Work with unknown author (APA)

APA-45

In-text citation

Children struggling to control their weight must also struggle with the pressures of television advertising that, on the one hand, encourages the consumption of junk food and, on the other, celebrates thin celebrities (“Television,” 2002).

Explain

  • If the author is unknown, mention the work’s title in the signal phrase or give the first word or two of the title in parentheses.
  • In the in-text citation, titles of short works such as articles are put in quotation marks, and all words of four letters or more are capitalized. In the reference list, titles of short works are given with no quotation marks, and only the first word of the title and subtitle and proper nouns are capitalized. See also APA guidelines, body of paper; APA guidelines, reference list.
  • Titles of long works such as books and reports are italicized. In titles of long works in the in-text citation, all words of four letters or more are capitalized. In titles of long works in the reference list, only the first word of the title and subtitle and proper nouns are capitalized.

Note on “Anonymous”

In the rare case when “Anonymous” is specified as the author, treat it as if it were a real name: (Anonymous, 2013). In the list of references, also use the name Anonymous as the author.

Beginning of reference list entry

Television and its effects on childhood obesity. (2002).

Directory to APA in-text citation models

Related in-text citation model:

Organization as author