The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely used citation format in academic and professional writing. When it comes to in-text citations, APA style requires authors to provide a brief reference to the source within the text, which corresponds to a full citation in the reference list. To intext cite APA, follow these guidelines:
Basic In-Text Citation Rules
In APA style, in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the publication year, separated by a comma. For example: (Smith, 2020). If the source has two authors, separate their names with an ampersand (&) and include the publication year: (Smith & Johnson, 2020). For sources with three or more authors, list the first author’s name followed by “et al.” and the publication year: (Smith et al., 2020).
In-Text Citation Variations
There are several variations of in-text citations in APA style, depending on the type of source and the context in which it is used. For instance, if the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the publication year is included in parentheses: Smith (2020) argues that… . If the source is a direct quote, include the page number(s) in the in-text citation: (Smith, 2020, p. 12). For sources without a clear author, use the title and publication year: (“The Effects of Climate Change,” 2020).
| Citation Type | Example |
|---|---|
| One author | (Smith, 2020) |
| Two authors | (Smith & Johnson, 2020) |
| Three or more authors | (Smith et al., 2020) |
| No author | ("The Effects of Climate Change," 2020) |
| Direct quote | (Smith, 2020, p. 12) |
Reference List Guidelines
A reference list in APA style is a comprehensive list of all sources cited in the paper, formatted according to specific guidelines. Each reference should include the author’s name, publication year, title of the source, and publication information. The format varies depending on the type of source, such as books, journal articles, or websites.
Formatting the Reference List
The reference list should be double-spaced, with a hanging indent for each entry. Entries are arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name. If a source has no author, it is listed by title. For sources with multiple authors, separate the names with commas and use an ampersand before the last author’s name.
For instance, a book reference would be formatted as follows: Smith, J. (2020). The effects of climate change. New York, NY: Routledge. A journal article would be formatted as: Johnson, K., & Thompson, M. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 20(1), 12-20.
What is the purpose of in-text citations in APA style?
+In-text citations in APA style serve to briefly acknowledge the source of information within the text, directing readers to the full citation in the reference list for more detailed information.
How do I format an in-text citation for a source with no author?
+For sources without a clear author, use the title and publication year in the in-text citation, such as (“The Effects of Climate Change,” 2020).
What is the difference between a reference list and a bibliography in APA style?
+In APA style, a reference list includes all sources cited in the paper, while a bibliography is not typically used. However, if a bibliography is required, it would include all sources consulted during the research process, whether cited or not.
