If your source doesn't have an author, begin your citation with the title and date. Follow with the remaining citation elements required for your source. Don't use "Anonymous" unless this is what's indicated on your source.
| Example: Article from a print newspaper |
Reference List Citation Get on board for train safety. (2012, June 17). Toronto Star. In-text Citation Paraphrase: ("Get on Board," 2012) Direct Quote: ("Get on Board," 2012, p. A14) Note the capitalization of the title in the in-text citation. You may shorten long titles. |
| Example: Print book |
Reference List Citation Introduction to food science. (2018). ABC Press. In-text Citation Paraphrase: (Introduction to Food Science, 2018) Direct Quote: (Introduction to Food Science, 2018, p.25) If the title of the source is Italicized in the reference list citation, remember to Italicize the title in your in-text citation. You don't need to surround the title in quotation marks if the title is in Italics. Note the capitalization of the title in the in-text citation. |
If your source doesn't have a date, write n.d. where you would normally provide the date. For example:
Reference List Citation
Seneca Polytechnic. (n.d.). Seneca's art collection. https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/collection/
In-text Citation
(Seneca Polytechnic, n.d.)
If you're quoting from a source without page numbers, include the location where you found the information in your in-text citation. This includes the name of section/heading (if available) and paragraph number where you found the information. Count the paragraph from the beginning of the document or section (if available).
Although not required, APA encourages including the page number when paraphrasing if it will help the reader locate the information in a long text and distinguish between the information that is coming from you and the source.
Examples:
(Diabetes Canada, n.d., Move More section, para. 2)
(World Health Organization, 2020, para. 10)
If you're citing a source without a title, include a description of the work in square brackets. For example:
Reference List Citation
Vividata. (2018). [Potato chips - personally ate in the past 6 months for all respondents 14+ in Ontario]. http://library.senecapolytechnic.ca/res/vividata.html
In-text Citation
(Vividata, 2018)
If you don't have a source, consider searching for a work which supports the information you are including in your assignment or essay.
You may also cite the information as personal communication if your source is a personal interview.
Adapted from APA Style: Missing Reference Information
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