APA Format Basics

1. APA Format Basics Place, Melissa. “APA Format Basics”  The 2006 Proceedings [28-29 April 2006]. Eds. Sherry Southard & Melissa Place. Springfield, MO: Missouri State University, Spring 2007. The author gives permission for instructors to use these resources in their classes for educational purposes, as long as they give credit.

2. General Formatting Rules • Double space throughout the paper • Use 1 inch margins all around • Use 12 point, serif font (Times New Roman) • Include a short version of title and a page number in top right corner of every page • Organize main sections with headings

3. Short Title Here 1 Full Paper Title Goes Here: A Review of the Literature Your Name English 1200, Section 151 Professor Sharer April 14, 2006 Short title and page number in the top right corner—continue throughout paper The Title Page Full Paper Title, Centered • Your name • Course Number and Section Number • Instructor’s name • Date • (All Centered)

4. Short title and page number in the top right corner Headings Short Title Here 2 • Full paper title is centered at the top of the first page of text (page 2 of the paper) Full Paper Title Goes Here: A Review of the Literature This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the introductory section of the paper. This is the Section headings are centered. No extra line spaces are added. Main Section Heading This is the first paragraph in this section of the paper. This is the first paragraph in this section of the paper. This is the first paragraph in this section of the paper.

5. Citations • Basic format for direct quotation • Basic format for summary or paraphrase • Citing sources with multiple authors

6. Basic format for direct quotation • Kirby (2004) found that indeed “the seven African American men suggest that their economic status is associated with the structural context of rural Caswell County, which perpetuates social deprivation” (p. 1). If you name the author in the sentence, put the publication date in parentheses directly after the author’s last name… …and put the page number with “p.” for page in parentheses after the quotation. Sample quotation from Palmquist, M. (2006). The Bedford Researcher. 2nd edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Press.

7. Basic format for direct quotation • “The seven African American men suggest that their economic status is associated with the structural context of rural Caswell County, which perpetuates social deprivation” (Kirby, 2004, p. 1). If you do not name the author in the sentence, put the author’s last name, the publication date, and the page number in parentheses. Sample quotation adapted from Palmquist, M. (2006). The Bedford Researcher. 2nd edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Press.

8. Block quotation Signal phrase is a complete sentence ending with a colon. • Kirby (2004) stated the following, to illustrate longer block quotes in the text: This is an example of a longer quote of more than 40 words. Each line of a block quote is indented 1/2" from the left margin, but continues all the way to the right margin. The entire block quote is double-spaced. (p. 17) If a quote is over 40 words, put it in a “block” indented 5 spaces from the margin. Do not use quotes. Since the author and publication date are in the signal phrase, put just the page number after the quote.

9. Format for summary/paraphrase • Kirby (2004) found that the policy makers for the Caswell County local government were not receptive to the needs of the African American men in her study (p.1). If you name the author in the sentence, put the publication date in parentheses directly after the author’s last name… …and put the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence, if you are paraphrasing or summarizing information from a certain page. Sample quotation from Palmquist, M. (2006). The Bedford Researcher. 2nd edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Press.

10. Format for summary/paraphrase • Recent studies have suggested that local government fails to serve African Americans’ needs adequately (Kirby, 2004, p. 4). If you do not name the author in the sentence, put the author’s last name, the publication date, and the page number in parentheses. Sample quotation from Palmquist, M. (2006). The Bedford Researcher. 2nd edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Press.

11. Citing source with 2 authors • Inman and George (2004) have suggested that kids often vocalize their belief that voting is important while they are still unable to name the governor or a congressperson from their state. List both authors’ last names every time you mention them in the text. Use “and” to separate their names in a sentence. Sample quotation from Palmquist, M. (2006). The Bedford Researcher. 2nd edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Press.

12. Citing source with 2 authors • Kids often vocalize their belief that voting is important while they are still unable to name the governor or a congressperson from their state (Inman & George, 2004). But use “&” to separate their names in a parenthetical citation. Sample quotation adapted from Palmquist, M. (2006). The Bedford Researcher. 2nd edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Press.

13. Citing source with 3-5 authors • In an influential article, Terrace, Petitto, Sanders, and Beaver (1979) argued that the apes in language experiments were not using language spontaneously. The first time you cite the source, include all of the authors’ names. Quotation from sample student paper Apes and Language at http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/bedhandbook7e/ch07/ch07_main.asp

14. Citing source with 3-5 authors • According to Terrace et al. (1979), Nim’s series of 16 signs is a case in point: “give orange me give eat orange…” (p. 895). In subsequent references to the source, use the last name of the first author followed by the abbreviation “et al.” (Latin for “and others”). Quotation from sample student paper Apes and Language at http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/bedhandbook7e/ch07/ch07_main.asp

15. Sources with more than 5 authors Boyle et al. (2004) theorized that children… In ALL references to the source, give the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”

16. The Reference List • Begins on a new page • Has a centered heading called “References” • Is alphabetized by authors’ last names • Is double-spaced, just like the rest of the paper • Should have first line of each entry flush left; second line of entry is indented five spaces

17. Formatting References • A Book • One chapter from a book • Electronic sources

18. Author last name followed by comma and first initials A Book Title of book, italicized. Not every word in the title is capitalized. Year of Publication Roose, N. J. (2005). If only: How to turn regret into opportunity. New York: Broadway Books. City of Publication Publisher

19. A Book Girdano, D. A., Dusek, D. E., & Everly, G. S. (2005). Controlling stress and tension. San Francisco: Pearson/Benjamin. For two or more authors, use “&” before last author’s name.

20. One Chapter from a Book Title of the chapter—NOT italicized and every word is not capitalized Authors of the chapter Year of Publication O'Neil, J. M., & Egan, J. (1992). Men's and women's gender role journeys: Metaphor for healing, transition, and transformation. In B. R. Wainrib (Ed.), Gender issues across the life cycle (pp. 107-123). New York: Springer. Title of the book, in italics Following the name of the chapter, list the book’s editor(s), first initials then last name, followed by the abbreviation “Ed.” or “Eds.” Publication city and Publisher Page numbers for the chapter you’re citing

21. Electronic Sources • Article obtained through a database • Online article originally published in a print periodical • Article in an online periodical • Nonperiodical Web Document

22. Online Article Originally Published in a Print Periodical The title of the article, not italicized, not every word capitalized Authors of the article Date of Publication Wong, W., & Scott, J. D. (2004). Anchored signaling complexes. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 5, 959. Retrieved December 7, 2004, from http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nrm/journal/v5/n12/full/nrm1527_fs.html Name of the periodical, in italics, with every major word capitalized! Volume number is also in italics, followed by the article number (not italicized) Date you retrieved the article online Exact URL where you found the article after “from”

23. Article in an Online Periodical The title of the article, not italicized, not every word capitalized Brent, D. (1997). Rhetorics of the Web: Implications for teachers of literacy. Kairos: A Journal for Teachers of Writing in Webbed Environments,2(1). Retrieved July 18, 2000, from http://english.ttu.edu/kairos/2.1/features/brent/bridge.html Name of the periodical, in italics, with every major word capitalized! Volume number is also in italics, followed by the issue number—if the periodical has a volume and issue number Date you retrieved the article online Exact URL where you found the article

24. Nonperiodical Web Document Person or organization that authored the document Date of online publication---include the year and month, if available Grayson, C. E. (2004, October). What is bipolar depression? Retrieved December 7, 2004, from http://my.webmd.com/content/article/60/67149.htm?z=4249_00000_0000_tn_01 Date you retrieved the document Title of the document, IS IN ITALICS not every word capitalized. Exact URL

25. When in doubt, consult • your APA handbook