When you’re writing a research paper, essay, or any other academic work, it’s crucial to properly cite your sources, including websites. Citing correctly not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps your readers find the sources you used.
General Guidelines for APA Website Citations
Basic Format:
Here is the general format you should follow when citing a website in APA style:
Author. (Year of publication, if available; use “n.d.” for no date). Title of the web page or article. Title of the Website. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Key Points to Remember:
1. Author: Start with the author’s last name, followed by a comma and their initials. If no author is provided, start with the title of the article.
2. Publication Date: Include the year the content was published in parentheses. If the publication date isn’t available, use “n.d.” which stands for “no date.”
3. Title of the Web Page: The title should be in italics. Only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns should be capitalized.
4. Title of the Website: This follows the title of the web page and should be in plain text (not italicized). Capitalize each major word.
5. Retrieved Date: The date you accessed the website should be noted. Start with “Retrieved” followed by the month, day, and year.
6. URL: Provide the full web address where the source can be found.
Example:
Here’s how a website citation might look:
Landsberger, J. (n.d.). Citing Websites. Study Guides and Strategies. Retrieved May 13, 2005, from http://www.studygs.net/citation.htm
Additional Tips:
- Hanging Indents: Use a hanging indent for each citation. This means the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.
- Alphabetical Order: List your references alphabetically by the author’s last name. If there’s no author, alphabetize by the first word in the title, excluding “A,” “An,” or “The.”
- Consult Your Instructor: Different instructors or departments may have specific requirements. Always check if you should include the retrieval date, how to handle digital object locators (like PDFs or images), and any other special instructions.
Updates and Tutorials:
APA style guidelines can update over time. It’s a good idea to refer to the most recent APA style manual or online tutorials, such as the “Basics of APA Style Tutorial,” to ensure you’re using the correct format.
Proper citation helps maintain the integrity of your work and respects the intellectual property of others. By following these guidelines, you ensure that your academic writing is both credible and professional.
Conclusion:
Proper citation helps maintain the integrity of your work and respects the intellectual property of others. By following these guidelines, you ensure that your academic writing is both credible and professional.