Overview
This lecture introduces APA 7th edition guidelines for citing and referencing sources, explaining why APA is used and how to apply its rules in academic writing.
Why Use APA?
- APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used for journal articles and as an organizational standard.
- Other citation styles include MLA (Modern Language Association), AP (Associated Press), Chicago, and Blue Book (legal).
- Uniform style helps readers find sources and ensures academic integrity.
Citing in APA 7th Edition
- Always cite and reference any outside ideas, whether paraphrased or quoted.
- In-text citations use parentheses within the text, not footnotes.
- For paraphrasing, use the author's last name and year of publication (e.g., Smith, 2020).
- If no publication year, use (n.d.) for "no date".
- For direct quotes, include the author's last name, year, and page number (e.g., Smith, 2020, p. 15).
- If no page number, count paragraphs (e.g., para. 4).
- Narrative citations place the year next to the author's name within the sentence.
References List in APA
- Every in-text citation must have a matching full reference in a "References" list.
- The references section title is "References", centered and bolded.
- Entries are alphabetized by author's last name.
- References differ from "Works Cited" (MLA) or "Bibliography" (Chicago).
- Only sources actually cited are included in APA References.
Font Guidelines in APA 7th Edition
- Acceptable fonts include 11-point Arial and 12-point Times New Roman.
- Avoid using 12-point Arial, as it's larger than Times New Roman.
- Other fonts are permitted but less common.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Paraphrasing — Restating someone else's ideas in your own words.
- In-text parenthetical citation — Source information in parentheses within the text.
- Direct quote — Using the exact wording from a source, enclosed in quotation marks.
- References list — Full source details at the end of your document.
- Narrative citation — Citing the author within the sentence body.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Choose either 11-point Arial or 12-point Times New Roman for assignments.
- Follow APA format for all citations and references in upcoming papers.
- Review examples of journal, magazine, blog, and book references in APA style.
- Reach out to the instructor with questions about citing or referencing.