Proper citations are essential in academic and professional writing to give credit to original sources and avoid plagiarism. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in social sciences, education, and psychology. This guide explains the most common in-text citations in APA format, with clear examples to help you reference sources correctly.
Why Use In-Text Citations?
In-text citations in APA style serve two key purposes:
- Credit the original author for their work.
- Direct readers to the full reference in the reference list.
Every in-text citation must correspond to a complete reference entry at the end of the paper.
Basic APA In-Text Citation Format
APA uses an author-date system, meaning citations include:
- Author’s last name
- Year of publication
- Page number (for direct quotes)
1. Parenthetical Citations (Author Inside Parentheses)
Used when the author’s name is not mentioned in the sentence.
Structure:
(Author’s Last Name, Year, p. #)
Examples:
- Paraphrased idea: Effective leadership requires emotional intelligence (Goleman, 2005).
- Direct quote (include page number):“Emotional intelligence is a key predictor of leadership success” (Goleman, 2005, p. 45).
2. Narrative Citations (Author in the Sentence)
Used when the author’s name is part of the sentence.
Structure:
Author’s Last Name (Year) + [rest of sentence] (p. # if quoting).
Examples:
- Paraphrased idea: Goleman (2005) argues that emotional intelligence is crucial for leaders.
- Direct quote: Goleman (2005) stated, “Leaders with high emotional intelligence inspire teams more effectively” (p. 72).
Common Variations of APA In-Text Citations
1. Two Authors
- Parenthetical: (Smith & Jones, 2020)
- Narrative: Smith and Jones (2020) found…
2. Three or More Authors
- Use et al. (Latin for “and others”) after the first author’s name.
- First citation: (Taylor, Clark, & Lee, 2019)
- Subsequent citations: (Taylor et al., 2019)
3. No Author (Use Title Instead)
- For articles or webpages with no author, use the first few words of the title (in quotes or italics, depending on source type).
- Example: (“Study Finds Sleep Improves Memory,” 2023)
4. Multiple Works in One Citation
- Separate sources with a semicolon (;) in alphabetical order.
- Example: (Brown, 2018; Davis, 2021; Wilson, 2019)
5. Citing a Secondary Source (Indirect Citation)
If you cite a source mentioned in another work, use “as cited in.”
- Example: Freud’s theory (as cited in Jung, 1950) suggests…
Special Cases
1. No Date Available?
Use “n.d.” (no date).
- Example: (Johnson, n.d.)
2. Citing a Website Without Page Numbers?
- Use paragraph numbers (para. #) if available.
- Example: (Roberts, 2022, para. 5)
- If no paragraph numbers, omit them (just author and year).
3. Citing Personal Communications (Emails, Interviews)
- Only cite in-text (not in reference list).
- Example: (R. Davis, personal communication, March 10, 2025)
Final Tips for APA In-Text Citations
✔ Always include the year (except for personal communications).
✔ Use “p.” for one page, “pp.” for multiple pages (e.g., pp. 45-47).
✔ Check your reference list—every in-text citation must match a full reference.
Conclusion
Mastering APA in-text citations ensures your writing is credible and properly sourced. Whether paraphrasing or quoting, following these rules will help you maintain academic integrity. For more details, consult the APA Publication Manual (7th Edition).