How to Cite Authors APA 7th Edition
In academic writing, accurately citing authors and sources is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and providing readers with a clear understanding of the information presented. The APA (American Psychological Association) citation style is widely used in the social sciences, education, and other fields. The latest edition, APA 7th, brings several changes to the citation format. This article will guide you on how to cite authors using APA 7th edition.
General Format for Citing Authors
The general format for citing authors in APA 7th edition includes the author’s last name, followed by a comma, the author’s first initial, and a period. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the original source. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name to indicate “and.”
For example:
– Smith, J. A.
– Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B.
Citing Authors in the Text
When citing authors in the text, use the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you are directly quoting the author, include the page number after the publication year.
For example:
– According to Smith (2020), the findings suggest that…
If you are paraphrasing the author’s work, omit the page number.
For example:
– Smith (2020) argues that…
Citing Authors in a Reference List
In the reference list, provide the author’s full name, the title of the work, the publication date, and the source of the publication. The format may vary depending on the type of source.
For a book:
– Smith, J. A. (2020). The impact of technology on education (2nd ed.). Publisher.
For a journal article:
– Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B. (2020). The role of social media in political campaigns. Journal of Political Science, 54(2), 123-145.
For a website:
– Smith, J. A. (2020, March 15). The importance of digital literacy. Retrieved from https://www.example.com/article
Formatting Multiple Authors
When citing works with multiple authors, follow these guidelines:
– If there are three or fewer authors, list all their names in the order they appear in the original source.
– If there are four or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the publication year.
For example:
– Smith, J. A., Johnson, L. B., Thompson, C. D., & et al. (2020). The effects of climate change on agriculture.
Conclusion
Citing authors using APA 7th edition is essential for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring that readers can locate the sources you have referenced. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can accurately cite authors in your academic writing and provide a comprehensive list of references in your reference list.
