Video summary

Citing Works in Text Using Seventh Edition APA Style

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main Ideas & Lessons (APA 7th Edition In-Text Citations)

  • Purpose of the webinar: Teach how to create APA 7th edition in-text citations for:

    • Paraphrases (restating ideas in your own words)
    • Direct quotations (word-for-word copying)
    • Long paraphrases (spanning multiple sentences/paragraphs)
    • Page number alternatives (when page numbers aren’t available)

  • Core principle: Every time your paper uses ideas, facts, arguments, or wording from another source, you must include an appropriate in-text citation that corresponds to an entry in your reference list.

Methodology / Instruction List (Step-by-Step Concepts Emphasized)

A. Write a Sentence Using Paraphrasing (and cite it)

  • Paraphrasing definition: Restate the idea from a source in your own words.

  • Strengths of paraphrasing

    • Helps you summarize one or multiple ideas from a source
    • Supports building your own argument in your own voice
    • Makes it easier to highlight the most relevant details
    • Usually improves readability and flow compared with heavy quoting
    • Allows synthesis across sources if you clearly attribute which ideas come from which source

  • Main risk / drawback

    • You can misrepresent the author’s intent or emphasis if you remove or reshape meaning incorrectly.

  • Quality guidance

    • Read the full context so your paraphrase matches the source accurately.
    • Practice improves accuracy.

  • Avoid patchwriting

    • Patchwriting = copying the source text structure with minor edits (e.g., removing a few words, flipping sentence structure slightly, substituting synonyms).
    • No fixed word-change formula exists, but paraphrases should be restructured and re-focused.

Example improvement themes

- Use a new sentence structure
- Change the focus/relationship (e.g., “prototype indicated…” → “functioning is associated with…”)
- Support the claim with proper citation

B. Reference List Logic (Build References Before In-Text Citations)

  • Step 4 emphasis: Write the reference list entry (quickly) before crafting the in-text citation.

  • Why references first helps

    • The author + year from the reference list drive most in-text citation creation.

  • Reference list requirements

    • You need a reference entry for each in-text citation.
    • Generally: one reference entry per work cited in your paper.
    • Personal communications are treated as a notable exception (covered in the manual/web guidance mentioned).

C. Create In-Text Citations (Author–Date System)

  • Use author + year as the base for in-text citations.

  • Choose one format for each citation in your paper:

    • Parenthetical citation: (Author, Year)
    • Narrative citation: Author (Year)

  • Citation placement rule

    • Place citations so readers know when the referenced idea begins (often at the first sentence that introduces that idea).

  • When to cite paraphrases

    • Include citations for paraphrased ideas at the end of the sentence (or integrated within the sentence for narrative style), with optional added location info.
    • Page numbers for paraphrases are optional but can be helpful for specificity (especially for complex texts or when instructors expect them).

D. In-Text Citation Formatting by Number of Authors

  • 1 author

    • Cite the author name every time.

  • 2 authors

    • Parenthetical: (Author1 & Author2, Year)
    • Narrative: Author1 and Author2 (Year)

  • 3+ authors (APA 7 update)

    • Use the first author’s surname + “et al.” for in-text citations starting with the first citation.
    • Watch for ambiguity: if “FirstAuthor et al.” would be indistinguishable from another citation, write out additional surnames as needed.

E. Group Authors (Organizations/Government)

  • If the work lists an organization as the author, treat that organization as the author.
  • Common mistake: assuming “no individual authors listed” means there’s no author.
  • Abbreviations
    • Allowed only if well-known and used appropriately.
    • If abbreviated: full name first time + abbreviation in brackets for parenthetical citations; then use abbreviation thereafter.
    • Often recommended to avoid inventing abbreviations—clarity matters.

F. Paraphrase Citation Structure for Complex Sentences

  • One source supports one idea in a sentence

    • Add a single citation tied to that sentence/idea.

  • Multiple sources support different ideas in the same sentence

    • Include multiple citations, typically:
      • Parenthetical: after each idea (or segment) tied to that source.

  • Multiple works support the same point

    • Parenthetical: put multiple works in one set of parentheses, alphabetize by author, separated by semicolons.
    • Narrative: order can vary; alphabetical is acceptable, chronological is sometimes used.

G. Long Paraphrases (Special Handling)

  • Definition: Multiple consecutive sentences/paragraphs based on one (or a set of) source(s).

  • Balance under-citation vs over-citation

    • Under-citation: missing attribution can obscure origin and may risk plagiarism.
    • Over-citation: repeating the same citation every sentence can distract readers and inflate length.

  • Recommended approach

    • Cite on first mention in the paragraph.
    • If the source context stays the same, you often don’t need to repeat the citation every sentence.
    • Repeat citations when:
      • moving into a new paragraph,
      • switching sources,
      • returning to a previously cited source after discussing something else.

H. Direct Quotations (Short vs Block) and How to Cite Them

  • Quotation length categories

    • Short quotes (< 40 words): use quotation marks and integrate into text.
    • Block quotes (≥ 40 words): indent ~0.5 inch from left margin, no quotation marks, double-spaced.

  • In-text citation content for quotations

    • Always includes author, year, and page number (or alternative location info).

  • Common beginner mistake

    • Leaving the quote standing alone rather than integrating it into your own sentence.

  • Short quotation integration patterns

    • Use a comma/colon/no punctuation before the quote as appropriate.
    • Adjust capitalization of the first word of the quote if grammar requires it.

  • Citation placement for quotations

    • Parenthetical vs narrative formats both exist; the citation is attached to the quote.
    • Sentence-ending punctuation (period) goes after the citation for the examples shown.

I. Page Number Alternatives (When Page Numbers Don’t Exist)

  • If page numbers exist: use them.

  • If not, use a location identifier appropriate to the format, such as:

    • Paragraph number (e.g., para 2)
    • Heading/section name
    • Abbreviated section name (if long, shown in quotation marks)
    • Combination (e.g., section + paragraph)
    • Timestamp for audio/visual items (e.g., 1:22)
    • Canonical sections for standardized works (e.g., Bible: book + chapter/verse)

  • Importance emphasized

    • Provide clear guidance so readers can locate the quoted material and it’s not ambiguous whether the omission is intentional.

Instructional Aids and Practice Tools Mentioned

  • Two new instructional aids on the APA Style website:

    1. Paraphrasing and citation activity (interactive)

      • Practice:
        • one-sentence paraphrasing
        • summarizing multiple sentences
        • long paraphrases
      • Includes answers from the APA Style team.

    2. In-text citation checklist (interactive)

      • Checklist for:
        • paraphrasing quality and amount
        • quotation formatting
        • matching in-text citations to reference list entries
        • reference list entry formats

Q&A Themes Included (Key Clarifications)

  • How many citations are “too many” / “too few”?

    • “Zero” citations is too few.
    • For each major claim: commonly one or two citations (as authors typically do).
    • If you feel forced to cite many studies for one point, consider using a review article or meta-analysis.

  • Why put citations early in a paragraph?

    • So readers immediately know when another author’s ideas begin.

  • Parenthetical vs narrative

    • Choose one per citation; don’t use both forms for the same work within the same sentence unnecessarily.

  • Using “e.g.”

    • Not required in APA author-date citations; can be used if you explicitly mean “for example.”

  • Page numbers in paraphrases

    • Page numbers for paraphrases are optional, but recommended when helpful (e.g., complex books or targeted sections).

  • Page number abbreviations

    • p / pp refer to single page / page ranges and apply broadly to textual works where page numbers are used.

  • Continuous vs discontinuous page ranges

    • Use the appropriate punctuation (dash for continuous ranges; comma for discontinuous pages).

  • Using citation generators

    • Helpful for drafting, but double-check accuracy and formatting.

  • Government agency naming with same words

    • Add distinguishing details (e.g., country) to ensure clarity for readers.

Speakers / Sources Featured (Identified)

People (Speakers)

  • Mark Dirks: Welcomed attendees; represented ACRL and Choice
  • Tim: First presenter; APA in-text citations for paraphrases/long paraphrases; referred to earlier parts of the webinar series
  • Haley: Presented step 4/creating reference list entries and in-text citation structure/author-date logic
  • Chelsea: Presented short/block quotations and how to cite direct quotations; also joined Q&A

Organizations / Sources Mentioned

  • ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries)
  • Choice (publication/organization sponsoring)
  • American Psychological Association (APA Style)
  • APA Style website (instructional aids, references examples, guidance)
  • APA Publication Manual (7th edition)
  • APA Concise Guide to APA Style
  • EBSCO / APSIO website: referenced in subtitles as the location for APA examples/resources (appears as “apsio” in subtitles)
  • Index/sections referenced in APA manual
    • Chapter 10 (references templates)
    • Section 8/9 (personal communications noted)
    • Section 8.3.1 (quotation changes mentioned)

Illustrative cited works/examples mentioned in subtitles (examples)

  • Peterson and Seligman (values in action taxonomy)
  • Peterson and Seligman (2004) (related example)
  • Seligman (quoted example context)
  • Other example author-year citations shown in subtitles (e.g., Swan 2020; Bleidorn et al. 2020; Goodman/Goodwin and Friedman 2006; Robins et al. 2001; Zimmermann 2020; Kante 2020; Golden 2019; Gomez et al. example; an additional “Seligman 1955/197?5” subtitle phrase appears unclear)
  • Bible / Proverbs 27:17 (canonical example)
  • Shakespeare (canonical works example mentioned)

Original video