Skip to Main Content
+27 21 959 2946library@uwc.ac.za

ukwazi 2   

Referencing: APA Style 7th Edition

This is a guide to using the Citing and Referencing: APA 7th Edition

Websites and social media

Notes:

  • A document on the web (not a journal article) will often be a downloadable Word or .pdf file, available from a website or webpage. It can include government publications, curriculum documents and policy documents. A document on the web is referenced differently to a website.
  • Italicise the title of a standalone document found on the web.
  • Use the year of publication, or if the source undergoes regular revision, use the most recent update.
  • Use (n.d.), i.e. no date where no publication date is available.
  • Where no author is available, transfer the organisation behind the website, or the title, to the author space.
  • When mentioning an entire website in general give the URL in parentheses (no in-text citation or reference list entry is required) e.g. We created our references using the APA Style (https://apastyle.org).
  • When URL is long or complex, you may use a short version of the URL. Use a site such as Bitly URL Shortener to create manageable URLs. For example: Long URL https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/2e5a7bd9-4465-4fb6-8fca-041f0c874cb7/13426.pdf.asp Short URL https://bit.ly/2rprcj5 *Both URLs will access the same document.
  • For further information see Webpage on a website references.
  • Replicate emojis where possible or include name in square brackets. For example [winking face emoji] for https://emojipedia.org/winking-face/ 

Document on the web

Format: 

Author, A. A. & Author, B. B. (YYYY, Month DD). Title of work. Site Name. https://xxxxxx
Example: 

Scholes, R., & Engelbrecht, F. (2021). Climate impacts in southern Africa during the 21 st Century. file:///C:/Users/UWCStaff/Downloads/Climate-impacts-in-South-Africa_Final_September_2021.FINAL_.pdf

  • Give the most specific date possible; include retrieval date only if the content is designed to change and the page is not archived.
  • Omit the site name when it is the same as the author.

Webpage

Format: 

 

Author, A. A. & Author, B. B. (YYYY, Month DD). Title of work. Site Name. https://xxxxxx
Example: 

Slat, B., & Worp, C. (2019, April 10). Whales likely impacted by Great Pacific garbage patch. The Ocean Cleanup. https://www.theoceancleanup.com/updates/whales-likely-impacted-by-great-pacific-garbage-patch/

  • Give the most specific date possible; include retrieval date only if the content is designed to change and the page is not archived.
  • Omit the site name when it is the same as the author.

Image from the web

Format: 

Artist last name, Initial. (Year). Title of work [Format]. Site Name. https://xxxxxx
Example: 

Roe, W. (2003). Graaff Reinet from the mountain top [Photograph}. Royal Commonwealth Society Library. Cambridge University Library. University of Cambridge. https://bit.ly/3O2V4HH   

UWC LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICES

University of the Western Cape,

Robert Sobukwe Road,

Bellville,

7535

Tel: 021 959 2946