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Using APA Citation Styles

In college, professors require either MLA or APA citation styles to reference research sources. If you've become used to one particular style, it can be a challenge to start using another. However, if you've never used any citation format, the whole concept can leave you scratching your head.

Here are a few suggestions before you worry about citing your sources:

1. Have each of your sources and their information on cards, along with the information you got from them.

2. Write the paper. Get that first draft down and don't worry about quotes or cites yet. That can come later.

3. Do a basic edit and get your draft in shape.

Now you are ready to deal with sources.

research paper writing

A review of proper APA format:

Print sources:

Periodical (journal, magazine, newsletter, etc.)

Author, F.I., (Year). Article Title. Periodical title,          Issue #, Page #s.

Non Periodical (book, report, brochure, manual, audio/visual)

Author, F.I., (Year). Title. Location: Publisher

Online Sources:

Online Periodical

Author, F.I., (Year). Article Title. Periodical title, Issue #, Page #s. Retrieved Month,          Day, Year, from Website URL.

Online Document

Author, F.I., (Year). Article Title. Periodical title. Retrieved Month, Day, Year, from          Website URL.

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Exceptions and Special Circumstances

More than six authors
         List first one or two in alphabetical order by last name with et al. after.

A work not yet published
         For year of publication put (in press).

No date of publication
         For year of publication use (n.d.)

For a monthly publication
         Use month and year for publication date.

For a weekly publication
         Use full date - month, day and year.

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