APA Style: Guidelines, Tips, and Examples

Have you ever wondered why essay writing is tough and daunting to many students? This is because of the different referencing formats that are usually confusing to many scholars. But with the right guide, you can master the complexities of APA formatting and make sure your papers, reports, and other documents are always on-point. This APA Style Guide is packed with the information you need to confidently write in APA format

APA (American Psychological Association) is a formatting style used in academic writing to ensure consistency and clarity in written work. The APA style guide covers a range of aspects of writing including formatting, citation style, and referencing. This style guide is widely used in social sciences and is known for its strict guidelines and clear structure.

Typically, the apa style emphasizes on clear communication and requires writers to use precise language and present information in a logical manner. APA format requires double-spacing and 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper. The running head, which is a shortened version of the paper title, should be included at the top of every page, with the page number in the top right corner.

This style also includes guidelines for different writing styles, including using the active voice, avoiding biased language, and being concise and clear. The guide also provides guidance on how to format headings, tables, figures and in text citation on your paper.

One important aspect of the American Psychological Association style is the use of DOI (Digital Object Identifier) numbers for electronic sources such as articles and websites. The DOI number provides a permanent link to the source, ensuring that it can be easily accessed and cited in the future. If a DOI number is available, it should be included in the reference list.

Ideally, this is a comprehensive resource for writers in social sciences. By following its guidelines, writers can ensure that their work is clear, concise, and properly cited. While it may seem daunting at first, mastering the APA style guide can improve the quality of your writing and help you communicate your ideas more effectively.

Below is a title and header sample in apa format.

How do you Cite Using APA Style?

Citing sources properly is an essential part of academic writing, and the APA style guide provides a set of guidelines for citing sources in a consistent and clear manner.

In APA style, citations are used to give credit to the original sources of information used in a paper. The format of the citation depends on the type of source being used, including books, articles, websites, and other sources.

This guide provides detailed instructions on how to format each type of citation, including in-text citation and the reference list. Here are the steps to follow when using citations in APA style:

In-text citations

Whenever you use information from a source in your paper, you should include an in-text citation. The in-text citation should include the author's last name and the publication year of the source.

As per the apa publication manual, in-text citations are used to give credit to sources within the body of the paper. They include the author's last name and the publication date of the source, separated by a comma and enclosed in parentheses. For example, (Antony, 2021).

If there are multiple authors, they are listed in the same order as they appear on the source, separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. For example, (Patrick, Jones, & Lee, 2021).

In-text citations are an important aspect of APA formatting as they give credit to the sources used in the paper and allow readers to find the original source material. In APA format, in-text citations typically include the author's last name and the publication year of the source, placed within parentheses at the end of the sentence or clause where the information is used.

Here are some examples of APA in-text citations:

One author: (Routledge, 2019)

Two authors: (Johnson & Lee, 2020)

Three or more authors: (Brown et al., 2018)

No author: ("Title of Article," 2017)

When directly quoting a source, the page number should also be included in the in-text citation. For example: (Franklin, 2019, p. 24)

When citing a source with multiple authors, all names should be included in the first in-text citation, but subsequent citations can use "et al." to abbreviate the list of authors.

If the author's name is already mentioned in the sentence, only the publication year needs to be included in the in-text citation. For example: According to Smith (2019), "quote from source" (p. 24).

In-text citations should be placed at the end of the sentence or clause where the information is used, before any punctuation marks. If multiple sources are used in a single sentence, they should be listed in alphabetical order and separated by semicolons.

Overall, in-text citations are an important component of APA formatting and should be used consistently throughout the paper to give proper credit to sources and allow readers to locate the original material.

Direct quotations

If you are directly quoting a source, you should also include the page number where the quote appears in the source. The citation should be placed within quotation marks at the end of the quote.

Direct quotations are an effective way to include the exact words of another author in your paper. However, it is important to use them appropriately and cite them correctly according to APA formatting guidelines. Here are some guidelines to follow when using direct quotations in APA format:

Use quotation marks: Place the quoted text within quotation marks to indicate that it is a direct quotation.

Provide the author's name and publication year: After the quotation, include the author's name and the publication year of the source in parentheses. For example: "Quote" (Smith, 2019, p. 24).

Include the page number: If you are quoting a source directly, you should also include the page number where the quote appears in the source. For example: "Quote" Alison, 2011, p. 24).

Use ellipses and brackets to indicate changes: If you need to omit part of a quote, use ellipses (…) to indicate the omission. If you need to add words to the quote for clarity, use brackets [ ] to indicate the addition.

Use block quotations for longer quotes: For quotes longer than 40 words, use block quotations. Block quotations should be indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, double-spaced, and not enclosed in quotation marks. The citation information should be included after the final punctuation mark.

Use accurate punctuation: When using direct quotations, make sure to use accurate punctuation. If a quotation ends in a period or comma, include the punctuation within the quotation marks. If the quotation ends in a question mark or exclamation point, include the punctuation outside the quotation marks, unless it is part of the original quotation.

Using direct quotations can add credibility and support to your writing. By following APA formatting guidelines, you can ensure that you are using direct quotations correctly and giving proper credit to the original source.

Paraphrasing

If you are paraphrasing information from a source, you should still include an in-text citation. The citation should include the author's last name and the publication year.

Paraphrasing is an important skill for academic writing, as it allows you to restate information from sources in your own words. When paraphrasing, it is important to follow APA formatting guidelines to avoid plagiarism and give proper credit to the original source. Here are some guidelines to follow when paraphrasing in APA format:

Understand the material: Before paraphrasing, make sure you understand the meaning of the original material. Read it carefully and try to restate the information in your own words.

Use your own words: When paraphrasing, use your own words to restate the information. Avoid copying phrases or sentence structures from the original source.

Cite the source: Even though you are not using a direct quote, you still need to give credit to the original source. Include an in-text citation that includes the author's name and publication year, for example: (Roland , 2019).

Use signal phrases: Use signal phrases to introduce the paraphrased material. Signal phrases indicate that the following information is based on a source and can help to smoothly integrate the paraphrased material into your writing. For example: According to Ruth (2015),...

Use accurate punctuation: When paraphrasing, make sure to use accurate punctuation. If a sentence ends in a period or comma, include the punctuation within the sentence. If the sentence ends in a question mark or exclamation point, include the punctuation outside the sentence.

By following APA formatting guidelines or the apa manual, you can ensure that you are paraphrasing correctly and giving proper credit to the original source.

Reference list

At the end of your paper, you should include a full reference page or list of all the sources you cited in your paper. The reference entry list should include the author's name, publication year, title of the source, and publication information. A reference list in American Psychological Association formatting is a list of all sources that have been cited in the body of a research paper, essay, or other academic work.

The purpose of a reference entry list is to provide readers with the information necessary to locate and verify the sources cited in the text. A well-formatted reference list is a key component of any academic work as it helps to establish the credibility of the author and the quality of their research.

The reference list, which is located at the end of the paper, includes all sources that were cited in the paper. The reference format depends on the type of source, but generally apa reference list includes the author's name, publication date, title, and publication information. For example, a book citation might look like this: Verne (2021). Title of Book. Publisher.

How to Create a Reference List in APA

Formatting: The reference list entries should be double-spaced and have a hanging indent, which means that the first line of each reference should be flush with the left margin, while subsequent lines should be indented 0.5 inches from the left margin.

Title: The reference list should be titled "References" and should appear at the end of the document.

Order: The references should be listed in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author of each source. If there are multiple works by the same author, they should be listed in chronological order, with the earliest work first.

Author Information: The first element of each reference is the author's name. For each author, list the last name followed by a comma and the initials of the first and middle names (if available). If there are multiple authors, separate their names with commas, and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.

Publication Year: After the author's name, list the publication year of the source in parentheses.

Publication Information: After the title, list the publication information for the source. This should include the name of the publisher or journal, the volume and issue number (if applicable), and the page numbers of the source. For books, the location and name of the publisher should be listed. For journal articles, the name of the journal should be italicized and title case should be used.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): If available, include the DOI for the source. The DOI is a unique alphanumeric string that provides a persistent link to the source. It can usually be found on the first page of an article or on the copyright page of a book.

URL: If the source does not have a DOI, you may include a URL instead. However, it is generally recommended to avoid using URLs as they can change over time and may not be reliable.

Here is an example of a reference list entry for a journal article:

Smith, J. D., & Johnson, R. (2018). The effects of exercise on mental health. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(3), 321-334. doi: 10.1037/apl0000222

In this example, the authors' names are listed first, followed by the publication year in parentheses. The title of the article is in italics. The journal title is also in italics and title case is used. The volume number (103) and issue number (3) are also included in parentheses, followed by the page numbers (321-334). Finally, the DOI for the article is listed.

Formatting

When writing professional and student papers, be sure to follow the specific reference format guidelines for each type of source (books, articles, websites, etc.). In addition, make sure to use double-spacing and 12-point Times New Roman font. By following these steps, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent with APA style guidelines.

The publication manual for formatting various types of sources in APA style:

Books

When citing a book or scholarly article in APA style, include the following information in the reference:

Authors or editors, Publication date, Title of book, Edition number, Publisher, DOI (if available) or URL of the book ,if retrieved from the internet. For books with multiple authors, list the first six authors followed by "et al." For edited books, include the editor(s) in place of the author(s).

Journals

When citing a journal article in APA style, include the following information in the reference:

Author(s), publication date, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number, page numbers, DOI or URL of the journal articles.

For example: Jones, D., & Smith, J. (2012). The Impact of Social Media on Relationships. Journal of Communication, 62(3), 567-589.

Websites

When citing a website in APA style, include the following information in the reference:

Author(s) or organization responsible for the website, publication date or date of last update, title of the webpage, URL of the webpage

For example: Smith, J. (2015, April 15). The Importance of Exercise for Mental Health. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/exercise

Videos

When citing a video in APA style, include the following information in your reference list:

The creator or producer's last name, followed by their initials, the publication date (in parentheses), the title of the video in italics, the format (in brackets). For example, [Video file], [DVD], or [Motion picture], the publisher or distributor and URL. For example

Danson. M.A. (2018). The Power of Positive Thinking [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123

Podcasts

When citing a podcast in APA style, include the following information in your reference list:

The host's last name, followed by their initials.

The publication date (in parentheses).

The title of the podcast episode in italics.

The title of the podcast in italics.

The format (in brackets). For example, [Audio podcast].

The publisher or distributor.

The URL or DOI (if applicable).

For Example;

Brown, B. (2019, January 5). Unlocking Us: Brené with Dr. Vivek Murthy on loneliness and connection [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-dr-vivek-murthy-on-loneliness-and-connection/

Artworks

When citing an artwork, start by identifying the following information:

The artist's name

The year the artwork was created

The title of the artwork

The medium of the artwork

The location of the artwork (if applicable)

Then, format your reference as follows:

Last name of the artist, first initials, Year of creation. Title of the artwork [Medium]. Location.

Here's an example: Picasso, P. (1937). Guernica [Oil on canvas]. Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain.

Title pages in APA Format

The title page is the first page of an APA format paper and serves as a brief introduction to the paper's content. The title page includes important information such as the title of the paper, the author's name, and institutional affiliation.

Here are the elements that should be included in an APA format title page:

Running head: A shortened version of the paper's title (up to 50 characters), which is located in the top left corner of the page.

Paper title: The full title of the paper, centered in the middle of the page.

Author's name: The name of the author(s), including first and last name.

Institutional affiliation: The name of the institution where the research was conducted.

Course name and number (optional): This information can be included below the author's name, if required by the instructor.

Instructor's name (optional): The name of the instructor, if required by the instructor.

Date: The date of submission.

In a professional paper, all elements on the title page should be double-spaced and centered. The running head should be in all capital letters, with "Running head:" followed by a colon, then the shortened title.

It's important to note that not all papers require a title page. Shorter papers, such as essays or short research papers, may not require a separate title page and can instead begin with the first page of the text. However, it's always a good idea to check with your instructor or the specific requirements of your assignment to determine if a title page is necessary.

Overall, the title page serves as a brief introduction to the paper's content and should be formatted in a clear and consistent manner according to the apa publication manual.

Narrative citations vs Parenthetical citations

The American Psychological Association formatting provides two main ways to cite sources in-text: parenthetical citations and narrative citations.

Parenthetical citation : Also known as in-text citations, are brief references within the body of the text that are enclosed in parentheses. They include the author's last name and the year of publication, separated by a comma. For example: (Miller, 2019).

In parenthetical citation, if the source has multiple authors, include all last names separated by commas, up to seven authors. If there are more than seven authors, list the first six authors' names, followed by an ellipsis (…) and the last author's name. For example: (Johnson et al., 2020).

When citing a direct quotation, the page number should also be included. For example: (Byron, 2019, p. 23).

Narrative citation: Narrative citations integrate the author's name into the sentence, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. For example: According to Smith (2019), "the study found that..." or "As previously reported (Carrey, 2019), …"

When the source has multiple authors, include all last names separated by commas in the narrative text. For example: Anne, Johnson, and Davis (2020) found that... or In a previous study (Johnson, Davis, & Thomas 2021), …

When citing a direct quotation using a narrative citation, the page number should also be included after the year of publication, separated by a comma. For example: According to Priscilla(2019), "the study found that..." (p. 23).

Both parenthetical citation and narrative citation provide information about the source of information and allow readers to locate the corresponding reference entry in the reference list at the end of the document. The choice between the two styles depends on the author's preference and the context of the citation.

Use of graphics (tables and figures) in APA Format

In the American Psychological Association format, graphics such as tables and figures are often used to visually represent data or information. These graphics can be helpful for summarizing complex data, highlighting important trends or patterns, or presenting information in a more accessible way.

When using graphics in any APA paper, it is important to follow specific guidelines. Tables should be numbered consecutively and have a clear and concise title. Column headings should be brief but descriptive, and units of measurement should be included in the table if necessary. Notes or explanations can be included at the bottom of the table if needed.

Figures, such as graphs or charts, should also be numbered consecutively and have a clear and concise title. Axes should be clearly labeled and units of measurement should be included. Legends or keys should be used to clarify any symbols or colors used in the figure. Notes or explanations can be included at the bottom of the figure if needed.

Both tables and figures should be referred to in the text of the paper, and the reader should be directed to the appropriate table or figure when necessary. Additionally, tables and figures should be placed as close as possible to the relevant text in the paper.

Sample Paper on APA format

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