Apa Writing Style and Mechanics: a User’s Guide

In-text citations should note the author(s) and the publication date for a paraphrase. For a direct quotation, citations should include author(s), date, and page number. See the following examples:

11. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

The purpose of this paper is to provide you with written instructions on some of the basic guidelines with the new APA format (American Psychological Association, 2009). In addition, this paper is written in APA format to provide you with a visual image of how many aspects of papers should be written, from the title page, to headings, to references in text, and the reference page. This paper is not met to be a comprehensive explanation of APA format, but will provide the reader with the basics. So, please buy the manual and read it.

Integrate the quotation into the passage as if the passage is a sentence in your research paper. Include appropriate transitions as well as APA-formatted in-text citations and reference. Delete elements of the passage or quotation as needed.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Christina McElroy, Department of Psychology, Introduction to Research, Liberty University, 1971 Liberty University Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24515. E-mail: cmcelroy1@liberty.edu

Here are some example citations and references. In some cases, I have simplified, maybe over simplified some of the rules. I will be happy if you use the basics. You might want to ask your professor if you need to be more of a stickler. Here are citations for a book (Giorgi, 2009), a journal article (J. B. Walther, 1995), a web site (American Psychological Association, 2010), an edited book (Rehorick & Bentz, 2008), a section of a book (Polkinghorne, 1989), and a government document (National Institutes of Health, 2008). Here is what it looks like if

     APA uses parenthetical (or in-text) citations within sentences, but rather than indicating the author's name and page number, APA includes author's name and date of publication. The page number, represented with a p. or a pp., is only added to the citation when using a direct quote (not a summary or paraphrase). If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, then place the date of publication in parentheses directly after the name. If the name is

When you include a direct quotation or paraphrase referring to a specific passage in your paper, always include the author and year, as well as the page number, as part of the citation. APA requires the author, year, and page number for direct quotations and recommends providing the same information for paraphrases.

Similarly, I was able to learn that the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken at the end of the text in () before the punctuations marks. Furthermore, the reference page should

APA format: last name, first name author (year). Title of article in lower case (if journal article). Title of journal italicized, Volume Number (Issue Number), page numbers.

After taking GEN/201 class, I have been expose to the APA format writing style. I know, I not advance yet.... but it wont take long.

As a researcher, the APA style helps to build credibility. By properly citing research references and displaying an understanding of the development of ideas, a researcher gives credit to original owner of intellectual property. This is not only the ethical thing to do, it documents the development of ideas. By using proper APA guidelines for in-text citations, referenced materials are acknowledged immediately. The full reference citations at the end of the article or paper allow the reader to easily find the referenced resources and understand the author’s ideas in the context of the current knowledge within the field (Hicks, 2006). This ability of readers to follow the development of an idea, or to refer back to an original concept, is essential in an academic setting. Presenting the information in clear, uncluttered sentences convey both meaning and focus. The aim of APA writing style is to eliminate unnecessary wordiness, passive voice, poor grammar, and The formal tone associated with academic writing demonstrates the ability of the writer to distill an idea or argument down to the most precise

In 1952, the booklet was expanded and published as a 55-page supplement in Psychological Bulletin with revisions made in 1957 and 1967 (APA, 1952, 1957, 1967).[4][5][6] The first edition covered word choice, grammar, punctuation, formatting, journal publication policies, and "wrapping and shipping" (APA, Council of Editors, 1952, p. 442).

“The general rule governing APA style on the use of numbers is to use figures to express numbers 10 and above and words to express numbers below 10” (APA, 2001, p. 122). Avoid beginning a sentence with a number.

a. Quotation less than 40 words in text must been closed in double quotation marks. It must provide information on the author, year, and specific page. For example, Gill, Omoigui and Nyawaume (1993) observed that “In many African countries, the local market is an integral part of life and culture of the people” (p. 69). Or “In many African countries, the local market is an integral part of life and culture of the people” (Gill, Omoigui, & Nyawaume, 1993, p.