The Writer's Handbook

APSA Documentation

In this section, you will find many instructional materials we've developed for our Writing Center teaching.

However, there are limitations to these materials. Assignments vary, and different instructors want different things from student writers. Therefore, the advice here may or may not apply to your writing situation.

Finally, handouts can give only a fraction of the customized guidance that an individual conference with a Writing Center instructor can provide. If you have questions about the information in our handouts, please make an appointment to see a Writing Center instructor.

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Introduction to APSA Style

If you are following the Style Manual for Political Science, (1993) published by the American Political Science Association (APSA), use parenthetical citations within your text to indicate the source of borrowed ideas and quotations.

At the end of your paper you should provide a list of all of the references cited in your paper.

The sample citations and references on these pages are drawn from the Style Manual for Political Science, revised edition, 1993, and from The Chicago Manual of style, 14th edition (1993).

More info about APSA

If you have questions about how to cite sources other than those illustrated here, ask the instructor who assigned your paper and consult the Style Manual for Political Science, revised edition (1993), a copy of which is on reserve in the Writing Center.

For even more information, consult The Chicago Manual of style, 14th ed. (1993), on which the Style Manual for Political Science (1993) is based.

If you would like more information on what needs to be documented, ask your course instructor or visit our Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Acknowledging Sources page.