How to Use Quotes in Titles for APA Format

Quotations are seldom used when citing article and book titles in APA format. This makes using quotations in titles easy, as there are so few situations where you need to do so. However, you do need to recognize the few situations where you do need to use quotations, as they are important in spite of -- or even because of -- the fact that they are so rare.

Instructions

1. Avoid quotations when you are citing a journal article. This is in contrast to many other citation styles, but it is what APA insists on.

2. Use quotations around the title of an article or chapter that does not have an author.

3. Avoid quotations when citing sources that meet step 2's criteria in the reference list.

4. Avoid quotations in titles at all other times.

References

• Wide Open Doors: Citing Resources in APA Style
• Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style Guide