APA Citation Guide: How to Cite Any Source Stress-Free | EssayPro


Direct quotations are limited in APA style papers. Instead, you should paraphrase whenever possible to blend borrowed information with your context and voice. TheAPA Publication Manual, 7thEditionnotes that a writer should use direct quotations “when reproducing an exact definition, when an author has said something memorably or succinctly, or when you want to respond to exact wording.” The author, years, and page number (or section identifier) is always paired with quoted material through the narrative or parenthetical citation format.


While both APA (American Psychological Association) and Harvard referencing styles are commonly used in academic writing, they differ. APA style is developed and maintained by the American Psychological Association and is primarily used in the social sciences. It provides guidelines for formatting papers, citing sources, and creating reference lists. On the other hand, Harvard referencing is a generic term for various author-date citation styles, including Harvard, Harvard-Anglia, and Harvard-UCT, among others. These styles are widely used in various disciplines and institutions, and while they share some similarities with the APA style, there are also notable differences in formatting and citation conventions.

APA style requires the use of a . The cover page should include the title of your essay, your full name, the course name and number, the name of the instructor, and the the date, all double-spaced and centered on the page. It should also include your header, as described above. (Some colleges and/or classes require additional or different information on the cover page; again, if you are unsure, be sure to visit your writing center or ask your instructor.)

Formatting Essays - APA 7th Edition Citation Guide

APA has specific requirements with respect to margins, , and . Set one-inch margins on all sides. Use a consistent and accessible font that is legible and includes commonly used special characters. If you are ever in doubt as to which font to use, ask your instructor. Whichever font you choose, remain consistent throughout your essay. Your essay should always be double-spaced throughout. Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the margin. Use only one space after all .

To cite in APA format, you typically include the author's last name and the publication year in parentheses within the text, followed by the full reference in the reference list at the end of your paper. For example, if you were citing a book by John Smith published in 2020, your in-text citation would look like (Smith, 2020), and the corresponding entry in the reference list would provide detailed publication information for Smith's book.

Part of formatting an essay is properly formatting and your list of . APA refers to the list of sources as a . Keep in mind that in-text citations and the reference list work together. Without one, you cannot have the other. The in-text citations lead readers to the listing of complete source information in the reference list.

We know putting together a table is pretty tricky. That’s why we’ve included not one, but a few tables on this page. Scroll down and look at the additional tables in the essay in APA format example found below.


APA referencing and how to use it in your essay - Part 1 - YouTube

APA 7 citation style refers to the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), which provides guidelines for formatting academic papers and citing sources. It is commonly used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education. APA 7 includes updates to citation formatting, such as including up to 20 authors in a reference list entry, guidance on citing online sources, and clarification on citing sources with multiple publication dates.

How to Write an Academic Essay with References and Citations

Are you a teacher or professor looking to introduce your students to APA Style? Download our free introductory lecture slides, available for Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint.

APA Format & APA Citation Generator - Citation Machine

To cite a song in APA format, include the songwriter(s) or composer(s), the year the song was released or published, the song title (in italics), and the recording artist(s) or performer(s). Include the album title (in italics) and the record label if the song is part of an album. Mention any relevant details, such as the track number, if available. If you accessed the song online, include the URL or DOI. For example, a citation for a song from an album might look like: "Songwriter, A. (Year). Song title [Recorded by Performer B]. On Album title [Medium]. Record label. (Year of album release)."

How to Cite an Essay APA: The Basics - LinkedIn

The title page, or APA format cover page, is the first page of a paper or essay. Some teachers and professors do not require a title page, but some do. If you’re not sure if you should include one or not, ask your teacher. Some appreciate the page, which clearly displays the writer’s name and the title of the paper.

45. Student Essay Example 1 (Argument) in MLA and APA Format

You will encounter various situations over the course of your academic career in which you will be required to provide work with properly cited references. For example, imagine that your psychology instructor assigns an essay requiring . This will require you to research and compile a list of citations for your sources. As you are writing, you will incorporate in-text citations into your essay. Another scenario in which you will need to provide in-text citations and a reference list is when you are asked to write an essay to support your findings in a science lab. While this essay should be based upon your own experiential evidence in the lab, you will need to do research to provide additional support for your findings.