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Amber Robertson is the founder of Quill and Fox. A creative writing studio that helps people find their voice and share their stories. Amber is also a published author, with her first book slated for release in 2020. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, writing, and traveling. When Amber was younger, she loved to write short stories and plays. But somewhere along the way, she lost touch with her creativity. It wasn’t until she became a mom that she realized how important it was to share her stories—both the good and the bad—with the people she loves most. That’s when Quill and Fox was born. Amber is passionate about helping others find their voice and share their stories. She believes that every person has a story worth telling, and it’s her mission to help them tell it in a way that is authentic and true to themselves

How To Cite Apa In Paper
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How to Cite APA in Paper
Amber Robertson
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As a writer, researcher, or student, it is essential to acknowledge and give credit to the sources you use in your work. Citing sources in a standard format is critical to ensure the original authors receive proper credit and to avoid plagiarism. The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is widely used in social sciences, education, and business fields. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to cite APA in paper.

Basic Rules of APA Style

A writer citing sources in an APA-style paper
A writer citing sources in an APA-style paper

Before we delve into the specifics of APA citation, let’s first understand the basic rules of APA style. In APA, there are two main components of citation: in-text citations and the reference list. In-text citations are brief references within the text that refer to the corresponding entry in the reference list. The reference list is a complete list of all sources used in the paper, listed in alphabetical order by author’s last name. Here are some important rules to keep in mind:

In-text Citations

  • In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses.
  • If you are directly quoting the source, include the page number(s) as well.
  • If there are multiple authors, list them all in the in-text citation, separated by commas. For three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.”
  • For group authors, use the full name in the first citation and abbreviate subsequent citations.
  • Electronic sources should include a locator, such as a DOI or URL, in the in-text citation.

Reference List

  • The reference list should be double-spaced and formatted with a hanging indent.
  • The first line of each reference should be flush left, and subsequent lines should be indented.
  • Books, journal articles, and web sources should be formatted differently in the reference list.
  • Use common abbreviations and acronyms to save space in the reference list.

Now that we have covered the basic rules of APA style let’s dive into the specifics of in-text citations.

In-Text Citations

In-text citations are used to give credit to the original authors and to allow readers to locate the original source in the reference list. In APA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses. If you are directly quoting the source, include the page number(s) as well. Here are some examples:

  • (Smith, 2019)
  • (Johnson & Brown, 2018)
  • (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2017)
  • (University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], 2016)

In the first example, we have a single author. In the second example, we have two authors. In the third example, we have a group author with an abbreviation in brackets. In the fourth example, we have a group author with an acronym in brackets.

If you are directly quoting the source, you should also include the page number(s). For example:

  • “The sky is blue” (Smith, 2019, p. 15).
  • According to Johnson and Brown (2018), “The economy is booming” (p. 23).

When citing multiple sources within the same sentence, list them in alphabetical order by author’s last name and separate them with semicolons. For example:

  • (Johnson, 2017; Smith, 2018; White, 2019)

In the next section, we will cover various scenarios that may arise when citing sources in APA style.

Multiple Authors and Group Authors

In APA style, there are specific rules for citing sources with multiple authors or group authors. If a source has two authors, list both names in the in-text citation, separated by an ampersand (&). For example:

  • (Johnson & Brown, 2018)

If a source has three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” in the in-text citation. For example:

  • (Smith et al., 2019)

If a source has a group author, use the full name in the first citation and abbreviate subsequent citations. For example:

  • First citation: (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2017)
  • Subsequent citation: (NIMH, 2017)

If a source has an acronym as a group author, use the acronym in the first citation and then use the acronym in subsequent citations. For example:

  • First citation: (University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], 2016)
  • Subsequent citation: (UCLA, 2016)

Now that we have covered in-text citations let’s move to the reference list.

In-Text Citations (continued)

Author-Date Citation

The author-date citation system is the most common format used in APA style. This system requires the author’s last name and the year of publication to be included in the in-text citation. For example:

  • According to Smith (2019), “The research findings are significant” (p. 24).

If the author’s name is already mentioned in the text, only the year of publication needs to be included in the in-text citation. For example:

  • Smith (2019) found that “The research findings are significant” (p. 24).

Direct Quotes and Paraphrasing

Direct quotes should be used sparingly, and only when necessary to convey the original author’s exact words. When using direct quotes, use double quotation marks and include the page number(s) in the in-text citation. For example:

  • According to Johnson (2018), “The study found that ‘students who studied for longer periods of time achieved higher grades'” (p. 15).

Paraphrasing is a common way to incorporate information from a source into your own writing. When paraphrasing, you must still give credit to the original author by including an in-text citation. For example:

  • According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2017), depression is a common mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.

Multiple Authors and Group Authors (continued)

When citing sources with multiple authors, list all authors in the in-text citation, separated by commas. For example:

  • (Johnson, Brown, & Lee, 2019)

When citing sources with three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” in the in-text citation. For example:

  • (Smith et al., 2019)

If the source has a group author, use the full name in the first citation and abbreviate subsequent citations. For example:

  • First citation: (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2017)
  • Subsequent citation: (NIMH, 2017)

If the source has an acronym as a group author, use the acronym in the first citation and then use the acronym in subsequent citations. For example:

  • First citation: (University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], 2016)
  • Subsequent citation: (UCLA, 2016)

Reference List

The reference list is a complete list of all sources used in the paper, listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Here are some general rules to keep in mind:

General Rules

  • The reference list should be double-spaced and formatted with a hanging indent.
  • The first line of each reference should be flush left, and subsequent lines should be indented.
  • Use italics for book titles, journal titles, and volume numbers.
  • Use “Retrieved from” for electronic sources.

Formatting Guidelines

Here are the formatting guidelines for various types of sources:

Books

  • Author’s last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Title of book. Publisher.

For example:

  • Smith, J. (2019). The Art of Writing. Penguin Books.

Journal Articles

  • Author’s last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page range.

For example:

  • Johnson, M. (2018). The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health. Journal of Psychology, 15(2), 24-35.

Web Sources

  • Author’s last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Title of webpage. Website name. URL.

For example:

Other Sources

There are several other types of sources that may require specific formatting guidelines, such as conference papers, government documents, and dissertations. Check the APA manual for specific guidelines for these types of sources.

In the next section, we will cover APA paper formatting guidelines.

APA Paper Formatting

In addition to in-text citations and the reference list, APA style also includes specific guidelines for formatting the paper itself. Here are some key elements to keep in mind:

Title Page

  • The title page should include the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation.
  • The running head should be included on the top left of every page.

Abstract

  • The abstract is a brief summary of the paper and should include the research question, methods, and results.
  • The abstract should be on a separate page and no more than 250 words.

Body

  • The body of the paper should include an introduction, methods, results, and discussion.
  • Use clear and concise language and avoid unnecessary jargon.
  • Use headings and subheadings to organize the paper and make it easier to read.

Headings and Subheadings

  • Use headings and subheadings to organize the paper, starting with level 1 headings (centered, bolded, title case) and moving to level 2 headings (flush left, bolded, title case), and so on.
  • Use parallel structure for headings and subheadings.

Tables and Figures

  • Use tables and figures to present data clearly and concisely.
  • Label each table and figure with a number and a descriptive title.
  • Include a caption for each table and figure that explains the content.

Footnotes

  • Use footnotes sparingly and only for additional information that is not included in the text.
  • Number footnotes consecutively throughout the paper.

Tips and Tricks for APA Citations

Citing sources in APA style can be challenging, but there are several tools and strategies you can use to make the process easier. Here are some tips and tricks:

Using Citation Tools

  • There are several online citation tools, such as EasyBib and Citation Machine, that can help you generate APA citations quickly and accurately.
  • Some reference management tools, such as Zotero and Mendeley, can also help you organize your sources and create APA citations.

Avoiding Plagiarism

  • Plagiarism is a serious offense and can have severe consequences. Always give credit to the original authors and avoid copying and pasting text without proper citation.
  • Use your own words to summarize and paraphrase information from sources.

Common Errors to Avoid

  • Common errors in APA citation include incorrect formatting, missing information, and incorrect punctuation.
  • Double-check your citations and reference list for accuracy and completeness.

Resources for Further Learning

  • The APA Publication Manual is the definitive guide to APA style and is available online and in print.
  • The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is an excellent resource for learning more about APA citation and formatting.
  • Your institution’s writing center or library may also offer workshops or resources on APA style.
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