APA: General

General Rules for APA Format

Author Rules:
Authors should be alphabetized by the last name of the first author of each work. If you want
to cite multiple articles by the same author, list entries in chronological order from earliest to
most recent.
Works With No Authors
If there is no author given, begin your citation with the name of the primary source/article.
Example:

Global Warming. (2006). San Diego: Greenhaven Press.

Citing One Author
When citing authors, use the last name followed by the first initial and middle initial (if
given).
Structure:

Last, F. M.
Example:

Dickens, C.
Citing Two Authors
If you are citing more than one author, separate the authors by commas alphabetically. The
first author should have their last name, first name and the additional authors should be
cited simply with their first and last name.
Structure:

Last, F. M., Last, F. M., Last, F. M., Last, F. M., Last, F. M., Last, F. M., et al.
Citing More Than Six Authors
If there are more than six authors, cite the first six and then write "et al."
Example:

Dickens, C. & Bellow, S.

Author as an Organization
Write the organization as the author.

Example:

New York State Association of Counties. (2009).

Contributor Rules
Contributors
Sometimes the main contributor is not an author, but another contributor type, such as an
editor or conductor. Follow the contributor by an abbreviation of the contributor type (i.e. Ed.
or Cond.).
Example:

One editor:

Smith, J. K. (Ed.). (Date). Title.

One conductor:

Smith, J. K. (Cond). (Date). Title.

Note: If plural, then change the abbreviation accordingly.
Example:

Two editors:

Smith, J. K., & Sampson, T. (Eds.). (Date). Title.

Date Rules
For a book

Place the year published information after the author information.

Example: Bellow, S. (1999).

If there is no author, place the year published after the edition.

Example: The Catcher in the Rye (1st ed.). (1951). Boston, MA: Little, Brown.

If the author information or edition/page number are not given, place the year
published after the title of the piece.
Example: The Catcher in the Rye. (1951). Boston, MA: Little, Brown.

Page Rules

Refer to a page with a "p."

Example: p. 1

Numerous pages with a "pp."

Example: pp.1-5
Style Rules

Italicize longer works including books and journals.

Do not italicize, underline, or put quotes around titles of short works, including journal
articles or essays in edited collections.

Web Rules
URLs:
APA 6 recommends to only cite the homepage URL, and only the exact URL if the page is not
properly indexed or easy to find from the homepage. For blog posts, user contributed
content, and discussion forums, APA 6 recommends including the exact URL.
Date Retrieved:
APA 6 recommends including it only if the source material may change over time. Also keep
in mind that you can use "Available from" instead of "Retrieved from" when the URL leads to
information on how to obtain the cited material rather than to the material itself.
DOIs:
If an article has a digital object identifier (DOI) number, you need only the DOI number, and
no URL or retrieval date.
Sources Published Directly Online
Citing an Article from an Online Only Resource
Example:

Freidland, L. (2008, September 22). Top 10 natural and wildlife adventure travel
trips. Retrieved from http://adventuretravel.about.com.
Citing an Entire Website with no Identifiable Electronic Publication Date
Example:

EasyBib.com. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2009, from http://www.easybib.com

Citing an Article from an Online Only News Source
Example:

Chen, S. (2009, May 7). Growing up is hard with mom in prison. CNN. Retrieved
http://www.cnn.com
Citing an Article from an Online Newspaper
Example:

Shorto, R. (2009, April 29). Going Dutch. The New York Times. Retrieved from
http://www.nytimes.com

Note:
When citing online sources in APA, generally follow the same structure of its in print
equivalent, and then follow this information with the date of access and the URL.
Citing an Online Only Journal
Example:

Glotzer, R., & Federlein, A. (2007). Miles that bind: Commuter marriage and family
strength. Michigan Family Review, 12, 7-31. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=mfr;cc=mfr;q1=Miles%20that
%20Bind;rgn=main;view=text;idno=4919087.0012.102
Note:
The above example has a poorly indexed URL and the material may change over time.
Hence the URL is included.
Citing a Journal Article With a Digital Object Identifier
Example:

Oakley, R. (2004). How the mind hurts and heals the body.American Psychologist,12(1), 25-47.
doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.59.1.29.
Citing an Online-Only book
Example:

Eckel, B. (n.d.). Thinking in Java (3rd ed.). Retrieved from http://www.bruceeckel.com

Structure:

Artist Last, First M. "Track Name." Recorded Month Date, Year. In Album NameBy Writer First M.
Last. Cond. Conductor First M. Last. Orch. First M. Last. Perf. First M. Last. Band/Group Name.
Rec. Date Month Year. Producer First M. Last, Year. CD/MP3, MIDI, Cassette/Vinyl.
Example:

Lady Gaga Born This Way Rec. 2011. Vincent Herbert, 2011. CD.
Web Rules
Structure:

Contributors. "Title." Website. Edition. Website Publisher, Date. Web. Date Accessed.

Sources Published Directly Online

Citing an Article from an Online Only Resource
Example:

Friedland, Lois. "Top 10 Natural and Wildlife Adventure Travel Tips." About.comNew York Times
Company, 22 Sept. 2008. Web. 25 Sept. 2008.
Citing an Entire Website with No Identifiable Electronic Publication Date
Example:

EasyBib.com ImagineEasy Solutions, n.d. Web. 8 May 2009.

Note:
Newspaper and magazine websites are considered non-periodical, directly published online
sources even if they have in-print copies. Follow the published directly online format.
Citing an Article from an Online Only News Source
Example:

Chen, Stephanie. "Growing up is Hard with Mom in Prison." CNN.com Cable News Network, 7
May 2009. Web. 8 May 2009.
Citing an Article from an Online Newspaper
Example:

Shorto, Russell. "Going Dutch." New York Times New York Times, 3 May 2009. Web. 8 May
2009.
Citing an Online Only Journal
Example:

Glotzer, Richard and Anne Federlein. "Miles that Blind: Commuter Marriage and Family
Strength." Michigan Family Review 12 (2007): 7-31. Web. 8 Apr. 2009.
Personal Website
Structure:

Last name, First name. Page Cited. Web. Date Accessed.

Example:

Smith, Steve. Home Page. Web. 3 January 2013.

Publication information:

Sources Published Indirectly Online

As opposed to some sources published directly online (by a website), other sources may be
originally in print, or in another medium, and found online. Cite these sources as you would
in their original form, and then add the relevant web information (date accessed and URL).
Citing a Book Originally in Print Found Online
Example:

Catton, B. (2005). The Civil War. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Retrieved from
http://www.books.google.com
Citing a Newsletter Found Online With No Page Information
Example:

Puzzanchera, C. (2009, April). Juvenile arrests 2007. Juvenile Justice Bulletin.Retrieved from
http://www.ncjrs.gov.
Citing a Video Found Online
Example:

West, K. (2009). Amazing [Online Video]. Roc-A-Fella Records. Retrieved from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at4OQvNlxSw.
Note:
Because this is from a website with user generated content, the exact URL is included,
instead of the homepage.
Citing a Painting Viewed Online
Example:

Picasso, P. (1921). Three musicians [Painting found in Museum of Modern Art, New York].
Retrieved from http://www.artquotes.net
Citing a Blog Post
Example:

Schonfled, E. (2009, September 13). Shutterfly buys Tiny Pictures for a tiny price.TechCrunch.
Retrieved from http://www.techcrunch.com
Note:
Because blog posts are informally published, do not italicize the article titles.

Citing an Originally in Print Journal Article Found in a Database

Example:

Ahn, H., & Kim, K. (2008). Using genetic algorithms to optimize nearest neighbors for data
mining. Annals of Operations Research, 263(1), 5-18. Retrieved from Academic Search
Premier.
Note:
Sources found in online Databases typically have been published elsewhere. Include as
much as the original publication information as possible.

How to Cite a Book in Print in APA

Structure:
Last, F. M. (Year Published) Book. City, State: Publisher.
Examples:
James, H. (1937). The ambassadors. New York, NY: Scribner.
Rowling, J.K. (2001). Harry Potter and the socerer's stone. London: Bloomsburg Children's.
How to Cite a Book Online in APA
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year Published) Book. Retrieved from URL
Examples:
James, H. (2009). The ambassadors. Retrieved from http://books.google.com
Porter, R. (1994). London, a social history. Retrieved from http://books.google.com
How to Cite a Book From a Database in APA
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year Published). Book. Retrieved from URL
Examples:
Morem, S. (2005). 101 tips for graduates. Retrieved from http://www.infobasepublishing.com
Bloom, H. (1986). American women poets. Retrieved from
http://www.infobasepublishing.com
Make sure to:

Add doi (Digital Object Identifier) if it is available after at the end of the citation
instead of URL.

If you used an e-reader, you should still include the URL that you retrieved the book
from, for example, www.amazon.com.

How to Cite a Chapter in Print in APA Format

Structure:

Last, F. M. (Year Published). Title of chapter In F. M. Last Editor (Ed.), Title of

book/anthology (pp. Pages). Publisher City, State: Publisher.
Examples:

Serviss, G. P. (1911). A trip of terror. In A Columbus of space (pp. 17-32). New York, NY:
Appleton.

Hemingway, E. (1999). The killers. In J. Updike & K. Kenison (Eds.), The best American short
stories of the century (pp.78-80). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
How to Cite a Chapter Online in APA Format
Format:

Last, F. M. (Year Published). Section title. In F. M. Last (Ed.), Book/anthology [E-reader version, if
used] (pp. Pages). doi:# or Retrieved from URL
Examples:

Serviss, G. P. (1911). A trip of terror. A Columbus of space. Retrieved from

http://books.google.com

Bellow, S. (1999). A silver dish. In J. Updike & K. Kenison (Eds.), The best american short
stories of the century. Retrieved from http://books.google.com
How to Cite an Introduction, Preface, Foreword, or Afterword in APA Format
Format:

Last, F. M. (Year Published). Section title [Section Type]. In F. M. Last & F. M. Last
(Eds.),Book/anthology (pp. Pages). City, State: Publisher.
Examples:

Sanders, S. R. (2007). [Introduction]. In L. Williford & M. Martone (Eds.),Touchstone anthology

of contemporary creative nonfiction: Work from 1970 to present (pp. 148-151). New York,
NY: Simon & Schuster.

Masur, L. P. (2011). Preface. In The Civil War: A concise history (pp. Iv-Xii). Oxford, U.K.: Oxford
University Press.
How to Cite a Dictionary Online in APA Format
Structure:
Author Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date). Entry Name [Def. Number]. In F. M. Last (Ed.) & F. M. Last
(Trans.), Website Title. Retrieved Month Date, Year, from URL.
Examples:
Citation [Def. 2]. (n.d.). In Merriam Webster Online, Retrieved September 24, 2011, from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citation.
Hemorrhage [Def. 1]. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster Online. In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 2,
2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citation.
Make sure to:

Add a definition number (ex 5b).

Check the box if the source is well-known.

Provide the advanced information for the dictionary if it is available.

How to Cite a Journal Article from a Database Online in APA Format

APA style does not require Database information in its citations. You would cite the source
found within the Database, such as a journal article or a photograph.
Structure:
Last, F. M. (Year Published). Article title. Journal Name, Volume (Issue), Page(s). doi:# OR
Retrieved from URL
Example:
Ahn, H.,; Kim, K. (2008). Using genetic algorithms to optimize nearest neighbors for data
mining. Annals of Operations Research, 263(1), 5-18. doi:10.1007/s10479-0080325-2
Make sure to:

Leave no spaces between "doi:" and the number.

Only capitalize proper nouns and the first work of the article title (or the first word
after a : in the title)

Only include URL if there is no doi.

How to Cite an Encyclopedia in Print in APA Format

Structure:

Last, F. M., & Last, F. M. (Year Published). Article title. In Encyclopedia Name.(Vol.#, pp.
Page(s)). City, State: Publisher.
Examples:

McGhee, K., & McKay, G. (2007). Insects. In Encyclopedia of Animals. (pp. 170-171).
Washington, DC: National Geographic Society.

Bunson, M. R. (2012). Historical overview. In Encyclopedia on Ancient Egypt.(3rd ed., pp. XiiXv). New York, NY: Infobase Publishing.
How to Cite an Encyclopedia Online in APA Format
Format:

Last, F. M., & Last, F. M. (Year Published) Article title. In Encyclopedia Name.Retrieved from
URL.
Examples:

McGhee, K., & McKay, G. (2007). Insects. In Encyclopedia of Animals. Retrieved from
http://books.google.com.

Bunson, M. R. (2012). Historical Overview. In Encyclopedia on Ancient Egypt.(3rd ed., pp. XiiXv). Retrieved from http://www.infobasepublishing.com/.
How to Cite an Encyclopedia on a Database in APA Format
Format:

Last, F. M. (Year Published). Article title. In F. M. Last (Ed.), Encyclopedia Name. (Vol. Volume,
pp. Page(s)). City, State: Publisher. Retrieved Month Date, Year, from URL
Examples:

Holmes, H. (2003). Advertising of food. In S. H. Katz (Ed.), "Advertising of Food" Encyclopedia

of Food and Culture. Vol. 1, pp. 16-20). New York, NY: Scribners. Retrieved July 2, 2010, from
http://www.gale.cengage.com

Bunson, M. R. (2012). Historical Overview. In Encyclopedia on Ancient Egypt.(3rd ed., pp. XiiXv). New York, NY: Infobase Publishing. Retrieved January 3, 2013, from
http://www.infobasepublishing.com
How to Cite a Journal in Print in APA
Structure:
Last, F. M., & Last, F. M. (Year Published). Article title. Journal Name,Volume(Issue), pp. Pages.
Examples:
Jacoby, W. G. (1994). Public attitudes toward government spending. American Journal of
Political Science, 38(2), 336-361.
Fearon, J. D., & Laitin, D. D. (2003). Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War.American Political
Science Review, 97(01), 75. doi: 10.1017/S0003055403000534
How to Cite a Journal Online in APA
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year Published). Article title. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pp. Page(s). doi:# or
Retrieved from URL
Example:
Poiger, U. G. (1996). Rock 'n' roll, female sexuality, and the Cold War Battle over German
Identities. The Journal of Modern History, 68(3), 577. doi:10.1086/245343
How to Cite a Journal on a Database in APA
APA style does not require Database information in its citations. You would cite the source
found within the Database, such as a journal article or a photograph.
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year Published). Article title. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pp. Page(s). Retrieved
from URL
Examples:
Jacoby, W. G. (1994). Public attitudes toward government spending. American Journal of
Political Science, 38(2), 336-361. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.
Davis, E. (1932). New chapters in American history. The Science News-Letter,22(605), 306307. doi: 10.2307/3907973

Make sure to:

Provide advanced information for the book if it is available.

How to Cite a Magazine in Print in APA

Structure:
Last, F. M. (Year, Month Published). Article title. Magazine Title, volume(issue), pp. Page(s).
Examples:
Rothbart, D. (2008, October). How I caught up with dad. Men's Health, 108-113.
Jaeger, J. (2010, August). Social media use in the financial industry. Compliance Week, 54.
How to Cite a Magazine Online in APA
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Magazine Title, Page(s). Retrieved from
URL
Examples:
Rothbart, D. (2008, October). How I caught up with dad. Men's Health, 108-113. Retrieved
from http://books.google.com
Folger, T. Higgs: What causes the weight of the world." Discover Magazine,. Retrieved from
http://discovermagazine.com
How to Cite a Magazine on a Database in APA
APA style does not require Database information in its citations. You would cite the source
found within the Database, such as a magazine article or a photograph.
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year, Month Published). Article title. Magazine Title. Retrieved from URL
Examples:
China's export prospects: Fear of the dragon. (2010, January). The Economist. Retrieved from
http://academic.lexisnexis.com
Miley, M. (2008, December). Magazine's we'll miss. Advertising Age, 79(46), 19. Retrieved
from http://connection.ebscohost.com/
How to Cite a Magazine Published Directly Online in APA
Format:
Last, F. M., & Last, F. M. (Year, Month Published). Article title. Magazine Title. Retrieved from
URL
Examples:

Nasar, S., & Gruber, D. (2006, August). Manifold destiny. The New Yorker. Retrieved from
http://newyorker.com
Bradley, K. (2012, December). The trick to tomatoes. Green Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved from
http://www.gmagazinecom.au/features/3530/trick-tomatoes
Make sure to:

Determine whether the source was published directly online or originally in print.

How to Cite a Newspaper in Print in APA

Structure:
Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Newspaper Title, pp. Page(s).
Examples:
Bowman, L. (1990, March 7). Bills target Lake Erie mussels. The Pittsburgh Press, p. A4.
Meier, B. (2013, January 1). Energy Drinks Promise Edge, but Experts Say Proof Is Scant. New
York Times, p. 1.
How to Cite a Newspaper Online in APA
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Newspaper Title, pp. Page(s). Retrieved
from URL.
Examples:
Bowman, L. (1990, March 7). Bills target Lake Erie mussels. The Pittsburgh Press, p. A4.
Retrieved from http://www.pittsburghpress.com
Meier, B. (2013, January 1). Energy drinks promise edge, but experts say proof is scant. New
York Times, p. 1. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com
How to Cite a Newspaper on a Database in APA
Format:
Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Newspaper Title, pp. Page(s). Retrieved
from URL
Examples:
Anand, G. (2010, April 2). Fire and fumes can't drive Indians from hellish village.Wall Street
Journal, p. A1. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com
Carey, P. (2012, December 21). An apps-eye view of global warming and climate
change. Contra Costa Times. Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com

How to Cite a Newspaper Article Published Directly Online in APA

Format:
Last, F. M., & Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Newspaper Title. Retrieved
from URL
Examples:
Sutter, J. D. (2010, March 31). Why internet connections are fastest in South Korea. CNN Tech.
Retrieved from http://cnn.com
Zeitlin, M. (2012, December 29). The milk cliff explained: Why a gallon may soon hit
$7. Newsweek. Retrieved from http://www.thedailybeast.com
Make sure to:

Only include "City" if city is not in the newspaper name.

How to Cite an Website in APA

Structure:

Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Retrieved from URL
Example:

Satalkar, B. (2010, July 15). Water aerobics. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com

Cain, K. (2012, June 29). The Negative effects of Facebook on communication.Social Media
Today RSS. Retrieved from http://socialmediatoday.com
How to Cite a Blog Post in APA
Structure:

Last, F. M. (Year Month Date Published). Article title [Type of blog post]. Retrieved from URL.
Example:

Schonfeld, E. (2010, May 3). Google throws $38.8 million to the wind [Web log post]. Retrieved
May 4, 2010, from http://techcrunch.com

China, The American Press, and the State Department [Web log post]. (2013, January 3).
Retrieved from Schonfeld, E. (2010, May 3). Google throws $38.8 million to the wind [Web
log post]. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from http://techcrunch.com