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APA Style Guide

This guide is an introduction to APA 7th edition.

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In-Text Citations

A Vital Component of Scholarly Writing

In-text citations are crucial for maintaining the integrity and credibility of academic and professional writing. Not only do they provide appropriate credit to original authors and thinkers, but they also guide the readers to the detailed source information, ensuring a robust and ethical research framework.

The Basics of In-Text Citations

• Purpose: To pinpoint specific sources used in your writing, directly linking your text to your reference list.

• Function: Act as bridges between direct quotes, paraphrases, or specific ideas and the full citation information provided in the reference list.

Crafting In-Text Citations

Citations typically include the author's surname and the publication year. Depending on the context and the type of source, you may also need to include a page number or other locator.

Basic Format:

  • One author: (Smith, 2020)
  • Two authors: (Smith & Johnson, 2020)
  • Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2020)

Direct Quotes:

When using a direct quote, ensure to include the page number or other relevant locator:

  • With a page number: (Smith, 2020, p. 32)
  • Without page numbers (e.g., web content): (Smith, 2020, para. 4)

Paraphrasing:

Even when putting information in your own words, it's essential to credit the original source:

  • (Smith, 2020)

Multiple Citations:

When referencing several works in one parenthetical citation, order them alphabetically and separate them with semicolons:

  • (Johnson, 2019; Smith, 2020)

Special Circumstances

• No author: Use the first few words of the reference entry (usually the title) and the year: ("Climate Change Insights," 2021)

• Multiple works by the same author: Distinguish them by adding lower-case letters (a, b, c) after the year: (Smith, 2020a)

• Groups as authors: For groups or organizations, write out the full name in the first citation, followed by the abbreviation in subsequent citations. First citation: (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020). Subsequent citations: (APA, 2020).

• Secondary sources: Mention the original source in your text, but only include the source you accessed in your reference list: (Smith, 2020, as cited in Johnson, 2021)