APA In-text Citations

Learn how to properly use in-text citations in APA format, including parenthetical and narrative citations.

Basic Format

Parenthetical Citation

(Author, Year) or (Author, Year, p. XX)

Narrative Citation

Author (Year) or Author (Year, p. XX)

Examples

Single Author

Parenthetical:

Research indicates that mindfulness reduces stress (Smith, 2023).

Narrative:

Smith (2023) found that mindfulness reduces stress.

Two Authors

Parenthetical:

The study revealed significant results (Smith & Jones, 2023).

Narrative:

Smith and Jones (2023) discovered significant results.

Three or More Authors

Parenthetical:

The experiment confirmed previous findings (Smith et al., 2023).

Narrative:

Smith et al. (2023) confirmed previous findings.

Special Cases

Group Authors

First citation:

(World Health Organization [WHO], 2023)

Subsequent citations:

(WHO, 2023)

No Author

Use title:

("Article Title," 2023)

Use quotation marks for articles and chapters; italicize longer works

No Date

(Smith, n.d.)

Use "n.d." for no date

Page Numbers and Direct Quotes

Short quote:

Smith (2023) argued that "mindfulness is essential" (p. 42).

Long quote (40+ words):

Smith (2023) provided a detailed analysis:

The research demonstrated that regular practice of mindfulness techniques led to significant improvements in stress management and emotional regulation among participants over the six-month study period. (p. 42)

Multiple Sources

Same author, different years:

(Smith, 2022, 2023)

Different authors:

(Jones, 2022; Smith, 2023)

Same author, same year:

(Smith, 2023a, 2023b)

Secondary Sources

Citing a source within another source:

Johnson (as cited in Smith, 2023)

Only include the secondary source (Smith) in the reference list

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't include first names in citations
  • Don't forget to include page numbers for direct quotes
  • Don't mix citation styles within the same document
  • Don't use "and" in parenthetical citations (use &)
  • Don't include the month/day unless citing specific documents like newspapers

Tips for Clarity

Varying Citation Styles

Mix parenthetical and narrative citations to improve readability:

Smith (2023) found significant results. This aligns with previous research (Jones, 2022) that showed similar patterns.

Integrating Multiple Sources

Synthesize information from multiple sources:

Several studies have found similar results (Jones, 2022; Smith, 2023; Wilson, 2021).