The core of an APA citation is the author of the source. That person’s last name links your use of the source in your paper with its full description in your list of references. Next comes the source’s date, which often tells readers its current or classic status. Include both each time you cite the source in parentheses, but don’t repeat the date if you simply refer to the source again unless a reader might mix up sources under discussion.
A common addition is a specific location, such as a page number (using “p.” for “page” or “pp.” for “pages”), that tells where the material appears in the original source. Unless the source lacks page numbers or other locators, this information is required for quotations and recommended for paraphrases and key concepts. When you supply these elements in parentheses, separate them with commas: (Westin, 2013, p. 48). This basic form applies whatever the type of source — article, book, or Web page.
As you check your APA style, keep in mind these three questions:
Skim the following directory to find sample entries to guide you as you cite and list your sources. Notice that the examples are organized according to questions you might ask and that comparable print and electronic sources are grouped together. See pages 751–59 for a sample paper that illustrates APA style.
CITING SOURCES IN APA STYLE
Who Wrote It?
Individual Author Not Named in Sentence
Individual Author Named in Sentence
Two Authors
Three Authors or More
Organization Author
Author of an Essay from a Reader or Collection
Unidentified Author
Same Author with Multiple Works
Different Authors with Multiple Works
What Type of Source Is It?
Indirect Source
Government or Organization Document
Source without a Date
A Classic
Visual Material
Personal Communication
How Are You Capturing the Source Material?
Overall Summary or Important Idea
Blended Paraphrase and Quotation
Brief Quotation Integrated in Sentence
Long Quotation
LISTING SOURCES IN APA STYLE
Who Wrote It?
Individual Author
Two Authors
Three Authors or More
Same Author with Multiple Works
Organization Author
Author of Edited Work
Author and Translator
Unidentified Author
What Type of Source Is It?
ARTICLE IN A PRINTED OR AN ELECTRONIC PERIODICAL
Article from a Journal Paginated by Volume
Article from a Journal Paginated by Issue
Article from a Journal with a DOI
Article from a Journal without a DOI
Article Accessed through a Library or Subscription Database
Abstract for an Article
Article from a Printed Magazine
Article from an Online Magazine
Article from a Newsletter
Article from a Printed Newspaper
Article from an Online Newspaper
Editorial
Letter to the Editor
Review7
PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC BOOK
Printed Book
Online Book
E-book
Multivolume Work
Revised Edition
Book without a Date
PART OF A PRINTED OR AN ELECTRONIC BOOK
Selection from a Printed Book
Selection from an Online Book
Selection from an E-book
Preface, Introduction, Foreword, or Afterword
Article from a Reference Work
PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC REPORT OR OTHER DOCUMENT
Printed Government Document
Online Government Document
Research Report
Online Research Report
Online Research Report from a Database
Report from an Academic Institution
Pamphlet
Doctoral Dissertation
INTERNET OR ELECTRONIC SOURCE
Section or Page from an Online Document
Document from a Campus Web Site
Computer Software
VISUAL OR AUDIO SOURCE
Audiotape or Recording
Program on Television or Radio
Film
CONVERSATION OR FIELD ARTIFACT
Personal Interview
E-mail or Electronic Posting