The Mott Library
APA style provides a system for giving credit to others for their contribution to your work. APA style
requires two elements for citing outside sources: parenthetical (in-text) references, and a references list
at the end of the document. These elements allow your reader to access the resources you consulted to
prepare your paper. The bibliography is now entitled “References.”
Parenthetical citations include the author's last name, the work's date of publication (these items must
match exactly the corresponding entry in the references list), and the page number if the citation is for a
direct quotation.
Examples:
This point has been argued before (Frye, 2002).
Frye (2002) has argued this point before.
“In direct quotations, use this method” (Frye, 2002, p. 182).
See the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. for complete examples.
Entries in the references list should be alphabetized by the author’s last name. If the author’s name is
unknown, alphabetize by the first word of the title, ignoring A, An or The.
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REFERENCES
Books, Reference Books, and Book Chapters (author not given):
The bachelor. (2008). In The encyclopedia of reality television: The ultimate guide to over 20 years of reality TV
from the Real World to Dancing With the Stars (pp. 210-215). New York: Pocket Book.
Survivor. (2009). In Encyclopedia of television shows, 1925 through 2007 (Vol. 4, pp. 425-435). Jefferson, NC:
McFarland.
Carson, B. (2000). Frames and fictions on television: The politics of identity within drama. Portland, OR: Intellect
Books. Retrieved from NetLibrary.
Hutchby, I. (2001). Confrontation as spectacle: The argumentative frame of the Ricki Lake Show. In A. Tolson
(Ed.), Television talk shows: Discourse, performance, spectacle (pp. 155-172). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Murray, S., & Ouellette, L. (2004). Reality TV: Remaking television culture. New York: New York UP.
Reality TV shows encourage immoral behavior. (2006). In J. Carroll (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints: Television. San
Diego: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved from Opposing Viewpoints in Context via Gale.
Newspapers:
Actress Shayne Lamas says she hopes her new reality show featuring her siblings and parents will bring her
family closer together [Electronic version]. (2009, October 5). Washington Times, p. B7. Retrieved from
InfoTrac Newsstand via Gale.
Competitive reality shows dominate local ratings [Electronic version]. (2009, September 20). Chattanooga
Times/Free Press, p. NA. Retrieved from InfoTrac Newsstand via Gale.
The Mott Library
Media: the fallout from 15 minutes of fame: as reality tv producers introduce more vulnerable people to pull in
jaded viewers, they have increased the psychological help available [Electronic version]. (2009, August
24). The Guardian (London, England), p. 2. Retrieved from InfoTrac Newsstand via Gale.
Magazines:
Antics in the attic; reality TV: Created in Europe; sold in America. (2001, May 26). The Economist, 6.
Schneider, M. (2009, October 5). Reeling from reality: As franchises lose viewers, nets are left in the lurch.
Variety, 1(2). Retrieved from WilsonSelectPlus via OCLC.
Streisand, B. (2001, January 22). Did you say reality TV? or surreal TV? U.S. News & World Report, 36.
Ward, K. (2009, October 30). Stupid parents + reality TV = kids at risk. Entertainment Weekly, 30. Retrieved
from General OneFile via Gale.
Young, T. (2009, January 17). How a reality show gave me back my title as least popular person in America.
Spectator, 309. Retrieved from Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center via Gale.
Academic Journals (Electronic databases or print):
Baruh, L. (2009). Publicized intimacies on reality television: An analysis of voyeuristic content and its
contribution to the appeal of reality programming. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 53(2),
190-211. Retrieved from General OneFile via Gale.
Houck, M. M. (2009). CSI: reality—attorneys, investigators and educators have felt the impact of television's
popular forensics programs. Scientific American, 295(1), 84-89.
McVey, C. (2001). Reality bites: Do participants in reality TV shows really know what they are getting into?
Cynthia McVey argues that informed consent isn't all it's cracked up to be. New Scientist, 294(5545),
1262-1263. Retrieved from JSTOR.
Pointon, C. (2006). Beware 'big brother'. Therapy Today, 17(10), 4-7. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with FullText via EBSCOhost.
Shouse, B. (2001). Reality TV puts group behavior to the test. Science, 294(5545), 1262-1263. Retrieved from
JSTOR.
Websites and Video Blogs:
Reality television. (2009, October 27). In Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television.
Guttentag, Bill. (2008, February 13). Why are reality TV shows so popular? Commonwealth Club of California.
San Francisco. Lecture [video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAnAoM96WxE.
Prepared by members of the
Mott Library staff, April 2011