How should the reference page be organized?

The correct organization of the reference page is alphabetical by the author's last name followed by the first initial. This method allows readers to easily locate sources cited within the text by providing a systematic way to arrange references. Alphabetizing references enhances clarity and promotes consistency, which is crucial in academic writing where adherence to formats such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style is often required.

Using the author's last name is a widely accepted convention in various referencing styles, ensuring that all entries are easy to find. This approach also helps in distinguishing between authors with similar names, as arranging them alphabetically results in a clear and organized referencing format.

In contrast, organizing references chronologically by submission date may lead to confusion as it does not provide a straightforward method to track sources. Arranging them by the number of citations could misrepresent the importance or relevance of sources used within the text. A random organization would be ineffective in guiding readers and undermines the purpose of having a reference page altogether. Therefore, organizing references alphabetically by the author's last name ensures clarity, accessibility, and proper scholarly communication.