How to Quote an Author Quoting Another Author APA
Quoting an author who is quoting another author can be a bit tricky, especially when you need to follow the APA (American Psychological Association) citation format. In this article, we will guide you through the process of accurately quoting an author quoting another author in APA style.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the specifics of quoting an author quoting another author, it’s essential to understand the basic structure of APA citations. When you quote someone else’s work, you must provide the author’s last name, the publication date, and the page number where the quote can be found. If the quote is from a source that has multiple authors, include all the author names or use “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first author’s name if there are three or more authors.
Quoting an Author Quoting Another Author
When quoting an author who is quoting another author, you need to include the original author’s name, the publication date, and the page number where the quote can be found. Additionally, you must also include the name of the author who is quoting the original author, along with the publication date and page number for their work.
Here’s an example:
According to Smith (2018, p. 45), Johnson (2017) stated, “The data clearly indicates that the new policy has had a significant impact on employee morale” (p. 23).
In this example, Smith is the author who is quoting Johnson. The citation for the original quote is Johnson (2017), and the citation for the quote by Smith is Smith (2018).
When to Use Quotation Marks
When quoting an author quoting another author, it’s important to use quotation marks to indicate that the text is a direct quote. If you’re paraphrasing the original quote, you can omit the quotation marks, but still include the proper citation.
Here’s an example of paraphrasing:
Smith (2018) notes that Johnson (2017) found the data to clearly indicate the new policy’s significant impact on employee morale (p. 23).
In this case, we’ve paraphrased the original quote by Johnson, but we still provide the proper citation for both authors.
Formatting the In-text Citation
When formatting the in-text citation for a quote that includes another quote, ensure that the citation is placed at the end of the sentence containing the quote. If you’re quoting the author who is quoting the original author, include both authors’ names in the citation.
Here’s an example:
Smith’s analysis of Johnson’s findings (2017) reveals that the new policy has had a significant impact on employee morale (p. 45).
In this example, we’ve cited both Smith and Johnson in the in-text citation, as they are both relevant to the quote.
Conclusion
Quoting an author who is quoting another author in APA style can be challenging, but with a clear understanding of the rules and proper formatting, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Always remember to include the original author’s name, publication date, and page number, as well as the name of the author who is quoting the original author, and their publication date and page number. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to effectively quote an author quoting another author in APA style.
