Your reference list, line by line

Order

Alphabetize references according to the first word of the reference — usually the last name of the first author. When a work has no author, the title is the first element of the reference, so alphabetize by the title instead.

When multiple references have an identical author (or authors) and publication year, add a lowercase letter after the year. The letters are assigned in the order the references are placed in the reference list, which is alphabetical by title.

Spacing and indentation

Do not use the labels "Works Cited," "Bibliography," or "Reference List." Apply the 0.5-in. hanging indent to the whole list, which keeps the first line of each reference flush left and indents any later lines. Double-space the whole list and don't add extra blank space between references.

Matching citations to entries

The year in the in-text citation should match the year in the reference list entry. Use only the year in the in-text citation, even if the reference list entry contains a more specific date, such as a year, month, and day.

Each in-text citation must correspond to only one reference list entry.

Before you submit

Run this two-way check before you turn your paper in, exactly as APA Style describes it:

• Double-check that all the works cited in the text are included in the reference list. Add any missing references. (Exceptions: personal communications, which can't be retrieved, are cited in the text only; general mentions of websites need only a link in the text.)
• Double-check that all the works in the reference list are cited in the text. If a work isn't cited, either cite it or delete the reference. (Exception: references in a meta-analysis don't require in-text citations.)