In-text citations are abbreviated citations following an idea or quoted text in your writing.
In-text citations must always correspond to an expanded citation in your references list.
Basics of APA In-text Citations:
- Quotes - when you use the exact text from another source, this is defined as "quoted text." Quoted text should always be in parentheses and include an in-text citation with a page number. Example - (Smith, 2019, p. 52) Click here for instructions.
- Paraphrase & Summary - when you paraphrase or summarize another author's idea or writing you should give credit to the original source by including an in-text citation. Since you may be combining ideas from across multiple pages or from multiple author's a page number is not needed. Examples - (Smith, 2019); (Smith, 2019; Davis, 2017)
- Long Quotes - if your quoted text totals 40 or more words, you should use the "block quote" format. Click here for instructions on how a block quote should be formatted.
- Multiple Authors - if your source has two or more authors, the formatting of the in-text citation will change. Consult the APA Publication Manual section 8.17 for formatting examples.