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Cite Using APA Style: sub-module 1 of 2 of cite sources

Citing your sources is a process of wayfinding: you provide the “address”—the reference— so that the reader is able to find the original source. Following a specific citation style ensures that there is consistent information to help the reader find the information. The most commonly used citation style in Nursing and other Health Sciences programs is APA style. This module covers the basics of how to cite your sources in APA style.

Note: This module refers to APA 7th edition, which is the current version at the time this module was last updated. If you are using other citation guides, be sure to check that they also cover APA 7 (unless you have a specific reason for using a different version).

 

Tips

  • Cite all the information you use. Every single use of someone else’s work in your paper must be acknowledged with a citation.
  • Make sure your in-text citations match your references. Every in-text citation must match up with a full reference in the reference list. Every reference in the reference list must match up with at least one in-text citation.
  • Use the right format for each type of source. Every type of resource (book, journal article, website, etc.) requires slightly different formatting, so look for an example that is relevant to the source you want to cite.
  • Try a citation manager. Use a citation manager to make it easy to keep track of the materials you’re citing.

Ontario College Citation Guides

If you’re struggling with your citations, don’t worry! There’s lots of help available.

  • Start with your own college’s citation help resources. You’ll find the links below. Many college libraries provide citation examples for different formats (e.g. journals, websites, YouTube videos, etc.), and quick reference PDF guides that you can print or download. Feel free to check out other college’s help pages if you’re not finding what you need.

  • There is also lots of citation instruction and assistance online. You’ll find links to a few websites and YouTube channels below.

External Citation Resources

The Process of Creating APA Papers

About APA Format

Citations vs. References

Many people use the terms “citation” and “reference” interchangeably, but there is a difference in APA style. They are two different steps in the process of citing your sources in APA style.

  • Step 1: In-text citation. The citations in the body of your paper are called “in-text citations.”
  • Step 2: Reference. The more detailed record at the end of your paper is called a “reference.” (sometimes “full reference”). You might hear some people call the items in your reference list “citations,” but technically they should be called “references.”

Note: this applies to APA style. Other styles may use these words differently.

Formatting APA Papers

In addition to citations, APA style also has rules about formatting all sections of your paper. For example, there is a specific format for APA-style title pages. These modules do not cover APA style beyond citations, so if your instructor has asked you to format your entire paper in APA style, please consult a guide such as the OWL from Purdue University.

Step 1: In-text Citations

Every single use of someone else’s work in your paper must be acknowledged. You do this by adding an in-text citation right before or after the use of someone else’s idea.

An in-text citation is a short indication of someone else’s work, embedded right in the body of your paper. In-text citations include the author, the year of publication, and the page number. You only need to include the page number if you are using a direct quotation.

Examples of in-text citations:

  • For paraphrases: (Jones, 2016)
  • For direct quotes: (Jones, 2016, p.139)

Every single in-text citation must have a corresponding full reference at the end of the paper. You have to have both an in-text citation and a detailed reference in order for the citation to be complete.

Check the APA References & In-Text Citation Examples box to see format rules and examples for different types of sources. For more instructions and examples for in-text citations, please see your college citation guide, or refer to Seneca's APA In-Text Citation page.

Watch the video to learn more about in-text citation.

What are the library databases and which one should I use Video Transcript - PDF Opens in a new window

Step 2: References

The reference list contains detailed information about each source. These detailed references are on a separate page at the end of your paper. It is arranged alphabetically by first author’s last name.

Tips for creating a reference list page:

  1. List each source (such as journal articles, books, websites) that you used in your paper
  2. Each source must be listed in alphabetical order by first author's last name. If there is no identifiable author for a source, cite it by title.
  3. Indent the second and following lines of each reference entry (this is known as a "hanging indent")
  4. Double-space the references.

Check the APA References & In-Text Citation Examples box to see format rules and examples for different types of sources.

Note: refer to the citation manual or style guide for correct punctuation and capitalization.

Watch this video to learn more about creating a reference list.

APA building a references list Video Transcript - RTF Opens in a new window

Locating Information in a Citation

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to look to find the information you need to create a citation. Different types of sources require different information to be included in the reference page.

This information is usually one of the first things you can locate pretty easily. If you are looking at a book, the author(s) can be found on the front cover. Journal articles have author(s) listed on the first page of the article or on the title page if there is one.

When looking at websites, it’s hard to know where to locate the author. Do a bit of digging. Is there an about us/me section? Is the author listed by the last modified or copyright date on the bottom of the page. Is there a logo? Sometimes the author of a website can be a corporation or an organization. We call these corporate or group authors.

Sometimes publication dates can be found on the very first page of the article you are looking at. You may have to look around on both the top and bottom of the first page.

Books include this info by the copyright symbol on the verso.

Websites can be tricky. Sometimes a last modified date is found on the bottom of the page. This can also be a copyright date. If there is no identifiable date, it’s perfectly acceptable to put (n.d.). This indicates there is no date found on the page you are looking at.

This can get confusing for many people. You want to make sure you know what you are citing. Most of the time, you will want to record the title of what you are looking at whether it’s the title of the book or the particular page you are looking at on a website. Usually that’s all you need and these are italicized in the reference. However, when you are citing journal, newspaper and magazine articles, you have to include both the title of the article and the title of journal/newspaper/magazine. These are usually italicized on the reference page instead of the title of the article.

DOI stands for digital object identifier.

A DOI is a unique number assigned to journal articles only. It acts as a URL to that particular article. Not all journal articles have a DOI. DOI information is easily identifiable. It almost always includes the words DOI followed by a combination of letters or numbers. It’s usually on the first page of the journal article but can also be found beside the title of the journal.

Don’t panic if information is missing in a citation. Some citation styles are pretty flexible when it comes to missing information.

Sometimes a journal may not include a volume or an issue number, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s okay to leave that information out.

Work with what you have available to you. If it’s not there, no need to include anything.

This is not the case for publication dates. If there is no date, simply put (n.d.) in place of a year.

APA References & In-Text Citation Examples

Print Books

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if any. (Year of Publication). Title of book: Subtitle if any. Publisher.

Example

Martin, S. (2010). Take a look: Observation and portfolio assessment in early childhood. Pearson.

Note: List all other authors as they are listed in the book.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number) 
  • Example: (Martin, 2010, p. 20) 

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication) 
  • Example: (Martin, 2010) 

eBook from a Library Database

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if any. (Year of Publication). Title of book: Subtitle if any. Publisher.

Example

Connelly, J., & Forsyth, P. (2012). Essay writing skills: Essential techniques to gain top marks. Kogan Page.

Note: As most eBooks are available through a variety of databases, it is not necessary to include the name of the database where you viewed the eBook.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name & Second Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number) 
  • Example: (Connelly & Forsyth, 2012, p. 25) 

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name & Second Author’s last name, date of publication) 
  • Example: (Connelly & Forsyth, 2012) 

eBook from a Website

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if any. (Year of Publication). Title of eBook. Publisher. Hyperlinked URL (Statement of original publication date if necessary)

Example

House, F.N. (n.d.). The development of sociology. McGraw-Hill Book Company. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.$b50999 (Original work published 1936)

Note: Many online ebooks were published in print before they were published in eBook format. In these cases, include the year when the eBook was published. If that is not available, enter “n.d.” (no date). Include the year the book was originally published in a statement at the end of the citation. Don’t forget to add both dates in your in-text citation (for the above example: (House, 1936/n.d.)).

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number) 
  • Example: (House, n.d., p. 50) 

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication) 
  • Example: (House, n.d.) 

Edited book

Reference List Citation

Format:

Editor's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if any. (Ed.). (Year of Publication). Title of book. Publisher.

Example

Fetherling, G. (Ed.). (2001). The vintage book of Canadian memoirs. Vintage Canada.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Editor's Last Name (Ed.), date of publication, p. page number) 
  • Example: (Fetherling (Ed.), 2001, p. 150) 

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Editor's Last Name (Ed.), date of publication) 
  • Example: (Fetherling (Ed.), 2001) 
Note: APA recommends including a DOI, if available, because URLs can change. A DOI (digital object identifier) is an alphanumeric code that provides a permanent link to an article. If your journal article has a DOI, follow the “Journal Articles with DOI” example. If it does not, follow the example for Library Database/Print Version, or Web, determined by where you found the article. Finally, if your article has multiple authors (3-19, or 20+) follow the relevant example.

Journal Articles with DOI

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if any., and any additional authors. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page numbers. Hyperlinked DOI

Example

Harwood, N., & Petric, B. (2011). Performance in the citing behavior of two student writers. Written Communication, 29(1), 55-103. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741088311424133

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name & Second Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number) 

  • Example: (Harwood & Petric, 2011, p. 57) 

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name & Second Author’s last name, date of publication) 

  • Example: (Harwood & Petric, 2011) 

Journal Articles without a DOI, from Library Database or Print Version

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if any., and any additional authors. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page numbers.

Example

Cox, E. O., Green, K. E., Hobart, K., Jang, L. J., & Seo, H. (2007). Strengthening the late-life care process: Effects of two forms of a care-receiver efficacy intervention. The Gerontologist, 47(3), 388-397.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name et al., date of publication, p. page number)

  • Example: (Cox et al., 2007, p. 20)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name et al., date of publication)

  • Example: (Cox et al., 2007)

Journal Articles without a DOI, from the Web

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if any., and any additional authors. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page numbers. Hyperlinked URL

Example

Blattberg, C. (2008). The scales of injustice. The Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice, 26(1). https://wyaj.uwindsor.ca/index.php/wyaj/article/view/4536

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number)

  • Example: (Blattberg, 2008, p. 20)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication)

  • Example: (Blattberg, 2008)

Journal Articles with Two to Nineteen Authors

Reference List Citation

Format:

First Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given, Second Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Third Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., etc. & Last Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial.  (Year). Title of article: Subtitle if given. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page numbers. Hyperlinked DOI or URL (if applicable).

Note: List the first 1-19 authors and add an ampersand before the final author.

Example

Rabelo‐Silva, E. R., Dantas Cavalcanti, A. C., Ramos Goulart Caldas, M. C., Lucena, A. D. F., Almeida, M. D. A., Linch, G. F. D. C., Barragan da Silva, M. & Müller‐Staub, M. (2017). Advanced nursing process quality: Comparing the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) with the NANDA‐International (NANDA‐I) and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC). Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(3-4), 379-387. https://doi-org./10.1111/jocn.13387

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name et al., date of publication, p. page number) 

  • Example: (Rabelo-Silva et al., 2017, p. 382)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name et al., date of publication)

  • Example: (Rabelo-Silva et al., 2017)

Journal Articles with more than Twenty Authors

Reference List Citation

Format:

First Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given, Second Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Third Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Fourth Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Fifth Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Sixth Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Seventh Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Eighth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Ninth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Tenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Eleventh Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Twelfth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Thirteenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Fourteenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Fifteenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial., Second Initial. Sixteenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Seventeenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Eighteenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., Nineteenth Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial., . . . Last Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial. (Year). Title of article: Subtitle if given. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page numbers. Hyperlinked DOI or URL (if applicable)

Example

Pegion, K., Kirtman, B. P., Becker, E., Collins, D. C., LaJoie, E., Burgman, R., Bell, R., DelSole, R., Min, D., Zhu, Y., Li, W., Sinsky, E., Guan, H., Gottschalck, J., Metzger, E. J., Barton, N. P., Achuthavarier, D., Marshak, J., Koster, R., . . . Kim, H. (2019). The subseasonal experiment (SubX): A multimodel subseasonal prediction experiment. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 100(10), 2043-2061.

Note: List the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis to show information is missing, and then the last author's name.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name et al., date of publication, p. page number)

  • Example: (Pegion et al., 2019, p. 2047)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name et al., date of publication)

  • Example: (Pegion et al., 2019)

Websites with a known author

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given., and any additional authors. (Year, Month Day). Title of document. Website Name. Hyperlinked URL

Example

Geist, M. (2019, May 22). The foundation of Canada’s digital charter: Privacy law reform focused on a data-driven economy. Michael Geist. http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2019/05/the-foundation-of-canadas-digital-charter-privacy-law-reform-focused-on-a-data-driven-economy/

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (Geist, 2019, para. 3)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Geist, 2019)

Websites with a group or corporate author (stand-alone document) 

Reference List Citation

Format:

Group or Corporate Name. (Year). Title of document. Website name (include if different from author). Hyperlinked URL

Example

Automotive Industries Association of Canada. (n.d.). Be car care aware. https://www.aiacanada.com/what-we-do/our-programs/bcca.html

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author, date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (Automotive Industries Association of Canada, n.d., para. 4)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author, date of publication)
  • Example: (Automotive Industries Association of Canada, n.d.)

Online Encyclopedia, Dictionary or Thesaurus Entry

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given., and any additional authors. (n.d.). Title of entry. In Name of encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from Hyperlinked URL

Example

Koch, E. (n.d.). Adrienne Clarkson. In The Canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/adrienne-louise-clarkson

Note: When online reference works are continuously updated and no archived version is provided, enter “n.d.” for the year and provide a retrieval date.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (Koch, n.d., para. 5)

For a paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication) 
  • Example: (Koch, n.d.)

Report by a Government Agency or Other Organization

Reference List Citation

Format:

Group or Corporate Name. (Year). Title of document. Website name (include if different from author). Hyperlinked URL

Example

Canadian Cancer Society. (2015). Advanced cancer. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/resources/publications/advanced-cancer

Note: When the author and the website name are the same, omit the website name.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author, date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (Canadian Cancer Society, 2015, para. 4)

For a paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author, date of publication)
  • Example: (Canadian Cancer Society, 2015)

Wikipedia Articles

Reference List Citation

Format:

Title of entry. (Date of access). In Wikipedia. Hyperlinked URL

Example

Gestalt psychology. (2020, August 8). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gestalt_psychology&oldid=971777041

Note: Note: Cite the archived version of the Wikipedia entry! To access the archived versions in Wikipedia, in your entry, click on View History and then the date of the version you used.

Use the link, and the date, in your citation. Remember that Wikipedia entries can be authored by anyone! Always check with your instructor to make sure Wikipedia entries are allowed for the assignment.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (“Title of entry,” date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (“Gestalt psychology,” 2020, para. 4)

For a paraphrase:

  • Format: (“Title of entry,” date of publication)
  • Example: (“Gestalt psychology,” 2020)

No Author, No Date

Reference List Citation

Format:

Title of document. (n.d.). Website Name. Hyperlinked URL

Example

The basics of physics. (n.d.). Lumen Learning. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/the-basics-of-physics/

Note: If there is no identifiable date, put (n.d.). in place of the year to show you couldn't find a date.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format:  (“Title of document,” n.d., para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (“What is physics?,” n.d., para. 4)

For a paraphrase:

  • Format: (“Title of document,” n.d.)
  • Example:  (“What is physics?,” n.d.)

PowerPoint Slides

Reference List Citation

Format:

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Publisher. Login page for publisher.

Example

Smith, J. (2017, Month Day). Cite your sources using APA style [PowerPoint slides]. eCentennial. https://e.centennialcollege.ca/

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Instructor’s last name, date, slide number)
  • Example: (Smith, 2017, slide 12)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Instructor’s last name, date)
  • Example: (Smith, 2017)

Course Packs

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author of Article/Chapter's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year of course pack's publication). Title of chapter or article in course pack. In First Initial. Last Name of Course Instructor who created course pack if given (Ed.), Title of course pack (page numbers). Name of College. (Original work published date)

Example

Bigelow, B., & Peterson, B. (2016). Rethinking globalization: Teaching for justice in an unjust world. In J. Fraser (Ed.), Exploring our global village: Readings CULT 14857G (pp. 33-37). Sheridan College. (Original work published 2002)

Note: The best way to cite course packs is to treat them as an article or chapter in an edited book, and include the date the work was original published (which should be included in your course pack, at the beginning or the end of the article). For your in-text citation, make sure to include both dates (for the above example: (Bigelow & Peterson, 2002/2016)).

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name & Second Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number)
  • Example: (Bigelow, & Peterson, 2016, p. 35)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (First author’s last name & Second Author’s last name, date of publication) 
  • Example: (Bigelow, & Peterson, 2016) 

Print Handouts

Reference List Citation

Format:

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. (Year handout was created if given or n.d.). Title of handout [Class handout]. School, Faculty or Department Name, College Name.

Example

Marlow, F. (2017). Effective Google searching [Class handout]. Faculty of Business, Humber College.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format:  (Instructor’s last name, date of publication, p. page number)
  • Example: (Marlow, 2017, p. 3)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Instructor’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Marlow, 2017)

Your Own Class Notes

In-Text Citation

Note: Notes you take in class are classified as personal communication, and appear only as in-text citations in your assignment. No References entry is needed for personal communication.

Format:

(Instructor initials, Instructor lastname, personal communication, Month Day, Year).

Example

(B. Bassidj, personal communication, September 22, 2016).

Personal Communication with Indigenous Persons

In-Text Citation

Note: Oral traditions and traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples are treated as a distinct source category. If you are citing information you learned from a lecture, interview or conversation with an Indigenous person, provide more information in your in-text citation. Remember to seek permission to reproduce the information.

Format:

(First initial, Last name, Name of Indigenous Nation, lives in City, State/Province, personal communication, Month Day, Year).

Example

(T. Teegee, Takla Lake First Nation, lives in Prince George, British Columbia, personal communication, August 10, 2020).

Streaming Video

Reference List Citation

Note: The person or group who uploaded the video is considered the author. If the author’s name is the same as the username, you can omit the [Username]. Include the author’s username and real name (if known).

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. Name of streaming site. Hyperlinked URL

Example

The Learning Portal/Le Portail d’Apprentissage. (2017, January 24). Types of paragraphs in an academic essay [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/TforwSE7ow0

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Last Name or User Name of person or group who uploaded the video, Year, Timestamp for beginning of quote)
  • Example: (The Learning Portal/Le Portail d’Apprentissage, 2017, 0:29)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Last Name or User Name of person or group who uploaded the video, Year)
  • Example: (The Learning Portal/Le Portail d’Apprentissage, 2017)

Film

Reference List Citation

Note: You do not need to cite the format of a movie, ex. DVD. However, include the information in the square brackets, following the word Film, if the information you are citing can be found only in that particular format or edition.

Format:

Director's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company.

Example

Huston, J. (Director). (1941). The Maltese falcon [Film]. Warner Home Video.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation:

  • Format: (Director's Last Name, Year, Timestamp for beginning of quote)
  • Example: (Slade, 2010, 45:29)

For a paraphrase:

  • Format: (Director's Last Name, Year, Timestamp for beginning of quote)
  • Example: (Slade, 2010)

Online News Article From a Newspaper

Reference List Citation

Follow this example if your article is from a news site with an associated newspaper.

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Title of Newspaper. Hyperlinked URL

Example

Guy, M. (2021, November 3). Snow problem: The best winter tire choices for 2021.The Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/autos/advice/2021/11/02/snow-problem-the-best-winter-tire-choices-for-2021.html

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number or para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (Van Bastelaer, 2017, para. 10)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication) 
  • Example: (Van Bastelaer, 2017)

Webpage on a News Website with No Newspaper

Reference List Citation

Follow this example if your article is from an online news source with no associated newspaper.

Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of news article. Title of Site. Hyperlinked URL

Example

Mark, C. (2020, April 2). Tips on avoiding back pain and injury while working from home. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/tips-for-avoiding-back-pain-and-injury-while-working-from-home-1.5519774

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (Mark, 2020, para. 10)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Mark, 2020)

Online Magazine Articles

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Title of Magazine. Hyperlinked URL

Example

Nguyen, M. (2020, July 27). Smart financial decisions small business owners should make now. Canadian Business. https://www.canadianbusiness.com/small-business/small-business-financial-decisions-to-make-now/

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (Nguyen, 2020, para. 5)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Nguyen, 2020) 

Newspaper and Magazine Articles, Print Version

Reference List Citation

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Title of Newspaper or Magazine, page number.

Example

Ahsan, S. (2016, June 22). All access: Toronto's tangled art gallery is bringing so-called outsiders in. The National Post, B8.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number)
  • Example: (Ahsan, 2016, p. B8)

For a paraphrase: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication) 
  • Example: (Ahsan, 2016)

Newspaper and Magazine Articles from a Library Database

Reference List Citation

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Title of Newspaper or Magazine.

Example

VanRaes, S. (2020, August 12). Winnipeg is Canada’s “kindness rock” capital. Macleans.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: Author’s last name, date of publication, p. page number)
  • Example: (VanRaes, 2020, p. 12)

For a paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (VanRaes, 2020)

Blogs

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of blog post. Name of Blog. Hyperlinked URL

Example

McAdoo, T. (2015, April 15). Re: Using italics for technical (or key) terms. APA Style Blog. http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2015/04/using-italics-for-technical-or-key-terms.html

Note: If the real name of the person who created the blog post isn't given, provide their user name in the author field.

When citing social media posts, keep these rules in mind:

  • Do not change the spelling or capitalization in a social media post (even if the spelling is incorrect!)
  • Include hashtags and links
  • Add the presence of any audiovisuals (photos, videos) in square brackets.
  • If the link to your social media is long, you can shorten it using any online URL shortening site (this is optional -- you can keep the long link)
  • If the post includes emojis, try to replicate them in your citation. If you can't replicate the emoji, provide the emoji's name in square brackets (for example: [grinning face]).
  • You can usually find the name of the emoji by scrolling over it. You can also look for it on the Unicode Consortium's website.
  • Note: For social media content that can change over time (for example, Facebook pages and Twitter profiles), include a retrieval date

In-Text Citation

For a quotation: 

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication, para. paragraph number)
  • Example: (McAdoo, 2015, para. 5)

For a paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (McAdoo, 2015)

Tweet

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given or Full Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Text of the tweet up to first 20 words [Tweet]. Twitter. Hyperlinked URL

Example:

NASA [@NASA]. (2020, July 21). Have you ever seen something so beautiful? [globe of Americas] [pleading face] Live views from earth from space during today’s spacewalk [Video attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1285573798301962241

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name or group name, date of publication)
  • Example: (NASA, 2020)

Twitter Profile

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given or Full Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from Hyperlinked URL

Example:

National Geographic [@NatGeo]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved August 5, 2020 from https://twitter.com/NatGeo

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name or group name, n.d.) 
  • Example: (National Geographic, n.d.)

Facebook Post

Reference List Citation

Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given or Name of Group. (Year, Month Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Type of post]. Facebook. Hyperlinked URL

Example:

Outside Magazine. (2020, August 13). In a normal summer, thousands of AT thru-hikers need to eat over 4,000 calories a day to offset their trail [Article attached]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/outsidemagazine/posts/10158538463710429

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name or group name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Outside Magazine, 2020)

Facebook Page

Reference List Citation

Format:

Lastname, F. M. or Name of Group. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from Hyperlinked URL

Example:

Confederation College. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved May 5, 2020 from https://www.facebook.com/confederation

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name or group name, n.d.)
  • Example: (Confederation College, n.d.)

Instagram Photo or Video

Reference List Citation

Format:

Lastname, F. M. or Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Type of post]. Instagram. Hyperlinked URL

Example:

Julie Payette [@ggjuliepayette]. (2020, August 12). Culture, history, breathtaking beauty. Today we celebrate the day that #Nunavut officially became a recognized territory within Canada. Happy #NunavutDay! [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbIbqYAE2s

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Author’s last name or group name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Payette, 2020)

Podcast Episode

Reference List Citation

Format:

Podcast Host Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if available. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Title of episode: Subtitle (No. If provided) [Audio podcast episode]. In Name of podcast. Publisher. Hyperlinked URL

Example:

Gilbert, E. (Host). (2015, July 13). Do what ignites your soul [Audio podcast episode]. In Magic lessons. Riverhead Books. https://www.stitcher.com/show/riverhead-books-podcast/episode/magic-lessons-ep-1-do-what-ignites-your-soul-43306670

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Host’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Gilbert, 2015)

Online Photograph, Photographer Known

Reference List Citation

Format:

Photographer’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year). Title of photograph[Photograph]. Publisher. Hyperlinked URL

Example:

Herber, S. (2013). Ice fishing hut 23 [Photograph]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandraherber/49922430776/

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Photographer’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (Herber, 2013)

Online Photograph, No Title and Photographer Unknown

Reference List Citation

Format:

[Description of photograph] [Photograph]. (Year). Publisher. Hyperlinked URL

Example:

[Children running down a path] [Photograph]. (n.d.). Pikist. https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-vtffe

Note: If the photograph does not have a title, provide a description in square brackets in place of the title. If there is no date listed, use (n.d.).

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: ([Description of photograph], n.d.)
  • Example: ([Children running down a path], n.d.)

Artwork in a Museum or on a Museum Website

Reference List Citation

Format:

Artist’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year). Title of work [Format of work]. Museum Name, Museum Location. Hyperlinked URL if available

Example:

Johnson, S.A. (2003). Nadine [Photograph]. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada. https://www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/nadine

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Artist’s last name, date)
  • Example: (Johnson, 2003)

Stock Image or Clip Art

Reference List Citation

Format:

Artist’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given or username. (Year). Title of work [Clip art/Stock image]. Publisher. Hyperlinked URL

Example:

GDJ. (2018). Concept plane silhouette [Clip art]. Openclipart. https://openclipart.org/detail/312645/concept-plane-silhouette

Note: No citation is necessary for clip art from Microsoft programs.

In-Text Citation

For a quotation or paraphrase:

  • Format: (Artist’s last name, date of publication)
  • Example: (GDJ, 2018)
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