Since the facts, statistics, arguments, etc., in your essay are taken from sources, you normally attribute them to their sources.

The APA citation system has two parts, in-text citation, and the References page.

Here is a sample APA paper.

Note the title page, the centered title on the first page of text, and the References page at the end. Also examine the in-text citation throughout the paper.

In-text citation

The APA’s in-text citations provide at least the author’s last name and the date of publication. For direct quotations and some paraphrases, a page number is given as well.

To cite an article from the internet or from a database, use a paragraph number (“para.”) instead of a page number. However, if the printout is a PDF, use the page number.

1. BASIC FORMAT FOR A QUOTATION

Ordinarily, introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author’s last name followed by the year of publication in parentheses. Put the page number (preceded by “p.”) or the paragraph number (preceded by "para.") in parentheses after the quotation.

For example:

Critser (2003) noted that despite growing numbers of overweight Americans, many health care providers still “remain either in ignorance or outright denial about the health danger to the poor and the young” (p. 5).

If the author is not named in the introductory phrase, place the author’s name, the year, and the page or paragraph number in parentheses after the quotation:

Despite growing numbers of overweight Americans, many health care providers still “remain either in ignorance or outright denial about the health danger to the poor and the young” (Critser, 2003, p. 5).

NOTE: APA style requires the year of publication in an in-text citation. Do not include a month, even if the source is listed by month and year.

2. BASIC FORMAT FOR A SUMMARY OR A PARAPHRASE

Include the author’s last name and the year either in a signal phrase introducing the material or in parentheses following it.

According to Carmona (2004), the cost of treating obesity is exceeded only by the cost of treating illnesses from tobacco use (para. 9).

The cost of treating obesity is exceeded only by the cost of treating illnesses from tobacco use (Carmona, 2004, para. 9).

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