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Important!

Always consult your syllabus and assignment sheets. The information in your syllabus or assignment sheet may differ from the information you see here (or elsewhere) on citing sources and formatting your paper! If you have questions, contact your instructor.

What is APA?

APA (American Psychological Association) is a citation style widely used in the Behavioral and Social Sciences. APA was created in 1929 by Psychologists, Anthropologists, and Business Managers. APA is maintained by the American Psychological Association, the main professional organization for Psychologists in the United States.  

Resources

In-Text Citations and Reference List

APA Style uses in-text citations that have two formats. You can cite your sources in-text by using parenthetical or narrative citations. For more guidance, including examples for exceptions, view the APA's information on the Author-date citation system. 

Parenthetical Citations 

  • Include the name of the author(s) and the date of publication in parentheses
  • If a specific fact or quotation is being cited, include the page number 
  • Can be included within a sentence or at the end

Examples

Frederick Douglass spoke to over 1,000 people in Winona, Minnesota in 1867 (Gannaway, 2008, p. 74).

"Douglass stood before a supportive audience of more than a thousand. It was his first visit to Minnesota (Gannaway, 2008, p. 74).

Narrative Citations

  • Include the author's surname in the text with the date in parentheses immediately following
  • You can also include the author's surname and date in the narrative, in this rare case, do not include parentheses 

Examples

Gannaway (2008) noted the details of Frederick Douglass's first visit to Minnesota in 1867.

In 2008, Gannaway noted the details of Frederick Douglass's first visit to Minnesota in 1867.

A reference list is required for APA Style Papers. For guidance on setting up your reference list and examples, view the APA's Reference list setup, Common Reference Examples, and Creating an APA Style Reference List Guide.

Reference List Basics

  • Your reference page starts on a new page immediately following your text 
  • Include References at the top of the page in bold and centered 
  • Type each reference as a single paragraph, justified to the left 
  • Alphabetize your references 
    • Usually this is done with the authors last name, but when a source has no author, you use the title
  • The reference list should have a 0.5 inch hanging indent, which makes the first line of each source flush left 
  • Double space the whole list 
  • DOIs or URLs may be blue and underlined or plain text with no underline
  • Ensure that you have an in-text citation and reference entry for all your sources 
  • Check that your page numbers are displayed in the top right corner

APA Examples

For a general guide on citing webpages, consult the APA's Webpage on a Website References. The information included in this section is from the Webpage on a Website References and the Blog Post and Blog Comment References.

Webpage on a News Website

  • Use this format for news websites that do not have associated daily or weekly newspapers (i.e. BBC News, CNN, Bloomberg)

  • For newspaper websites such as the New York Times or Washington Post, use the Newspaper Article References format

  • Use the writer as the author

  • Provide the specific date the story was published

  • Put the title of the story in italics

  • End your citation with the URL 

Example

Bologna, C. (2019, October 31). Why some people with anxiety love watching horror movies. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/anxiety-love-watching-horror-movies_l_5d277587e4b02a5a5d57b59e

Parenthetical Citation: (Bologna, 2019)

Narrative Citation: Bologna (2019) 

Webpage with a Government Agency Group Author

  • For citing a page on a government website with no individual authors, use the agency name 
  • The names of parent agencies not listed as the author should be included to create concise in-text citations and complete reference list entries 
  • Do your best to provide a specific date 
  • Italicize the title of the webpage
  • End citation with the URL 

Example

National Institute of Mental Health. (2018, July). Anxiety disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

Parenthetical Citation: (National Institute of Mental Health, 2018)

Narrative Citation: National Institute of Mental Health (2018)

Webpage with a Organization Author

  • When citing a webpage with no individual author, use the organization name
  • Provide as specific a date as possible
  • Italicize the title of the webpage
  • When the author of the webpage and website name are the same, do not include the website name again to avoid repetition 
  • End citations with the URL

Example

World Health Organization. (2018, May 24). The top 10 causes of death. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death

Parenthetical Citation: (World Health Organization, 2018) 

Narrative Citation: World Health Organization (2018)

Webpage with an Individual Author

  • Provide as specific of a date as possible

  • Italicize title of the webpage

  • Provide the site name in citation 

  • End citation with the URL

Example

Mantel, B. (2025, April 24). How to be a caregiver for someone with multiple sclerosis. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2025/multiple-sclerosis-care-plan/

Parenthetical Citation: (Mantel, 2025)

Narrative Citation: Mantel (2025)

Blog Post

  • Follows the same format as a journal article 

  • Italicize the name of the blog 

Example

Ouellette, J. (2019, November 15). Physicists capture first footage of quantum knots unraveling in superfluid. Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/11/study-you-can-tie-a-quantum-knot-in-a-superfluid-but-it-will-soon-untie-itself/

Parenthetical Citation: (Ouellette, 2019)

Narrative Citation: Ouellette (2019)

There are special instructions for citing clip art or stock images in APA. The information in this section is from APA's Artwork References.

Artwork in a Museum or on a Museum website

  • You can use this format to cite paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, drawings, etc. in museums 
  • Use the artist as the author 
  • Include a description of the item medium or format in square brackets (i.e. Painting or Oil on Canvas) 
  • For an untitled work of art, include a description in square brackets 
  • Include the name and location of the museum
  • Link to the artwork on the museum website if possible 

Example

van Gogh, V. (1889). The starry night [Painting]. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, United States. https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/vincent-van-gogh-the-starry-night-1889/

Parenthetical Citation: (van Gogh, 1889)

Narrative Citation: van Gogh (1889)

Art Exhibition

  • Include the name(s) of the curator(s) for the author 
  • If you do not know the curator, use the title of the exhibition 
  • Include the year(s) of the exhibit 
  • Include the name and location of the exhibit 
  • Provide a link if possible 

Example

Design for eternity: Architectural models from the ancient Americas [Exhibition]. (2015-2016). The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, United States. https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2015/design-for-eternity 

Parenthetical Citation: (Design for Eternity, 2015-2016) 

Narrative Citation: Design for Eternity (2015-2016) 

The APA website has reference examples for Audiovisual Media that includes artwork, musical scores, online courses, PowerPoints, and radiobroadcasts. The information gathered in this section is from the APA's Podcast References, YouTube Video References, TED Talk References, and Film and Television References. 

Podcast

  • List the hosts of the podcast and/or the executive producers with their role(s) included in parentheses 
  • If the podcast is still airing, use the year it started and present (i.e 2023-present) 
  • If the podcast has ended, include the year it started and ended
  • Specify the type of podcast in square brackets [Audio podcast] or [Video podcast] 
  • Include the URL at the end of your citation if available 

Example

Seales, A. (Host). (2018-present). Small doses with Amanda Seales [Audio podcast]. Starburns Audio. 

Parenthetical Citation: (Seales, 2018-present) 

Narrative Citation: Seales (2018-present) 

To cite a specific episode of a podcast:

  • Use the date the podcast episode aired 
  • Include an episode number if available 
  • Do not italicize the episode title 
  • Include In and then the title of the podcast in italics 

Example

Webster, M. & Abumrad, J. (Hosts). (2020, September 11). Bringing gamma back, again [Audio podcast episode]. In Radiolab. WNYC Studios. www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/bringing-gamma-back

Parenthetical Citation: (Webster & Abumrad, 2020)

Narrative Citation: Webster and Abumrad (2020) 

YouTube

  • Use the name of the uploader as the author 
  • To cite a speaker in the video, use the name of the speaker or describe them in your sentence and provide a parenthetical citation 
  • Provide the date the video was posted 
  • Italicize the title of the video 
  • Include [Video]
  • Provide the site name and URL 

Example

Harvard University. (2019, August 28). Soft robotic gripper for jellyfish [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guRoWTYfxMs

Parenthetical Citation: (Harvard University, 2019) 

Narrative Citation: Harvard University (2019) 

To cite a YouTube channel:

  • If you want to cite a specific tab, use that as the title element by including it in italics (i.e. Playlists)
  • Italicize the title of the channel 
  • Include [YouTube channel] 
  • Use the retrieval date in your citation 

Example

Walker, A. (n.d.). Playlists [YouTube Channel]. YouTube. Retrieved October 8, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/user/DjWalkzz/Playlists

Parenthetical Citation: (Walker, n.d.)

Narrative Citation: Walker (n.d.) 

TED Talk from TED Website

  • Use the name of the speaker as the author 
  • Include as specific of a date as possible 
  • Include [Video]
  • Include TED Conferences as the publisher 
  • End your citation with the URL

Example

Cuddy, A. (2012, June). Your body language may shape who you are [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are

Parenthetical Citation: (Cuddy, 2012)

Narrative Citation: Cuddy (2012) 

Film

  • Use the director of the film as the author 
  • Include (Director) 
  • Provide the production company or companies 

Example

Verrette, T. (Director). (2021). Zero gravity [Film]. Skylight Cinema; 20th Digital Studio.

Parenthetical Citation: (Verrette, 2021) 

Narrative Citation: Verrette (2021) 

Television Series

  • Include the executive producer(s) as the author 
  • When a series has one executive producer, include (Executive Producer) 
  • When a series has multiple executive producers, include (Executive Producers) 
  • Use the years in which the series aired (using present as needed) 
  • Include the production company or companies 

Example

Serling, R. (Executive Producer). (1959-1964). The twilight zone. [TV series]. Cayuga Productions; CBS Productions. 

Parenthetical Citation: (Serling, 1959-1964) 

Narrative Citation: Serling (1959-1964)  

To cite a specific episode of a television series:

  • Include the writer and director for that specific episode 
  • If one person had multiple roles, acknowledge that in your citation 
  • Include the season and episode number in parentheses 
  • Include the production company or companies  

Example

Favreau, J. (Writer), & Filoni, D. (Director). (2019, November 12). Chapter 1 (Season 1, Episode 1) [TV series episode]. In J. Favreau, D. Filoni, K. Kennedy, & C. Wilson (Executive Producers), The Mandalorian. Lucasfilm; Golem Creations.

Parenthetical Citation: (Favreau & Filoni, 2019) 

Narrative Citation: Favreau and Filoni (2019) 

The APA website has examples for citing physical books, Ebooks, chapters in an edited book, and more. The information included in this section is from APA's Book/Ebook References and Chapter in an Edited Book/Ebook References. 

Whole Authored Book

Structure
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Copyright year). Title of the book (edition/volume). Publisher. DOI or URL. 
  • Include the author, year of publication, title, and publisher for physical and Ebooks
  • Include the copyright date, not the release date 
  • Do not include publisher location 
  • Do not include the name of databases 

Example

Sapolsky, R.M. (2017). Behave: The biology of humans at our best and worst. Penguin Books. 

Parenthetical Citation: (Sapolsky, 2017) 

Narrative Citation: Sapolsky (2017)

Whole Edited Book

 

  • Use Ed. for one editor and Eds. for multiple editors followed by a period 
  • If you include edition information, do so in parentheses after the title

Example

Torino, G.C., Rivera, D.P., Capodilupo, C.M., Nadal, K.L., & Sue, D.W. (Eds.). (2019). Microaggression theory: Influence and implications. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119466642 

Parenthetical Citation: (Torino et al., 2019)  

Narrative Citation: Torino et al. (2019) 

Several Volumes of a Multivolume Work 

  • Include the names of the editor(s)-in-chief, even if the volume editor(s) are different 

Example

Harris, K.R., Graham, S., & Urdan T. (Eds.). (2012). APA educational psychology handbook (Vols. 1-3). American Psychological Association.

Parenthetical Citation: (Harris et al., 2012)  

Narrative Citation: Harris et al. (2012)

Chapter in an Edited Book

Structure
Author, A.A., & Author, B.B. (Copyright year). Title of the book chapter. In A.A. Editor & B.B. Editor (Eds.), Title of the book (edition, pp. #-#). Publisher. DOI or URL. 
  • You do not need to include the format, chapters, or device in citations for Ebook chapters 
  • Include edition information in citations if applicable 
  • Do not create references for chapters of authored books, instead use the format for a whole authored book (see above). You can cite the chapter in the narrative
    • Parenthetical Citation: (McEwen & Wills, 2014, Chapter 16, p. 363) 
    • Narrative Citation: McEwen & Wills (2014, Chapter 16, p. 363)

Example

Thestrup, K. (2010). To transform, to communicate, to play-The experimenting community in action. In E. Hygum & P.M. Pedersen (Eds.), Early childhood education: Values and practices in Denmark. Hans Reitzels Forlag. https://earlychildhoodeducation.digi.hansreitzel.dk/?id=192

Parenthetical Citation: (Thestrup, 2010) 

Narrative Citation: Thestrup (2010) 

The APA website has additional information on citing journal articles, newspapers, and blog posts. The information included in this section is from APA's Journal Article References. 

Journal Article

Structure
Author, A.A., & Author, B.B. (Year). Title of the article. Name of the Periodical, Volume(Issue #), #-#. DOI

  • Follow the spelling conventions used by the publication 

  • If the journal article has a DOI, include it in your citation 

  • If the journal article does not have a DOI but does have a URL, you may include it

  • You do not need to include database information in your citation unless the database publishes work with limited circulation 

Example

Grady, J.S., Her, M., Moreno, G., Perez, C., & Yelinek, J. (2019). Emotions in storybooks: A comparison of storybooks that represent ethnic and racial groups in the United States. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(3), 207-217. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000185

Parenthetical Citation: (Grady et al., 2019) 

Narrative Citation: Grady et al. (2019) 

Journal Article with Article Number

  • If the journal article has no page range, include "Article" and the article number in your citation 

Example

Schlesselmann, A.J., McNally, R.J., & Held, P. (2025). Using network analysis to characterize clinical improvement during cognitive processing therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 185, Article 104678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2024.104678

Parenthetical Citation: (Schlesselmann et al., 2025) 

Narrative Citation: Schlesselmann et al. (2025) 

Journal Article with Missing Information

  • Omit any missing information in your references 
  • If the journal article includes the month or season of publication, include that information 

No Volume Number

Lipscomb, A.Y. (2021, Winter). Addressing trauma in the college essay writing process. The Journal of College Admission, (249), 30-33. https://www.catholiccollegesonline.org/pdf/national_ccaa_in_the_news_-_nacac_journal_of_college_admission_winter_2021.pdf

Parenthetical Citation: (Lipscomb, 2021) 

Narrative Citation: Lipscomb (2021) 

 

No Issue Number

Bosco, G., Rizzato, A., Moon, R.E., & Camporesi, E.M. (2018). Environmental physiology and diving medicine. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 72. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00072

Parenthetical Citation: (Bosco et al., 2018)  

Narrative Citation: Bosco et al. (2018)

 

No Page or Article Number

Butler, J. (2017). Where access meets multimodality: The case of ASL music videos. Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy, 21(1). http://technorhetoric.net/21.1/topoi/butler/index.html

Parenthetical Citation: (Butler, 2017)  

Narrative Citation: Butler (2017)

This information is gathered from the APA's guides for Published Dissertation or Thesis References and Unpublished Dissertation or Thesis References.

Published Dissertation or Thesis

  • A dissertation or thesis is considered published when it is available from a database, institutional repository, or archive. 

  • If a publication number is included add it to your citation in parentheses after the title without italics 

  • Include Doctoral dissertation or Master's thesis followed by a comma and the name of the institution that awarded the degree in square brackets after the title and publication number 

  • Include the name of the database, repository, or archive 

  • If you are citing an undergraduate thesis, follow the same format by changing the word as appropriate (i.e. Undergraduate Honors Thesis) 

  • Include the URL in your citation if readers will be able to access the content with the link, if a user will need to login in to view the content, end the reference with the database name 

Example 1

Kabir, J.M. (2016). Factors influencing customer satisfaction at a fast food hamburger chain: The relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty (Publication No. 10169573) [Doctoral dissertation, Wilmington University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

Parenthetical Citation: (Kabir, 2016)

Narrative Citation: Kabir (2016)

Example 2

Zambrano-Vazquez, L. (2016). The interaction of state and trait worry on response monitoring in those with worry and obsessive-compulsive symptoms [Doctoral dissertation, University of Arizona]. UA Campus Repository. https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/620615

Parenthetical Citation: (Zambrano-Vazquez, 2016) 

Narrative Citation: Zambrano-Vazquez (2016)

Unpublished Dissertation or Thesis

  • Include [Unpublished doctoral dissertation] or [Unpublished master's thesis] after the title 

  • Include the name of the institution that awarded the degree

  • The same format can be used for undergraduate theses [i.e. Unpublished undergraduate thesis].

Example

Harris, L. (2014). Instructional leadership perceptions and practices of elementary school leaders [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Virginia. 

Parenthetical Citation: (Harris, 2014)

Narrative Citation: Harris (2014)