Skip to Main Content

APA Style 7th Edition

This guide explains the basics of APA Style 7th Edition.

Articles

Journal article from library database (one author, with DOI):

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number. DOI formatted as a hyperlink

Example: Baily, N. W. (2012). Evolutionary models of extended phenotypes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 27(3), 561-569. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000126

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Bailey, 2012)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Bailey, 2012, p. 562)

Journal article from library database (two to twenty authors, with DOI)

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given., & Last Name of Second Author, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number. DOI formatted as a hyperlink

Note: Separate the authors' names by putting a comma between them. For the final author listed add an ampersand (&) after the comma and before the final author's last name.

Example: Pempek, T. A., Yermolayeva, Y. A. & Calver, S. L. (2009). College students' social networking experiences on Facebook. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 3(2), 227-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2008.12010t

In-Text

  • Paraphrase example, two authors: (Case & Daristotle, 2011)
  • Quote example, two authors: (Case & Daristotle, 2011, p. 57)
  • Paraphrase example, three or more authors: (Case, et al., 2011)
  • Quote example, three or more authors: (Case et al., 2011, p. 57)

Journal article from library database (one author, no DOI):

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number. 

Note: The APA Manual (7th ed.) recommends not including the database or the URL of the journal home page for online articles without a DOI. 

Example: Carlisle, D. (2012). In the line of fire. Nursing Standard, 26(39), 18-19.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Example: (Carlisle, 2012)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Carlisle, 2012, p. 18)

Journal article from library database (two to twenty authors, no DOI):

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given., & Last Name of Second Author, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number if given. 

Note: In the reference list invert all authors' names; give last names and initials for only up to and including twenty authors. When a source has twenty-one or more authors, include the first twenty authors’ names, then three ellipses (…), and add the last author’s name. 

Note: The APA Manual (7th ed.) recommends not including the library database for journal articles without a DOI as these works are widely available.

Example: Bogan, E., & Paun, E. (2011). The assimilation of immigrants into the British labor market. Geopolitics, History, and International Relations, 3(2), 272.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase example, two authors: (Case & Daristotle, 2011)
  • Quote example, two authors: (Case & Daristotle, 2011, p. 57)
  • Paraphrase example, three or more authors: (Case, et al., 2011)
  • Quote example, three or more authors: (Case et al., 2011, p. 57)

Journal article from a website (one author):

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number if given). URL

Example: Flachs, A. (2010). Food for thought: The social impact of community gardens in the Greater Cleveland Area. Electric Green Journal, 1(30). https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6bh7j4z4

In-Text:

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Flachs, 2010)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Flachs, 2010, Conclusion section, para. 3)
    • Note: In this example there were no visible page numbers or paragraph numbers, so you can cite the section heading and the number of the paragraph in that section to identify where your quote came from.

Journal article in print (one author):

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number.

Example: Jungers, W. L. (2010). Biomechanics: Barefoot running strikes back. Nature, 463(2), 433-434.

In-Text:

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Jungers, 2010)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Jungers, 2010, p. 433)

When there are 21 or more authors:

When a journal article has twenty-one or more authors:

References List: List the first nineteen authors followed by three spaced ellipse points (. . .) , and then the last author's name.

Example: Kalnay, E., Kanamitsu, M., Kistler, R., Collins, W., Deaven, D., Gandin, L., Iredell, M., Sha, S., White, G., Woollen, J., Zhu, Y., Chelliah, M., Ebisuzaki, W., Higgins, W., Janowiak, J., Mo, K. C., Ropepelewski, C., Wang, J., Leetmaa, A., ... Joesph, D. (1996). The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 77(3), 437-471. https://doi.org/fg6rf9

In-Text:

  • Paraphrase format: (First author's last name et al., Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Nilsson et al., 2016)
  • Quote format: (First author's last name et al., Year, p. Page number quote is from)
  • Quote example: (Nilsson et al., 2016, p. 103)

Magazine article from a library database or in print (one author):

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Magazine, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number. 

Example: Abramsky, S. (2012, May 14). The other America 2012. Nation, 294(20), 11-18.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Abramsky, 2012)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Abramsky, 2012, p. 14)

Magazine article from a library database or in print (two to twenty authors):

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given., & Last Name of Second Author, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Magazine, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number if given. 

Note: Must spell out up to twenty author names. Separate the authors' names by putting a comma between them. For the final author listed add an ampersand (&) after the comma and before the final author's last name. 

Example: Gross, A., & Murphy, E. (2010, January/February). Seal of disapproval. E. The Environmental Magazine, 21(1), 34-37.

In-Text

  • Paraphrased, Two Authors: (Case & Daristotle, 2011)
  • Paraphrased, Three or More Authors: (Case et al., 2011)
  • Quoting, Two Authors: (Case & Daristotle, 2011, p. 57)
  • Quoting, Three or More Authors: (Case et al., 2011, p. 57)

Magazine article from a library database or in print (unknown author):

Article title: Subtitle if any. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Name of Magazine, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number if given. 

Example: Syria's free army. (2012, June 11). Newsweek, 159(24).

Note: No page numbers were provided for this article.

In-Text:

  • Paraphrase format: ("One, two, or three words from the title," Year)
  • Paraphrase example: ("Syria's," 2012)
  • Quote format: ("One, two, or three words from the title," Year)
  • Quote example: ("Syria's," 2012, para. 1)
    • Note: This entry has no page numbers, so a paragraph number is used instead.

Magazine article from a library database or in print (signed anonymous):

Anonymous. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Article title: Subtitle if any. Name of Magazine, Volume Number(Issue Number), first page number-last page number if given. 

Note: If and only if the work is signed "Anonymous", use Anonymous where you'd normally put the author's name. If the work has no named author but is not signed "Anonymous", follow the example for Unknown Author.

Example: Anonymous. (2011). I was going to cheat. Glamour, 109(2), 166-167.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Anonymous, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Anonymous, 2011)
  • Quote format: (Anonymous, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Anonymous, 2011, p. 166)

Magazine article from a website:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Magazine, Volume Number(Issue Number if given), first page number-last page number if given. URL

Example: Freedman, D. H. (2012, June). The perfected self. The Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/06/the-perfected-self/8970/4/?single_page=true

Note: If no volume, issue and/or page numbers are provided, skip them in the citation.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Freedman, 2012)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number or Paragraph Number or Section Heading)
  • Quote example: (Freedman, 2012, para. 1)
    • Note: This entry has no page numbers, so a paragraph number is used instead.

Newspaper article from a library database:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Newspaper, p. SectionPage if given.

Example: Schachter, H. (2012, June 18). What does it take to be a good team player? The Globe and Mail, B7.

Note: If an article ends with a question mark or exclamation mark (!), you do not need to add a period to mark the end of the title.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Schachter, 2012)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Schachter, 2012, p. B7)

Newspaper article from a website:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Newspaper. URL

Example: Aw, J. (2012, June 12). Stopping the soda bulge: Why we need to consider restricting sugary beverages. National Post. https://nationalpost.com/health/stopping-the-soda-bulge-why-we-need-to-consider-restricting-sugary-beverages

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Aw, 2012)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Aw, 2012, para. 1)
    • Note: This entry has no page numbers, so a paragraph number is used instead.

Webpage from a news website:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of News  Website. URL

Note: Use this format for articles published in online news sources such as BBC News, HuffPost, CNN, Salon etc. 

Example: Tucker, E. & Miller, Z. (2020, Jan. 18). Dems gear up to make case for Trump's removal. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dems-gear-up-to-make-case-for-trumps-removal_n_5e23569ec5b6321176149dbe

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Tucker & Miller, 2020)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Tucker & Miller, 2020)
    • Note: This entry has no page numbers, so a paragraph number is used instead.

Newspaper article in print:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Newspaper, SectionPage.

Example: Aulakh, R. (2012, June 13). From surviving to thriving. Toronto Star, GT1, GT4.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: (Author's Last Name, Year)
  • Paraphrase example: (Aulakh, 2012)
  • Quote format: (Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: (Aulakh, 2012, p. GT1)

Newspaper article with unknown author:

Title of article: Subtitle if any. (Year of Publication, Month Day if Given). Name of Newspaper, p. SectionPage.

Note: If instead of having no author, the article is signed as being written by "Anonymous", put the name "Anonymous" where you'd normally put the author's name. Only use the word Anonymous if the article is specifically credited that way.

Example: Get on board for train safety. (2012, June 17). Toronto Star, A14.

In-Text

  • Paraphrase format: ("One, two, or three words from the title", Year)
  • Paraphrase example: ("Get on board", 2012)
    • Note: Choose one or more of the first words from the title, enough to clearly identify the article in the Reference list. Use double quotation  marks around words from the title of an article in the in-text section.
  • Quote format: ("One, two, or three words from the title", Year, p. Page Number)
  • Quote example: ("Get on board," p. A14)
    • Note: Choose one or more of the first words from the title, enough to clearly identify the article in the Reference list. Use double quotation marks around the words from the title of an article in the in-text citation.

Video: APA Citation (7th Edition) for Articles

 

This video walks students through the steps to cite an article from one of FSCJ's library databases according to APA 7 citation style. Learn the basics of APA 7 with no anxiety!

Below is additional information that may help as you work on your citations. If you need more in-depth assistance with citation formatting, you can book an appointment with a writing tutor.

Journals

Author

Today, scientific articles can have many authors due to large-scale experiments run by large teams. In some research areas, an article can even have hundreds of authors! Generally, the first author is considered the lead author, so when citing it is important not to change the order co-authors are listed in. For details on how to balance efficiency and accuracy when citing academic articles with long lists of authors, see the various examples on this page.

Retrieval Dates

Most articles will not need these in the citation. Only use them for online articles from places where content may change often, such as a social media site like Academia.edu.

What is a DOI?

Some electronic content is assigned a unique number called a Digital Object Identifier (DOI). If a DOI is provided for a journal article, include it after the page numbers of the article as a hyperlink - https://doi.org/xxxxx

You do not need to put a period after a DOI number.

Is it from a journal?

Not sure whether your article is from a journal? Look for these characteristics:

  • Main purpose is often to report results of original search
  • Articles usually have a very narrow, technical subject focus
  • May see labeled sections such as the abstract, discussion, results, and conclusion
  • Author of the article is an expert or specialist in the field and often their credentials are listed
  • Article is intended for students, scientists, researchers and/or professionals instead of the general public
  • Usually includes a References list at the end

Articles may also come from magazines or newspapers.

Magazines

Retrieval Dates

Most articles will not need these in the citation since you only need to provide a retrieval date when citing from places where content may change often and without notice.

Is it a magazine?

Not sure whether your article is from a magazine? Look for these characteristics:

Popular magazines:

  • Main purpose is to entertain, sell products or promote a viewpoint.
  • Appeal to the general public.
  • Often have many photos and illustrations, as well as many advertisements.
  • Author may or may not have subject expertise.
  • Name and credentials of authors often NOT provided.
  • Articles tend to be short –less than 5 pages.
  • Unlikely to have a bibliography or references list.

Trade magazines:

  • Main purpose is to update and inform readers on current trends in a specific industry or trade.
  • Audience is members of a specific industry or trade or professors and students in that trade or industry.
  • May have photos and numerous advertisements, but still assume that readers understand specific jargon of the profession.
  • Usually published by an association.
  • Authors are professionals working in the specific industry or trade.

Newspapers

Retrieval Dates

Most articles will not need these in the citation. Only use them for online articles from places where content may change often, like a free website or a wiki.

Page Numbers

If an article has no page numbers provided, leave that part of the citation out in the References List.

Is it a newspaper?

Not sure whether your article is from a newspaper? Look for these characteristics:

  • Main purpose is to provide readers with a brief account of current events locally, nationally or internationally.
  • Can be published daily, semiweekly or weekly.
  • Articles are usually written by journalists who may or may not have subject expertise.
  • Written for the general public, readers don't need any previous subject knowledge.
  • Little, if any, information about other sources is provided.