APA 7 Style: In-Text Citations

In-text citations are brief. They include the author's last name, year of publication, and, for quotations only, page numbers or location references. This is enough information for readers to find the source in the references list. Note that punctuation marks (periods, commas, semi-colons) follow the parentheses for in-text citations.

Identify the kind of source you have and apply the APA guidelines. A few examples are covered below.

• Paraphrase
• Direct Quotation from source with page numbers
• Direct quotation from source with no page numbers
• Source with one author
• Source with two authors
• Source with three or more authors
• Agency author
• Source with no author
• Two or more sources from the same author in the same year
• Two or more sources in one parenthetical citation
• Citing a source you found in another source

Paraphrase

A paraphrase re-states someone else's ideas in your words. Always indicate whose idea you are taking. To avoid plagiarism, do not simply re-word something. Put the original source aside and write your version of it. Paraphrases do not need quotation marks.

In-text citations for paraphrases should include the author’s last name and year of publication, which are separated by a comma. A page number is not required. Note that information about the author can be integrated into your sentence or placed in parentheses.

Examples:

According to Makad (2018), there are many reasons why Canadians should consider electoral reform.

Electoral reform has long been cited as an important priority for Canadians to consider (Mankad, 2018).

Direct Quotations from Sources with Page Numbers

A quotation (an exact word-for-word repetition of written or spoken language) needs quotation marks around it. Keep them brief and use them sparingly. Quotations must always include the author's last name, year of publication and page number.

Examples:

Bourgois (1995) observes how "[o]bedience to the norms of high-rise, office-corridor culture is in direct contradiction to street culture's definition of personal dignity" (p. 115).

"Obedience to the norms of high-rise, office-corridor culture is in direct contradiction to street culture's definition of personal dignity" (Bourgois, 1995, p. 115).  

Direct Quotations from Sources with No Page Numbers

When using a direct quotation from a source with no page numbers, you still need to indicate the specific location of the quotation within the original source. Be as accurate and specific as possible.

PowerPoint Presentation  

When quoting from a PowerPoint slide, give the slide number to show the location of the statement in the original source.

Example:

According to Lahira (2020), “there is an essential tension within democratic societies between liberty and equality” (Slide 9)

Example:

Many recognize that “There is an essential tension within democratic societies between liberty and equality” (Lahira, 2020, Slide 9).

Video or Audio Book

When using a direct quotation from an audiovisual source, use a time stamp to indicate the beginning of the quotation. Include the hour and minute using a colon to divide them.

Example:

At one point in the film, Marty yells, “please make it stop!” (Erikso, 2012, 1:19).

Webpage or other source with no page or section breaks

Provide the paragraph number from which the direct source comes. If the paragraphs are not numbered, number them yourself.

Example

According to the RNAO (2018), there are “specific best practices that can prevent falls” (para. 3).

Source with One Author

Insert the surname of the author and the year of publication for a paraphrase and the surname of the author, the year of publication and page number for a quotation.

Examples:

Bourgois (1995) concludes that submission to corporate culture threatens street culture’s norms of masculinity.

Different cultures’ definitions of dignity can be in contradiction (Bourgois, 1995).

Source with Two Authors

Cite both names for each reference. When referring to the authors in your sentence use the word "and" but in a parenthetical citation use an ampersand "&". 

Examples:

This was written a century and a half ago: "All fixed, fast-frozen relations, with their train of ancient and venerable prejudices and opinions, are swept away, all new-formed ones become antiquated before they ossify" (Marx & Engels, 1848, p. 38).

Marx and Engels (1848) invoke an economic and social upheaval that is familiar to contemporary readers.

Source with Three or More Authors

Cite only the first author's surname and follow this by et al. and the year for the first and subsequent citations.

Example:

Aubrey et al. (2004) observed participants in different stages of sleep.

The authors noted that this influence extends to even those outside of the community (Adams et al., 1994).

Agency Author

It may appear that a source does not have an author if no individual is listed; however, agencies can also be authors of a source and they should be identified as the author. If the agency is best known as an acronym, you must first record the full name of the agency and indicate the acronym in parentheses;  all subsequent references may use the acronym in this case.

Example:

First reference:

The American Psychological Association (APA, 2010) recommends . . .

Parenthetical citations are required (American Psychological Association [APA], 2010)

Subsequent references:

APA (2010) recommends . . .

Running heads are required (APA, 2010).

Source with No Author

Cite the first few words of the reference list entry (usually the title) and the year. If the author is identified as Anonymous, your in-text citation and reference entry should list the author as Anonymous.

Examples:

("Diet for Stress Management", 2012)

(Anonymous, 2010)

Two or More Sources from the Same Author in the Same Year

To differentiate between two sources published in the same year by the same author(s), add a suffix to the date. Include these suffixes in your reference list for easy cross referencing. 

Example:

In two studies by Lee (2008a; 2008b), anti-depressants were found . . .

Two or More Sources in one Parenthetical Citation

Sometimes you need to cite more than one source for an idea you present in your work. List sources alphabetically by first author's surname and separate them with a semi-colon.

Example:

Several empirical studies demonstrate the importance of limiting screen time for children under the age of 24 months (Childs et al., 2015; Green et al., 2014; Singh, 2017).

Citing a Source you found in Another Source

When you are unable to access an original source, you can cite its findings or argument as they are presented in a different source. APA considers the original source to be a “primary source,” and the source that you read about it in the “secondary source.” Identify the original (primary) source, including the original author(s) and publication date (if known), in the sentence, followed by a parenthetical citation starting with the words “as cited in” to the secondary source. The secondary source, not the original source, will be listed in the references list.

Example:

Khan (2002) theorized that . . . (as cited in Cohen, 2011).

Some theories suggest… (Kahn, 2002, as cited in Cohen, 2011)

In this example, the writer wishes to explain the theory raised by Khan, which they read in Cohen's (2011) work. They did not read Khan's publication, so they cannot cite in in their paper. Cohen's work will be included in the References list.