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APA Referencing and Plagiarism: In-text Citations and Quotes

This Guide will help you to correctly reference your assignments using the APA style.

In-text Citations

  • Use in-text citations to identify where you are referring to someone else's work.

 

  • When you are using a direct quote, or an indirect quote (paraphrasing or summarising).

 

The purpose of an in-text citation is to direct the reader to the full details of the source in your Reference List.

  • When quoting word for word, a page number is required - if one page number is being used, use the abbreviation p. but for multiple pages use pp
  • If summarising the source as a whole, there is no need to use a page number.
  • For online sources use page numbers if provided, otherwise, use paragraph numbers - use the abbreviation para. e.g. (Smith, 2012, para. 2)
  • Where the work has no identified author, cite in-text the first few words of the the title and the year.
  • For a work with one or two authors include all the authors. For a work with three or more authors, include the name of the first author plus "et al." for every citation

Regardless of the type of information you are citing, your in-text citation will comprise of the author (or title) and date information relevant to that particular entry.

Refer to the CRT APA Referencing Guide 7th ed. for examples.

Direct Quotations

Quotes are used to add meaning or additional evidence or emphasis to your own writing.

  • A 'direct quotation' is a word-for-word copy of another author's work.
  • If the quotation is less than 40 words in length (short quote), then it should be incorporated into the text and enclosed with double quotation marks. Always include the name of the author, the date of publication and the page number.

Example:

 ...it should be noted that every child needs continual positive reinforcement to cope with the world. As Smith (2011) points out, "it is no surprise that we are much better at recognising negative signals than positive ones" (p.36). Therefore we need to ...

OR

... children are very adaptable. However, "it is no surprise that we are much better at recognising negative signals than positive ones" (Smith, 2011, p. 36).

  • Quotations of more than 40 words are not recommended. If used, refer to the CRT APA  Referencing Guide for how to format these.

Paraphrasing/Summarising/Indirect Quotes

  • The purpose of paraphrasing/summarising is to clarify, in your own words, the meaning of the original communication. 
  • Paraphrasing or summarising are also known as indirect quotes.
  • It is still necessary to provide an in-text citation.

Watch this PowerPoint presentation explaining how to paraphrase.

Source: lakeview47. (2011, November 4). Eight steps to paraphrasing [ Video]. YouTube.