What APA 7 is for
APA 7 is an author–date referencing system used by many universities and disciplines. The key idea is simple: identify the source in the text and give the reader enough information in the reference list to find it.
In-text citations
For a paraphrase, normally include the author surname and year, such as (Smith, 2026). For a direct quotation, include a page number when one is available. Always check your unit guide because lecturers can specify local requirements.
Reference-list basics
Every source cited in your assessment should normally appear in the reference list, and every reference-list entry should normally be cited in the text. Keep author names, dates, titles, publication details and URLs/DOIs accurate.
- Check that the spelling of author names is consistent.
- Use the correct source type rather than copying a reference format from an unrelated source.
- Prefer a DOI when the source provides one.
- Run your final reference list against the citations in your document.
A better workflow
Create your references while researching rather than leaving them until the final hour. Save the source details immediately, then format and check them before submission. Stack Assignment also provides a free referencing formatter for common styles.