Writing an APA Format Bibliography | Complete Guide for Students [2020], by Global Assignment Help on YouTube. 1 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Collect every source you cited in the paper. A bibliography in APA style is called a reference list, and it should only include works you actually used in the text.
Start the list on a new page with the heading References centred at the top. Do not bold it or put it in quotes.
Sort all entries alphabetically by the first author's surname. If there is no author, sort by the first word of the title.
For a source with more than two authors, list the first author and replace the rest with an ellipsis and the final author's name, following your APA edition's rules.
When you cite several works by the same author, order them by year, oldest first. Works with the same year go alphabetically by title.
If a source has no author, move the title to the author position. For no date, write n.d. in place of the year.
Set a hanging indent of 0.5 inches so the first line sits flush left and every following line is indented.
Group your entries by type if it helps you check them: articles first, then books, then web pages. Confirm each entry follows the APA pattern for its type.
Tips and common mistakes
Double-check the punctuation between author, year, title and source, because small errors are the most common reason for lost marks.
Use the hanging indent setting in your word processor rather than pressing space or Tab.
Keep a running list of sources as you research so you are not hunting for details at the end.
Questions
What is the difference between a bibliography and a reference list?
A reference list includes only the sources you cited in your paper. A bibliography can also list background reading you did not cite. APA papers normally use a reference list.
How do I format a source with no author or no date?
Move the title to the author position and alphabetise by that title. If there is no date, write n.d. where the year would go.
Should the References heading be bold?
In APA 7th edition the heading is centred and bold. Check which edition your course requires, since older editions differ.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
