How to Cite an Author in a Sentence APA
Citing an author in a sentence using APA style is an essential skill for anyone engaged in academic writing. APA (American Psychological Association) citation style is widely used in the social sciences, education, and business fields. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original author but also helps readers locate the source material. In this article, we will discuss how to cite an author in a sentence APA style, including in-text citations and parenthetical citations.
In-text citations
In-text citations are brief references to the source material within the text of your paper. To cite an author in a sentence APA style, you need to include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, you only need to include the year of publication in parentheses. For example:
– “According to Smith (2020), the impact of social media on teenagers is significant” (Smith, 2020).
If you do not mention the author’s name in the sentence, you need to include both the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses. For example:
– “The study found that social media usage has increased among teenagers (Smith, 2020).”
Parenthetical citations
Parenthetical citations are used when you want to provide additional information about the source material, such as a specific page number or a direct quote. To cite an author in a sentence APA style using parenthetical citations, include the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number (if available) in parentheses. For example:
– “Smith (2020) argues that social media usage has negative effects on teenagers (p. 45).”
If you are quoting directly from the source, include the page number after the quote. For example:
– “Smith (2020) states, ‘Social media usage has become a significant part of teenagers’ lives’ (p. 45).”
Block quotes
When you quote a paragraph of text that is four or more lines long, you need to use a block quote. In APA style, block quotes are indented one inch from the left margin and do not require quotation marks. Include the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number (if available) after the block quote. For example:
> “Social media usage has become a significant part of teenagers’ lives, with many spending hours each day on various platforms. This has raised concerns about the impact of social media on their mental health and social skills (Smith, 2020, p. 45).”
Conclusion
Citing an author in a sentence APA style is an important aspect of academic writing. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that you are properly crediting the original author and providing your readers with the necessary information to locate the source material. Remember to always check the specific requirements of your institution or publication for any variations in APA citation style.
