Citing a Famous Quote in APA: Proper Citation Format

_{October 16, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Writing}

How to cite a famous quote in APA? Learn how to cite a famous quote in APA format correctly. This article provides guidelines and citation format for incorporating renowned quotes into your writing.

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How to cite a famous quote in APA?

When citing a famous quote in APA (American Psychological Association) format, you should follow the guidelines for citing a secondary source because the original source of the quote is the work where you found it. Here's how to properly cite a famous quote in APA:

In-text Citation:

Paraphrased Quote:
- If you are paraphrasing a famous quote, mention the author and the publication year in your sentence. Include the source of the quote in your reference list.
Example: According to Smith (2019), "This is the famous quote I'm paraphrasing" (p. 45).
Direct Quote:
- If you are using the famous quote verbatim, include the author, publication year, and the page number (if available) in your in-text citation.
Example: "This is the famous quote" (Smith, 2019, p. 45).

Reference List Entry:

In your reference list, you should provide the full citation for the source where you found the famous quote. This is the secondary source. The format is as follows:

Author(s). (Publication year). Title of the work. Source.

Author(s): The author(s) of the work where you found the quote.
Publication year: The publication year of the work.
Title of the work: The title of the work where you found the quote (italicized or in title case, depending on the type of source).
Source: The full citation of the source where you found the quote.

For example, if you found the famous quote in a book authored by John Smith, published in 2019, and the quote is on page 45, your reference entry would look like this:

Smith, J. (2019). Title of the Book. Name of the Book's Editor (if applicable), page numbers. Publisher.

Remember to replace "Title of the Book" and "Name of the Book's Editor (if applicable)" with the actual title and editor information from the source where you found the quote.

Keep in mind that when citing a famous quote, it's essential to accurately attribute the quote to its original source and provide full and proper credit.

How to Cite a Famous Quote in APA Style

To cite a famous quote in APA style, you must include the following information in your in-text citation:

The author's last name
The year the quote was published (if applicable)
The page number where the quote appears

For example, if you were to cite the following quote:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Your in-text citation would be as follows:

(Burke, 1792, p. 200)

If the quote is from a source that does not have page numbers, you can omit the page number in your in-text citation. For example, if you were to cite the following quote from a speech:

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy

Your in-text citation would be as follows:

(Kennedy, 1961)

Citing Well-Known Quotes in Academic Writing

When citing well-known quotes in academic writing, it is important to choose quotes that are relevant to your topic and that support your argument. You should also avoid overusing quotes. Your paper should be your own work, and quotes should be used to supplement your own thoughts and ideas.

Incorporating Famous Quotes into Your APA Paper

When incorporating famous quotes into your APA paper, you can do so in either of the following ways:

Parenthetical citation: This type of citation is placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence that contains the quote. For example:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" (Burke, 1792, p. 200).

Narrative citation: This type of citation is incorporated into the text of your paper. For example:

Edmund Burke once wrote that "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" (1792, p. 200).

Creating Reference List Entries for Cited Famous Quotes

If you cite a famous quote in your paper, you must also include a reference list entry for the quote. The reference list entry should include the following information:

The author's last name
The author's initials
The year the quote was published (if applicable)
The title of the work where the quote appears (if applicable)
The publisher (if applicable)

For example, if you were to cite the quote from Edmund Burke's 1792 speech, your reference list entry would be as follows:

Burke, E. (1792). Reflections on the Revolution in France. J. Dodsley.

Ethical and Accurate Citation of Notable Quotations in APA

When citing notable quotations in APA, it is important to be ethical and accurate. This means that you should only cite quotes from credible sources and that you should not alter the meaning of the quotes in any way. You should also be careful not to plagiarize. Plagiarism is the act of copying someone else's work without giving them credit. If you are unsure about whether or not you are citing a quote correctly, it is always best to consult with a writing tutor or professor.