Quick Help: Citing sources that don't match any model exactly (APA)

Quick Help: Citing sources that don’t match any model exactly

Citing sources that don’t match any model exactly

What should you do if your source doesn’t match the model exactly? Suppose, for instance, that your source is a translation of a republished book with an editor.

  • Identify a basic model to follow. If you decide that your source looks most like a republished book, start with a citation that looks like model 18.
  • Look for models that show the additional elements in your source. For this example, you would need to add elements of model 13 (for the translation) and model 8 (for the editor).
  • Add new elements from other models to your basic model in the order indicated.
  • If you aren’t sure how to arrange the pieces to create a combination model, ask your instructor.

To cite a source for which you cannot find a model, collect as much information as you can find about the creator, title, sponsor, date, and so on, with the goal of helping your readers find the source for themselves. Then look at the models in this section to see which one most closely matches the type of source you are using. If possible, seek your instructor’s advice to find the best model.