by Mary Byrd

Created on: May 13, 2008

One of the most confusing experiences students have is writing APA style, more correctly writing citations in APA style. Bad citations can lower a good research paper from an A to a C. Here's all you need to remember to keep that A.

First, as you write your paper, remember to always give credit to any source you use at the time you cite the source. After you paraphrased or summarized, the part of the article you want to use, write the author's last name and the year in parentheses (Jones, 2001). Some times you will need to include the page number (Jones, p.129).

As you type your paper and use a reference and have the information in front of you, open a new page and set-up the page so the second line is indented and it is doubled spaced. Then type the word References on the top center of the page. And continue flip to the reference page every time you use a new source.

Now, write your reference exactly like this Author's last name, first name. (year in numbers). Title of Work, In italics. Place of publication: Publisher. It looks like this.
Jones, D. (2001). Roll on to the Finish, A guide to fishing. Boston, MS: University Press.
Now wasn't that simple.

If there are 2 or 3 authors write their names in the order listed on the book or paper. If there are more than three authors type the main author's name, remembering to always start with the last name then add et al. If there is no author then start with the name of the article. When you use two different articles by the same person list the most recent first. Once you are finished with the paper, arrange the references in alphabetical order. It is important to remember to use the periods, commas, and semi-colons or the teacher with mark it off.

When in doubt about how to correctly write the citations, refer to your text book and copy the way it cites its sources. The APA Style Handbook has more information than you'll probably want to know, but when you have a question you will find the answer there.

Next, let's explore the correct way to cite internet sources. You cite the source exactly as if you got it from a book or article, and then add this phrase, Author. Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://www.etc. If the online and printed version are the same then you may use the printed citation format.

There are many online sites where you can obtain APA style format information. Simply type in APA style citation and 1,960.000 sites will be at your disposal. Choose a site that is from a university.

With a little practice you'll be able to write citations without having to refer to the book.

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