Internet-based MaterialsPrint Journals & Books, Etc
This is the "Home" page of the "APA Format: Citing Your Sources" guide.
Alternate Page for Screenreader Users
Skip to Page Navigation
Skip to Page Content
University of Southern California
USC Libraries
USC Libraries Monogram

APA Format: Citing Your Sources   Tags: apa, citation, reference  

A brief guide to the APA style rules.
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2010 URL: http://libguides.usc.edu/apa_format Print Guide

Home Print Page
  Search: 
 
 

Find the Manual at USC

What's new in the 6th edition? See this link for important updates to the APA Publication Manual.

Cover Art
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Call Number: BF76.7.P83
ISBN: 1433805618
The official APA Manual can be found at the Reference Desk in Doheny Library and in Leavey (Lower Commons).

Click on the title to see the Homer record.

 
 

NEW! Printable (pdf) Cheat Sheet

 

What is APA style?

When editors or teachers ask you to write in "APA style," they do not mean writing style. They are referring to the editorial style that many of the social and behavioral sciences have adopted to present written material in the field.

Editorial style consists of rules or guidelines that a publisher observes to ensure clear and consistent presentation of written material. Editorial style concerns uniform use of such elements as

  • punctuation and abbreviations
  • construction of tables
  • selection of headings
  • citation of references
  • presentation of statistics
  • as well as many other elements that are a part of every manuscript

The American Psychological Association has established a style that it uses in all of the books and journals that it publishes. Many others working in the social and behavioral sciences have adopted this style as their standard as well.

APA's style rules and guidelines are set out in a reference book called The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

© 2008 American Psychological Association
http://apastyle.apa.org/

 

Sample Paper with Examples

Here's a sample paper provided by APA. For every style rule, there is a comment highlighted in the paper that tells you where to find the discussion of the rule in the APA Style Manual.

* Asterisk in guide title indicates core subject guide
Description

Loading  Loading...

Tip