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Use the menu below to learn how to create APSA parenthetical citations.

Citing government documents

Use the following table to learn how to cite government documents according to APSA guidelines.

Type of citation
 What you should do
Example
Government document:
Basic from, long author name

Use the standard author-date format.

If the name of the government agency that authored a document is long, you may use a short form or acronym in subsequent references.

 (U.S. International Trade Commission 1978, 12; hereafter USITC)
Court case Give the name of the case and the year.

(Baker v. Carr 1962)

[Note that the name of the case, except for the "v.," is in italics or underlined.]
Statute Give the name of the statute and the year. (Budget and Improvement Act 1987)

 

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