Citing a Blog in APA 7th Edition: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of academic publishing, citing sources has become an essential skill for researchers, writers, and students. One of the most common sources of information is the internet, and blogs are no exception. However, citing a blog in APA 7th edition can be challenging due to the lack of a traditional author, publication date, and page numbers. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cite a blog in APA 7th edition.
Step 1: Determine the Type of Blog
Before citing a blog, it’s essential to determine its type. There are two main types of blogs: online articles and personal blogs. Online articles are typically published on websites and have a fixed publication date, while personal blogs are written by individuals and may not have a fixed publication date.
Step 2: Identify the Author
If the blog is an online article, the author is usually the person who created the content. However, if the blog is a personal blog, the author is the individual who wrote the content. In this case, you may need to use the author’s name and date of publication.
Step 3: Determine the Publication Date
The publication date is crucial in citing a blog in APA 7th edition. If the blog was published on a specific date, include that date in the citation. If the blog was published on a specific date, but the author’s name is not provided, you can use the date of publication.
Step 4: Determine the Page Numbers
If the blog has page numbers, include them in the citation. However, if the blog does not have page numbers, you can omit them.
Step 5: Determine the Medium
The medium is the platform where the blog was published. Common mediums include websites, social media, and online publications.
Step 6: Determine the Date of Access
The date of access is the date when you accessed the blog. This is crucial in citing a blog in APA 7th edition, as it allows you to determine the date of publication.
Step 7: Cite the Blog
Once you have determined the type of blog, author, publication date, page numbers, medium, and date of access, you can cite the blog in APA 7th edition.
Example Cite
Here’s an example of how to cite a blog in APA 7th edition:
Example:
- Author’s Name, A. (Year, Month Day of Publication). Title of the Blog Post. Medium, Website URL. Access Date. Title of the Blog Post. Medium, Website URL. Access Date.
For example:
- Author’s Name, J. (2020, January 1). Title of the Blog Post. Medium, www.example.com. Access Date, January 1, 2020.
Table:
| Field | Example | APA Style |
|---|---|---|
| Author’s Name | J. Smith | J. Smith |
| Date of Publication | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 |
| Date of Access | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 |
| Medium | www.example.com | www.example.com |
| Title of the Blog Post | "The Benefits of Meditation" | "The Benefits of Meditation" |
| Title of the Blog Post | "The Benefits of Meditation" | "The Benefits of Meditation" |
| Medium | www.example.com | www.example.com |
| Access Date | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 |
Step 8: Format the Citation
Once you have formatted the citation, you can use it in your paper. Make sure to include the in-text citation and the reference list.
In-Text Citation:
- Author’s Name, A. (Year, Month Day of Publication). Title of the Blog Post. Medium, Website URL. Access Date. Title of the Blog Post. Medium, Website URL. Access Date.
For example:
- Smith, J. (2020, January 1). The Benefits of Meditation. www.example.com. Access Date, January 1, 2020.
Reference List:
- Author’s Name, A. (Year, Month Day of Publication). Title of the Blog Post. Medium, Website URL. Access Date.
- Author’s Name, A. (Year, Month Day of Publication). Title of the Blog Post. Medium, Website URL. Access Date.
For example:
- Smith, J. (2020, January 1). The Benefits of Meditation. www.example.com. Access Date, January 1, 2020.
- Johnson, K. (2020, February 1). The Benefits of Exercise. www.example.com. Access Date, February 1, 2020.
Conclusion
Citing a blog in APA 7th edition requires careful consideration of the type of blog, author, publication date, page numbers, medium, and date of access. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and reliable. Remember to always use the in-text citation and the reference list to format your citations correctly.