Basic Structure
* Author-Date: APA citations prioritize the author's last name and the year of publication.
* Parenthetical: Citations usually appear within parentheses at the end of the sentence or phrase being referenced.
* Signal Phrases: You can also introduce a citation with a signal phrase, which provides context and smoothly integrates the source into your writing.
Examples
Direct Quote:
* Parenthetical: "The earth's atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen" (Smith, 2023, p. 45).
* Signal Phrase: Smith (2023) states that "the earth's atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen" (p. 45).
Paraphrased Information:
* Parenthetical: Recent research suggests that the earth's atmosphere is primarily nitrogen (Smith, 2023).
* Signal Phrase: According to Smith (2023), the earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen.
Different Citation Scenarios
* One Author: (Smith, 2023)
* Two Authors: (Smith & Jones, 2023)
* Three or More Authors: (Smith et al., 2023)
* No Author: ("Title of the work," 2023)
* Organization as Author: (American Psychological Association, 2023)
* Multiple Works by the Same Author in the Same Year: (Smith, 2023a, 2023b)
* Source with Page Numbers: (Smith, 2023, p. 45)
* Source without Page Numbers: (Smith, 2023)
* Electronic Sources: (Smith, 2023)
Important Points
* Consistency: Be consistent with your citation format throughout your paper.
* Accuracy: Double-check the accuracy of all citation details.
* Reference List: Create a reference list at the end of your paper that provides complete information for each source cited in the text.
Example of a Reference List Entry
Smith, J. (2023). *Introduction to atmospheric science*. Oxford University Press.
Key Tips
* Use a citation manager: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can help you organize your sources and automatically generate citations in APA style.
* Consult the APA Manual: For a comprehensive guide to APA style, refer to the *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association*.
* Seek Help: If you have questions or need assistance with APA citations, reach out to your instructor, a librarian, or a writing center.