RES 9 - ASA Quick Guide - 6th Edition - Citation Style and References Guide

Sep 24, 2026

RES 9: ASA Quick Guide (6th Edition) explains what ASA style is and why it matters for responsible sociology writing. It introduces in-text citations using the author-date system, covering parenthetical and narrative formats, page numbers for direct quotations, and rules for multiple authors and multiple sources. The guide also details how an ASA “References” page should be organized alphabetically, how authors’ names and titles should be formatted, and what information to include for online sources such as URLs, DOIs, and access dates when required.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

What is ASA style?

Why do citations matter?

What are in-text citations?

Parenthetical and narrative formats

Multiple authors and multiple sources

What is a “References” page?

Formatting and ordering rules

Online sources: URL/DOI and access dates

Other ASA rules and guidelines

RES 9: ASA Quick Guide (6th Edition) What is ASA style? “ASA” is the official writing and citation style for sociology as recognized by the American Sociological Association. It is based upon the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), and as such, the most recent edition (6th) ASA Style Guide sought to align the rules and writing procedures with the most recent updates in the CMOS. While ASA style is based on CMOS, there are elements unique to the needs of the sociological field. Why do citations matter? Whenever you refer to someone’s words or ideas, whether you are paraphrasing, summarizing, or quoting, you have a responsibility to your readers to cite your source. If you do not cite your source’s words or information, you are plagiarizing. Whether intentional or accidental, plagiarism has consequences (see MTSU’s definition of plagiarism ) . Understanding your citation style can go a long way toward helping you write responsibly and ethically. What are in-text citations? This type of citation is used when writers refer to someone else’s idea(s) through paraphrasing, summarizing, and/or quoting. In ASA, in-text citations are formatted using the author-date system in the CMOS and include: • The last name(s) of the author(s) in either parenthetical or narrative form • The year of publication • The page number(s) being referenced (if it is a direct quotation) Parenthetical in-text citations: Example of a summary or paraphrase: …(Potter 2007) . example of a quote: …(Potter 2007:23) . Narrative in-text citations: Example of a summary or paraphrase: In this article, Potter (2007) contemplates… Example of a quote: In this article, Potter (2007:23) states that… What about in-text citations with multiple authors or sources? For works with two authors, list both last names and the year. • Example: (Potter and Weasley 2008) For works with three authors, list all authors’ last names and the year in the first citation, but in subsequent citations, list only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” and the year. • Example of first usage: (Potter, Weasley, and Granger 2008) • Example of subsequent usages: (Potter et al. 2008) For works with four or more authors, only list the last name of the first author followed by “et al.”and the year. • Example: (Potter et al. 2009) When referencing more than one source in a sentence, list each source in your in-text citation in alphabetical order and separate them with a semicolon (;) . • Example: (Dumbledore et al. 2008; Potter 2006; Weasley and Granger 2007) What is a “References” page? The References page lists, in alphabetical order, every source cited in-text. The purpose of the References page is to provide a roadmap to your sources so that other scholars or researchers can find them. This means that, as a writer, you need to provide as much information as you can about where to find a source. On an ASA References page: • Entries should be listed alphabetically by last name. Both the first and the last name are used (use a first initial if a full first name is not available), and only the first author’s name is inverted. • Publication titles are put in italics while article and chapter titles are placed in quotation marks. • For online sources, include a URL or DOI and provide access dates if required by instructor or publisher. Sample References page (journal, website, and book): References Black, Sirius and Remus Lupin. 2010. “The Sting of Betrayal.” Journal of Magical Creatures’Realities 9(34):3-7. Hagrid, Rubeus. 2003. “The Misconceptions surrounding Acromantula.” Digital Collections on Magical Creatures 33(61) . [https://www.misunderstoodbutlovedcreatures.com](https://www.misunderstoodbutlovedcreatures.com) Potter, Harry, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger. 2006. The Rise and Fall of the Dark Lord. Hogwarts: Literal Literary Illustrations. Other ASA rules and guidelines: • “They” is accepted as a singular

FAQs

What does “ASA” stand for in this guide, and what is its basis?

“ASA” is the official writing and citation style for sociology as recognized by the American Sociological Association. It is based on the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and adapts rules for sociological field needs.

How are in-text citations formatted in ASA style?

ASA in-text citations use the author-date system: author last name(s), publication year, and page number(s) when quoting directly. They can appear in parenthetical or narrative form.

How should the References page be structured in ASA style?

The References page lists all in-text cited sources in alphabetical order by last name. Author names follow inversion rules for only the first author’s name; publication titles are italicized, while article and chapter titles use quotation marks. Online sources should include URL or DOI and access dates when required.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Aria Callaghan