Unlike the MLA 9, which uses a majoritively “one-size-fits-all” approach with its most recent update, APA citations can vary a good deal between what kind of source you are citing. Let’s take a look at two of the most common types of sources you may work with:
Books should be cited in the following order, including punctuations, bolds, and italics:
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Author.
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(year of publication).
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Title of work.
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(Editor, Ed.).
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(vol. #).
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Publisher name.
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Date of interaction (if available)
Notes:
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The author should be listed as “Last Name, First Initial.”.
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Editors are always written as last name followed by “Ed.”
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If a book has an editor but no author, the editor takes the author’s spot.
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“Vol. #” refers to the volume number if a book happens to have multiple editions, like larger encyclopedias, dictionaries, and even modern graphic novels.
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If you are unable to acquire any particular aspect, skip it and move on to the next step.
Electronic sources should be cited in the following order, including punctuations, bolds, and italics:
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Author.
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(Date of publication).
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Title of Page.
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Site Name.
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(Retrieval Date)
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URL.
Notes:
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The Author should be listed as “Last Name, First Initial.”
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If the source was published by a group or organization instead of a singular author, the Group Name can replace the Author.
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Unlike books, the date of publication should include the month after the year.
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The retrieval date is actually only necessary if the web page does not include an author.
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If you are unable to acquire any particular aspect, skip it and move on to the next step.
Best of luck with your citations!