In text citation is a crucial element in academic writing as it allows the reader to easily identify the sources used in the text. The American Sociological Association (ASA) citation style is a widely used referencing style in the field of sociology and related disciplines. In this essay, we will look at the various aspects of ASA in text citation, including how to cite different types of sources, formatting guidelines, and examples of in text citations in ASA style.
When citing sources in ASA style, it is important to include the author's name, the date of publication, and the page number (if applicable) in the in text citation. This information should be included in parentheses after the quote or paraphrase, with the author's name followed by the date and page number (if applicable). For example:
(Smith 2020, p. 23)
If the author's name is mentioned in the text, only the date and page number (if applicable) need to be included in the in text citation. For example:
According to Smith (2020, p. 23), …
If a work has two authors, both names should be included in the in text citation, separated by "and." For example:
(Smith and Johnson 2020, p. 23)
If a work has three or more authors, the in text citation should include the first author's name followed by "et al." and the date of publication. For example:
(Smith et al. 2020)
When citing a source with no author, the title of the work should be included in the in text citation, followed by the date and page number (if applicable). If the title is long, it can be shortened to the first few words. For example:
("Study Finds" 2020, p. 23)
It is important to follow the formatting guidelines for in text citations in ASA style to ensure that your citations are consistent and accurate. This includes using proper capitalization and punctuation, and using the correct format for dates. For example, ASA style requires that the month be abbreviated to the first three letters (Jan, Feb, Mar, etc.) when citing a source with a publication date.
In addition to citing sources in the text, it is also important to include a list of references at the end of the document. This list should include all of the sources cited in the text, as well as any additional sources that were used in the research process. The references should be listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name, and should follow the formatting guidelines for ASA style.
In conclusion, ASA in text citation is a crucial element in academic writing as it allows the reader to easily identify the sources used in the text. By following the guidelines for citing different types of sources, formatting the in text citations correctly, and including a list of references at the end of the document, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent in ASA style.