American Psychological Association (APA)
American Psychological Association (APA) format began as guidelines for social and behavioral science authors but has since been adopted by other disciplines, for example, business and nursing. The Style Guide information below was generated using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2010. For more information, see Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed.
APA In-Text Citations
One author
Format(Surname, year, p. page number)
(Smith, 2013, p. 245)
Two authors
Format(Surname & Surname, year, p. page number)
(Smith, 2013, p. 245)
Three authors
Format(Surname, Surname, & Surname, year, p. page number)
(Smith & Potter, 2012, p. 45)
Four authors
FormatInitial citation:
(Surname, Surname, Surname, & Surname, year, p. page number)
ubsequent citations: (Surname et al., year, p. page number)
Initial citation: (Smith, Morris, Johnson, & Potter, 2010, p. 87)
Subsequent citations: (Smith et al., 2010, p. 87)
Five authors
FormatInitial citation: (Surname, Surname, Surname, Surname, & Surname, year, p. page number)
Subsequent citations: (Surname et al., year, p. page number)
Initial citation: (Smith, Morris, Johnson, Washington, & Potter, 2009, p. 95)
Subsequent citations: (Smith et al., 2009, p. 95)
Six or more authors
Format(Surname et al., year, p. page number)
(Smith et al., 2008, p. 38)
Multiple works
FormatCite multiple works in alphabetical order with each work separated by a semi-colon.
(Smith et al., 2008; Washington & Potter, 2006)
Indirect citations
Format(Surname, year, as cited in Surname, year, p. page number)
(Smith et al., 2008, as cited in Washington, 2005, p. 456)
Organizational author
FormatInitial citation: (Organization Name [acronym, if any], year, p. page number)
Subsequent citations: (Acronym, year, p. page number)
Initial citation: (American Psychological Association [APA], 2004, p. 265)
Subsequent citations: (APA, 2004, p. 265)
APA References
Book
FormatAuthor, A. A., & Author, B. B. (date). Book title. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Bredenkoetter, S. (1989). The measure of success is success. Raleigh, NC: Smith Publishing
Article in an Edited Book
FormatAuthor, A. A., & Author, B. B. (date). Article name. In A. A. Editor & B. B. Editor (Eds.), Book name (pp. page range). Place of Publication: Publisher.
Green, U. S. (2003). Lean implementation. In C. W. Jones, F. R. Fink, & G. Holmes (Eds.), Business basics (pp. 267-298). New York: University Publications.
Journal Article (volume only)
FormatAuthor, A. A., & Author, B. B. (date). Article name. Journal Name, volume, page range.
Smith, S., & Becker, C. (2002). The editing process. Grammar Quarterly, 5, 275-312.
Newspaper Article
FormatAuthor, A. A. (date). Article name. Newspaper Name, p (or pp). page number(s) or range.
Hesek, E. D. (2012, June 1). Polish your resume. Democrat and Chronicle, p. E8.
Non-Periodical Web Document
FormatAuthor, A. A., & Author, B. B. (date). Document name. Retrieved from URL
Johnson, T. (2007). Finding editing and proofreading jobs in the Internet. Retrieved from http://polishedpaper.com/becomeaneditor.
Journal Article Found on the Web (DOI)
FormatAuthor, A. A., & Author, B. B. (date). Article name. Journal Name, volume(issue), page range. doi: numbers/letters
Vico, D. F., & Wheaton, F. T. (2012). Editors and those who love them. Journal of Professional Editing and Proofreading, 12(3), 57-64. doi: 12.B43325632.62
Journal Article Found on the Web (without DOI)
FormatAuthor, A. A., & Author, B. B. (date). Article name. Journal Name, volume(issue), page range. Retrieved from URL
Stark, E., Lannister, T., Bolton, R., Snow, J., & Tulley, H. (2012, June). Anthropological characteristics of pre-modern man. Anthropology Today, 25(3), 548-596. Retrieved from http://anthrotoday/SEL/articles/253
Lecture Notes Found on the Web (PowerPoint slides)
FormatAuthor, A. A. (year).Lecture name [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from Website Name: URL
Johnston, G. F. (2012). Transcription, an introduction [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from the Polished Paper Website: http://www.polishedpaper.com
Online Dictionary
FormatWord. (n.d.). In Dictionary name. Retrieved from URL
Editing. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/
© All Rights Reserved 2017 Polished Paper