How to Cite Associated Press in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Associated Press in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Associated Press presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Associated Press's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: Associated Press Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page

Associated Press-Specific Notes:
Citing the Associated Press (AP) can be particularly unique due to its nature as a news agency rather than a traditional author or organization. In APA 7th edition, when citing a news article from the AP, the author is typically the name of the news outlet that published the story, not the AP itself. This is because the AP operates as a wire service, providing content that is then published by various newspapers or online platforms. For instance, if The New York Times publishes an AP article, the citation should list The New York Times as the author, and the Associated Press should be mentioned in the source note if necessary. This differs from standard citation rules where an article might have a clear individual or organization as the author.

One common point of confusion is discerning who the author is when the article is widely disseminated. Students often mistakenly attribute authorship directly to the Associated Press. The best practice is to always identify the publishing entity as the author in the citation. Another frequent error is omitting the retrieval date for online content, which is necessary if the content is likely to change over time. To avoid these pitfalls, students should ensure they gather all relevant information about the specific publication where the AP article was found, including the publication date and the full URL if accessed online. By focusing on these details, students can ensure their citations are precise and meet APA standards.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Webpage format with Associated Press specifics
- Locate citation info on Associated Press's website
- Handle Associated Press's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

Jump to Examples | Jump to Common Issues | Check Your Citation

Where to Find Citation Information on Associated Press

When citing articles from the Associated Press (AP) website, understanding where to locate specific citation elements is crucial for crafting accurate references. Here's a detailed guide to finding essential citation information on AP News at https://apnews.com:

  1. Finding the Author:
    - Byline Location: On the AP News website, the author's name typically appears at the top of the article, right below the headline. The byline may read "By [Author's Name]" and can sometimes include multiple authors if it’s a collaborative piece. If no specific author is listed, use "Associated Press" as the author in your citation, as AP often publishes articles under its organizational name for collective reporting.

  2. Locating the Publication Date:
    - Date Placement: The publication date is prominently displayed just beneath the headline and above the article text. It is usually formatted as "Published on [Month Day, Year]." This date is essential for your citation as it indicates when the article was made available to the public.

  3. Identifying the Article Title:
    - Title Position: The title of the article is the large text at the top of the page, directly above the byline and publication date. It summarizes the main topic or event covered in the article and should be used as the title in your citation.

  4. Accessing the URL:
    - URL Retrieval: The URL, or web address, is located in your browser's address bar at the top of the window. This unique link directs to the specific article and should be included in your citation to allow others to access the original source. Ensure you copy the complete URL for accuracy.

  5. Navigational Tips:
    - Homepage Navigation: If beginning from the AP News homepage, you can use the search bar, typically located at the top right of the page, to enter keywords related to your topic. Alternatively, browse through categories such as "Top Stories" or "US News" to find relevant articles.
    - Unique Attributes: AP News is unique because it often features breaking news with a straightforward, factual reporting style. Articles may lack opinion or personal perspective, focusing instead on delivering concise information.

In summary, when referencing an AP News article, ensure you systematically gather the author information, publication date, article title, and URL. This approach will help you create a precise and proper citation according to APA guidelines. Always verify each detail for accuracy as you compile your references.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Associated Press Citation

What You Need

To create an Associated Press (AP) citation, you will need the following items:

  1. Access to the internet - You will need to browse online for articles.
  2. A specific article or webpage - Choose an article that you want to cite.
  3. A notepad or document editor - This will help you take notes and organize your citation.
  4. Understanding of basic citation format - Familiarity with the general structure of citations will be helpful.

Steps to Create an Associated Press Citation

Step 1: Choose the Article You Want to Cite

Action: Browse the AP News website by visiting https://apnews.com. Look for an article that interests you or is relevant to your research.

Verification: Ensure that you select an article that has a clearly stated author, publication date, and title.

Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use the search feature on the website to quickly find articles related to your topic.

Step 2: Identify the Author of the Article

Action: Once you have chosen an article, locate the author's name. It is usually found at the top of the article or under the headline.

Verification: Confirm that you have the correct name of the author. Sometimes articles may have multiple authors or might be attributed to an organization.

Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If there are multiple authors, note them down in the order they appear.

Step 3: Find the Publication Date

Action: Look for the publication date of the article. This information is typically found near the author’s name, often in the format of "Year, Month Day."

Verification: Ensure that you accurately record the date in the correct format.

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Write down the date in the same format as required for the citation as you find it.

Step 4: Determine the Title of the Webpage

Action: Identify the title of the article. This is usually prominently displayed at the top of the page.

Verification: Make sure you write down the title exactly as it appears, including proper capitalization and punctuation.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If you are copying the title, paste it directly into your document to avoid typing errors.

Step 5: Identify the Name of the Website

Action: Note that the name of the website is "AP News."

Verification: Confirm that you correctly identify the source of the article.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tip for Efficiency: Keep the website name consistent with how it is commonly referenced.

Step 6: Collect the URL of the Article

Action: Copy the URL from the address bar of your browser. This is the direct link to the article you are citing.

Verification: Click on the link to ensure it directs you to the correct article.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use keyboard shortcuts (such as Ctrl+C for copy and Ctrl+V for paste) to speed up the process.

Step 7: Format Your Citation

Action: Using the information you have collected, format your citation according to the template:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page

Verification: Check that all parts of the citation are included and correctly formatted.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Create a template in your document editor to easily fill in the details for future citations.

Step 8: Review Your Citation

Action: Read through your completed citation to ensure that it is free of errors and follows the correct format.

Verification: Compare your citation with examples from the AP style guide or reliable citation tools to confirm accuracy.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use online citation generators to cross-check your formatting.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively create an Associated Press citation for any article you choose. Make sure to practice with different articles to become more comfortable with the process. Remember, citation is an essential skill in academic writing, and mastering it will enhance your credibility and help you avoid plagiarism.

Real Examples from Associated Press

This section provides authentic citation examples from Associated Press using recent publications from 2023-2024.

As an AI language model, I don't have direct access to external websites or real-time data, including the Associated Press (AP) website. However, I can guide you on how to format citations using APA 7th edition guidelines based on hypothetical scenarios. You can then apply this format to real articles when you access them.

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a news article written by a single journalist about the impact of climate change on agriculture.

Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. (2023, October 10). Climate change threatens global agriculture. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-agriculture-impact

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Smith (2023) outlines the impact of climate change on agriculture...

Notes: This example demonstrates a standard citation for an individual author, a common structure in news articles.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: A report on economic trends published by the AP without a specific author.

Reference List Citation:
Associated Press. (2023, October 9). Economic trends show signs of recovery. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/economic-trends-recovery

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Associated Press, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
According to the Associated Press (2023), economic trends...

Notes: This example uses the organization as the author, which is appropriate when no individual author is credited.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: An article written by two journalists about a major international summit.

Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L., & Lee, M. (2023, October 8). World leaders gather for international summit. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/international-summit-world-leaders

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Johnson & Lee, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Johnson and Lee (2023) report on the international summit attended by world leaders...

Notes: The citation reflects multiple authors, which is formatted with an ampersand (&) in parenthetical citations and "and" in narrative citations.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

Scenario Description: An opinion piece by a guest contributor discussing technological advancements.

Reference List Citation:
Davis, A. R. (2023, October 7). The future of technology in a rapidly changing world. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/technology-future-advancements

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Davis, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Davis (2023) explores the future of technology...

Notes: Opinion pieces are often authored by guest contributors, which can be noted in the article but do not affect the citation format.

When you access the AP website, ensure you capture the correct author(s), publication date, title, and URL to create accurate APA citations.

Common Issues When Citing Associated Press

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to identify the author of an Associated Press (AP) article because AP news articles sometimes don’t clearly list individual authors. Instead, they may be attributed to “Associated Press” or feature a byline such as “AP News Staff” or simply no byline at all.

Why it Happens:
AP articles are often collaborative efforts, written by multiple journalists and editors. This can make it difficult to pinpoint a single author, which is a key requirement in APA citation format.

Solution:
1. Check the Byline: Start by examining the byline of the article. If a specific journalist is named, use that name as the author.
2. Default to the Organization: If no specific author is listed, use “Associated Press” as the author.
3. Use the Title in Place of Author, If Necessary: If even the organization isn’t listed, begin the citation with the title of the article.

Example:
- Before: No clear author listed.
- After: Associated Press. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. URL

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students may face challenges in determining and formatting the publication date of AP articles properly, which is crucial for APA citations.

Why it Happens:
AP articles are frequently updated as new information becomes available, which can mean multiple dates are associated with one article. This can confuse students about which date to use.

Solution:
1. Use the Most Recent Date: Always use the most recent date of publication for the article.
2. Format Correctly: Ensure the date is formatted as Year, Month Day (e.g., 2023, October 15).

Example:
- Before: Date not clearly formatted, e.g., “October 15, 2023.”
- After: 2023, October 15.

Problem 3: URL Handling

Issue Description:
Students sometimes mishandle URLs when citing AP articles, either by omitting them or using incorrect formats.

Why it Happens:
AP articles are often syndicated across multiple platforms, which can lead to confusion about which URL to use. Additionally, students might overlook the need to include a URL at all.

Solution:
1. Use the Direct URL: Always use the direct URL where you accessed the article.
2. Ensure Accessibility: Make sure the URL links directly to the article and is not behind a paywall, if possible.

Example:
- Before: Missing URL.
- After: Associated Press. (2023, October 15). Title of the article. https://www.example.com/article

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students may cite AP articles that are behind paywalls or require subscription access, which can be problematic for readers trying to access the source.

Why it Happens:
AP content is often hosted on news websites that require subscriptions or offer limited access to non-subscribers, leading to difficulties in accessing the full text.

Solution:
1. Note Access Issues: If the article is behind a paywall, note this in your reference list entry.
2. Seek Alternative Access: Try to find an alternative source that hosts the article freely accessible, such as a library database.

Example:
- Before: No indication of access issues.
- After: Associated Press. (2023, October 15). Title of the article. https://www.example.com/article (Access requires subscription)

By understanding these common citation challenges with the Associated Press and following these practical solutions, students can ensure their APA citations are correct and complete.

Note: For general Webpage citation errors, see How to Cite Webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Associated Press

Q: How can I find the necessary information to cite an Associated Press article accessed through their website in APA format?

A: To cite an Associated Press article, locate the article title, publication date, and URL on the webpage. The author is typically listed as "Associated Press" if no individual author is credited.

Q: How do I handle author attribution for Associated Press articles in APA citations when no individual author is listed?

A: When citing an article from the Associated Press with no individual author, use "Associated Press" as the author in your citation.

Q: What is the correct way to format publication dates for Associated Press articles in an APA citation?

A: Use the full date provided for the article, formatted as Year, Month Day. If the date is not available, use "n.d." for "no date."

Q: Are there specific URL or access date requirements for citing Associated Press articles in APA format?

A: Include the full URL of the article in the citation, but there is no need to include an access date unless the content is likely to change over time and no publication date is available.

Q: How does citing an Associated Press article differ from citing other webpage sources in APA format?

A: The primary difference is the use of "Associated Press" as the author if no individual author is listed. Additionally, ensure the publication date and URL are included, similar to other webpage sources.

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