Introduction
Welcome to our beginner’s guide to APA in-text citations! If you’re new to academic writing or the APA style, understanding how to properly cite your sources within your text can be a bit overwhelming. But fear not, we’re here to break it down for you step by step.
What are APA in-text citations?
APA in-text citations are a way of giving credit to the sources you use in your research papers and essays. They are a brief reference within the body of your paper that helps readers locate the full citation in your reference list. This ensures that you are acknowledging the work of others and avoiding plagiarism.
How to format APA in-text citations
When formatting APA in-text citations, you need to include the author’s last name and the publication year of the source you are citing. If you are directly quoting a source, you also need to include the page number. For example: (Smith, 2019, p. 25).
Where to place APA in-text citations
APA in-text citations should be placed within the body of your paper, immediately after a quote or a paraphrased passage. They should also be enclosed in parentheses and placed before any punctuation marks.
Conclusion
Now that you have a basic understanding of APA in-text citations, you can start incorporating them into your writing with confidence. Remember, proper citation is essential in academic writing to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors. If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to leave a comment below!