Citing sources is a crucial part of academic writing and research. It gives credit to the original authors, avoids plagiarism, and strengthens the credibility of your work. In-text citations are a concise way to acknowledge sources directly within the body of your paper. This guide will walk you through the basics of How To Cite sources effectively using in-text citations.
Understanding In-Text Citations: The Basics
In many academic styles, including APA (American Psychological Association), in-text citations follow the author-date method. This means you include the author’s last name and the year of publication within the text whenever you refer to a source. A full reference list at the end of your paper provides complete details for each source.
For general references to a work’s ideas, you typically only need the author and year. For direct quotations or paraphrased specific information, you’ll also include page numbers.
Key principles of APA in-text citations:
- Author-Date Method: Use the author’s last name and publication year. For example: (Smith, 2023).
- Reference List Connection: Every in-text citation must correspond to a complete entry in your reference list.
- Page Numbers for Specifics: Include page numbers when quoting directly or referring to specific passages.
Citing Direct Quotations
When you use the exact words from a source, you must use quotation marks and include an in-text citation with the author, year, and page number. The format varies slightly depending on the length of the quotation.
Short Quotations
For quotations less than 40 words, incorporate them directly into your text within double quotation marks.
Example with a signal phrase:
According to Jones (2022), “students often find citation styles challenging, especially when they are new to academic writing” (p. 45).
In this example, the signal phrase “According to Jones (2022)” introduces the quotation and includes the author and year. The page number is provided in parentheses at the end of the quote.
Example with parenthetical citation:
One study found that “students often find citation styles challenging” (Jones, 2022, p. 45).
Here, the author, year, and page number are all included in a parenthetical citation after the quotation.
Long Quotations (Block Quotations)
Quotations that are 40 words or longer should be formatted as block quotations. This format sets the quotation apart from the main text, making it clearly identifiable as a direct quote.
Formatting block quotations in APA 7th edition:
- Start the quotation on a new line.
- Indent the entire quotation ½ inch from the left margin (the same as a new paragraph indent).
- Double-space the quotation.
- Omit quotation marks.
- Place the parenthetical citation after the closing punctuation of the quotation.
Below is an example illustrating the format of a block quotation:
Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style.
As shown in the image, the block quotation is clearly indented, and the citation follows the final punctuation.
Quotations from Sources Without Page Numbers
Some sources, like websites or online articles, may not have page numbers. In these cases, you should use alternative locators if available. Options include:
- Paragraph numbers: Use “para.” or “paras.” followed by the paragraph number(s).
- Chapter numbers: Use “chap.” followed by the chapter number.
- Section headings: Use the section heading (or a shortened version) in quotation marks.
- Timestamps: For audio or video sources, use timestamps.
Example using paragraph numbers:
Smith (2023) described the phenomenon as a result of societal changes (para. 3).
Example using a section heading:
The study highlighted the importance of “early intervention strategies” (Smith, 2023, “Discussion” section).
Choose the locator that best helps readers find the quoted material in the original source.
Citing Summaries and Paraphrases
When you summarize or paraphrase someone else’s ideas in your own words, you still need to provide an in-text citation. While page numbers are not always required for paraphrases, APA style recommends including them, especially in longer works, to help readers locate the specific information you are referencing.
Example of paraphrasing with author and year:
Jones (2022) argues that APA style can be initially challenging for students.
Example of paraphrasing with author, year, and page range (recommended for clarity):
It has been suggested that new learners often struggle with the intricacies of APA citation guidelines (Jones, 2022, pp. 45-48).
By consistently and accurately using in-text citations, you demonstrate academic integrity and guide your readers to the sources that have informed your work. Mastering how to cite sources effectively is a fundamental skill for academic success.
