asa format guide

Quick simple asa format guide you can use on your academic papers

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ASA citation style is used in the field of sociology. It is an acronym for the ‘American Sociological Association.’ This format is used mostly by academics, scholars, and students of sociology in their manuscripts or articles that they submit to the field of sociology. If not used correctly, the ASA citation format might put the work in the position of being discredited or postponement of its acknowledgments along with its writer’s career development.

You would find an ASA format or manuscript format in the sociology field. As a sociology student, it is a high chance this ASA citation guide is handy. Pay close citations to certain parts of the paper affected by the ASA citation is necessary. Parts that could be affected include the title page, abstract, in-text citations, heading format, reference list, and formatting specifics.

ASA citation has a close resemblance to the widely used APA style. The biggest is that both styles use parenthetical references. These appear at the end of the paper in the ‘references’ section. Another noticeable feature is an emphasis on the date. It always follows the author’s name.

Basics of ASA citation

A few general formatting requirements from the ASA style guide need to be applied when using the ASA citation format. Unless otherwise instructed, stick to the following format:

Place margins of one and a quarter inch on each side
Ensure all written text is in font size 12 and is double-spaced, including footnotes, etc.
If necessary, an abstract should also be included. It should have a title and be about 200 words in length.
There should be a separate title page, including the paper’s title, authors’ names, word count, and title footnote.
There should be a sequential numbering of pages, tables, footnotes, and endnotes.

ASA title page

This is the first thing one sees when picking up a paper. It is your job to make it look sharp and create it in accordance with all of the rules so that it looks professional and presentable.

The ASA citation format title usually contains the following information:

ASA header, which is the full title of the work
Names and institutions of the writers
A total word count
Address of the author or one who receives communication and feedback regarding the work
Acknowledgements of all sponsors
Grants/ funding of the research

ASA abstract

It appears on a separate page between the title page and the beginning of the essay. It is usually about 150 to 200 words. If an abstract page is included, it usually lists several keywords that help identify the main points of study.

Subheadings

To organize the body paragraphs, the ASA format uses subheadings. They do not only serve to just name the paragraph. There are various levels of subheadings. Subheadings in ASA formatting are usually left-aligned and are never written in bold letters. The editing style of the following subheadings corresponds with the way they should appear in the text:

First–level subheading

Do not use bold font
Do not begin with a heading, such as an introduction
Letters in the upper case indicate the first-level subheading

Second–level subheading

Avoid bold font
Should be italicized
Title case is used, i.e., the first letter of each word is capitalized except for prepositions and articles.

Third-level subheading

Only the first word is capitalized
Italicized
A spirit should follow it
It should be indented at the beginning of the paragraph.

General ASA citation rules

Below are a few simple rules when it comes to the ASA writing style:

Unless instructed otherwise, this type of work avoids using the first person.
It is best to stop giving opinions unless the essay is argumentative since the paper will be heavily referenced.
Unless the words like ‘percent’ and ‘verses’ appear as data in the tables or graphs, they are always spelled and not abbreviated.
The writing should be in an active voice and straightforward. Avoid slang, common expressions, superlatives, and jargon.
You should be cautious of racial and ethnic stereotyping. You should be specific when describing ethnicity or race. Instead of using Latino, use Mexican and Japanese instead of Asian.
Only when gendered terms are crucial in the specific analysis. Avoid using references like ‘mankind’ but use non-gendered terms like ‘the global population.’
If the text requires an acronym, provide the full name with the acronym in parentheses. You can then stick to the acronym after this.

ASA in-text citations

How and when to use in-text citations

When it comes to in-text citations, the ASA and APA format is similar, and they are used when presenting information from any source. For American Sociological Association citations, the general rule is to state the author’s last name and the referenced material’s initial publishing date.

ASA citation for multiple authors

Below are a few examples of how to use ASA in-text citations for multiple authors

For two, write both their surnames followed by the year of publication.

Example: (Bockris and Malanga 2003)

All their last names should be included in the first citation for three or more authors. In the other citations, include the first name followed by ‘et al.’ and the year of publication.

Citing quotes

Short quotations in the body should be enclosed with quotation marks. Quotations with more than 40 words are block quotations and should be offset from the rest of the text with a single space. Omit quotation marks when using block quotes in ASA format. The works are cited like the rest, but the page number should be included beside the year of publication. A semicolon is used to separate the year from the pagination.

ASA reference page

The reference page of the ASA citation should start with the word ‘references.’ A hanging indent is used and double-spaced. Except for articles, prepositions, and conjunctions, capitalize the first letter of every other word. However, the first letters of these exceptional could be capitalized if they are in the beginning of the title or subtitle of the reference. Based on the author’s last name, references are listed alphabetically.

Unless the authors used initials in the publication, all authors’ first and middle names are included.
Still, if the author repeats, include the full name on all the references. In such an instance, the work should be arranged chronologically from oldest to newest.
You should place a single-authored reference as the first author if the author is a single-authored reference. Besides, you should place a single-authored reference first in a multi-authored reference.
When you are including multiple works by the same author from the same year, letters should be included after the years, and references from one author should be listed alphabetically.
Ensure you include all of the authors of the publications. In the references section, you may not use et al.

The ASA reference page is similar to APA, with a few deviations. Below is how to cite the most common types of references:

How to cite E-books:

Author [Last, first]. Year of publication. Title (italicized). Place of publishing: Publisher. Retrieved Month Day, Year {link}.

How to cite books

Author [Last, first]. Year of Publication. Title (italicized). Place of Publishing: Publisher

How to cite a magazine article

Author [Last, first]. Year of Publication. “Title (italicized).” Magazine Name, Month Year, pp. Inclusive page numbers.

How to cite a journal article

Author [Last, first]. Year of Publication. “Title (italicized).” Journal Name issue #: inclusive page numbers.

How to cite a web page ASA style

Author [Last, first]. Date of Publishing. Title. Publisher. Retrieved Month Day, Year {link}.

Footnotes and endnotes

These come into play when you need to expand the text, add or explain information from the table or cite materials with limited access. The most likely to be used are the endnotes. It is good to decide whether you will be using footnotes or endnotes in your ASA format and then use the selected one consistently throughout the paper. Each entry should not be more than 100 words. They are usually placed at the bottom of the page that has the reference list. Footnotes appear on the same page as the material being expanded or underlined. Arabic numerals should be used to number the footnotes in the order they appear. Endnotes are listed at the end of the paper after the reference section. For the ASA citation, footnotes and endnotes are numbered. There should always be harmony in how the endnotes and footnotes are utilized.

Manuscript format

All text must be double-spaced (including references, footnotes, and endnotes).
The text must be in 12-point Times New Roman.
Single-spacing may be used for block quotations.
Margins must be at least 1.25 inches on all four sides.
A separate title page with the paper’s title, author, and institution of the author. If the authors are more than one, they should be listed vertically.
A short abstract headed with the title can be included on a separate page if required.
The text should be on a separate page with the paper’s title.

Citing within your text

The basic form for citations in the text includes the author’s last name and year of publication. Include a page number when you refer to specific passages or quotes directly from the work.

Tables and Figures

When including tables or figures in your ASA paper, provide clear and concise captions to describe them. Tables and figures play an important role in presenting data and information in research papers or academic articles. In ASA format, here are the guidelines for including tables and figures:

Tables

A descriptive title should follow the table number. Place the title above the table and align it to the left.
Each table should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals (Table 1, Table 2, etc.).
Use horizontal lines to separate the column headings from the body of the table and to separate the end of the table.
Include column headings and label them clearly for easy understanding.
If the table is obtained from another source, include a citation below the table to acknowledge the source.

If necessary, add a note below the table to provide additional details or explanations

Figures

- Each figure should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).
- The figure number should be followed by a descriptive caption below the figure and aligned to the left.
- If the figure is obtained from another source, include a citation below the figure to acknowledge the source.
- Ensure that figures are clear, properly labeled, and easy to interpret.
It is important to remember to refer to each table and figure in your paper’s text and briefly explain its relevance. Additionally, consider placing the tables and figures close to the text where they are mentioned or on separate pages following the references section.

Conclusion

Using the ASA format for your academic writing in sociology is vital for ensuring consistency, accuracy, and credibility. You can structure your essays, research papers, and other written assignments by following the guidelines mentioned in this ASA format guide. The critical elements of the ASA format, such as the cover page, abstract (if required), headings and subheadings, in-text citations, and reference list, help organize and present your ideas in an organized manner.

Citing your sources appropriately using parenthetical citations and creating a comprehensive references section allows readers to locate and verify the information you have used in your work. Remember to adhere to the specific formatting guidelines. Pay attention to the hierarchy of headings and subheadings and the indentation of paragraphs and block quotes to maintain readability and clarity. Provide clear and concise captions when including tables, label them appropriately, and ensure they are correctly referenced.

These visual elements enhance the understanding of your research findings and add credibility to your work. You demonstrate professionalism, attention to detail, and adherence to academic standards by mastering the ASA format and consistently applying it to your writing. Utilize this ASA format guide as a handy reference tool for all your future academic writing endeavors in sociology. If you are too committed to complete your work or you are too busy, contact Studygroom.com, and we will take care of the rest. Our writers are competent, and we will meet the requirements of your essay.