Is APA taught in Intro English class?

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My question is whether any of you work in colleges where APA format is taught in an Introductory Writing class, or do you have to teach it to your students? Our English Department doesn't teach APA format, although many majors require it.

elkpark

14,633 Posts

Not in my experience, because APA format is only one of several different styles "out there" and it's not the one that the English/literature world uses.

Mine allowed us to decide. (MLA or APA)

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

In English, we were required to use MLA format. In the nursing courses, we were taught, and required to use, APA format.

MunoRN, RN

8,058 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.

There is no standard format, APA is just one of a number of citation formats, so many schools do not include APA as a required part of their curriculum. Personally I think it's a bit silly to mandate that any particular format be required over another.

Shanua_RN

1 Post

The English Comp classes are supposed to teach the student MLA or APA based on their major and what they will need. I still have to teach it to students though. I have a list of resources and videos to show formatting.

SouthpawRN

337 Posts

We are required to use APA format, but you buy the book and figure it out yourself. this is a great source when you are not sure how to do something specific APA Style Blog

Kristenlaurenw

68 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Faculty, ER Nurse.

In English classes I was required to use MLA. In journalism/ PR/ advertising classes I was required to use AP (associated press) format. I was never introduced to APA until I became a nursing major.

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Where I teach ... the nursing faculty produced a short 3-page paper on the most common elements of APA. Of course, they use APA format for the paper. All students get a copy and it is readily available to all -- providing not only a quick reference for common formatting questions, but also a great example of it use.

dudette10, MSN, RN

3,530 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
There is no standard format, APA is just one of a number of citation formats, so many schools do not include APA as a required part of their curriculum. Personally I think it's a bit silly to mandate that any particular format be required over another.

It's mandated in nursing school, and if one plans to be published in a nursing journal, APA format will be expected. It isn't silly; it's aligned with the citation format of the discipline.

chare

4,238 Posts

It's mandated in nursing school, and if one plans to be published in a nursing journal, APA format will be expected. It isn't silly; it's aligned with the citation format of the discipline.

Not necessarily. While APA style might be used by the majority of nursing programs, a growing number of nursing publications require the use of AMA style with morificecript submission.

dudette10, MSN, RN

3,530 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
Not necessarily. While APA style might be used by the majority of nursing programs, a growing number of nursing publications require the use of AMA style with morificecript submission.

True that it is a growing requirement, but APA continues to be required by a majority of nursing journals (not a plurality--a majority). And, my statement that it's not silly to mandate a specific citation style is still accurate, in that it aligns with the expected style of journals in the discipline.

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