How to do a basic APA citation 6th edition.

1. Tutorial created and designed by :
Lloyd Wedes, MLS
Library Director
DeVry University Library, Houston Metro

2. What is a Citation?

3. A Citation refers to someone who said or wrote something that you are quoting. It could
be anything from “John at work told me this joke” to quoting Ecclesiastics 12:10 or
borrowing an idea from a writer of an article or website. By Citing a Source you are
letting people know where you found the information you are using.
Here is how you recognize an APA (American Psychological Association) citation.

4. An APA style citation.
Gutner, T. (2005). Anatomy of a credit score.
BusinessWeek, 12(3961), 116-118. Retrieved from Business
Source Alumni Edition database.
(There is no 12 in the actual citation, it was added to show where a volume number would be
found if it existed here).

5. What is the definition of APA to you?
Shortcut: Define APA as “Author Precedes All.” This way, you know the
author’s name is always first on the citation.
The Author’s Last Name is Gutner. The Author’s First and Middle name in APA is
always an initial.
Gutner, T. (2005). Anatomy of a credit score.
BusinessWeek, 12(3961), 116-118. Retrieved from Business
Source Alumni Edition database.
If there is no Author, then APA may be defined as Article Precedes All

6. Shortcut: Once you know my APA memory tool of Author Precedes All, then expand APA
To Author, Published an Article.
Author Published an Article
Gutner, T. (2005). Anatomy of a credit score.
BusinessWeek, 12(3961), 116-118. Retrieved from Business
Source Alumni Edition database.

7. From here, the next clue is the name of the magazine or periodical(or publication).
That is easy because the publication is the only word that is Italicized. (A periodical is
also known as general publication, a magazine, journal, and newspaper).
Think of it as APAP as if it repeats itself.
Author Published an Article in a Publication
Author Published an Article
Gutner, T. (2005) Anatomy of a credit score.
in a Publication
Business Week,

8. Following the name of the publication is the Volume Number. It also italicized, so think of
the volume italicization as a domino italic effect from the publication.
The number in parenthesis (3961) is the Issue Number. Think of the Issue Number as not
continuing the domino effect because it is ‘protected’ by a ( ) parenthesis.
After the Volume and (Issue Number) are the pages where the article is
found in the publication. This is followed by where you found the article
on a database (or, the URL address if on a website).
Gutner, T. (2005). Anatomy of a credit score.
Business Week, 12(3961), 116-118. Retrieved from Business
Source Alumni Edition database. (Or, http://www.somewebsite.edu)

9. Shortcut: To remember what goes where, think of the Volume, Issue, and Page
Citation order as V.I.P.
That is very important and easy.

10. Memory Review:
APA is separated by these memory tools.
Start with:
APA (Author Precedes All)
When memorized, think of
APA (Author Published an Article)
Then repeat the P
APAP (Author Published an Article in a Publication)
Then go to:
VIP (Volume, Issue, Pages)
Then add final note
Retrieved from ----
Or URL
APAP
VIP
Retrieved from --

11. Gutner, T. (2005). Anatomy of a credit score.
Business Week, 12(3961), 116-118. Retrieved from Business
Source Alumni Edition database.
By looking at this citation, can you recall the initials and then its definitions by memory?

12. APA tips:
Remember, if there is no Author, then APA is Article Precedes All.
If there is no date, then n. d. is written.
Article No Date
An example of an article name with no author or date: NASA launches new website. (n.d)
-----------------------
VIP tips.
If there is no Issue Number, there is no Parenthesis. Also, the Volume Number is italicized.
Example:
Issue Number: 12(3961), 116 - 118
No Issue Number: 12, 116 -118

13. For more information on the
different styles and formats, go
to EBSCO and click the Help link

14. There are many ways to cite formats such as books and articles.
Each are different styles. This was how to read an article citation
from an online database.
Click on the Citation Guide for more information about different
styles and formats to guide you through it.
For more information on the
Different styles and formats, go
to EBSCO and click the Help link

15. Related Tutorials
 Video APA Citation Guide in the HUB
 Noodle Tools Bibliography
http://www.librarydb.devry.edu/research-help.html

16. Other Questions? Chat with a Librarian at
http://librarydb.devry.edu/ask.htm
Or contact your local campus librarian
http://librarydb.devry.edu/directory.html