're here to ensure your academic work is clear, precise, and adheres to the latest formatting standards.
