In-text citations provide a brief reference inside the body of your assignment, research paper, thesis, or publication. Their purpose is simple: they help readers identify the source of your information and match it to the full reference in your reference list.
In APA style, an in-text citation typically contains the author’s family name and the year of publication. These can appear either inside parentheses or as part of the sentence itself. Both forms are acceptable; the choice depends on your writing style.
For example, students can cite ideas in two ways:
Parenthetical citation:
Social media users share content differently across platforms depending on their perceived audience (Pitcan et al., 2018).
Narrative citation:
Pitcan et al. (2018) found that social media users adjust their shared content according to their imagined audience.
Both forms correctly credit the original authors while keeping your writing clear and professional.
Parenthetical Citations: The Most Common APA Format
Parenthetical citations follow the format (Author, Year) and are placed directly after the paraphrased idea or quotation. They must appear before the punctuation mark, ensuring the reader immediately knows the source of the information.
For example:
Recent studies highlight changes in children’s diet patterns (Mihrshahi & Baur, 2018).
You can also place multiple sources in one parenthesis, separating them with semicolons. This is useful when summarizing larger bodies of research.
Using Narrative Citations to Improve Writing Flow
Narrative citations weave the author’s name naturally into the sentence. Only the year appears in parentheses. This style places greater emphasis on the contributor, which is beneficial in literature reviews or discussions of a scholar’s body of work.
Examples include:
Kessler (2014) examined epidemiological samples in detail.
In 2014, Kessler’s study revealed new insights into epidemiological patterns.
Narrative citations provide variation and create a smoother reading experience, especially in oral presentations or longer academic discussions.
Citing Sources with One, Two, or Multiple Authors
APA handles authors differently based on the number of contributors:
• A single-author citation appears as (Smith, 2007) or Smith (2007).
• Two authors appear as (Mihrshahi & Baur, 2018) or Mihrshahi and Baur (2018).
• Three or more authors simplify to et al. after the first author:
(Hewit et al., 2016) or Hewit et al. (2016).
• If the author is an organization or governmental group, use the full name:
(Department of Health, 2020) or Department of Health (2020).
This system keeps citations concise and consistent across research writing.
How to Cite Direct Quotations Correctly
Direct quotations require additional information to guide the reader to the exact part of the source. This includes:
• Quotation marks around the exact words
• Page numbers (p. or pp.) in the citation
If quoting from a digital source without page numbers, use a paragraph number or a section heading.
For example:
“Social media users curate their content depending on their imagined audience” (Pitcan et al., 2018, p. 170).
Long quotations of 40+ words must appear in a block format without quotation marks. The citation comes after the punctuation of the quoted passage.
Block quote example:
This suggests that familiarity with nonnative speech… facilitates comprehension.
(Gass & Varonis, 1984, p. 77)
This formatting separates longer passages visually from the main text, preserving readability.
Full Example of In-Text Citations in a Paragraph
A few researchers in the linguistics field have developed training programs designed to improve native speakers’ ability to understand accented speech (Derwing et al., 2002; Thomas, 2004). Their training techniques rely on earlier findings that comprehension improves with exposure to non-native speech. Derwing et al. (2002) conducted their training with social work students and noted that similar programs could benefit many other professional groups.
This style blends both parenthetical and narrative citations to keep the research discussion dynamic.
How to Cite Web Pages Using APA In-Text Citations
Citing web pages follows the same structure as citing articles: use the author and the year. If the author is an organization, use the organization’s name. If no author exists, use the title in place of the author. If there is no date, use n.d.
Examples include:
Heavy social media use may affect teen mental health (Asmelash, 2019).
More than 300 million people experience depression worldwide (World Health Organization, 2018).
Regular routines can support emotional recovery for trauma survivors (American Psychological Association [APA], n.d.).
If citing the same group author multiple times, the first citation includes the abbreviation; subsequent citations use only the abbreviation.
Special Rules for In-Text Citations
1. Multiple Works in One Citation
Separate each source with a semicolon:
(Gass & Varonis, 1984; Krech Thomas, 2004)
2. Direct Quotes Require Page Numbers
Include p. or pp. depending on length.
3. Place Citations Immediately After the Referenced Idea
Citations should appear before the punctuation and immediately after the idea or phrase they support—not at the end of long sentences.
4. Group Authors with Long Names Can Be Abbreviated
First use: (American Psychological Association [APA], 2015)
Later uses: (APA, 2015)
Why In-Text Citations Matter in Academic Writing
Correct in-text citation strengthens academic integrity, prevents plagiarism, and allows readers to trace the origins of ideas. Whether you are preparing assignments, reports, or theses in agriculture, veterinary science, or research writing, mastering in-text citation is an essential professional skill.
It ensures your work remains credible, verifiable, and aligned with global academic standards.
Conclusion
Writing accurate in-text citations is a fundamental part of APA style. By mastering parenthetical citations, narrative citations, quotation rules, and web page citations, students can produce clear, reliable, and academically sound work. This guide serves as a practical reference for agriculture, veterinary, and research-based assignments within Pedigogy.com’s learning ecosystem.
Want to improve your academic writing and referencing skills?
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Updated on December 12, 2025
