ASA Format: Guidelines for Citation & Referencing in 6th Ed.

If you're studying sociology, getting the hang of the American Sociological Association (ASA) format is key to presenting your work well.

This blog is here to make that easier for you!

In this guide, we’ll walk through the basics, like formatting your manuscript, citing sources in-text, and creating your reference list. We’ll also highlight some common mistakes to avoid, so you can concentrate on your research and ideas.

Continue reading!

Introduction to ASA Format

The ASA format, or the American Sociological Association format, is a style guide primarily used for writing in the field of sociology. This format helps students, researchers, and scholars present their work in the ASA journal.

At its core, ASA format outlines how to cite sources, format papers, and create a reference list. The latest edition, the 6th Ed. released in 2019, includes important updates, especially for citing digital content like websites and social media.

Why and Where is the ASA Format Used

You'll find the ASA format used in various places, including:

• Academic Papers: Many colleges and universities require students to use ASA format for research paper writing and assignments. 
• Journal Submissions: Researchers often need to follow ASA guidelines when submitting articles to sociology journals to make sure their work meets the field’s standards.
• Theses and Dissertations: Graduate students typically use ASA format for thesis writing and dissertation writing, which are important parts of their degrees.
• Conference Presentations: At sociology conferences, presenters often use ASA format for their papers to keep things consistent across different presentations.

Manuscript Formatting in ASA Style

Formatting your manuscript in ASA style is relatively simple, but there are specific guidelines that guide you on how to write in ASA format.

According to the 6th. Ed., here are the key elements you should include when setting up your paper:

ASA Format Title Page

• Your title page should be clear and concise
• It must include:
• The full title of research paper or manuscript (centered and in title case)
• Your name (also centered)
• Your institutional affiliation (the name of your school or organization)
• A running head, which is a shortened version of your title, should be in the header. It should be 60 characters or fewer

Abstract

• If your paper requires an abstract, it should appear separate page (the second page)
• It should be a brief summary of your research (word count should be about 150-200 words)

Main Body

• Start your main text on the third page
• Use 1-inch margins on all sides and your text should be double-spaced
• Use a standard font like 12-point Times New Roman or similar size for readability

Headings and Subheadings

• Use clear headings and subheadings to organize your content

Here are the heading levels according to ASA format:

Page Numbers

• Starting from the title page, using Arabic numerals, include page numbers in the upper right corner of each page

ASA Format Cover Page

• If your instructor or publisher requires a separate cover page, it can be similar to the title page but may also include additional information, such as the course name or date

Here is a sample ASA-style template in PDF form that you can download for free.

How To Cite In ASA Format

Similar to other popular citation styles, you will include in-text citations when using the ASA format to give credit to the original authors. 

Moving on, we will take a look at the ASA format citation and examples for different types of research sources.

ASA Format In-Text Citation

In-text citations typically include the author's last name and the publication year. Make sure to include the page number when you quote directly from a source or refer to specific parts of it. 

Here’s how to format them based on different scenarios:

• Single Author:
• When mentioning the author's name in the sentence:
• Example: Johnson (2021) discusses the effects of social media on mental health.
• When the author's name is not mentioned:
• Example: Social media can have negative effects on mental health (Johnson 2021).
• Two Authors:
• When you name both authors:
• Example: Smith and Lee (2020:53) argue that...
• In parentheses:
• Example: Research supports this theory (Smith and Lee 2020).
• Three or More Authors:
• When mentioning the first author followed by "et al.":
• Example: Martinez et al. (2019) found significant results.
• In parentheses:
• Example: The findings were significant (Martinez et al. 2019).
• No Author:
• If there’s no specific author, use the title of the work:
• Example: ("Social Media Trends" 2022) indicates that...
• Multiple Citations:
• When citing multiple sources, separate them with a semicolon:
• Example: Several studies support this (Smith 2020; Johnson and Lee 2021; Martinez et al. 2019).

ASA Format Quotes

In the ASA style, when you want to include a short quote—that is, one that’s fewer than 40 words—just place the quote in your sentence and put it in quotation marks. You'll also need to include the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses right after the quote.

For instance, you could write: According to Johnson (2021), “social media has transformed the way we communicate” (p. 45). Here, the author's name is part of your sentence, and the citation comes right after the quote.

For longer quotes, which are 40 words or more, the format changes a bit. You’ll start the block quote on a new line, indent it from the left margin, and skip the quotation marks.

Here’s an example:

If you come across a quote from an author you want to use, but it’s cited within another author’s work, you can indicate this by saying "qtd. in" to refer to the original source.

For example: Thompson (2019) stated, “the digital age has shifted communication patterns” (qtd. in Johnson 2021, p. 65). This way, you credit both the original author and the one you read.

ASA Format References

Your reference page should include complete details for all sources you cited. All references should be double-spaced and list the references in alphabetical order by the first author’s surname.

Here are various types of sources along with ASA format examples:

1. Books:
• Format: Last Name, First Initial. Year. Title of Book. Publisher.
• Example: Smith, J. 2020. Understanding Social Media. Academic Press.
• Example: Brown, T. 2021. Digital Communication Strategies. Routledge.
2. Journal Articles:
• Format: Last Name, First Initial. Year. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume(Issue): Page Range.
• Example: Johnson, R. and L. Lee. 2021. "The Impact of Social Media on Youth." Journal of Communication Studies 45(2): 123-135.
• Example: Martinez, A., K. Thompson, and L. Grey. 2022. "Social Media's Role in Political Mobilization." Social Movement Studies 19(1): 45-60.
3. Website:
• Format: Last Name, First Initial. Year. "Title of Page." Name of Website. URL (Accessed Month Day, Year).
• Example: Martinez, A. 2019. "The Role of Social Media in Society." Social Media Insights. https://www.socialmediainsights.com/role (Accessed October 2, 2024).
• Example: Clark, B. 2020. "Navigating Online Communication." Digital Literacy Hub. https://www.digitalliteracyhub.com/navigating (Accessed October 2, 2024).
4. Edited Books:
• Format: Last Name, First Initial (ed.). Year. Title of Book. Publisher.
• Example: Brown, T. (ed.). 2018. Social Media and Society. Routledge.
• Example: Green, M. and R. Johnson (eds.). 2021. Perspectives on Digital Communication. Academic Press.
5. Conference Papers:
• Format: Last Name, First Initial. Year. "Title of Paper." In Proceedings of the Conference Name, Location, Month Day(s). Publisher.
• Example: Turner, H. 2022. "Social Media in Crisis Communication." In Proceedings of the Annual Communication Conference, Chicago, IL, April 20-22. Communication Association.
6. Government Reports:
• Format: Government Agency. Year. Title of Report. Publisher.
• Example: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2021. Social Media Use and Mental Health. Government Printing Office.

By following the above ASA format citation examples, you can make sure your in-text citations and references are correctly formatted and easy to follow.

ASA Format Footnotes and Endnotes

In ASA style, Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page where the reference is made. They can be used for extra comments, citations, or explanations that would interrupt the flow of your text if included directly. To insert a footnote, simply add a superscript number in your text at the appropriate spot.

For example:

• "The study revealed surprising results¹."

Then, at the bottom of that page, include the corresponding footnote:

• ¹These results were unexpected due to previous research suggesting otherwise.

Endnotes, on the other hand, are similar to footnotes but appear at the end of your paper in a separate section before the reference list. Use endnotes when you want to keep your pages clean and avoid interruptions while reading. Similar to including footnotes, you'll insert a superscript number in the text. 

For example:

• "The community response was overwhelmingly positive²."

Then, at the end of your document, you would list your endnote:

• ²For more details on community feedback, see the full survey results.

When using footnotes and endnotes in ASA format, it’s important that you keep them brief and relevant. Avoid overwhelming your readers with too much information. They should enhance your work, not clutter it.

Some Common Mistakes to Avoid

When writing in ASA format, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes that can affect your work’s credibility. Here are some key pitfalls to watch out for:

• Incorrect In-Text Citations: Make sure your in-text citations match what's in your reference list. It keeps everything consistent.
• Neglecting Page Numbers: Don’t forget to add page numbers for direct quotes. It helps your readers find the original text.
• Improper Formatting of References: Check that you’re using the right italics, capitalization, and punctuation in your references.
• Using Outdated Sources: Stick to citing materials that are recent, up-to-date, and relevant to your research. It strengthens your arguments.
• Overlooking Author Contributions: If you’re quoting a source that mentions another author, give credit to both. Use "qtd. in" for clarity.
• Inconsistent Citation Style: Keep your citation style consistent throughout your paper. Mixing styles can be confusing.
• Ignoring the Reference List: Make sure your reference list is complete and formatted correctly. Missing entries can hurt your credibility.
• Neglecting Proofreading: Always proofread your work for typos and mistakes. Small errors can distract from your message.

In Summary, 

In this blog, we’ve covered the basics of ASA formatting, including in-text citations, references, quotes, and the use of footnotes and endnotes. 

You can come back to guide whenever you’re required to prepare an ASA format essay, research paper, or dissertation.

If you ever feel stuck or need help with formatting your research papers in ASA or any other style, remember that CollegeEssay.org is here for you. 

Our essay writing service can take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on what really matters—your research and ideas. Check us out today!