Citing a Quote in APA Format: Step-by-Step Instructions

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

How do you cite a quote in APA format? Learn how to cite a quote in APA format with step-by-step instructions. This article provides guidelines for including quotations in your academic or professional writing.

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How do you cite a quote in APA format?

Citing a quote in APA (American Psychological Association) format involves properly attributing the quote within your text and providing a full citation in your reference list. Here are step-by-step instructions for citing a quote in APA format:

In-text Citation:

Introduce the Quote: When you use a direct quote, introduce it in your text, providing context for the quote.
Use Quotation Marks: Enclose the quote within double quotation marks.
Include the Author's Name: Immediately after the quote, include the author's last name. If the author's name is not mentioned in your text, include it in the citation.
Provide the Publication Year: Following the author's name, include the publication year of the source within parentheses.
Specify the Page Number: If the quote is from a specific page, include the page number after the publication year, separated by a comma. If the quote spans multiple pages, use a range (e.g., pp. 12-14).

Here's an example of how to cite a direct quote in your text:

According to Smith (2019), "This is the quote" (p. 45).

Reference List Entry:

For the full citation in your reference list, follow these guidelines:

Author(s): List the author's last name followed by their initials.
Publication Year: Enclose the publication year in parentheses and follow it with a period.
Title of the Work: Italicize the title of the work where the quote is found.
Source Information: Specify the source of the quote, such as the book title, journal name, or the title of the webpage. Capitalize the first letter of the first word of the title and any subtitles.
Source Information: Italicize the title of the work where the quote is found.
Page Numbers: If you're citing a specific page or range of pages, include the page numbers after the source information. Use "pp." for multiple pages.

Here's how to format the full reference list entry:

Author(s). (Publication Year). Title of the Work. Source Information. Page Numbers (if applicable).

For example:

Smith, J. (2019). Title of the Book. Publisher. pp. 45.

In the reference list entry, replace "Title of the Book" and "Publisher" with the actual title and publisher information from the source where you found the quote.

By following these steps, you'll accurately cite a direct quote in APA format, both within your text and in your reference list.

Citing a Quote in APA Format: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Identify the source of the quote. This includes the author's name, the title of the work, the year of publication, and the page number (if applicable).

Step 2: Determine the type of citation you need. APA style offers two types of citations: parenthetical and narrative.

Parenthetical citation: This type of citation is placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence that contains the quote.
Narrative citation: This type of citation is incorporated into the text of your paper.

Step 3: Format the citation according to APA style guidelines.

Parenthetical citation:

(Author's last name, year of publication, page number)

For example:

(Burke, 1792, p. 200)

Narrative citation:

Author's last name (year of publication) wrote: "Quote" (page number).

For example:

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

Step 4: Include a reference list entry for the quoted source. The reference list entry should include the same information as the in-text citation, plus additional information such as the publisher and the city of publication.

For example:

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

In-Text Citation of Quotes in APA Style

When citing quotes in APA style, it is important to be consistent with the type of citation you use throughout your paper. 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.

Creating a Reference List Entry for Quoted Sources

The reference list entry for a quoted source should include the same information as the in-text citation, plus additional information such as the publisher and the city of publication.

For example: