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APA citation format can feel intimidating when you’re just getting started – parentheses, punctuation, rules about authors...and what even is et al.?
Don’t worry. This post will walk you through the basics of APA in-text citations in a way that’s clear, approachable, and – dare we say – kind of empowering. Whether you’re quoting, paraphrasing, or just referencing an idea, we’ll help you cite your sources like a pro (or better yet, like someone who uses PERRLA).
What Is an APA In-Text Citation?
Listing your sources in the References section at the end of your paper is only half the job of crediting others. The other half is what happens inside the body of your paper. That’s where in-text citations come in.
An in-text citation points the reader to the full reference. It tells them, “Hey, I got this information from somewhere specific – check the References page for more.” In APA, these citations usually appear at the end of the sentence where the source is used.
When to Use In-Text Citations
You need an in-text citation every time you:
- Quote from a source
- Paraphrase an idea in your own words
- Summarize content
- Reference a specific idea, data point, or published finding
✅ If it’s not your idea, cite it.
❌ If it’s common knowledge (e.g., “Water freezes at 32°F”), you can skip the citation.
When in doubt? Cite it out.
The Basic APA Citation Format
A standard APA in-text citation includes:
- The author’s last name
- The year of publication
- A page number or location if the content comes from a specific spot in your source
All of this goes in parentheses at the end of the sentence – just before the period (or other terminal / ending punctuation).
Example: “The evidence is compelling” (Meldrum, 2007, p. 47).
If you're paraphrasing or referring to general ideas, the page number is optional:
Example: Sasquatches may migrate seasonally across terrain (Meldrum, 2007).
Citation Examples (and When to Use Them)
➤ Quoting a Source
“The findings were inconclusive” (Lin, 2022, p. 12).
If your quote spans multiple pages, use an en dash to separate the pages: (Lin, 2022, pp. 12–13)
➤ Paraphrasing a Source Over Multiple Sentences
Only include the citation once, at the end of the paraphrased section.
Example: Sasquatch migration patterns are still under debate. Some researchers believe these patterns reflect deep biological rhythms (Meldrum, 2007).
APA Citation Format: Multiple Authors, No Author, and Other Special Cases
➤ Two Authors
Use both last names with an ampersand between them:
(Strange & Weber, 2020)
➤ Three or More Authors
Just use the first author's last name followed by et al. – even for the first citation:
(Nguyen et al., 2021)
(Davis et al., n.d.)
Note: Don't italicize et al. and don’t use a comma before it.
➤ No Author? Use the Title.
If no individual or organization is listed as the author, cite the title.
- For italicized works (like books or web pages), italicize the title in the citation: (Sasquatch Studies, 2020)
- For non-italicized works (like journal articles), use quotation marks: (“Cryptid Migrations,” 2022)
APA quirk alert: In citations, titles are written in Title Case, even if they’re sentence case in the References.
What If the Author Is in the Sentence?
If you already mention the author’s name in your sentence, you don’t need to repeat it in the parentheses – just include the year (and page number if quoting):
Lin (2022) explores how environmental shifts impact migratory patterns.
According to Lin (2022), “the data points to seasonal consistency” (p. 9).
Citing Multiple Sources at Once
If you're supporting an idea with more than one source, cite them together, alphabetically, and separate with semicolons:
(Clifton, 2015; Strange & Weber, 2020)
Final Thoughts (and a Shortcut)
Here’s what matters most:
- Cite every time you use a source
- Include the author and year
- Add the page number if quoting
- Use et al. for three or more authors
- PERRLA makes it way easier
💡 With PERRLA, you can generate citations automatically, just by choosing your source. We handle the formatting so you can focus on your ideas.
TL;DR – APA In-Text Citations Made Simple
- ✍️ Use citations for quotes, paraphrases, and specific ideas
- 📍 Include the author, year, and page number (if quoting)
- 👯♀️ Use et al. for 3+ authors, titles if no author
- 🧠 Use PERRLA if you want them inserted automatically (and correctly)
