Citing References in Text: APA Style Basics

Have you quoted, referred to, described or paraphrased someone else’s ideas, theories and findings in your report or essay?

Then you must cite your source within the text, and list it on a References page at the end of your report or essay.

To avoid plagiarism, keep track of sources as you use them, and collect information to cite them properly.

Citing a paraphrased idea, theory, or finding:

You need an author’s surname and a date of publication, but you do not need page numbers or specific locations.

·  It is not clear how acid rain affects the health of human beings (Sanna, 2009).

·  Sanna (2009) states that the negative effects of acid rain on humans are still unknown.

·  In 2009, Sanna stated that the negative effects of acid rain on humans are still unknown.

If there is NO AUTHOR, cite the first few words of the title and the date. Put quotation marks around an article title, but italicize the title of a periodical or book.

·  An Environment Today article states that acid rain emissions have fallen by 50% since 1990 (“Emission Goals,” 2009).

If the DATE IS UNKNOWN, use the abbreviation n.d.

·  An Environment Today article states that sulfur dioxide emissions may help counteract global warming by removing water vapour from the atmosphere (“Good Rain,” n.d.).

In a title cited within the text, CAPITALIZE all words 4 letters long or greater, and all verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

Citing a quoted idea, theory or finding:

Put short quotations (fewer than 40 words) within the text inside double quotation marks. The first letter of the first word may be changed from uppercase to lowercase; the punctuation mark at the end of a quoted sentence may be altered to fit into your sentence. Use single quotation marks within quoted text to indicate a quote within a quote.

Include the page number or specific location (paragraph number, or abbreviated heading + paragraph number) of the phrase or sentences in the original source.

·  “Scientists are still unsure of the effects of acid rain on human beings” (Sanna, 2009, p. 199).

Omit the quotation marks around a long quotation (40 or more words) and separate it from the main text by indenting it. Put the location in brackets after the final punctuation.

Schwarz (2009) explains why sulfur dioxide cap-and trade allowances work:

A power plant that burns coal (which accounts for about half of America's electricity) can bring its emissions below the cap with a scrubber. They don't come cheap; a typical model costs about $100 million, with additional running costs. Once the scrubber is in place, though, the problem is largely solved; you might even make some of the cost back by selling your unneeded allowances. (para.3)

Citing Tables and Figures

Label a TABLE with an Arabic numeral and provide a title on a separate line below the label, single-spaced. The label appears above the table. Below the table write a note citing the source. For example:

Table 1

How to Cite One or More Authors Within a Text

Note: American Psychological Association. (2010). Basics of APA Style [PowerPoint slides] Retrieved from www.apastyle.org

Label a FIGURE with an Arabic numeral (Figure 1) and provide a title on the same line. The label appears below the figure. Below the label write a note citing the source. You may also centre an additional title above the figure.

For more information on in-text citation visit the websites listed below:

American Psychological Association. (2010). Basics of APA Style [PowerPoint

slides] Retrieved from www.apastyle.org

Owl Purdue Online Writing Lab. (1995-2009). APA Style Workshop. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl

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