APA Helps Connection between in-text citations and the Reference list by Stephanie Leupp AGS & Technical Services Librarian

Why do I have to do this??!! Authoritative voices say… APA is the format chosen by OKWU for a standard citing style “…expected in every advanced nursing degree program…These programs expect that students are already competent in APA upon entrance.  You must be competent in APA skills in order to further your education as a nurse” (B. Le, personal communication, October 25, 2012).  ”…using APA allows for a better expression of honest thought and research. If you can put your thoughts together…on paper in a clear and succinct manner, people will want to hear what you have to say. If you take the time to use APA, you are saying that you care about your research/topic” (D. Smith, personal communication, October 26, 2012). “APA guidelines provide uniformity in formatting and required detail in referencing. Following…referencing requirements will keep students out of the danger zone of plagiarism which could result in a zero on the paper at the least to expulsion from the university. Professionally, plagiarism could mean losing one’s position” (P. Leggett, personal communication, October 26, 2012). “…conforming to APA guidelines merely shows that a writer is well aware of… guidelines for his/her particular discipline and wants to convey to one's colleagues that he or she is adept at presenting a properly formatted, written research report, project proposal, and/or position paper” (M. Fullingim, personal communication, October 28, 2012). Dr. Becky Le: OKWU Director of the School of Nursing MSN program Dr. Devon Smith: OKWU Director of the Master of Arts in Theology and Apologetics Patricia Leggett: OKWU Dean of AGS Daily Operations Dr. Mike Fullingim: OKWU Professor of Religion & Global Studies

What is the purpose of APA format? One purpose for APA Style is for those wishing to have an article published. You may not think about it when you read a magazine, but it is in a standard format. Another purpose is for your reader to be able to go find the resource you used and read it for themselves. A third purpose is that you are acknowledging the use of another’s idea and pointing your reader to that idea. You are standing on another’s shoulders and scholarship.

What’s the connection? General rules regarding in-text citing and the Reference list: If it is on the Reference list, it must be represented as an in-text citation If it is an in-text citation, it must be represented on the Reference list EXCEPT…

Except… Do NOT put Scripture or personal communication, such as email, on the Reference list. The Bible is known as a classical work and your reader cannot go find your email, so these are only referenced in the in-text citation.

Practics As in the rest of your paper, be sure to continue with double spacing. Enclose an in-text citation in parentheses and keep it inside the sentence to which it belongs. Do NOT leave it an orphan by putting a period before it. The period goes at the end, even if you enclose a quote then add the in-text citation. Reference entries use hanging indention, like this, for the second and following lines in each entry.

Examples from the handouts-Reference list entry for a book, one author Tapscott, D. (2009). Grown up digital: How the net generation is changing your world. New York: McGraw Hill. Note capitalization rules and italics In-text citation …a great deal (Tapscott, 2009).

Examples from the handouts – Reference list entry for book with two authors Klassen, N. & Zimmermann, J. (2006). The passionate intellect: Incarnational humanism and the future of university education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. In-text citation …using their minds (Klassen & Zimmermann, 2006) is a good idea.

Examples from the handouts– Reference list entry for a reference book entry Symbolism. (1996). In The Bloomsbury guide to art. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/ bga/symbolism Use the word you looked up in author place In-text citation “…a literary movement” (Symbolism, 1996).

Examples from the handouts– Reference list entry for a journal Leupp, S.B. (2006). Survival tips for families with children suffering from TBI. Traumatic Brain Injury Journal, 1(1), 1- 25. Note that journal title and volume number are in italics, but turn it off when typing the parentheses In-text citation Learn to laugh (Leupp, 2006) so you don’t cry and give up.

Examples from the handouts– Reference list entry for online/website HumanMetrics (2011). HumanMetrics.com Retrieved from ttp://www.humanmetrics.com/cgiwin/JTypes2.asp Note that there is NO PERIOD at the end of the web address; it can be confused as being part of the address Remove the hyperlink from the website name In-text citation …my personality is INFJ (HumanMetrics, 2011), which means…

Examples from the handouts—Reference list entry for Bible or personal communication NONE!! In-text citation “…who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NASB). You can also abbreviate the book. ...more nursing education (B. Le, personal communication, October 25, 2012).

Handouts There are several handouts that go into more specific detail, so be sure to use them. Find these at Brightspace/Drake Library/APA & MLA Resources. Also check the Library Video Guide for 5 minute videos that go along with the handouts. Ask for help when you need direction or get confused. Your librarian has experience teaching these tools and is happy to assist.