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Metro State Writing Center, drafted spring 2026

Nursing-specific resources

Notes on differentiating similar sources for in-text citations

  • In-text citations of different works with three or more authors with the same publication date that shorten to the same form in the body of a paper

    Write out as many names as needed to distinguish the sources, and abbreviate the rest of the names to “et al.” in every citation.
    • Example: both published 2024
      1st work authored by Jones, Chang, Montoya, Bautista, and Muhigaba
      2nd work authored by Jones, Chang, Ramos, Sekely, and Warne =
      (Jones, Chang, Montoya, et al., 2024) / (Jones, Chang, Ramos, et al., 2024)
  • Multiple sources with the same author and date
    Add lowercase letters to the date in the reference entry, like this: Chau, B. (2021a) The art of citation. htttp//url. / Chau, B. (2021b) How to eat pizza. htttp//url.
    • Example in-text citations:
      (Chau, 2021a) / (Chau, 2021b)

Stylistics: Beyond attribution and citation

—Style refers to guidelines for ensuring clear, consistent communication and presentation ... When you follow style guidelines, you avoid inconsistencies among and within academic papers, journal articles, and book chapters.

-APA Style and Grammar Guidelines, Mechanics of Style

We’ve curated the following links to the APA 7 website as a quick reference when drafting to help ensure you are correctly framing your work professionally at all levels, not only in terms of citation.

  • Applying JARS for Argumentation, Professionalism, and Clarity

Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS) Guide (apastyle.apa.org/jars)

JARS Infographic (apastyle.apa.org/jars/infographic.pdf)

Reducing Bias Guidelines (apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/bias-free-language/general-principles)

  • Abstracts, Appendices, Tables & Figures for Useful Overviews and Engaging Data Presentation

Abstract and Keyword Guide (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/abstract-keywords-guide.pdf)

How to Read Abstracts Guide (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/reading-abstracts.pdf)

Appendices Guide (apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/appendices)

Tables and Figures Guide (apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures)

  • Headings for Mapping Argumentation and Professional Standardizing

Article Sections Guide (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/anatomy-journal-article.pdf)

Mechanics of Headings (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/heading-template-student-paper.pdf)

  • Style Sheet: Mechanics Specific to APA 7

APA 7 Mechanics Page (apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/mechanics-style)

Abbreviations Guide (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/abbreviations-guide.pdf)

Active Voice Writing Guide (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/active-voice.pdf)

Numbers and Statistics Guide (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/numbers-statistics-guide.pdf)

Transitions Guide (apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/style-transitions-guide.pdf)