When writing a research essay, the format and references must follow the assigned style such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. APA style requires citations in parentheses in the text and a References list at the end. Information should be cited to avoid plagiarism and copyright details recorded for all sources. APA reference formats include author's last name, publication year for books and author, date, title and URL for websites. The references page is titled "References" and double spaced with the paper title and page number formatted as specified.

1. When you begin writing a research essay, you must take into account the format of your writing and
reference pages. There are several reference styles that may be assigned to you, including MLA (Modern
Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago. Each one has its own set of
rules.

2. Using APA
1. Cite while you write. APA requires citations inside parentheses in the text of an essay, compiling
them in an alphabetical References list at the end of a document. While you're writing an essay, it's
important to cite information so that you avoid plagiarism (a form of cheating).

3. 2. Gather information. Write down copyright information as you go for every piece of research you
glean from. Write it down for every source you look at with a note to jog your memory--you'll be
surprised how many ideas you start to paraphrase, unable to remember where you got that idea.

4. The format for an APA book reference looks like: Last name, First name. (Year.) Title of Book: Capital
letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher. The format for an APA website reference looks like: Author,
A.A. First name, & Author, B.B. (Date published.) Title of article. In Title of webpage or larger
document or book (chapter or section number). Retrieved from URL address

5. 4. Format the page. Double-space your document, and title the references page "References" at the top-center
of the page. Put the page number all the way to the right, and a shortened version of the title of your paper all
the way to the left in all capital letters.