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LRSN : APA Referencing: Requirements for Reference list

Requirements for a Reference List

The requirements for a Reference List are as follows:

The reference list at the end of the work contains the author's surname and initials, title and publication details. These include the edition, place and date of publication. Rules to follow:

  • in alphabetical order using the surname of the author
  • if there is no author, use the title of the material
  • lines following the first line of entry must be in a hanging indent format, meaning that the first line of each reference is set flush left and subsequent lines are indented 

See sample essay

 

For more information, read this interesting article : "What belongs in the Reference List?" 

By the American Psychological Association.

Alphabetising Authors' Surnames in a Reference List

Here are some simple rules for listing authors in a Reference List:

 

  • Arrange entries in alphabetical order by the surname of the first author followed by initials of the author's given name.

                 Example:    Singh, K.         precedes Singh Siddhu, N

                                      Lopez, M.E.    precedes Lopez de Molina, G

                                      Girard, J.B.     precedes Girard-Perregaus, A.S

 
  • Alphabetise the prefixes M', Mc and Mac literally, not as if they were all spelled Mac. Disregard the apostrophe.

                 Example:   MacArthur      precedes McAllister

                                    MacNeil          precedes M'Carthy
finish
 
See the FAQ tab for frequently asked questions
or scroll to the top for referencing examples.
 
 
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