You’ve just spent hours working on your essay. The arguments are solid, the research is thorough, and everything is falling into place — until it’s time to add citations. What goes where? Is it the author’s name first, or the year? And what exactly is a parenthetical citation?
It’s not as complicated as it seems. Every time you quote or paraphrase someone else’s work, you need to include a few key details: who wrote it, what it’s called, and where your reader can find it. This happens in two places:
- In the text, right where you reference the work. This is called a parenthetical citation because the information goes in parentheses.
- At the end of your essay, in a References or Works Cited section, where you list full details about each source.
If you’re writing a paper in political science, you’ll likely use the APSA citation style. Let’s break it down and make it simple.
What is APSA Citation Style?
The APSA citation guide stands for American Political Science Association style, and it’s specifically designed for political science research. Whether you’re writing a paper for class or publishing in an APSA journal, this style keeps your citations clean and easy to follow.
APSA style came about to standardize political science writing. It’s all about making your sources clear and giving credit where it’s due.
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APSA Citation General Rules
Citing sources might not be the most thrilling part of writing, but it’s something every student has to tackle. The APSA citation format is just a set of rules to follow so your paper looks good. Once you get the basics, it’s not as bad as it seems.
In-Text Citations
In APSA, in-text citations follow the parenthetical citations format. These are quick notes in parentheses that appear right in your text, usually at the end of a sentence. They give just enough detail to point readers to the full source listed in your References section.
Here’s how APSA in-text citation works:
Include the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses, like this: (Smith 2020).
If you’re quoting directly, add the page number after a comma: (Smith 2020, 45).
If there’s no publication date, use n.d. for “no date”: (Johnson n.d.).
Citing multiple authors or sources follows slightly different rules:
Once you understand these basic rules, using APSA in-text citations becomes a natural part of your writing routine!
Writing in multiple formats? Check out how to use Chicago style section headings to structure your paper beautifully.
Reference List
The APSA reference page is the section where you provide full details about every source you cited in your text. Here’s the basic structure you’ll follow for it:
Alphabetize by the author’s last name. If a source doesn’t have an author, use the title for alphabetization.
Use a hanging indent: the first line of each entry stays flush left, while the following lines are indented.
Be consistent with your formatting. Titles, punctuation, and spacing should all follow APSA guidelines.
If a source has multiple authors, list them all in the reference list. For works with four or more authors, use “et al.” in the in-text citation but spell out all names in the reference list.
Notes and Footnotes
In APSA citation style, notes and footnotes are there for the little extras that don't quite fit into the main text but are still important. They’re not meant for regular citations (you have in-text citations and a reference list for that), but they’re perfect for adding context, explaining a point, or sharing a bit of background information.
Here’s how to handle them:
Footnotes go at the bottom of the page, right where the superscript number appears in your text. They’re great for quick explanations or references.
Endnotes gather all the notes in one place at the end of your document. Use these for longer, more detailed comments.
To format notes in APSA style, follow these simple steps:
- Add a superscript number in your text to mark where the note goes:
The study’s findings align with previous research on political behavior.¹ - Write the corresponding note at the bottom of the page (or in your endnotes section) using proper APSA formatting:
¹ Smith, John. Political Patterns and Trends. New York: Academic Press, 2020.
Use notes only when they genuinely add value and keep the formatting consistent with your reference list.
Citing Different Types of Sources
Sometimes, you’ll run into sources that don’t fit the usual books or journal articles. Don’t worry, though — APSA citations have you covered with clear rules for all kinds of materials.
Government Documents
If you’re citing a government document, the agency or department is treated as the author. For example, say you’re referencing a report from the Department of Education:
In your text, it would look like this: (U.S. Department of Education 2004, 2).
In the reference list: U.S. Department of Education. 2004. Report on Urban Growth Potential Projections. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
Legal Cases
For legal cases, just use the case name and year in your in-text citation:
Like this: (Rasul v. Bush 2004).
Then, in your reference list, it would look like this: Rasul v. Bush, 542 U.S. 466 (2004).
Interviews
When it comes to interviews, include the person’s name, who conducted the interview (if applicable), and the date. For example:
In-text: (Smith 2023).
Reference list: Smith, John. 2023. Interview by Jane Doe. March 15. New York City.
Websites
For websites, always include the URL and the access date if you can’t find a clear publication date. If you’re citing something from APSA’s site, it might look like this:
In-text: (APSA 2023).
Reference list: American Political Science Association. 2023. "APSA Citation Style." Accessed January 19, 2025. https://connect.apsanet.org/stylemanual/.
Reports
If you’re working with reports, they’re pretty straightforward. Treat them like books, but name the organization as the author. For example:
In-text: (Department of Labor 2004).
Reference list: Department of Labor. 2004. Annual Workforce Trends Report. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
Finally, legal citations like court cases include the case name, year, and specific legal details. Here’s how it looks:
In-text: (Mapp v. Ohio 1961).
Reference list: Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643 (1961).
With these examples, you can confidently handle even the most unusual sources. Whether it’s a government report or a website, your APSA book citations and APSA website citations will always be on point!
Need to switch styles? Here’s a guide on using APA citation in essay for your next project, while our APA essay writer is ready to help with any formatting style.
Common APSA Citation Mistakes
When working with APSA citation style, it’s easy to make a few missteps. These small errors can affect the clarity and professionalism of your work, so let’s go over some of the most common issues and how to avoid them:
By keeping these common errors in mind, you’ll create an accurate, polished APSA citation example every time, helping your paper stand out for all the right reasons!
Once your citations are done, let a professional essay editor give your paper the final polish it deserves.
APSA Made Easy
Citations don’t have to be stressful, and with APSA style, it’s all about keeping things simple and consistent. Avoid common mistakes, stick to the rules, and your citations will not only look great but also add credibility to your work.
Now go finish that essay — you’ve got this! And if citations still feel like a hassle, you can always order essay writing service to get expert help and free up your time.
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FAQ
How Do You Cite in APSA?
Citing in APSA Style is all about parenthetical citation and a proper reference list. In the text, include the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses, like this: (Smith 2020). If you’re quoting directly, add the page number: (Smith 2020, 45). At the end of your paper, provide full details in the reference section. For example: Smith, John. 2020. The Future of Democracy. New York: Academic Press.
How to Cite APSA With Multiple Authors?
In APSA in-text citation with multiple authors, it all depends on the number of authors. For two authors, include both names in your citation: (Clark and Rivera 2021). For three or more authors, list the first author’s name followed by et al.: (Patel et al. 2018, 34).
What Is a Parenthetical Citation Example?
A parenthetical citation is a short in-text reference to your source. For example: (Smith 2020). If you’re quoting directly, add the page number: (Smith 2020, 45). It’s simple: last name, year, and page number if applicable. Parenthetical citations connect readers to the full source in your reference list, like this: Smith, John. 2020. Understanding Political Movements. Chicago: University Press.
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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.
Seattle Pacific University. (n.d.). APSA Citation Guide. Seattle Pacific University. https://spu.libguides.com/citations/cite_apsa
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