Creating a properly formatted reference list is essential for academic writing, professional reports, and research documentation. This guide walks you through sample reference list examples, critical rules, and practical tips to build a clean, accurate list of sources for your work.

Why a Reference List Matters

A reference list serves as the roadmap for your readers, showing exactly where you obtained your facts, ideas, and supporting material. Without it, your work loses transparency and credibility.

By providing full details for each source, you help peers, instructors, and reviewers locate the material, verify your claims, and build on your research. For instance, the official guidelines note that a reference list “allows readers to identify and locate the cited works.” 

Basic Rules for a Reference List

Sample Reference List Entries

Here are several example entries formatted in the widely used American Psychological Association (APA) style, 7th edition:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Building Your Own Sample Reference List

Here’s a simple workflow to get started:

  1. Gather each source you cited in your text (books, articles, webpages, etc.).
  2. For each source, extract: author(s), publication date, title, publisher or journal, volume/issue/page (if applicable), and DOI or URL.
  3. Format each entry according to your chosen style (e.g., APA 7).
  4. Arrange entries alphabetically by authors.
  5. Insert the reference list on its own page, titled “References”.
  6. Double‑check: hanging indents, correct capitalization, and accurate details.

Why the Term “Sample Reference List”?

Using the term “sample reference list” helps writers visualize how their finished list should appear. It often acts as a template or model that you can replicate for your own work. Library guides frequently use this phrase: for example, the Victoria University guide notes a “sample reference list” is available to show formatting and layout. 

Quick Checklist Before Submission

Conclusion

A clean, correctly formatted reference list enhances your writing’s professionalism and trustworthiness. Use the sample reference list examples above as a benchmark. Make sure each entry is precise and consistently styled. Want to streamline your workflow further? Consider using tools like the AI‑powered cover letter generator at LetterLab — especially if you’re preparing documents that accompany your research or academic submission.