La Salle University: Connelly Library

These are some basic rules for your references page:

• The word "References" is centered at the top of the page, and capitalized at the first word (no underlining or italics are needed).


• Arrange references in alphabetical order by the author's last name.


• Double space between and within references.


• Use initials for the first and middle names of authors.


• Have a hanging indent at the   second line of the reference.

  For more information about formatting your paper, please see chapter seven of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

APA has a few unusual rules about formatting references. It is helpful to remember that:

• you will want to use double spacing both in between and within entries.


• Only the first letter of the first word of a title of a book chapter or journal article is capitalized.


• The title of the book or journal is italicized, not the title of a chapter or journal article.


• Include the Running Head on your references page.


• Remember to include the page number on the references page.

• Purdue University features an excellent sample APA Style paper and References page.

• You will also find an example of a References page on p. 49 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.