Formatting an APA Style Reference List

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7 Aug 202006:13

TLDRCurtis from the Writing Center demonstrates how to format an APA style reference list in Microsoft Word. He explains the process of setting up hanging indentations, double line spacing, and how to create a properly labeled and alphabetized reference list. Curtis emphasizes the importance of accurate formatting for easy navigation and retrieval of sources, highlighting the correspondence between in-text citations and reference entries for effective scholarly communication.

Takeaways

  • 📄 **Start a New Page**: The reference list begins on a new page, continuing the page numbering from the previous body page.
  • ➡️ **Paragraph Formatting**: Use the 'Hanging' indentation in the paragraph settings and set the line spacing to double.
  • 🔑 **Labeling**: The reference list starts with the centered label 'References' in bold, followed by a regular font for the entries.
  • 🔗 **Auto Formatting Links**: If a reference ends with a link, Microsoft Word will auto format it as a functional link, which is acceptable in APA style.
  • 🔠 **Alphabetization**: Entries are alphabetized by the first word that 'hangs out' at the margin, which is also the first major word.
  • 🔑 **In-Text Citation Correspondence**: The first element that hangs out corresponds with the information given in the in-text citation.
  • 📚 **Entry Pattern**: Each reference entry follows a common pattern answering 'who', 'when', 'what', and 'where' regarding the author, publication date, title, and publication location.
  • 📖 **No Author Identified**: If no author is identified, the title goes in the author position, followed by the date and publication information.
  • 🔑 **Capitalization and Italics**: Formatting varies for different types of sources (books, photographs, audio works, articles) using capitalization and italics for distinction.
  • 🔍 **Easy to Locate**: Hanging indentations and alphabetization make it easy to skim and locate specific entries.
  • 🎓 **Educational Use**: For online education, functional links in the reference list are appropriate and should be used.

Q & A

  • What is the first step in formatting an APA style reference list in Microsoft Word?

    -The first step is to access the paragraph settings in the home tab and change the line spacing to double, with no added space between paragraphs.

  • How does one create a hanging indentation for the reference list in APA style?

    -By clicking the special menu in the indentation section of the paragraph settings and changing the setting to hanging.

  • Where does the reference list begin in an APA formatted document?

    -The reference list begins on the first line of a new page, with the page number continuing in sequence from the previous body page.

  • How should the 'References' label be formatted in APA style?

    -Center the cursor and type 'References' in bold font, then press enter to move to the next line.

  • What happens when a reference entry is longer than one line in APA format?

    -The text should wrap to the next line, and all lines after the first will be indented due to the hanging indentation.

  • How does Microsoft Word assist in formatting the next reference entry?

    -When you press enter after a reference, Word will auto format it, changing the color to blue and underlining it, indicating it's a functional link.

  • What is the purpose of alphabetization in the reference list?

    -Alphabetization helps in making the entries easy to skim and locate a specific entry.

  • What is the significance of the first element that hangs out in the margin during alphabetization?

    -The first element corresponds with the information given in the in-text citation, helping the reader to easily identify the source on the reference list.

  • What are the common elements that every reference entry answers?

    -Every reference entry answers the questions 'who', 'when', 'what', and 'where', corresponding to the author, publication date, title, and publication location.

  • How does the absence of an author affect the reference entry format?

    -If there is no author, the title goes in the author position, followed by the date and publication information, and is also used for the in-text citation.

  • What are some formatting differences between various types of reference entries?

    -Reference entries may differ in their use of capitalization, italics, and other formatting based on the type of source, such as a book, photograph, audio work, or article.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Formatting an APA Reference List in Microsoft Word

This paragraph outlines the process of formatting an APA style reference list using Microsoft Word. It begins with instructions on adjusting the line and paragraph spacing, emphasizing the use of hanging indentations for each entry, starting from the first line of a new page. The paragraph details how to set up the reference list with the correct line spacing and indentation, including the use of special settings for hanging indents. It also explains the importance of alphabetization for easy navigation and the role of the first word in the hanging indent as a corresponding element to the in-text citation. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the different formatting rules for various types of sources, such as capitalization and italics, to aid in distinguishing between them.

05:00

📚 Common Patterns and Elements in APA Reference Entries

This paragraph discusses the common structure shared by entries in an APA reference list, despite their individual formatting differences. It explains that each entry is structured to answer the questions of 'who', 'when', 'what', and 'where', with the author, publication date, title, and publication location in that order. The paragraph highlights the flexibility of the format when the author is not identified, with the title taking the first position. It also touches on the correlation between the in-text citation and the reference entry, emphasizing their importance in helping readers locate the full source. The summary ends with a note on the practical application of the guidelines presented in the video for creating a reference list.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡APA Style

APA Style refers to the guidelines for formatting academic papers set forth by the American Psychological Association. It dictates the structure and presentation of references, in-text citations, headings, and more. In the video, the focus is on formatting a reference list according to APA Style, which is a crucial component of academic writing to ensure proper attribution and ease of reference for readers.

💡Reference List

A reference list is a collection of all the sources cited within a written work, arranged alphabetically and formatted according to specific style guidelines. In APA Style, the reference list is essential for providing readers with the full details of the sources used, allowing them to locate and retrieve the original works. The video script details the process of creating a reference list in Microsoft Word, emphasizing the importance of correct formatting for academic integrity and clarity.

💡Hanging Indentation

A hanging indentation is a formatting style where the first line of a paragraph or entry is aligned with the left margin, and all subsequent lines are indented. In the context of the video, hanging indentations are used in APA Style reference lists to distinguish the beginning of each reference entry from the rest of the entry. This visual cue helps readers quickly identify new sources and navigate through the list efficiently.

💡Line Spacing

Line spacing refers to the vertical distance between lines of text in a document. In APA Style, the recommended line spacing for a reference list is double, which enhances readability and makes the document look neater. The video emphasizes the importance of adjusting line spacing to double to meet APA Style requirements and ensure that the reference list is easy to read and well-organized.

💡Alphabetization

Alphabetization is the process of arranging items in alphabetical order, typically used for reference lists and indexes. In APA Style, the reference list must be alphabetized based on the first word or element that 'hangs out' at the margin. This systematic organization allows readers to quickly find specific references and ensures a standard approach to ordering entries in academic writing.

💡In-Text Citation

An in-text citation is a brief reference to a source within the body of a text, which corresponds to a full citation in the reference list. It allows readers to identify the source of a claim or quote and find more information about it. In APA Style, in-text citations are formatted with the author's last name and the publication year, and they serve as a 'breadcrumb' that helps guide readers back to the full citation in the reference list.

💡Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a widely used word processing software that allows users to create, edit, and format documents. In the context of the video, Microsoft Word is the tool through which the reference list is formatted according to APA Style guidelines. The software's features, such as paragraph settings and auto-formatting, are utilized to achieve the correct formatting for academic papers.

💡Functional Links

Functional links are clickable references that direct users to the source material. In academic writing, especially when papers are read online, functional links in the reference list are important for providing access to the full text of sources. The video mentions that Microsoft Word auto-formats links to be functional, which is acceptable in APA Style when the paper is intended for online education.

💡Reference Entry Pattern

The reference entry pattern refers to the standardized structure that each entry in a reference list must follow according to APA Style. This pattern includes answering the questions of who (author), when (publication date), what (title), and where (publisher). Following this pattern ensures consistency and helps readers quickly understand the type of source and where to find it. The video explains that while entries have different formatting rules depending on the source type, they all share this common structure.

💡Capitalization

Capitalization in the context of APA Style refers to the rules for using uppercase and lowercase letters in reference entries. Proper capitalization is important for distinguishing between different types of sources, such as books, articles, and websites. The video script mentions that reference entries use different types of capitalization, with certain words and elements capitalized to highlight the nature of the source and make it easier for readers to identify.

Highlights

Formatting an APA Style Reference List in Microsoft Word

Reference list begins on the first line of a new page

Line spacing should be set to double

Use hanging indentation for entries

References auto-formatted as functional links in online papers

Entries are alphabetized by the first element

The first major word determines the alphabetization

Hanging indentations and alphabetization make entries easy to skim

In-text citation corresponds to the first element that hangs out

Reference entries have different formatting based on the source type

The entry pattern answers 'who', 'when', 'what', and 'where'

Author's name begins the entry, followed by publication date and title

If no author, title goes in the author position

APA style helps readers locate and retrieve sources

Video provides guidance on starting a reference list

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