Using APA Format

Basic rules for formatting websites

Keep the following in mind when creating citations:

• Citation titles use "down style." You will only capitalize the first word of the title, the first word following a colon or semi-colon, and any proper nouns. For example- Teaching basic math: Tips and tricks from UMass Global University. 
• Different citation types have rules for italicizing a title, publisher name, volume number, and so on. Carefully review italicized elements for each citation style. 
• If a digital resource does not have a DOI, leave the URL blank
• If a source does not have a date, replace the date with (n.d.)
• If a source does not have page numbers, indicate a direct quote using paragraph numbers or a chapter/section and paragraph number
  • Ex. (para. 5) or (Flightless Birds section, para. 2)

Visit APA Style In-text citations or APA Style Reference examples for additional help. 

Integrating sources

Integrate direct quotes the following way. Note that punctuation goes at the end of the in-text citation with the exception of the block quote:

• One author
  • According to Smith (2022), "formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (p. 34). 
  • Smith (2022) states that, "formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (p. 34). 
  • "Formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (Smith, 2022, p. 34). 
• Two authors
  • According to Smith and Johnson (2022), "formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (APA Formatting section, para. 3). 
  • Smith and Johnson (2022) state that, "formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (APA Formatting section, para. 3). 
  • "Formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (Smith & Johnson, 2022, APA Formatting section, para. 3). 
• Three or more authors
  • According to Smith et al. (2022), "formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (p. 34). 
  • Smith et al. (2022) state that, "formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (p. 34). 
  • "Formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it" (Smith et al., 2022, p. 34). 
• Block quote (40 or more words)
  • According to Smith (2022), some students experience anxiety when formatting their papers: 

Formatting citations is not difficult once you get the hang of it. Many students experience anxiety with their citations because they have not learned how to cite properly. Other students experience anxiety because they are returning to school after a long break, and they cannot remember how to format papers. (p. 34)