What is ASA Format?
The ASA citation format is one of the main citation styles and is introduced and managed by the American Sociological Association. They update it regularly. This citation style has its own citation, paper format, footnotes, references, and bibliography. It is especially used by students and researchers in the field of Sociology.
The writing style is used for research papers in the sociological field. It includes complete and thorough guidance for students who are studying and researching in this field. The citation guidance includes directions about formatting your paper, the paper content, header, references, footnotes, and other rules.
Using the ASA format correctly is essential for the credibility of your work. If you use the format incorrectly, it could damage your credibility and prevent you from getting ahead in your career.
Making sure to cite your sources correctly in ASA format will help you avoid any mistakes. Hence, this blog will give you a complete guide on how to write your paper perfectly in ASA format.
Other citation styles include;
ASA Manuscript Formatting
Format your manuscript to ensure the following elements when writing in ASA format:
ASA Format Title Page
In ASA format, your paper has a separate title page. The ASA title page format includes the following:
- The title of the research paper.
- Authors' names and affiliated institutions. List them in a vertical manner if there is more than one.
- The total word count of the document.
- A running head with the shortened title name.
- A title footnote that includes the author’s address, and additional credits and acknowledgments.
- An asterisk by the title which refers to the title footnote at the bottom of the page.
ASA Format Abstract
Put your abstract on a separate page after the title page. The title of your document should be the heading.
The abstract should be one paragraph, 150-200 words long. It should summarize your research in easy-to-understand language. There is no need to mention the author(s) in your abstract.
ASA Text Format
For ASA writing format, make sure to follow the guidelines below:
- Use the Arial font
- Text size should be 12 points
- Text should be double-spaced unless instructed otherwise by your supervisor
ASA Format Page Numbering
All pages in the manuscript should be numbered consecutively. Start with the title page and include all reference pages as well.
ASA Format Margins
Margins should be at least 1 1/4 inches on all sides, including the top and bottom. A margin this wide will still provide more than enough space for your text so it won't look cramped.
ASA Format Headings and Sub-Headings
The ASA paper format is divided into headings and subheadings.
In the ASA heading format, the first heading comes in all capital letters. While the second subheadings are labeled in italics font and title case. The third subheadings, if any, have only the first letter capitalized and are italicized as well.
Headings and subheadings are not to be used with a bold font. All the headings are left-justified.
For example,
FIRST LEVEL HEADING
Second Level Heading
Third level heading.
ASA Format Footnotes and Endnotes
Endnotes and footnotes are used to cite material that is not entirely available or to put additional information relating to the text. They're numbered in Arabic numerals so you can refer back easily while writing.
Add information to be presented in footnotes at the bottom of the same page of the referenced text. Use endnotes at the end of the paper after the reference list but make sure to number them properly.
ASA Format Tables and Figures
Include all tables and figures on a separate appendix page. Mark all tables and figures with consecutive numbers. Be sure to number each table and figure on its own page or section of the paper so it's easy to reference back to it.
How to Cite in ASA Format?
A citation is a way to let your readers know where the information in your work came from. Citations also tell your readers where they can find more information about that source.
When it comes to citing references in the text or at the end of your paper in your reference list, follow the rules below.
ASA Reference Format
The ASA format requires that all sources or references be listed at the end of the paper. This is in a separate section called "References."
These are some rules you should follow for references:
- References are listed in alphabetical order.
- Start with the last name of the author.
- Use double spacing.
- Use title case.
- The titles of books and periodicals are italicized, while the titles of articles or chapters are in quotation marks.
- Don’t use “et al” if the work was not authored by a committee.
Following are the different citation formats for different reference sources:
| Sources | Citation Format |
|---|---|
| Books with 1 Author | Last, First Name of Author. Publication Year. Name of the Book. Location of Publisher. Name of City, State Abbreviation/Publisher’s Country Name, State and Province Postal Code: Publisher’s Name. |
| Books with Multiple Authors | Last, First Name of Author, Author’s First Last Name and Author's First Last Name. Year. Name of the Book. Name of the City, State Abb./Publisher's Country Name: Publisher's Name. |
| Chapter in a Book | Last, First Name of Author. Year. "Chapter Title." Pp. page numbers in Book Title, edited by First. Middle Name Initial. Last Name. City, State Abbreviation/Publisher Country: Name of Publisher. |
| Books with Multiple Volumes | Author's Last Name, First Name. Publication Year. Series Name. Vol. Number, Volume Title. City, State Abb./Publisher Country: Name of Publisher. |
| Scholarly Journal/Articles | Last Name of the Author, First Name. Year. "Title." Journal Title Volume #(issue number): page numbers. |
| Newspaper/Magazine Articles | Last, First Name of Author. Year. "Magazine/Newspaper Title." Name of Magazine/Newspaper, Month Year of Publication, pp. page numbers. |
| Unpublished Documents | Last, First Name of Author. Year. Title of Presentation. Location where the article was presented or is available or is accepted. |
| E-Books | Last. First Name of Author. Year. Title of the Book. City Name, the Name of the State Abbreviation/Publisher Country: Name of Publisher. Date (URL). |
| Websites | Corporate Author's Last, First Name. Publication Date. "Site Title." Retrieved Date (URL). |
ASA Format In-Text Citation
When you are adding someone's idea into your own paper, you need to add their name and the year the idea was published.
This information goes in parentheses at the end of your sentence.
For example,
“(Hooper 2016)” for a single author.
“(Smith, Barnes and Hooper 2016)” for multiple authors.
If you have already mentioned the author's name in your sentence, then you don't need to put it again in parentheses. When quoting the words of an author directly, use page numbers in your citation. The quoted text is included in between quotation marks.
ASA Format Example
Here are some examples for your guidance. Check them out to understand how to use the ASA format in your paper and citations.
ASA format or the American Sociological Association’s style of manuscript formatting, is a specific way to cite and present research. If you are writing a paper for a sociology class, it is important to follow the ASA guidelines. This guide has walked you through the basics of ASA formatting, from formatting your paper to citing sources.
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