Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Cite a website or blog
• Method 2 of 4: Cite a website without an author
• Method 3 of 4: Cite an online book
• Method 4 of 4: Cite a forum website

If you want to quote a regular web page, a blog, a book that is not in physical form, or a forum post in APA style, then you have found the right article. All you need to do is follow some simple steps to structure the information properly and put it in the right order. Keep in mind that books, articles and magazines published online should be cited in the same way as printed books, articles and magazines.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Cite a website or blog

1. State the author's name. To state the name, first write the surname and then the first letter of the first name. If there are several authors, state the last names and the first initials of all authors and separate the names with a comma. The last surname is preceded by an ampersand (&). For instance:
   • Jansen, J.
   • Dijkstra, M. & Smit, R.
2. Indicate the publication date. For the date, first state the year, then the day and then the month, separating the year and day by a comma. Put the full date in brackets and end it with a period. For instance:
   • Jansen, J. (2012, December 31).
   • Dijkstra, M. & Smit, R. (2010, May 1).
3. Include the title of the document. This is the name of the web page or blog post and not the entire website or blog. Capitalize only the first word and put a period at the end. Here are some examples:
   • Jansen, J.(2012, December 31). Statistics and analysis.
   • Dijkstra, M. & Smit, R. (2010, May 1). Research on citation styles.
4. Describe the format. Then state what kind of online publication you are citing, such as a blog post or web page. Capitalize the first word, enclose the information in square brackets and end with a period. For instance:
   • Jansen, J. (2012, December 31). Statistics and analysis. [Web page].
   • Dijkstra, M. & Smit, R. (2010, May 1). Research on citation styles. [Blog post].
5. Finish by indicating where you consulted the information. Write "Retrieved from" and then include the URL of the page you are citing. For instance:
   • Jansen, J. (2012, December 31). Statistics and analysis. [Web page]. Retrieved from http://www.onlinestatistiek.nl/31122012/statistiekoverzicht
   • Dijkstra, M. & Smit, R. (2010, May 1). Research on citation styles. [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.mijnblog.nl/117893
6. Only mention the author and year if you are citing in the text itself. If you are citing in the text itself, simply type an opening parenthesis, write down the author's last name, add a comma, state the year of publication, and close with a closing parenthesis. For instance:
   • (Jansen, 2012).
   • (Dijkstra & Smit, 2010).

Method 2 of 4: Cite a website without an author

1. Enter the name of the article or page. Do not put the title in quotation marks or make it italic. Capitalize only the first word, as well as proper names. End with a period. For instance:
   • Analysis of the Rhine.
2. If possible, state the date of publication. Put the date in brackets and state the year first, then the day and then the month. Place a comma between the year and the day. If you can only find a year, then only state the year. If no date is stated, write "n.d." Put a period after the parentheses. For instance:
   • Analysis of the Rhine. (2011, May 28).
   • Water scarcity in the Netherlands (n.d.).
3. State the date of consultation. Put the text "Consulted" before the date. Type the date with the day first, then the month, and finally the year. Place a comma after the date. Here's an example:
   • Analysis of the Rhine. (2011, May 28). Retrieved January 1, 2013,
4. Enter the name of the website and the URL where you found the information. Put the word "from" in front of the information. Enter the name of the website and then type a colon. End with the URL.
   • Analysis of the Rhine. (2011, May 28). Retrieved January 1, 2013, from Water Problems: https://www.water Problems.

Method 3 of 4: Cite an online book

1. Only use this format if the book has never been published in physical form. In most cases, you should quote books online in the same way as printed books. However, if the book has only been published online and not in print, the format is slightly different.
2. Indicate the author or authors. Write the surname first and then the first initial. If the author has multiple first names, include all initials.
   • Veldman, J.
   • Doyle, A. C.
3. Write down the date of publication. For the date, first state the year, then the day and then the month, and put a comma after the year. Put the date in brackets. If no date is mentioned, use the abbreviation "n.d." Put a period after the brackets.
   • Veldman, J. (n.d.).
   • Doyle, A. C. (1900).
4. Type the name of the online book. Make the title italic and capitalize the first word. If there is a subtitle, also capitalize the first word after the colon.
   • Veldman, J. (n.d.). Birdsong in the Veluwe
   • Doyle, A. C. (1900). The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
5. Describe the format of the book. After the title, put the size of the book in square brackets. End with a period.
   • Veldman, J. (n.d.). Birdsong in the Veluwe [Kindle X version].
   • Doyle, A. C. (1900). The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes [EPUB version].
6. Include the URL. If the book is on the internet in its entirety, state the URL with the text "Consulted from" in front of it. If the book needs to be purchased and cannot be read on the internet, state the URL with the text "Available at" in front of it.
   • Veldman, J. (n.d.). Birdsong in the Veluwe [Kindle X version]. Available at https://www.vogelbescherming.nl/vogelgezangboek
   • Doyle, A. C. (1900). The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes [EPUB version]. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/?hl=en

Method 4 of 4: Cite a forum website

1. Include the author's name or username. If you can find the real name of the author, include the last name first, then the initials. However, if the author hasn't listed his or her real name, use the author's username.
   • Smit, A. B.
   • Droplover1995
2. Indicate the publication date. Because of the way internet forums are put together, the publication date is on almost every posted message. Write the date with the year first, then the day, and finally the month. Put the date in brackets and end with a period.
   • Smit, A. B. (2006, January 8).
3. Include the title of the message. Capitalize the first word. Do not italicize or enclose the title in quotation marks.
   • Smit, A. B. (2006, January 8). Famous Discoveries in Astronomy
4. If possible, include other characteristics of the message. If you see the message number, put it in square brackets in your listing. However, skip this step if you don't see a number. End with a period.
   • Smit, A. B. (2006, January 8). Famous Discoveries in Astronomy [Post 14].
   • Hoekstra, J. (2008, October 17). Important news.
5. State the URL where the message is posted. Mention the exact URL of the forum topic and put the text "Message posted on" in front of it.
   • Smit, A. B. (2006, January 8). Famous Discoveries in Astronomy [Post 14]. Message posted on http://www.exampleforum.nl/forum/bericht/14.html