Here is an example of APA citation in an essay


When citing sources with multiple authors in APA style, you include all the authors' last names in the in-text citation, regardless of the number of authors. For sources with two authors, use both names joined by an ampersand (&) if within parentheses or "and" if integrated into the text. For sources with three or more authors, include only the first author's last name followed by "et al." (meaning "and others"). If the source has more than one publication in the same year, distinguish them by adding lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc.) after the year.


Neither the in-text citation information nor the reference list provide enough information regarding your sources by themselves. In-text citations and the reference list work together to allow you to write a smooth and cohesive essay (rather than one that is broken up by full citations), provide the details required by APA style, and enable your readers to locate any of your sources.

The APA style format is a challenging citation system to work with. If you still struggle, or could not find the answers you need in our guide, feel free to ask our reliable paper writing service to cite your paper or provide you with help. Our knowledgeable writers will assist you with your task of any level of difficulty.

Examples of APA in-text citations:

APA style is one of the most commonly used citation styles used to prevent plagiarism. Here’s more on .
Let’s get this statement out of the way before you become confused: An APA format reference and an APA format citation are two different things! We understand that many teachers and professors use the terms as if they’re synonyms, but according to this specific style, they are two separate things, with different purposes, and styled differently.

Below you'll find two printable handouts showing APA citation examples. The first is an abbreviated list created by MJC Librarians. The second, which is more comprehensive, is from the APA Style website. Feel free to print these for your convenience or use the links to reference examples below:

An APA format citation is an APA format in-text citation. These are found within your paper, anytime a quote or paraphrase is included. They usually only include the name of the author and the date the source was published.

Direct quotations are limited in APA style papers. Instead, you should paraphrase whenever possible to blend borrowed information with your context and voice. TheAPA Publication Manual, 7thEditionnotes that a writer should use direct quotations “when reproducing an exact definition, when an author has said something memorably or succinctly, or when you want to respond to exact wording.” The author, years, and page number (or section identifier) is always paired with quoted material through the narrative or parenthetical citation format.


For example, you can introduce an APA citation with:

APA 7 citation style refers to the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), which provides guidelines for formatting academic papers and citing sources. It is commonly used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education. APA 7 includes updates to citation formatting, such as including up to 20 authors in a reference list entry, guidance on citing online sources, and clarification on citing sources with multiple publication dates.

APA In-Text Citations and Sample Essay 7th Edition - stlcc

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APA Citation Guide: How to Cite Any Source Stress-Free | EssayPro

To cite in APA format, you typically include the author's last name and the publication year in parentheses within the text, followed by the full reference in the reference list at the end of your paper. For example, if you were citing a book by John Smith published in 2020, your in-text citation would look like (Smith, 2020), and the corresponding entry in the reference list would provide detailed publication information for Smith's book.

Formatting Essays - APA 7th Edition Citation Guide

APA Style uses the, in which a brief in-text citation points your reader to the full reference list entry at the end of your paper. The in-text citation appears within the body of the paper and briefly identifies the cited work by its author and date of publication. This method enables your reader to locate the corresponding entry in the alphabetical reference list at the end of your paper.

APA citation (general reference guide); APA In-text citation · APA ..

In APA style you use the author-date citation system for citing references within your paper. You incorporate these references using either a parenthetical or a narrative style.