APA Style -- Basics

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (5th ed.).

BF 76.7.P83 2001   (Permanent Reserve, Circulation Desk)

This is the most exhaustive "official" outline of APA Style. The "Reference List" (bibliography) is discussed on pages 215-281, with specific examples for printed materials on pages 239-265.

However, most questions about APA Style, especially those concerning electronic/online sources, can be answered with the following:

APA List of References  (Hacker) .

This resource, part of Diana Hacker's Research and Documentation Online site, answers most questions.

It is more up-to-date than any of the other guides on this page, an important issue because of its superior coverage of electronic/online sources.

Both of the following printed guides are excellent short-cut resources.

A Writer's Reference.  (6th ed).  Bedford/St. Martin's.

In printed form.

Hacker's excellent guide for student writing is recommended by W&L's Writing Program Advisory Committee. APA Style for a bibliography ("APA references") is summarized on pages 396-404.

Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age. (4rd ed.) Bedford/St. Martin's.

In printed form

Booklet supplements Hacker's A Writer's Reference (above), supplying a brief outline of "the essentials."