Apa Citing A Quote From An Article
Citing sources in academic writing is essential to give credit to the ideas and information borrowed from other authors. The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is widely used in social sciences and is designed to make referencing easy and straightforward. In this article, we will look at how to cite a quote from an article using APA style.
When to Use Quotations
In academic writing, using quotations can add weight to your argument and make your writing more persuasive. However, you should only use quotations when the exact words of the author are necessary for your argument. You should always aim to paraphrase the author's ideas in your own words, rather than relying on quotations.
If you do need to use a direct quote, you should follow APA guidelines for in-text citations and references. In-text citations are used to give credit to the source of the quote within the body of your paper, while the reference list provides full details of the source at the end of your paper.
In-Text Citations for Quotes
When citing a quote in your paper, you should include the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number where the quote can be found. This information should be enclosed in parentheses and placed at the end of the quote, before the final punctuation mark.
For example:
"According to Smith (2010), 'The impact of climate change on agriculture is a major concern for policymakers' (p. 15)."
If the author's name is already mentioned in the text, you only need to include the year and page number in parentheses:
Smith (2010) states that "The impact of climate change on agriculture is a major concern for policymakers" (p. 15).
References for Quoted Material
In addition to in-text citations, you should include a reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of the sources cited in your paper. The reference list should be arranged alphabetically by the author's last name and should include the following information:
- Author's last name and initials
- Year of publication
- Title of article
- Title of publication or journal
- Volume and issue number (if applicable)
- Page numbers
- DOI or URL (if available)
For example:
Smith, J. (2010). The impact of climate change on agriculture. Journal of Environmental Studies, 15(2), 23-38. doi: 10.1177/1354068810384532
Conclusion
Citing sources correctly is an important aspect of academic writing. When using direct quotes, it is essential to follow APA guidelines for in-text citations and references. By using quotations sparingly, and paraphrasing whenever possible, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and well-supported by evidence.
