How to Format Lists in APA
- Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
- Published on 03/01/2024
When drafting an APA paper, effectively formatting lists is essential to maintain clarity and readability. Lists can range from simple bulleted points to more complex, lettered or numbered lists. Here’s a breakdown of how to format lists in accordance with APA guidelines:
SYNTACTICAL AND CONCEPTUAL PARALLELISM
Ensure all items in a list are syntactically and conceptually parallel. This means maintaining consistency in the structure and form of list items. For instance, all items should be either nouns or phrases starting with a verb.
EXAMPLE
| Factors influencing mood include social media use, active participation in online platforms, and perceived meaningfulness of online activities. |
SIMPLE LISTS WITH COMMAS OR SEMICOLONS
In most cases, simple lists are utilized, where commas are used between items, including before the final item. However, if any item within the list contains commas itself, use semicolons instead of commas between the items.
EXAMPLE
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Simple List: The survey assessed participants’ satisfaction, loyalty, and brand perception. Complex List: The research categorized respondents based on their geographic location into urban dwellers, residing in densely populated areas; suburban residents, living in the outskirts of cities; and rural inhabitants, situated in remote countryside areas. |
HOW TO FORMAT A LETTERED LISTS IN APA
When listing items within a sentence and there are three or more items, use a serial comma before the final item. If any item within the list contains commas itself, use semicolons between the items.
EXAMPLE
| Participants provided information about their (a) preferred mode of transportation; (b) dietary habits, including specific nutritional preferences; (c) recreational activities, encompassing hobbies and leisure pursuits; and (d) preferred vacation destinations. |
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Consistent Capitalization: Ensure uniformity in capitalization style throughout the list. Capitalizing the first word of each item, maintaining consistency enhances the professional presentation of the list. Logical Sequence: Organize list items in a logical and intuitive order to facilitate understanding for the reader. Whether arranging items alphabetically, chronologically, or by level of importance, the sequence should follow a clear rationale that aligns with the content of the paper. Clarity Over Length: Prioritize clarity and conciseness when composing list items, avoiding unnecessary detail that may obscure the main points. While it’s important to include all relevant information, excessive elaboration can overwhelm readers and detract from the clarity of the list. By focusing on conveying key points succinctly and directly, writers can ensure that their lists are concise yet informative. |
NUMBERED LISTS FOR COMPLETE SENTENCES OR PARAGRAPHS
Use numbered lists when presenting complete sentences or paragraphs in a series, such as itemized conclusions or steps in a procedure.
EXAMPLE
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Our research concluded as follows:
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Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
Tomas Elliott is an assistant Professor of English at Northeastern University London. His research specialisms include the history of theatre and film, European modernism, world literature, film adaptation, transmedia studies and citation practices. He read English and French Literature at Trinity College, Oxford, before completing a PhD in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Pennsylvania.