HILLS APA 7 Referencing Guide for SACE Students
Version: 1.0 | April 2025
Purpose: This guide is designed to support SACE students at HILLS in correctly referencing a wide range of sources using APA 7th Edition, including how to ethically cite content generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
BASIC APA RULES
  • Font: Arial or Times New Roman, 12 pt
  • Double-space all text, including the reference list
  • 2.54 cm (1 inch) margins
  • Left-aligned (not justified)
  • Indent the first line of each paragraph
  • Include page numbers on all pages
  • Only cite common knowledge if unsure
STYLE GUIDE FOR TITLES
  • Capitalise major words in book and article titles within the body of the paper
  • Use italics for book titles, journals, films, TV shows (e.g., The New York Times)
  • Use quotation marks for article/chapter titles in-text (e.g., "The Role of Bees in Ecosystems")
  • Use a comma in a list of 3 or more items
  • Use numerals for numbers 10+, and spell out 0–9 except when referring to time, age, or measurements
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
  • Include author(s) and year: e.g., (Smith, 2023)
  • For direct quotes: add page number or paragraph: e.g., (Smith, 2023, p. 4) or (Jones, 2021, para. 5)
  • For videos: include timestamp: e.g., (Doe, 2022, 1:30)
Author-Date Format
Always include both the author's surname and the year of publication when citing sources in-text.
Page Numbers
Include page numbers for all direct quotations to help readers locate the original source material.
Timestamps
For audiovisual materials, include the specific timestamp where the cited information appears.
QUOTATIONS
  • Under 40 words: include in quotation marks within the text
  • Over 40 words: use a block quote (indented, no quotation marks, double-spaced)
Short Quotation Example
According to Smith (2023), "The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems remains a critical area of research" (p. 42).
Block Quotation Example
Jones (2021) emphasized the importance of biodiversity:
The interconnected nature of ecosystems means that the loss of even a single species can have cascading effects throughout the entire biological community. This underscores the critical importance of conservation efforts that take a holistic approach to protecting not just individual species, but entire habitats and the complex relationships they contain. (p. 78)
APA REFERENCE LIST RULES
  • Start on a new page titled: Reference List
  • Alphabetical order by surname of first author
  • Hanging indent for lines after the first
  • No bullet points or numbering
  • Capitalise only the first word, proper nouns, and the first word after a colon in book/article titles
  • Italicise titles of journals, books, films, and volume numbers
  • Include DOI or URL (no full stop at the end)
  • Include date of access for all online sources
AI USE AND REFERENCING AT HILLS
At HILLS, we are committed to ethical and transparent use of AI tools. Students must reference any content—text, image, or idea—generated by an AI tool like ChatGPT. Generative AI tools are not always reliable sources of truth and should be used thoughtfully.
When you use AI in your work, you must:
  • Clearly cite the AI tool in-text
  • Provide a full reference in your reference list
  • Include the original prompt or question used
  • Include the date the content was generated
APA Citation Example for AI
Reference List: OpenAI. (2023, October 17). Prompt: "Is the left brain–right brain divide real or a metaphor?" ChatGPT-4. https://chat.openai.com/chat
In-text citation: (OpenAI, 2023, "Is the left brain–right brain divide real or a metaphor?")
Use of Grammar Tools
Basic AI tools such as Grammarly or spell check in Microsoft Word are permitted unless spelling and grammar are being directly assessed. Always check with your teacher.
EXAMPLES OF COMMON SOURCE TYPES
Book with One Author
Smith, J. (2021). Understanding ecosystems. Adelaide, SA: Nature Press.
In-text: (Smith, 2021, p. 42)
Website
Australian Government Department of Education. (2023, May 12). Using AI in classrooms. https://www.education.gov.au/ai-classroom-guidelines
In-text: (Australian Government Department of Education, 2023)
YouTube Video
NASA. (2022, March 1). Life beyond Earth: The search continues [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123
In-text: (NASA, 2022, 3:15)
Image
Johnson, K. (2020). Sunrise over Uluru [Photograph]. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://images.au/uluru-sunrise
In-text: (Johnson, 2020)
Personal Communication
Not included in the reference list. Cite in-text only: (S. Brown, personal communication, March 12, 2024)
Additional Support Resources
For more support, speak to your Digital Technologies or English teacher, or visit the library resource hub. This guide is reviewed annually to reflect current best practices for ethical academic referencing.
Teacher Support
Consult with Digital Technologies or English teachers for personalized guidance
Library Resources
Visit the library resource hub for additional reference materials
Annual Updates
This guide is reviewed yearly to maintain current best practices