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APA Citation Guide: In-Text Citations

In-Text Citations

APA style requires that you include an in-text citation every time you summarize, paraphrase, or quote another source. For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your reference list.

When summarizing or paraphrasing, use the author and date of publication. When providing a direct quote, you must also include the page number.

Summary or Paraphrase

  • According to Jones (1998), APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners. 
  • APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners (Jones, 1998).

Short Quotations - Less than 40 Words

  • According to Jones (1998), "Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time" (p. 199).
  • Jones (1998) found "students often had difficulty using APA style" (p. 199); what implications does this have for teachers?
  • She stated, "Students often had difficulty using APA style" (Jones, 1998, p. 199), but she did not offer an explanation as to why.

Long Quotations - More than 40 Words

  • Jones's (1998) study found the following:

Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time citing sources. This difficulty could be attributed to the fact that many students failed to purchase a style manual or to ask their teacher for help. (p. 199)

In-Text Citations - Video