How to Cite Author and Page Number APA
In academic writing, proper citation is essential to give credit to the original authors of the ideas and information used. One of the most widely used citation styles is APA (American Psychological Association). This style requires the citation of both the author’s name and the page number where the information was found. This article will guide you on how to correctly cite author and page number in APA format.
Formatting the Author’s Name
When citing an author in APA format, you should include the last name followed by the first initial of the first name. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the original source. If there are more than three authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first author’s name.
For example:
– Smith, J.
– Smith, J., & Johnson, L.
– Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Brown, M.
– Smith, J., et al.
Incorporating Page Numbers
To cite a specific page number in APA format, simply include the page number after the author’s name and before the period. If you are citing a direct quote, you can also include the paragraph number after the page number, separated by a comma.
For example:
– Smith (2020) argues that “the data supports the hypothesis” (p. 45).
– In their study, researchers found that “the participants showed significant improvement” (Smith, 2020, p. 45, para. 3).
Citing Works Without Page Numbers
In some cases, a source may not have page numbers, such as a website or a journal article without pagination. In these instances, you can use paragraph numbers or section headings to indicate the location of the information.
For example:
– The website states that “the organization’s mission is to promote education” (section 2.1).
– According to the article, “the findings suggest that the treatment is effective” (Smith, 2020, section 3.2).
Using APA in Text Citations
When citing a source within the text of your paper, you can use either parenthetical citations or signal phrases. Parenthetical citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication, followed by the page number (or paragraph number/section heading) if available.
For example:
– (Smith, 2020, p. 45)
– According to Smith (2020), the data supports the hypothesis.
Alternatively, you can use a signal phrase to introduce the citation, followed by the author’s last name and year of publication in parentheses.
For example:
– Smith (2020) argues that “the data supports the hypothesis” (p. 45).
– The study’s findings suggest that the treatment is effective (Smith, 2020).
Conclusion
Properly citing author and page number in APA format is crucial for academic integrity and to give credit to the original authors of your sources. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and adhere to the APA style.
