How to Cite Sources in APA Format: Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to correctly cite sources in APA format with examples for articles and books in this quick, easy guide.

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To cite sources in APA format, start with the author's last name, followed by a comma and their first initial. Next, include the publication year in parentheses. If it's an article or book, italicize the title and capitalize the first word of the title and subtitle. For articles, add the journal title, volume number, and page numbers. For books, include the publisher's location and name. Example: Smith, J. (2020). The Science of Nature. New York, NY: Nature Publishing.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the basic format for citing a book in APA style? The basic APA citation for a book includes the author's last name and first initial, publication year, italicized book title with only the first word capitalized, and the publisher's location and name.
  2. How do you cite a journal article in APA format? In APA format, cite a journal article by listing the author's last name and initial, publication year in parentheses, article title in sentence case, journal title in italics, volume number in italics, and page range.
  3. Should the title of a book be italicized in APA citations? Yes, the title of a book should be italicized in APA citations, with only the first word of the title and subtitle capitalized.