Writing Bibliographies A bibliography (a detailed list of references) is required to accompany your SBA documents. The format recommended for use is the APA style. This is necessary whether other text books, printed articles or the internet was used to gather needed data or information. The following provides guidelines and example for preparing bibliography in the APA format. Books Whenever a text book or books were used, use the following format: Surname, First Name Initial. (Publication year in brackets). Book title in italics. City of publication: Publisher. Example: Covey, S. (1989). The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon & Schuster.