APA Citation Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style is used in Social Science disciplines, like Psychology and Education. Always consult your assignment or ask your instructor for the correct citation style to use

Citation Basics

Review the list and image below, which both outline how the in-text citation in your essay connects to the larger reference page of your work. 

(click on image to enlarge)

(click on image to enlarge)

1. Place in-text citations in the body of the paper to acknowledge the source of your information.  This is meant to be a shortened version of the full citation that appears on the final page of your paper.
2. Place full citations for all your sources on the last page entitled References or Works Cited (different citation styles require different titles).  Full citations are meant to provide readers with enough information so that they can locate the source themselves.
3. APA or MLA are citation styles.  Each has different guidelines for how source information (author, title, year...etc.) should be formatted and punctuated for both in-text citations and for the References or Works Cited pages

Consult a guide for the specific citation style you are using:

See the library's complete citations guide for in-depth help with APA citations.

When you present research, you participate in an informed conversation.

You cite your sources in order to:

• Give credit to others for their ideas, data, and words.
• Give weight to your analysis or opinion. Building on the work of others adds credibility to your words.
• Leave a path your audience can follow.

Be sure to cite your sources in all your papers, image captions, and oral presentations!

NoodleTools

Access online tutorials using the links below:

Quick Guide - APA Citation Style