APA Style is one of the most widely used citation systems in the world. It’s primarily adopted by students, researchers, and professionals in the social sciences, behavioral sciences, education, and related disciplines.
This guide summarizes the key rules and examples from the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual (2020) — perfect for beginners learning how to properly cite sources in their research or academic writing.
What Is an APA In-Text Citation?
In-text citations in APA are brief references within your writing that point readers to the complete source entry in your reference list.
You must include an in-text citation whenever you quote, paraphrase, or refer to someone else’s work.
An APA in-text citation typically follows the author-date system, meaning it includes:
- The author’s last name
- The year of publication
- (If needed) a page number, paragraph number, or timestamp
Example:
(Smith, 2020, p. 170)
This concise format helps readers easily trace your source while maintaining a clean and readable paper.
Parenthetical vs. Narrative Citation in APA
APA allows two ways to cite a source within the text: parenthetical and narrative.
Both methods are correct — the choice depends on how you want to integrate the source into your sentence.
| Citation Type | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Parenthetical citation | (Smith, 2020) | Used when you refer to an idea or finding without mentioning the author’s name in the sentence. |
| Narrative citation | Smith (2020) notes that… | Used when you naturally include the author’s name in your sentence. |
Both types are automatically generated when using an APA citation generator, such as Scribbr or Citation Machine.
How to Cite Sources with Multiple Authors or Organizations
APA format slightly changes depending on the number of authors or whether the author is an organization. Pay attention to punctuation and the use of the ampersand (&) symbol in parentheses.
| Author Type | Parenthetical Citation | Narrative Citation |
|---|---|---|
| One author | (Smith, 2020) | Smith (2020) |
| Two authors | (Smith & Jones, 2020) | Smith and Jones (2020) |
| Three or more authors | (Smith et al., 2020) | Smith et al. (2020) |
| Organization | (Scribbr, 2020) | Scribbr (2020) |
Key Tips for Writing APA Citations
- Always use the author-date format for in-text citations.
- Include page numbers for direct quotations.
- Use et al. for three or more authors.
- Every in-text citation must have a matching entry in your reference list.
- For corporate authors, spell out the full organization name unless it’s a common abbreviation.
Why Accurate Citation Matters
Using the correct APA citation format is more than a technical requirement — it’s an essential part of academic integrity. Proper citation:
- Prevents plagiarism
- Strengthens your research credibility
- Helps readers locate your original sources
- Demonstrates respect for other researchers’ work
Conclusion
Mastering APA citation takes practice, but once you understand the author-date system, it becomes intuitive and consistent. Whether you’re writing a research paper, thesis, or journal article, following the APA 7th edition ensures your work is professional, ethical, and properly referenced.
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