Yes, APA language guidelines state that you should always use the serial comma (aka Oxford comma) in your writing.
Can you use commas in APA?
between elements (including before and and or) in a series of three or more items. to set off a nonessential or nonrestrictive clause, that is, a clause that embellishes a sentence but if removed would leave the grammatical structure and meaning of the sentence intact.
Which style uses Oxford comma?
American Psychological Association Style (APA) does use the Oxford comma. Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) does use the Oxford comma. The Modern Languages Association (MLA) does use the Oxford comma. The Oxford University Press (OUP) does use the Oxford comma.
How do you use commas in APA 7th edition?
Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives.
Is there a comma in APA in-text citation?
Punctuation in APA in-text citations
Include a comma between “et al.” and the publication date (e.g. Taylor et al., 2018). There should be no punctuation between “et al.” and the author’s name preceding it. The period ending the sentence always comes after the citation (even when quoting).
What should you not use in APA?
APA writing style needs to be formal. Avoid using slang words and avoid contractions, such as ‘don’t’, ‘won’t’, couldn’t. ‘ Whilst APA is trying to move towards a more personal style, that does not mean informality, as if you were writing a friendly e-mail.
How do you use punctuation in APA?
Place commas, periods, exclamation marks, and question marks inside quotation marks; all other punctuation marks are placed outside quotation marks. Use double quotation marks when: Providing direct quotations of less than forty words (for quotes with more than forty words, use block quotations).
Is the Oxford comma still acceptable?
Contrary to what most students believe, the Oxford comma isn’t grammatically correct. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to use it. Instead, it’s grammatically optional.
Does MLA style use Oxford comma?
Even in a poorly written sentence, the Oxford comma ensures that the meaning is clear. The Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), and Oxford University Press all support the Oxford comma.
Many writers, including journalists, live by the Associated Press stylebook. AP style does not use Oxford commas. However, Chicago style does require Oxford commas. That’s the Chicago Manual of Style, which is commonly used by book publishers, academics and trade publications.
What is APA 7th edition rules?
Your manuscript should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5 X 11 inches), with 1 inch margins on all sides. Do not align the right margin. Double-space text throughout the paper, and indent all paragraphs one tab (½ inch). Put one space between sentences (see APA 6.1).
What is the APA format for 7th edition?
Basic Elements of APA 7 Style
- Title page (also known as a cover page).
- Font options: sans serif fonts such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode.
- Double-spaced.
- References page always starts on a new page.
- Page numbers.
- Margins.
- Citations and reference list.
How do you format in APA 7th edition?
Use Word’s bulleted list function to create the list. List items should be double-spaced and indented . 5 inch. If complete sentences, begin each list item with a capital letter as you would a regular sentence and insert final punctuation (usually a period) at the end of each list item.
What is APA citation format example?
APA in-text citation style uses the author’s last name and the year of publication, for example: (Field, 2005). For direct quotations, include the page number as well, for example: (Field, 2005, p. 14). For sources such as websites and e-books that have no page numbers, use a paragraph number.
What is APA referencing style?
WHAT IS APA’S STYLE OF REFERENCE CITATION? APA style uses the author/date method of citation in which the author’s last name and the year of the publication are inserted in the actual text of the paper. It is the style recommended by the American Psychological Association and used in many of the social sciences.
What punctuation mark should you use between the citations APA?
Separate multiple citations within one set of parentheses with semicolons; separate author(s) and date within citations with commas.
Does APA 7th edition use Oxford comma?
Yes, APA language guidelines state that you should always use the serial comma (aka Oxford comma) in your writing. This means including a comma before the word “and” at the end of a list of three or more items: “spelling, grammar, and punctuation.” Doing this consistently tends to make your lists less ambiguous.
What is not included in APA Style?
General mentions of whole websites, whole periodicals, and common software and apps in the text do not require in-text citations or reference list entries because the use is broad and the source is familiar.
What are the most common APA formatting mistakes?
Five Common Mistakes in APA Style—and How You Can Fix Them
- Incorrect Header. The first words in a paper with a title page is the running header.
- Errors in In-Text Citations.
- In-Text Citations Don’t Match the Reference List.
- Incorrect Quotations.
- Citing with Multiple Sources.
Why is APA punctuation important?
Punctuation establishes the cadence of a sentence, telling readers where to pause (comma, semicolon, and colon), stop (period and question mark), or take a detour (dash, parentheses, and square brackets).
How do you punctuate in text citations in APA 7th edition?
Make sure the source information in parentheses matches with your reference in the reference list. The punctuation for the sentence goes AFTER the parentheses. For a quote less than forty words put quotation marks around the quoted words.