APA In-text Citations and References: How They Work Together
What are in-text citations and why they matter?
An in-text citation is a brief reference within your writing that directs the reader to a full citation in the reference list. It tells the reader where you got your information, whether it’s a direct quote, a paraphrase, or a summary of someone else’s ideas.
Imagine you are in a courtroom, presenting a case. You bring a list of expert witnesses, but never actually quote them or mention their testimony during your argument. Would the judge or jury take your case seriously? Probably not.
This is exactly what happens when a research paper only includes a reference list without in-text citations. The sources are there, but the reader has no idea where or how those sources support your arguments.
What happens when you don’t use in-text citations?
1. Your Work Lacks Credibility
Without in-text citations, your arguments seem unverified. Readers (including your professor) won’t know where your ideas are coming from. This weakens your writing, making it appear as if you are stating opinions rather than presenting researched evidence.
For example:
Don't do this: You don’t have to join a gym to do strength training. You can use resistance bands, your body weight, or everyday objects like water bottles as weights. (Where is the proof in this example? Who made this statement?)
Do this: Aggeler (2025) suggests that you don’t have to join a gym to do strength training. You can use resistance bands, your body weight, or everyday objects like water bottles as weights. (This example is cited by name and date.)
2. Readers Can’t Locate Your Sources
In-text citations guide readers to the full reference at the end of your paper. If you only include a reference list, your reader won’t know which source supports which argument.
For example:
If you include this reference at the end of your writing:
Aggeler, M. (2025). Lift, rest, recover: how to start weightlifting. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/jan/09/weightlifting-tips-beginner-strength-training
But did not cite Aggeler in your writing, your readers won’t know which statements were influenced by this research.
3. You May Be Accused of Plagiarism
Even if you list all sources in the reference list, failing to credit specific ideas in your writing can still be considered plagiarism. Without in-text citations, it appears as if those ideas are your own rather than borrowed from a source.
For example:
• If you paraphrase someone’s work but don’t cite them, it’s still plagiarism.
• If you copy an author’s words without quotation marks and a citation, that’s direct plagiarism—a serious academic offense.
Add Proper In-Text Citations
Do this for direct quotes: "You do not necessarily need to join a gym to practice strength training. You can use resistance bands or body weight, or lift household items such as bottles of water" (Aggeler, 2025, para. 9).
Do this for paraphrased ideas: Aggeler (2025) suggests that you don’t have to join a gym to do strength training. You can use resistance bands, your body weight, or everyday objects like water bottles as weights.
Ensure Consistency with Reference List
Every in-text citation must match a source in your reference list.
For example:
In-text citation: (Aggeler, 2025)
Reference list entry: Aggeler, M. (2025). Lift, rest, recover: how to start weightlifting. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/
wellness/2025/jan/09/weightlifting-tips-beginner-strength-training
Recap
What are in-text citations and why they matter?
An in-text citation is a brief reference within your writing that directs the reader to a full citation in the reference list. It tells the reader where you got your information, whether it’s a direct quote, a paraphrase, or a summary of someone else’s ideas.
Imagine you are in a courtroom, presenting a case. You bring a list of expert witnesses, but never actually quote them or mention their testimony during your argument. Would the judge or jury take your case seriously? Probably not.
This is exactly what happens when a research paper only includes a reference list without in-text citations. The sources are there, but the reader has no idea where or how those sources support your arguments.
What happens when you don’t use in-text citations?
1. Your Work Lacks Credibility
Without in-text citations, your arguments seem unverified. Readers (including your professor) won’t know where your ideas are coming from. This weakens your writing, making it appear as if you are stating opinions rather than presenting researched evidence.
For example:
Don't do this: You don’t have to join a gym to do strength training. You can use resistance bands, your body weight, or everyday objects like water bottles as weights. (Where is the proof in this example? Who made this statement?)
Do this: Aggeler (2025) suggests that you don’t have to join a gym to do strength training. You can use resistance bands, your body weight, or everyday objects like water bottles as weights. (This example is cited by name and date.)
2. Readers Can’t Locate Your Sources
In-text citations guide readers to the full reference at the end of your paper. If you only include a reference list, your reader won’t know which source supports which argument.
For example:
If you include this reference at the end of your writing:
Aggeler, M. (2025). Lift, rest, recover: how to start weightlifting. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/jan/09/weightlifting-tips-beginner-strength-training
But did not cite Aggeler in your writing, your readers won’t know which statements were influenced by this research.
3. You May Be Accused of Plagiarism
Even if you list all sources in the reference list, failing to credit specific ideas in your writing can still be considered plagiarism. Without in-text citations, it appears as if those ideas are your own rather than borrowed from a source.
For example:
• If you paraphrase someone’s work but don’t cite them, it’s still plagiarism.
• If you copy an author’s words without quotation marks and a citation, that’s direct plagiarism—a serious academic offense.
Add Proper In-Text Citations
Do this for direct quotes: "You do not necessarily need to join a gym to practice strength training. You can use resistance bands or body weight, or lift household items such as bottles of water" (Aggeler, 2025, para. 9).
Do this for paraphrased ideas: Aggeler (2025) suggests that you don’t have to join a gym to do strength training. You can use resistance bands, your body weight, or everyday objects like water bottles as weights.
Ensure Consistency with Reference List
Every in-text citation must match a source in your reference list.
For example:
In-text citation: (Aggeler, 2025)
Reference list entry: Aggeler, M. (2025). Lift, rest, recover: how to start weightlifting. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/
wellness/2025/jan/09/weightlifting-tips-beginner-strength-training
Recap
- In-text citations give credit and support your claims.
- Without them, your paper loses credibility and risks plagiarism.
- Every in-text citation must have a matching reference entry.
- Having both parts help readers follow your sources and understand your research.
