Southwest Florida College’s Guide to

APA Citation

Why do we cite?• Citing allows your instructor to know

where you found your information• It shows you researched your topic and

thoughtfully developed your work• It gives credit to the author• When you summarize or quote a work and

don’t give a citation, that is considered plagiarism

What do we cite?

• Direct or indirect (paraphrased) quotes• Terminology coined by an author• Historic facts• Images, maps, etc.

How do we cite?

• In-text – Citations used within the body of your paper

• References – A list at the conclusion of your paper with the full information of your citations

Examples of In-text Citations

Cite your reference with the last name of the author(s) and year published. Include the page number if referencing a specific page. Direct quote:• “A trademark is a recognizable sign or expression

which identifies a product or service” (Smith & Hart, 2013, p. 12).

• Jones (2013) found “the importance of the study will completely change healthcare” (p. 55).

Corporate author:• The newest iPod will continue to release

new software updates (Apple, 2013). No author:• Children need different activities to meet

their unique learning styles (“Managing Your Classroom,” 2009).

Three to Five Authors - List all the authors the first time you cite the source• (Field, Jones, Smith, Berry, & Harlow, 2003)In subsequent citations, only use the first author's last name followed by "et al." in the signal phrase or in parentheses• (Field et al., 2003)

Six or More Authors - Use the first author's name followed by et al. • (Jonas et al., 2001)

Reference List• Continue the

running head and page number

• Double-space • Each entry has a

hanging indent• Alphabetical order

by main author’s last name (or by corporate name)

• Check that each in-text reference is listed on this page