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How to Site a Live Chat Using APA Formatting in Text Citation

The American Psychological Association prefers sources that are consistent and traceable. So, referencing an email or a personal online chat is not recommended. Email and chat transcripts are not as easily fact checked as a peer reviewed article in professional journal, and the APA deems email, instant messages and chatting as personal communication. Plus, basing research on weak sources will make for questionable credibility. There are, however, exceptions to every rule, and sometimes referencing an online chat might seem unavoidable. According to the APA, you don't have to list online chats in your reference list. You do, however, have to provide an in-text citation.

Instructions

- 1
  Write your paper and come to a point where you wish to reference an online chat.
- 2
  Mention the person you are quoting within the sentence before writing out the parenthetical citation. Use initials for the first and middle names, as well as the whole surname. For example: "As A.B. Gradstudent notes... ."
- 3
  Use only the date in parentheses, if you mention the type of communication within the sentence. For example, "As A.B Gradstudent noted in an online chat, 'Pavlov's dogs salivated a lot' (October 1, 2010)."
- 4
  Place the type of communication within the parentheses if it is not mentioned. For example: "As A.B. Gradstudent noted, 'Pavlov's dogs salivated a lot' (online chat, October 1, 2010)."
- 5
  Continue writing your paper.

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