qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqw

ertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwert
yuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyui
opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopa
sdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdf
ghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghj
klzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklz
xcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcv
bnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbn
mqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq
wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwe
rtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwerty
uiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuio
pasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopas
dfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfg
hjkl b t i df hjk



American Psychological
Association

Learn the Basics of APA Style Referencing

7/18/2013

Rebecca Merner, VHS





Page 1


American Psychological Association
Contents
Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Basics ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Title Page ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Thesis Statement................................................................................................................................... 3
Headings ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Paraphrasing ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Quotations ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Signal Phrases ....................................................................................................................................... 4
In-Text Citations .................................................................................................................................... 4
References ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Final Touches ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Style Elements ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Title Page ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Thesis Statement ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Headings.................................................................................................................................................... 7
Paraphrasing ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Quotations ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Short Quotations ................................................................................................................................... 9
Long Quotations .................................................................................................................................. 10
Ellipses ................................................................................................................................................. 11
Brackets ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Punctuation before Quotations .......................................................................................................... 11
Signal Phrases ......................................................................................................................................... 12
In-Text Citations ...................................................................................................................................... 14
References .............................................................................................................................................. 18
References: Authors ............................................................................................................................ 19


Page 2


References: Book ................................................................................................................................ 19
References: Electronic ........................................................................................................................ 20
References: Periodical......................................................................................................................... 20
Final Touches .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Visuals ..................................................................................................................................................... 21
Sample Essay ........................................................................................................................................... 21
Checklist .................................................................................................................................................. 21
References .............................................................................................................................................. 22




Page 3


Overview
Basics
When you are doing an assignment that requires outside sources, you must use citations to
acknowledge the sources you are using. By using references, you are giving the authors credit for
using their work in your assignment. If you dont use citations for outside sources, you are
committing plagiarism, and you could face serious academic consequences. Readers may also
consult these sources if they want to read the material further. Use this guide to learn the basics of
APA style referencing.

The American Psychological Association style is commonly used in social science disciplines.

Your APA assignment will include the following components:
Title Page
The title page is on the front of the assignment and consists of only a few lines of text. It should
always include the title and subtitle of your assignment, a header, page number, your name, your
class, your professor`s name, and the date.
Abstract
An abstract is a short summarization of the paper. It is placed on a separate page following the title
page.
Thesis Statement
A thesis statement in shorter assignments is a single sentence containing the main idea or argument
of your assignment. It is usually located in the beginning of your assignment (most often as the final
sentence in the introductory paragraph). This sentence gives the reader a clear idea about what you
will be discussing further.
Headings
Headings may be used to logically organize your paper and to help the reader identify the purpose
of each section.
Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing uses information from an outside source, but the passage is reworked into your own
words and style then smoothly integrated into your paper. Any writing that is paraphrased must be
properly cited using in-text citations matched by an entry in the list of references.
Quotations
Quotations are used when you have information from a source that you directly copy into your
assignment because it cannot be paraphrased or summarized. Quotations must be properly
formatted and cited using in-text citations matched by an entry in the list of references.


Page 4


Signal Phrases
Signal phrases introduce an author before text from an outside source that you used in your paper.
There are different ways to cite this source depending on whether you use a signal phrase.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations accompany text that you paraphrased or quoted from an outside source in your
assignment. The authors name, date published, and page numbers must be included. The in-text
citations match the full publication information of that source in the list of references.
References
The list of references is a separate page at the end of the assignment that includes the full
publication information for all the sources within your paper. All sources on this page must match
the in-text citations throughout your paper.
Final Touches
Stylistic characteristics that are specific to APA must be included in your final product, including
double-spacing the text and using a header on each page.

Just as a note: common knowledge does not have to be cited. However, if you are ever in doubt,
dont be afraid to cite! The instructions for all the above steps to cite are included in this resource.
Keep these points in mind when doing your citations, and you will successfully cite in APA!

This guide was created using The Bedford Handbook, 7
th
ed. by Diana Hacker. This resource is
extremely helpful in carefully explaining important components of the American Psychological
Association style and is likely available at your local bookstore. It contains other style guides with
relevant examples and essays that demonstrate the various style requirements. Many of the
examples throughout this resource are from this text:

Hacker, D. (2006). The Bedford handbook, 7
th
ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.

Style Elements
Title Page
The title page is on the front of the assignment and consists of only a few lines of text. Although
there arent any specific guidelines for APA title pages, a few key pieces of information should be
included. The title page should always include the title and subtitle of your assignment, a header
and page number, your name, your class, your professors name, and the date. Each piece of
information should be on a separate line, evenly spaced and justified to the centre of the page.
Normally the title is set apart from the rest of the information which is spaced well below the title.
The title page should be placed in the centre of the page.


Page 5


Before creating your title page, ask your instructor if he or she has a preference for the layout of the
title page. If your instructor doesnt, be sure to include this information. Refer to the sample essay
for an example of a title page.
Abstract
The intention of the abstract is to give the reader an overview of the paper before he or she begins
reading. The abstract includes the most important points of the paper but does not include statistics
or specifics. It should touch on the main idea, points of the paper and the implications of the
information in the field. It comes immediately after the title page and before your paper.

The text is usually between 100 and 120 words. Although this seems very short, the point of the
abstract is to be as concise and clear as possible. All the words you choose to include in the abstract
should be absolutely necessary to give the reader a summarized version of your paper.

The abstract page is simply organized. The word Abstract is centered as the title at the top of the
page under the header that appears on every page. The font of the title or text should not be
changed in any way. Do not bold, italicize, or change the colour or the font of any of the text.
Because the title is set apart from the rest of the text and centered, it is obvious that it is the title.

The text is double spaced underneath. It usually takes up a half page. The first line is not indented,
and all the information should appear in one paragraph. Do not include any other information on
this pageit is dedicated to the abstract. After this page, your paper will begin as page number 3.
Refer to the sample paper for an example of an abstract in a finished product of an APA paper.
Below is an example of an abstract from Troyka (2002, p. 513):


Saving the Amazon 2

Abstract
The impact of globalization on fragile ecosystems is a complex problem. In the Amazon River basin,
globalization has led to massive deforestation as multinational corporations exploit the rainforests
natural resources. In particular, large-scale industrial agriculture has caused significant damage to
the local environment. In an effort to resist the loss of this ecosystem, indigenous peoples in the
Amazon basin are reaching out to each other, to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and to
other interest groups to combat industrial agriculture and promote sustainable regional


Page 6


agriculture. Although these efforts have had mixed success, it is hoped that the native peoples of
this region can continue to live on their homelands without feeling intense pressure to acquiesce to
industrialisation or to relocate.






Thesis Statement
A thesis or main idea is usually required when writing a research paper. A thesis is usually one or
two sentences summarizing your argument or the position that you will be taking in the paper. The
rest of your paper will utilize evidence to support your thesis. Your thesis should be based on the
evidence you have collected throughout your research, and you should avoid any personal opinion.

It is likely you will rewrite your thesis multiple times as you construct and reconstruct your
argument and revise your drafts. By the time you reach a polished thesis, you will have a clear and
concise summarization of your position. The thesis is usually situated in the introduction for
research papers and will set up the rest of your paper for your reader.

When writing an APA style research paper, your thesis should answer a research question. For
example, a research question for your paper could be:
Ismedicationtherighttreatmentfortheescalatingproblemofchildhoodobesity?

For this research question, a possible thesis could be:
Understandingthelimitationsofmedicaltreatmentsforchildrenhighlightsthecomplexity
ofthechildhoodobesityproblemintheUnitedStatesandunderscorestheneedfor
physicians,advocacygroups,andpolicymakerstosearchforothersolutions.

Take a look at this link for examples of effective thesis statements. Compare your thesis statements
to the examples in this resource to create a stronger thesis statement:
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml



Page 7


Headings
Headers are used to logically organize the supporting evidence in an MLA style paper. Normally,
writers follow the model of Method, Results and Discussion. However, these headings may vary and
be more detailed depending on your subject. You are not required to use headings, but they can be
helpful in arranging your information. If in doubt, ask your instructor for his or her preference.

Another effective method of organizing headings is to formulate questions in the introduction and
to utilize them throughout the paper. Each section could answer a specific question, and the
headings should be named as such. For example, the sample essay outlines four questions in the
introduction. This clearly defines how the paper would be organized and, if a reader were
interested in a specific section, where detailed information could be found. The four questions
follow:

1. Whataretheimplicationsofchildhoodobesity?
2. Ismedicationeffectiveintreatingchildhoodobesity?
3. Ismedicationsafeforchildren?
4. Ismedicationthebestsolution?

These questions are a variation of the standard model. They still include the methods, results and
discussions in a way that was appropriate to the paper. Headings are normally centered and the
font remains unchanged.

Therefore, the headings for each section are as follow:

WhatAretheImplicationsofChildhoodObesity?
IsMedicationEffectiveatTreatingChildhoodObesity?
IsMedicationSafeforChildren?
IsMedicationtheBestSolution?

As a note, the introduction does not have a heading. Refer to the sample essay for an example of the
effective use of headings.

Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing can be tricky to do because you want to convey the authors meaning while writing in
your own words and in the context of your own paper. Be careful not to copy the work of the
original author, but use the credible information to strengthen your assignment. APA encourages
the use of paraphrasing in social science papers. Therefore, keep these important points in mind
when paraphrasing the work of another author:



Page 8


Ensure that you are utilizing the work of the author in context. Be cautious that you are not
changing the intent of the author to better fit your argument using paraphrasing.
Keep the same or approximate word count as the original source.
Avoid the use quotations when you paraphrase, but you will need a proper citation (refer to
the section on in-text citations).
Rewrite the text completely in your own words.
Avoid copying the sentence structure of the original source.
Avoid replacing a few words in the passage with synonyms. This doesnt count as
paraphrasing.
Avoid looking at the original source when paraphrasing. Read and understand the
information you want to paraphrase, then close it and write from memory. That will help
you to avoid producing a passage that is too close to the original source and will fit your
own style of writing.

Look at these examples of paraphrasing to see successful and unsuccessful examples of
paraphrasing:

Original source:
Inanefforttoseekthecausesofthisdisturbingtrend,expertshavepointedtoarangeof
importantpotentialcontributorstotheriseinchildhoodobesitythatareunrelatedto
media.
-Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation,
The Role of Media in Childhood Obesity (2004). p. 1

Plagiarised paraphrasing:
AccordingtotheHenryJ.KaiserFamilyFoundation(2004),expertshaveindicatedarange
ofsignificantpotentialcontributorstotheriseinchildhoodobesitythatarenotlinkedto
media(p.1).

Too many words were borrowed from the original source in this attempt at paraphrasing. Also,
some of the words are only synonyms for the original wording. Therefore, this is not successful
paraphrasing and will be considered plagiarism!

Successful Paraphrasing:
AreportbytheHenryJ.KaiserFamilyFoundation(2004)describedsourcesotherthan
mediaforthechildhoodobesitycrisis.
Quotations
Sometimes it is necessary to use direct quotations from an author. In some cases, paraphrasing or
summarizing may not properly convey the information from your source. You may not be able to


Page 9


change the wording because you could sacrifice accuracy. Or, the quotation may be valuable
because it is coming from a credible source. Therefore, you must properly format a quotation to
ensure that readers know this is a direct quotation from another author. Ensure that all text is
double-spaced throughout the assignment, including quotations!

It is important to choose the quotations you use wisely. They should be absolutely necessary and
increase the quality of your paper. The majority of your assignment should be in your own words
and ideas and the quotations should be used only to emphasize your points. You must also ensure
that you are properly citing the sources you are using. See the section on in-text citations and the
list of references for more information on how to properly cite these sources.

You dont always have to insert full quotations. If you feel that a certain term or a well-written
phrase would be beneficial in your paper, use only the portions you want. This avoids using too
many quotations if youre only looking to use one word!

Carmona(2004)advisedthesubcommitteethatthesituationconstitutesanepidemic
andthattheskyrocketingstatisticsareastounding(para.3).

Asresearcherscontinuetofaceanumberofunknownsaboutobesity,itmaybehelpfulto
envisiontreatingthedisorder,asYanovskiandYanovski(2003)suggested,inthesame
mannerasanyotherchronicdisease(p.592).

There are two ways to outline quotations:

If you are quoting fewer than forty words, enclose the text in quotation marks.
If the text is forty words or longer, format the text by indenting it. Quotations are no longer
needed because it is clear that it is not your writing.

An effective way to cite quotations is to use signal phrases which introduce a quotation and allow
the passage to seamlessly fit into your own writing. See the section on signal phrases.
Short Quotations
When using quotation marks, ensure that you are still using a proper in-text citation. An
informative sentence should precede the quotation to explain to readers why the quotation is
relevant. The parentheses should be placed after the last quotation mark but before the period after
the quoted text.

Original source:
Inanefforttoseekthecausesofthisdisturbingtrend,expertshavepointedtoarangeof
importantpotentialcontributorstotheriseinchildhoodobesitythatareunrelatedto


Page 10


media:areductioninthephysicaleducationclassesandafter-schoolathleticprograms,
anincreaseintheavailabilityofsodasandsnacksinpublicschools,thegrowthinthe
numberoffast-foodoutletsacrossthecountry,thetrendtowardsuper-sizingfood
portionsinrestaurants,andtheincreasingnumberofhighlyprocessedhigh-calorieand
high-fatgroceryproducts.
HenryJ.KaiserFamilyFoundation,
TheRoleofMediainChildhoodObesity(2004),p.1

Unsuccessful quotation:
AccordingtotheHenryJ.KaiserFamilyFoundation(2004),expertshavepointedtoa
rangeofimportantpotentialcontributorstotheriseinchildhoodobesitythatareunrelated
tomedia(p.1).

The passage does not have quotation marks which indicate that the text is a direct quotation from
another author. Even with a citation, this is still considered plagiarism.

Successful quotation:
AccordingtotheHenryJ.KaiserFamilyFoundation(2004),expertshavepointedtoa
rangeofimportantpotentialcontributorstotheriseinchildhoodobesitythatareunrelated
tomedia(p.1).

Long Quotations
A long quotation should be indented one inch in from the left margin while the right margin
remains unchanged. It should also begin with an informative sentence to introduce the quotation
and should use a signal phrase so the reader knows the source of the passage. Notice that the
punctuation for indented quotations is uniquethe reference should come after the period or other
punctuation.

Successful indenting:
YanovskiandYanovski(2002)havedescribedearliertreatmentsofobesitythatfocused
onbehaviourmodification:
Withtheadventofbehaviouraltreatmentsforobesityinthe1960s,hopearosethat
modificationofmaladaptiveeatingandexercisehabitswouldleadtosustained
weightloss,andthattime-limitedprogramswouldproducepermanentchangedin
weight.Modificationsforthetreatmentofobesitywereproposedasshort-term
adjunctsforpatients,whowouldpresumablythenacquiretheskillsnecessaryto


Page 11


continuetoloseweight,reachidealbodyweight,andmaintainareducedweight
indefinitely.(p.592)
Ellipses
Ellipses may be used if you are omitting some words from a passage you are quoting. In most cases,
you dont want to have your text dominated by lengthy quotations. With the use of ellipses, you may
remove some unnecessary information. To do this, insert three periods separated by spaces in place
of the words you have removed. This lets the readers know there was more information in the
original source if they want to look into it further. If not, you have supplied the necessary
information for the purposes of your assignment. Never let the use of ellipses distort the meaning of
the author.

Example of successful ellipsis:
Roman(2003)reportedthatsocialfactorsarenearlyassignificantasindividual
metabolismintheformationof...dietaryhabitsofadolescents(p.345).
The words removed were both healthy and unhealthy. Even without those words, the sentence is
still grammatically correct and is clear to the reader for the purposes of the writer.

Do not use ellipses at the beginnings of passages you are introducing. Use ellipses within sentences
or at the ends.
Brackets
Brackets can be useful if you have a passage that is removed from context and may be difficult for
your reader to understand. Therefore, you may insert brackets to clarify this information. The
reader will know that it is not part of the original quotation.

Example of successful brackets:
Thecostoftreatingobesitycurrentlytotals$117billionperyearaprice,accordingtothe
surgeongeneral,secondonlytothecostof[treating]tobaccouse(Carmona,2004,para.
9).
Punctuation before Quotations
There are different ways to set up a quotation depending on your sentence structure. Refer to the
following examples that utilize signal phrases and how the quotation should be inserted in these
scenarios.

If you are using a verb before you insert a direct quotation, use a comma before the quotation
marks. For example:
AsYanovskiandYanovskihavenoted,passage.

If you have a full sentence before a quotation, insert a colon before you apply the quotation. For
example:


Page 12


ResearchersMcDuffieetal.haveofferedanoddargumentforthisview:passage.

If you have a sentence that uses a word such as that, dont insert any punctuation. For example:
HoppinandTaveras,medicalresearchers,pointedoutthatpassage...
Signal Phrases
Signal phrases are used when introducing material that you are quoting or paraphrasing. These
phrases provide effective transitions between your writing and the writing of another author. The
phrase can establish the credibility of your source and show the reader why this information is
relevant to your argument. The signal phrase also alerts the reader that this information is not
your own ideas or writing. Without the signal phrase, readers may be confused as to what is being
cited and what is your writing. APA requires using the past tense or present perfect tense to
introduce a quotation: Davis noted that or Davis has noted that (not Davis notes that).

In APA style, refer to the author by his or her last name in a signal phrase, even on the first mention.
Normally, use only an initial if there are multiple authors with the same last name. If you are
inserting statistics or related types of facts, a signal phrase is not necessary. However, a signal
phrase could help integrate the text into your writing. Refer to the section Punctuation before
Quotations, along with the sample signal phrases below, for examples of the proper way to set up a
signal phrase depending on your sentence structure.

Sample Signal Phrases:
InthewordsofCarmona,passage.
passage,wroteDuenwald,...
passage,claimedCritser.

Examples of effective verbs that may be used with signal phrases:
Admitted,argued,asserted,claimed,denied,emphasized,noted,observed,rejected,
responded,suggested,wrote

Passage without a Signal Phrase:
Obesitywasonceconsideredinaverydifferentlight.Formanyyears,obesitywas
approachedasifitwereeitheramoralfailingorevidenceofunderlyingpsychopathology
(Yanovski&Yanovski,2002,p.592).

The error in the above is a called a dropped quotation; in other words, the passage has simply
been dropped into the text without any preparation. A signal phrase in this case would have
provided a writers name and given the context for the quotation. The whole passage reads more
clearly when the quotation is integrated into sentences as the following example illustrates.



Page 13


Successful signal phrase:
AsresearchersYanovskiandYanovski(2002)haveexplained,obesitywasonce
consideredeitheramoralfailingorevidenceofunderlyingpsychopathology(p.592).

Although signal phrases can be effective to clear up confusion about which text is paraphrased or
summarized, there are times when you are not required to use them. If you choose not to use a
signal phrase, the authors name must be included in the parenthetical reference.

No signal phrase
Atrendisunderwayamongparentswhoareseekingwaystokeeptheirchildrenfitas
schoolbudgetcrunchesforcecutsinphysicaleducationprograms.Theparentsofnine-
year-oldDanielShteremberg,forexample,enrolledtheboyinaSanDiegogymandhired
apersonaltrainerat$60anhour.AfterhavingattemptedunsuccessfullytoweanDaniel
fromTVandjunkfoodwithotherenticements,theyturnedtothepacificAthleticClub,
signinghumupfortwoone-hoursessionseachweek(Saltzman,2004,p.D8).

Signal phrases are also effective for putting borrowed text in context in your paper. Therefore,
when inserting a quotation or paraphrase, use a signal phrase. If you have a long quotation, use two
of your own sentences before and after the quotation to relate it to your material and explain its
relevance in your argument.

Quotation with insufficient context:
AreportbytheHenryJ.KaiserFamilyFoundation(2004)outlinedtrendsthatmay
havecontributedtothechildhoodobesitycrisis,includingfoodadvertisingforchildrenas
wellas
areductioninphysicaleducationclasses...,anincreaseintheavailabilityof
sodasandsnacksinpublicschools,thegrowthinthenumberoffast-foodoutlets..
.,andtheincreasingnumberofhighlyprocessedhigh-calorieandhigh-fatgrocery
products.(p.1)

The information in this quotation is interesting and informative. However, the author does not give
information to the reader about why this is relevant in the paper and how relates to the main idea.
When quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing, it is important to give the reader context about the
text and how it fits in with the other information being presented. The next example includes
context which clearly outlines the quotation and its relevance to the rest of the text.

Quotation with Effective Context:

Page 14


AreportbytheHenryJ.KaiserFamilyFoundation(2004)outlinedtrendsthatmay
havecontributedtothechildhoodobesitycrisis,includingfoodadvertisingforchildrenas
wellas
areductioninphysicaleducationclasses...,anincreaseintheavailabilityof
sodasandsnacksinpublicschools,thegrowthinthenumberoffast-foodoutlets..
.,andtheincreasingnumberofhighlyprocessedhigh-calorieandhigh-fatgrocery
products.(p.1)
Addressingeachoftheseareasrequiresmorethanadoctorarmedwithaprescription
pad;itrequiresabroadmobilizationnotjustofdoctorsandconcernedparentsbutof
educators,foodindustryexecutives,advertisersandmediarepresentatives.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations give the author credit in your paper when you utilize information from outside
sources. It also allows the reader to follow up on the information in its original source. As in the
case of the reference page, there is a specific format for a variety of types of sources.

Your in-text citation will match up with the full citation that will be on the reference page. In this
way, readers can easily locate the full citation for the source. The in-text citations in APA format
normally include the name of the author or authors, year that the information was published; and
the page numbers that the information is located. Only the year of publication should be included in
the in-text citation. Do not include a month or a specific date.

Below is an example of how the in-text citation matches with the list of references:

In-text citation:
YanovskiandYanovski(2002)reportedthatthecurrentstateoftreatmentforobesityis
similartothestateofthetreatmentofhypertensionseveraldecadesago(p.600).

Citation in the List of References:

Yanovski,S.Z.,&Yanovski,J.A.(2002).Drugtherapy:Obesity[Electronicversion].The
NewEnglandJournalofMedicine,346,591-602.

Note: It is worth emphasizing the importance of punctuation in your citations. It is important to be
aware of the proper use of commas and periods which are demonstrated in the following examples.
Also, some types of sources are italicized while others are not. Titles are also capitalized on
appropriate words within the title, which should match the capitals on your original source. Be
aware of these details when constructing your references.



Page 15


Below is a list of the basic in-text citations that are most commonly used. There are multiple
variations depending on the source you have (since some sources arent listed here). If you require
a source format that isnt here, consult an outside source.

Basic format for a Quotation (One Author)
Normally, a signal phrase would be used to introduce a quotation to smoothly integrate the quoted
passage into the writing. The signal phrase should include the authors name and the year of
publication which are in parentheses. The page number is included in parentheses following the
quotation.

Critser(2003)notedthatdespitegrowingnumbersofoverweightAmericans,manyhealth
careprovidersstillremaineitherinignoranceoroutrightdenialaboutthehealthdanger
tothepoorandtheyoung(p.5).

If you do not name the author in the signal phrase, his or her name and the year are placed in
parentheses after the quotation.

(Critser,2003,p.5)

Basic format for a Summary or a Paraphrase (One Author)

If a signal phrase is used to introduce the material, only the authors name and year of publication
in parentheses are required. APA formatting doesnt require the page numbers for paraphrasing or
summarization, but a paragraph number may be included if the information is from a long work.

AccordingtoCarmona(2004),thecostoftreatingobesityisexceededonlybythecostof
treatingillnessesfromtobaccouse(para.9).

Thecostoftreatingobesityisexceededonlybythecostoftreatingillnessesfromtobacco
use(Carmona,2004,para.9).

Multiple Authors
If there are two authors, use their names in a signal phrases or in parentheses. When using their
names in a signal phrase, separate their names by and, and in the parentheses separate their
name by &.

AccordingtoSothernandGordon(2003),Environmentalfactorsmaycontributeasmuch
as80%tothecausesofchildhoodobesity(p.104).

Page 16


Obesechildrenoftenengageinlessphysicalactivity(Sothern&Gordon,2003,p.104).

If the work has between three to five authors, use all of their names in the signal phrase or
parentheses the first time you refer to them. Afterwards, use only the first authors name followed
by et al.

In2003,Berkowitz,Wadden,Tershakovec,andCronquistconcluded,Sibutramine...
mustbecarefullymonitoredinadolescents,asinadults,tocontrolincreasesin[blood
pressure]andpulserate(p.1811).

AsBerkowitzetal.(2003)advised,Untilmoreextensivesafetyandefficacydataare
available,...weight-lossmedicationsshouldbeusedonlyonanexperimentalbasisfor
adolescents(p.1811).

If your source has more than five authors, use the first authors name followed by et al. in either
the signal phrase or parentheses.

McDuffieetal.(2002)tested20adolescentsaged12-16overathree-monthperiodand
foundthatorlistat,combinedwithbehaviouraltherapy,producedanaverageweightloss
of4.4kg,or9.7pounds(p.646).

Unknown Author
If you dont have the name of the author, use the works title in the signal phrase or a short form
name in the parenthetical reference. Titles of articles of short works are placed in quotation marks,
while longer works such as titles of books are italicized.

Childrenstrugglingtocontroltheirweightmustalsostrugglewiththepressuresof
televisionadvertisingthat,ontheonehand,encouragestheconsumptionofjunkfood
and,ontheother,celebratesthincelebrities(Television,2002).

Government or Organization
Use the name of the government or organization in place of the author in a signal phrase or
parenthetical reference.
Obesityputschildrenatriskforanumberofmedicalcomplications,includingtype2
diabetes,hypertension,sleepapnea,andorthopedicproblems(HenryJ.KaiserFamily
Foundation,2004,p.1).


Page 17

If the organization has a recognizable abbreviation, use it after the first mention of the source.
(NationalInstituteofMentalHealth[NIMH],2001)
(NIMH,2001)

Personal Communication
If you received your information through personal communication, including through an interview,
letter, e-mail, or lecture, identify this in your in-text citation. Personal communication citations do
not need to be included in the list of references.

OneofAtkinsonscolleagues,whohasstudiedtheeffectofthemediaonchildrenseating
habits,hascontendedthatadvertisersforsnackfoodswillneedtodesignadsresponsibly
fortheiryoungerviewers(F.Johnson,personalcommunication,October20,2004).

Electronic Sources
When citing electronic sources, cite them as if they were a print source, using the name of the
author and the date of publication.

Atkinson(2001)foundthatchildrenwhospentatleastfourhoursadaywatchingTVwere
lesslikelytoengageinadequatephysicalactivityduringtheweek.

Since it may be difficult to find the author in an electronic source, use the title of the document in
your in-text reference.
Thebodysbasalmetabolicrate,orBMR,isameasureofitsat-restenergyrequirement
(Exercise,2003).

If you are unable to locate a date, indicate this by using n.d. which stands for no date.
Attemptstoestablishadefinitivelinkbetweentelevisionprogrammingandchildrens
eatinghabitshavebeenproblematic(Magnus,n.d.).

Although some electronic sources do not have stable page numbers, you still want to include
information that allows the reader to find the text you are citing. If the material has numbered
paragraphs, use para. followed by the paragraph number in parenthetical reference:

(Hall,2001,para.5)

Page 18


If the text uses headings rather than page or paragraph numbers, use them in the parenthetical
reference.

HoppinandTaveras(2004)pointedoutthatseveralothermedicationswereclassifiedby
theDrugEnforcementAdministrationashavingthepotentialforabuse(Weight-Loss
Drugssection,para.6).

References
The list of references is located at the end of the paper on a separate page. This page includes the
full citation of all sources used throughout the in-text citations. They will correlate with your in-text
citations so the reader can easily locate specific sources. Most commonly you will use the authors
name(s) in the in-text citations which will also be used at the beginning of the full citation on this
page.

There are some important stylistic characteristics to keep in mind when creating your list of
references:
The title References is centered at the top of the page. The text is not changed (no
underlining, bolding, enlarging, etc.)
The sources are listed in alphabetical order by the first letter that you have at the beginning
of the source (the authors last name, the organization or title of the source).
Dont alphabetize words like a, an or the in the list.
Entries should use a hanging indent. The first line of the citation is flush with the left
margin, while the other lines are indented.
The names of the author(s) should be formatted as last name, comma first name. APA uses
initials rather than first names.
Only the first letter of a title is capitalized and the first letter of a subtitle while all others
(other than proper nouns) are lowercase. Proper nouns include Queen Elizabeth and
Toronto, Ontario.
Titles of books are italicized.
If you have a newspaper article or article in a book, use the abbreviation p. for page and
pp. for pages.

For an example of how your list of references should look, check the sample essay link. More
formatting characteristics will be included based on the type of source you are using. There are also
multiple variations depending on what source you have; therefore, you may need to consult other
sources to find the proper format.

Note: It is worth emphasizing the importance of punctuation in your citations. It is important to be
aware of the proper use of commas and periods as demonstrated in the following examples. Also,
some types of sources are italicized while others are not. Titles are also capitalized on appropriate


Page 19


words within the title, which should match the capitals on your original source. Be aware of these
details when constructing your references.

References: Authors
One Author
The entry will begin with the last name of the author, comma, his or her first initial, period. The
year will be directly after in parentheses, followed by a period.

Perez,E.(2001).

Multiple Authors
List the names of up to six authors by their last names, comma, and their first initial. Separate all
authors names by commas and use an ampersand before the name of the last author. If there are
more than 6 authors, use et al. after the first 6 authors.

DuNann,D.W.,&Koger,S.M.(2004).

Sloan,F.A.,Stout,E.M.,Whetten-Goldstein,K.,&Liang,L.(2000).

Government or Organization
If the source has an organization as its author, use that name where you would place the name of
the author.

AmericanPsychiatricAssociation.(2003).

Unknown Author
If you cannot locate the name of the author, use the title of the work as the first section of the
author. Titles of books are italicized, but titles of articles are not italicized or put in quotation
marks. Remember, only the first letter of a title and subtitle is capitalized other than proper nouns.

Oxfordessentialworldatlas.(2001).
Omega-3fattyacids.(2004,November23).

References: Book
To cite a book or print source, you will need the following information. Be careful to properly insert
punctuation and capitals. This information can usually be found in the first few pages of the book.
Refer to the variations included in this resource or outside resources if you do not have some of this
information.


Page 20



Lastname,Firstinitial.Secondinitial.(Dateofpublication).Titleofbook:Subtitleofbook.
CityofPublication:Publisher.

Levenstein,H.A.(2003).Revolutionatthetable:ThetransformationoftheAmericandiet.
Berkeley:UniversityofCaliforniaPress.

References: Electronic
APA electronic sources require a URL along with the following information. If an electronic source
has a DOI, use it in place of the URL. A DOI is a number that allows the document to be identified if
the URL changes (Rademaekers, n.d., p. 4).

Author.(DateofPublicationorMostRecentUpdate).Titleofdocumentonwebsite.InTitle
ofwebsiteofsectionofwebsite.RetrievedDateofaccess,fromURLofdocument.

MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth.(2005).Fertility.In2003Minnesotahealthstatistics
annualsummary.RetrievedJune28,2005,from
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/03annsum/fertility.pdf

References: Periodical
When constructing a reference for a periodical source, ensure that you are italicizing both the name
of the periodical and the volume number, but not the issue numbers. Be sure that you are paying
close attention to these details on any citations!

Lastname,Firstinitial.Secondinitial.(Dateofpublication).Titleofarticle.Nameof
Periodical,Volume(IssueNumbers),PageNumbers.

Hoxby,C.M.(2002).Thepowerofpeers.EducationNext,2(2),57-63.

Final Touches
After youre finished your writing and it comes time to put together your assignment, consider the
following rules for a proper APA formatted paper:

Although there arent any specific guidelines for APA title pages, they are usually preferred
by instructors. If your instructor does not give you a format, refer to the title page in the
sample essay.


Page 21


Headers will be placed in the top right hand corner of every page after the title page and
abstract. They will include a shortened title of the paper, 5 spaces, then the page number (1,
2, 3, etc.).
Double space all the text in the paper except for any footnotes. Each paragraph begins with
an indent.
Major headings should be centered.

Visuals
Visuals such as tables, graphs and drawings may be included in your paper. Depending on your
instructors preference, visuals may be placed within the text relative to information about it or in
an appendix. Visuals can be used to present information in a different way and to provide the
reader with a format to understand a concept.

When inserting a visual, keep these APA rules in mind:
Label the tables (Table 1, Table 2, etc.) in order as they appear in the paper.
Include a title for each visual directly under the label of the visual (Table, Chart, etc.).
The source should be located below the visual.
If placing visuals in a text, make sure they are located near the related text so the reader can
easily look at both. Discuss only important parts of the visual.
A label and caption should be included below the visual as well.

To see an example of a properly formatted visual, look at the sample essay included in this
resource. Ensure consistency when labelling and referring to visuals to allow the reader to clearly
read and understand the information that is presented.
Sample Essay
This sample essay has been taken from the Hacker text. It provides excellent examples of how to
use the proper APA citing guidelines. Notice that many of the examples in this resource are from
this text. Use these examples, and note how they are integrated into the final product.
http://dianahacker.com/pdfs/Hacker-Mira-APA.pdf
Checklist
Before handing in your assignment, look at this quick checklist to ensure that you have completed
all the requirements to properly cite in APA:
Make sure you have a title page at the beginning of the assignment.
If required, include the abstract after the title page.
You have collected all the possible information you could to include in the citations (which
can be especially difficult to find in electronic sources).
You have used the correct citing format for each source.
All text is double spaced, including the entries in the References section.
You have followed the correct format for stylistic aspects of the assignment (headers, titles,
etc.).


Page 22


You have a list of references at the end of the paper.
References

Hacker, D. (2006). The Bedford handbook, 7
th
ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.

Hacker, D. APA Research Paper (Mirano). In The Bedford Handbook, 7
th
ed. Retrieved 18 Jun. 2013

from http://dianahacker.com/pdfs/Hacker-Mira-APA.pdf

Maimon, E. P., Peritz, J. H., Yancey, K. B., Flynn, D. E. (2010). The McGraw-Hill handbook: Canadian

edition . China: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Rademaekers, J. K. (n.d.) Citation Style Chart. In Purdue Online Writing Lab. Retrieved 18 Jun. 2013

from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/

Troyka, L. Q. (2002). Simon & Schruster handbook for writers, 6
th
ed. New Jersey: Pearson Education.