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If you are looking for some examples of how APA Style is applied in the body or in the works cited of a research paper, then this guide will be helpful.
How Is APA different from MLA?
APA Style and Point of View
Unbiased, objective, scientific
Authoritative
Clear and concise
Consider appropriate voice
Use the singular "they"
Avoid poetic language
Formatting begins before you even type the first word.
Margins—1” all around
Double-spacing all the way through the paper
Page number in the upper right corner of every page
Title page—title of the paper, your name, the name of the department and university, course number and name, instructor name, and assignment due date
References page organized alphabetically by the author’s last name
What is APA style, anyway?
• APA stands for the American Psychological Association.
• APA style is a set of rules for uniform, clear, and concise research -based writing.
• These rules strive for clarity of language (particularly with regards to data, information, and analysis), as well as establishing an ordered system for referencing and crediting sources.
The Language of APA
Citations:
Citations are quick indicators, within your paper, that information has come from a source other than yourself (they are often called “in-text citations”).
Citations appear between parentheses and include the author’s name, the year of publication, and page number.
References:
References contain further information about your sources, such as the names of publishers, titles of
websites or articles, and URL addresses.
References accompany your citations and appear at the end of your paper as part of the References page.
Formatting:
Formatting is the way your paper looks.
This includes everything from the margins, headings, and page numbers, to the way that information is organized in both your references and 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:
Direct Quotes:
When using a direct quote, ensure to include the page number or other relevant locator:
Paraphrasing:
Even when putting information in your own words, it's essential to credit the original source:
Multiple Citations:
When referencing several works in one parenthetical citation, order them alphabetically and separate them with semicolons:
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)
In scholarly writing, acknowledging the sources that have enriched your work is paramount. Your reference page, thus, becomes a vital element, meticulously detailing each source to provide your readers with a roadmap to explore them further.
While different sources require different formats, a generic APA reference entry often adheres to the following structure:
Author's last name, first initial. (year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page number(s), URL address or DOI number
Example:
Roby, J. L., Rotabi, K., & Bunkers, K. M. (2013). Social justice and intercountry adoptions: The role of the U.S. social work community. Social Work, 58(4), 295-303. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swt033
APA book references typically follow this structure:
Author's last name, initials. (year). Title of book. Publisher
Book with One Author
Format:
Author's last name, initials. (year). Title of book. Publisher.
Example:
Smith, J.L. (2010). Exploring the world of aquatic life. Oceanic Press.
Chapter in an Edited Book
Format:
Author's last name, initials. (year). Title of chapter. In Editor's initials and last name (Ed.), Title of book (pp.xx–xx). Publisher.
Example:
Doe, M.E. (2019). The enigma of underwater caves. In L.J. White & T.O. Grey (Eds.), The hidden sea (pp. 102–124). Oceanic Press.
Edited Book
Format:
Editor's last name, initials. (Ed.) (year). Title of book. Publisher.
Example:
White, L.J. & Grey, T.O. (Eds.) (2019). The hidden sea. Oceanic Press.
Format:
Author's last name, first initial. (year, month day). Title of article. Title of Newspaper or Magazine. URL address
Example:
Bustillos, M. (2013, March 19). On video games and storytelling: An interview with Tom Bissell. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/on-video-games-and-storytelling-an-interview-with-tom-bissell
Format:
Groups' full name. (year). Title of article. URL address
Example:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 11). People at increased risk for flu complications. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/
Example:
Reference: King,T. (2020). Integrating source material and formatting in-text citations [PowerPoint slides]. Schoology. https://celticonline.schoology.com/login
