Academic writing requires proper citation of all sources used in the paper. This ensures that the writer gives credit to the original author and also helps readers to locate the sources used. One common citation style is the American Psychological Association (APA) style. In this article, we will explore quotation citation in APA style.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Academic writing requires proper citation of all sources used in the paper. This ensures that the writer gives credit to the original author and also helps readers to locate the sources used. One common citation style is the American Psychological Association (APA) style. In this article, we will explore quotation citation in APA style.
What is Quotation Citation?
Quotation citation refers to the way a writer acknowledges the use of someone else’s words or ideas in their own writing. In APA style, quotation citation includes the author’s last name, publication date, and page number(s) of the original source. This information is placed in parentheses at the end of the quotation or paraphrase.
Example:
According to Smith (2010), “APA style requires proper citation of all sources used in the paper” (p. 4).
When to Use Quotation Citation
Quotation citation is used when a writer directly quotes someone else’s words or ideas. It is also used when a writer paraphrases someone else’s words or ideas. Paraphrasing means using someone else’s ideas in your own words, but still giving credit to the original author.
Example:
Original text: “The use of social media has become increasingly popular in recent years” (Jones, 2015, p. 2).
Paraphrased text: According to Jones (2015), the popularity of social media has grown in recent years (p. 2).
How to Format Quotation Citation
In APA style, quotation citation is formatted as follows:
- Author’s last name, first initial. (Publication year).
- Quotation or paraphrase.
- (Page number(s) of original source).
Example:
Smith, J. (2010). “APA style requires proper citation of all sources used in the paper” (p. 4).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is to forget to include page numbers when citing a direct quote. Another mistake is to not use quotation marks when quoting someone else’s words. It is also important to use the correct format for the citation, including the punctuation and capitalization.
Question and Answer
Q: What do I do if the original source does not have a page number?
A: If the original source does not have a page number, use the paragraph number instead. If the source does not have either, omit the page or paragraph number from the citation.
Conclusion
Quotation citation is an important aspect of academic writing. It ensures that writers give credit to the original author and allows readers to locate the sources used. By following the guidelines of APA style, writers can create accurate and effective quotation citations in their papers.
