How to Cite a Quote APA: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever worried about accidentally plagiarizing someone else’s words in an academic paper? It’s a common concern! Accurately citing sources, especially when directly quoting another author, is a cornerstone of academic integrity and responsible scholarship. Proper citation gives credit where it’s due, strengthens your arguments by building upon existing research, and demonstrates your understanding of scholarly conventions. Failing to correctly cite quotes can lead to serious consequences, including accusations of plagiarism and damage to your academic reputation.

APA style, a widely used citation format in the social sciences and other disciplines, provides a consistent framework for attributing sources. Mastering APA citation for quotations ensures clarity, precision, and adherence to established academic standards. Whether you’re quoting a single word or an entire paragraph, understanding the specific rules for APA quotation citation is crucial for crafting credible and well-supported arguments.

What are the most common questions about citing quotes in APA style?

How do I cite a direct quote in APA format?

To cite a direct quote in APA format, include the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number (or paragraph number if page numbers are unavailable) within parentheses after the quote. The exact format depends on the length of the quote and how it is integrated into your sentence.

For short quotes (fewer than 40 words), incorporate the quote directly into your text and enclose it in double quotation marks. Provide the citation immediately after the closing quotation mark. For example: “The results indicate a significant correlation between exercise and mood” (Smith, 2020, p. 45). If you are citing a source without page numbers, use paragraph numbers: (Smith, 2020, para. 7). For long quotes (40 words or more), use a block quote. Start the quote on a new line and indent the entire block half an inch (0.5 inches) from the left margin. Double-space the block quote and omit quotation marks. Place the citation after the closing punctuation of the block quote. For example: > Researchers have explored the impact of social media on self-esteem, finding that: > > Frequent engagement with social media platforms can lead to upward social comparisons, which, in turn, may result in feelings of inadequacy and decreased self-worth. This effect is particularly pronounced among adolescents and young adults. (Jones, 2022, p. 120) Remember to always check the specific guidelines in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Different versions of the APA style guide may have slight variations in formatting.

What’s the difference between short and long quote citation in APA?

The primary difference between short and long quote citations in APA style lies in how the quotation is formatted and presented within the text. Short quotations (fewer than 40 words) are incorporated directly into the paragraph and enclosed in double quotation marks, with the citation (author, year, page number) following either directly after the quote or within the sentence at a natural pause. Long quotations (40 words or more) are displayed in a freestanding block of text, indented half an inch from the left margin, without quotation marks, and with the citation appearing after the final punctuation of the block.

When using a short quotation, the author, year, and page number (or paragraph number for sources without page numbers) should always be included. For instance: “The effect was quite dramatic” (Smith, 2020, p. 45). Alternatively, you might write: Smith (2020) stated that “the effect was quite dramatic” (p. 45). The goal is to seamlessly integrate the quotation into your argument while clearly attributing the source. Consistency in placement is important, but allowing for natural flow is also valued. Long quotations, also called block quotations, serve to highlight significant passages that require extensive analysis. The indentation visually sets the quote apart from the rest of your writing. Since the entire block is understood to be a direct quote, quotation marks are unnecessary. For example:

Research has consistently shown that:
The act of actively recalling information significantly enhances long-term retention. This is because retrieval practice strengthens the neural pathways associated with the information, making it easier to access in the future. Moreover, retrieval practice provides valuable feedback, allowing learners to identify and address gaps in their understanding (Jones, 2022, p. 78).

Note that the period at the end of the sentence comes *before* the parenthetical citation in a short quote but *after* in a block quote. Always double-check the word count of your quotation to ensure that you’re using the correct format.

How do I cite a quote from a source with no author in APA?

When citing a quote from a source that lacks an author in APA style, use the title of the work in place of the author’s name in both the in-text citation and the reference list entry. If the title is long, shorten it for the in-text citation. Be sure to include the year of publication and the page number (if available) in the in-text citation.

When dealing with authorless sources, remember that clarity is key. If the title is italicized in the reference list (as it would be for a book or journal), italicize it in the in-text citation as well. If the title is not italicized (like for a webpage or article), put quotation marks around the title in the in-text citation. For example, an in-text citation might look like this: (“Shortened Title,” 2023, p. 15) or (*Book Title*, 2023, p. 15). It’s crucial to maintain consistency between the in-text citation and the full reference list entry so readers can easily locate the original source. In the reference list, the entry will start with the title of the work. The rest of the information, such as the publication date, source, and URL (if applicable), follows the same format as a typical APA reference list entry. For example, a reference list entry for a webpage with no author might look like this: *Title of webpage*. (Year, Month Day). Website Name. URL. By consistently applying these guidelines, you can accurately and ethically credit your sources, even when an author is not explicitly identified.

What if a quote spans multiple pages in APA citation?

When quoting material that spans multiple pages in your source in APA style, include all page numbers separated by an en dash. For example, if a quote starts on page 45 and ends on page 47, your citation would be (Author, Year, pp. 45–47).

It is crucial to accurately represent the range of pages from which the quoted material is taken. The “pp.” abbreviation before the page numbers indicates that you are citing multiple pages. Using an en dash (–) rather than a hyphen (-) connects the starting and ending page numbers, signifying a range. This specificity allows readers to easily locate the quoted text within the original source.

Keep in mind that this rule applies regardless of whether the quote is integrated within your sentence or presented as a block quote. The only difference with a block quote is that the entire quote is indented half an inch from the left margin and the citation follows the final punctuation mark of the quote. The page range is still formatted consistently: (Author, Year, pp. xx–yy). Accurate page range citations are essential for maintaining academic integrity and allowing readers to verify your sources.

Where does the in-text citation go in relation to the quote marks in APA?

In APA style, the in-text citation always goes immediately *after* the closing quotation mark, but *before* the period or other punctuation that ends the sentence. This placement ensures clarity regarding the source of the quoted material while maintaining proper sentence structure.

This rule applies regardless of the length of the quotation. Whether it’s a short phrase or a longer sentence, the citation must be placed directly after the quotation marks to clearly indicate that the preceding words are taken verbatim from another source. Placing the citation before the quote marks could be misconstrued as attributing the source to something other than the direct quote. Similarly, placing it after the sentence’s ending punctuation could create ambiguity about which part of the sentence is being cited.

Consider these examples: “The study found a significant correlation between exercise and mental well-being” (Smith, 2023, p. 45). Or, if the author’s name is already mentioned in the sentence: Smith (2023) stated, “The study found a significant correlation between exercise and mental well-being” (p. 45). These examples illustrate the correct placement of the in-text citation relative to both the quotation marks and the sentence-ending punctuation in APA style.

How do I cite a quote within a quote using APA style?

When quoting material that already contains a quotation, use single quotation marks for the embedded quote and double quotation marks for your main quote. Maintain the original author’s punctuation and attribution as much as possible, and ensure the overall citation accurately reflects the source you consulted.

Specifically, if the original author you are quoting used double quotation marks, you’ll replace those with single quotation marks to indicate that it’s a quote within your main quote. For example, if you’re quoting Smith (2023) who said, “Jones (2022) argued, ‘This is the pivotal point,’” your citation would look like this: Smith (2023) stated that Jones (2022) “argued, ‘This is the pivotal point’ (p. X).” This clearly distinguishes between the quote you’re directly using (Smith’s) and the quote contained within it (Jones’s).

It’s important to include the page number (or other specific location indicator) from the source you are *actually* citing (in this case, Smith, 2023). You are citing Smith, even though Jones is mentioned. This ensures you’re giving credit where credit is due for the material you directly used. If, for some reason, you need to make substantial changes or if the original embedded quote is altered in a way that affects its meaning, consider paraphrasing instead to avoid confusion.

What are the rules for using block quotes in APA format?

In APA format, use a block quote when a direct quotation is 40 words or more. The block quote should start on a new line, be indented half an inch from the left margin, and not be enclosed in quotation marks. The parenthetical citation should follow the closing punctuation mark.

When incorporating a lengthy quotation into your academic writing, the block quote format helps visually distinguish the author’s words from the source material. This clear separation maintains academic integrity and prevents accidental plagiarism. Ensure accurate transcription of the original text, including any unusual capitalization, spelling, or grammatical errors (indicated by “[sic]” immediately after the error).

The indentation of the entire block quote signals to the reader that the following passage is taken verbatim from another source. Maintaining this consistent formatting is crucial for adhering to APA style guidelines. The placement of the citation after the final punctuation mark is a key difference from shorter, in-text quotations, where the citation precedes the closing quotation mark.

And that’s the gist of citing quotes in APA! Hopefully, this has clarified things for you. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and we hope you’ll come back for more helpful writing tips soon. Happy citing!