APA Format: A Quick Guide
Additional information on the APA Citation Guide: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Paper Format
This is how the paper should be set up:
Double-spaced
1” (inch) margins on all sides
12pt. Times New Roman Font
In-Text Citations
When you quote or paraphrase from a source, you need to give credit to that source by inserting a citation. This
citation typically consists of the author’s name, year of publication, and page number in parentheses “()” at the
end of the sentence. Another option is to use the author’s name in the sentence, followed directly by the year in
parentheses, with the page numbers in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Examples of Basic In-Text Citations:
Direct Quote, Summary, or Paraphrase
Online dating makes it easier for people to lie about their appearance. According to a study of profile pictures
used by heterosexual users of an online dating service, Hancock and Toma (2009) reported that one-third of
these images were deceptive or inaccurate, with female users being less accurate overall.
Online dating makes it easier for people to lie about their appearance. According to a study of profile pictures
used by heterosexual users of an online dating service, Hancock and Toma (2009) reported that “independent
judges rated approximately 1/3 of the photographs as not accurate” (p. 367).
OR
Online dating makes it easier for people to lie about their appearance. According to a study of profile pictures
used by heterosexual users of an online dating service, “independent judges rated approximately 1/3 of the
photographs as not accurate” (Hancock & Toma, 2009, p. 367).
Long Quotes (Block Quotations)
Quotations longer than 40 words need to be set apart from the rest of the text. Do not use quotation marks. The
quote should be in a new paragraph and set 1/2 inch from the left margin (the same position as a new
paragraph). The citation comes after the final punctuation mark.
Example:
Hancock and Toma (2009) go on to argue that this deception can be explained partially by the high value placed
on physical attraction by modern society, as
The advantages of being beautiful extend to many aspects of life, as attractive people have been shown
to have better jobs, higher incomes, more friends, and better social skills; conversely, the penalty for
physical unattractiveness can be a major social disadvantage and source of discrimination. (p. 371)
Citing Sources within Sources
Authors often use evidence or research from other sources in their writing. Be sure that you are attributing the
information to the correct person:
The advantages of being beautiful extend to many aspects of life, as attractive people have been shown to have
better jobs, higher incomes, more friends, and better social skills (see Riggio, Widaman, Tucker, & Salinas,
1991; Thornhill & Grammer, 1999); conversely, the penalty for physical unattractiveness can be a major social
disadvantage and source of discrimination (Adamson & Doud Galli, 2003). In the dating world, attractive
people are considered more desirable dating partners (Gangestad& Scheyd, 2005; Riggio et al., 1991), and in
one study, physical attractiveness was the only feature that predicted whether daters wanted to see potential
partners again (Thornhill & Grammer, 1999).
Example:
This deception can be explained partially by the high value placed on physical attraction by modern society
because “attractive people have been shown to have better jobs, higher incomes, more friends, and better social
skills” (Riggio, Widaman, Tucker, & Salinas, 1991; Thornhill & Grammer, 1999, cited in Hancock & Toma,
2009, p. 371).
Practice
Use the paragraph above to create appropriate citations:
People who are not considered physically attractive may see the value of trying to deceive others online with
fake or inaccurate photographs as “physical unattractiveness can be a major social disadvantage and source of
discrimination”
(_____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________).
In fact, several studies have shown that most people have a preference for dating partners who are physically
attractive (_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________).
References Page
This is a separate page at the end of your paper. Each citation in the text must be listed on the
References page; each listing on the References page must appear in the text.
The title of the page should be centered and labeled References.
Sources should be listed in alphabetical order according to authors’ family names.
All text is double-spaced, just like the rest of the paper.
Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 inch to create a hanging indent.
References look different for different types of sources. If you have a source that doesn’t fit any of the
categories below, check the online guide at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
References Page Examples
Scholarly (Academic) Journal Article
Format:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article: Subtitle words. Title of
Periodical, volume number(issue number), pages.
Books
Format:
Print Book:
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.
E-Book:
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location:
Publisher. Retrieved from http://url_of_e-book_database
Chapter in a Book:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Title of chapter. In A. A. Editor & B. B.
Editor (Eds.), Title of book (pages of chapter). Location: Publisher. Retrieved from http://url_of_e-
book_database
