100+ APA Quote Citation Examples: Perfect Your Research Writing
In academic writing, properly citing quotes in APA format is essential for maintaining credibility, avoiding plagiarism, and giving credit to original authors. The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides clear guidelines for integrating direct quotations into your work, whether they come from books, journal articles, websites, or multimedia sources. This article explores ten different types of quotes—ranging from short textual excerpts to audiovisual content—and demonstrates how to cite each with precision. Each section includes 12 ready-to-use examples formatted according to the 7th edition of the APA manual, along with contextual summaries that clarify best practices.
Short Direct Quotes from Books
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” (Lao Tzu, 1990, p. 45).
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts” (Churchill, 1953, p. 112).
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment” (Thoreau, 1854/2000, p. 67).
“Imagination is more important than knowledge” (Einstein, 1931, p. 29).
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop” (Confucius, 500 BCE/2001, p. 88).
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do” (Jobs, 2005, p. 15).
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” (Aristotle, 350 BCE/2005, p. 33).
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on” (Frost, 1936, p. 77).
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (Roosevelt, 1940, p. 102).
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” (Theodore Roosevelt, 1900, p. 44).
“Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans” (Allen, 1979, p. 12).
“Happiness can exist only in acceptance” (Frankl, 1946, p. 134).
Long Block Quotes from Academic Journals
According to Smith and Lee (2020), “Extensive longitudinal research has demonstrated a strong correlation between early childhood education and long-term socioeconomic outcomes. These findings suggest that policy investments in pre-K programs yield measurable returns over decades” (p. 215).
“Our meta-analysis reveals that cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety across diverse populations, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large” (Johnson et al., 2019, p. 88).
“Neuroimaging studies consistently show increased activity in the prefrontal cortex during moral decision-making tasks, indicating its central role in ethical reasoning” (Martinez, 2021, p. 403).
“Climate models project a global temperature rise of at least 1.5°C by 2050 if current emission trends continue, leading to irreversible ecological damage” (Patel & Kim, 2022, p. 77).
“Digital literacy is no longer optional in modern education; it is a prerequisite for full participation in civic and economic life” (Nguyen, 2020, p. 112).
“The replication crisis in psychology has prompted widespread reforms in research methodology and publication standards” (Roberts et al., 2019, p. 5).
“Social determinants of health account for a greater proportion of population health outcomes than medical interventions alone” (Williams, 2021, p. 301).
“Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare delivery, but ethical oversight remains critically underdeveloped” (Chen & Gupta, 2023, p. 19).
“Gender disparities in STEM fields persist despite decades of intervention efforts, suggesting systemic barriers remain entrenched” (O’Connor, 2022, p. 89).
“Remote work has redefined organizational culture, requiring new metrics for performance and engagement” (Taylor, 2021, p. 156).
“Early bilingual exposure enhances executive function in children, supporting cognitive flexibility well into adulthood” (Li, 2020, p. 22).
“Urban green spaces contribute significantly to mental well-being, particularly in high-density populations” (Garcia et al., 2023, p. 307).
Quotes from Online Articles and Websites
“Mindfulness meditation can reduce stress by up to 30% in just eight weeks” (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021, para. 4).
“Over 70% of remote workers report higher job satisfaction compared to office-based peers” (Forbes, 2022, para. 7).
“Renewable energy now accounts for nearly 30% of global electricity generation” (International Energy Agency, 2023, para. 2).
“Students who engage in active learning score higher on assessments than those in traditional lectures” (Edutopia, 2020, para. 5).
“AI-generated content is reshaping digital marketing strategies across industries” (TechCrunch, 2023, para. 3).
“Sleep deprivation costs the U.S. economy over $400 billion annually” (CDC, 2022, para. 1).
“Emotional intelligence is a stronger predictor of leadership success than IQ” (Psychology Today, 2021, para. 6).
“More than half of all internet users access social media daily” (Pew Research Center, 2023, para. 2).
“Plant-based diets are linked to lower risks of heart disease and diabetes” (Mayo Clinic, 2022, para. 8).
“Cybersecurity threats have increased by 67% since 2020” (CISA, 2023, para. 5).
“Gen Z values purpose-driven brands over price alone” (Deloitte, 2023, para. 3).
“Digital detoxes improve focus and emotional regulation in young adults” (BBC Future, 2022, para. 9).
Quotes from Interviews
As Dr. Rivera stated in a personal interview, “Patient-centered care leads to better adherence and improved outcomes” (April 12, 2023).
“We’re seeing a shift toward sustainable packaging across all consumer sectors,” noted CEO Thompson in an interview (March 3, 2023).
“The key to innovation is creating psychological safety within teams,” explained Professor Lin (January 15, 2023).
“Students thrive when they feel seen and heard,” said high school teacher Martinez (February 20, 2023).
“Data privacy must be embedded in product design from day one,” emphasized tech ethicist Gupta (April 5, 2023).
“Urban farming can transform food deserts into hubs of nutrition and community,” shared activist Coleman (March 18, 2023).
“Authentic storytelling builds deeper brand loyalty,” stated marketer Davis (January 30, 2023).
“Climate adaptation isn’t optional—it’s urgent,” warned environmental scientist Patel (April 10, 2023).
“Mentorship changes trajectories, especially for underrepresented students,” reflected professor Young (February 5, 2023).
“Hybrid learning requires equitable access to technology,” observed education director Kim (March 22, 2023).
“Empathy is the foundation of effective leadership,” claimed coach Ramirez (January 10, 2023).
“Artists play a vital role in social change movements,” affirmed curator Johnson (April 8, 2023).
Quotes from Podcasts and Audio Recordings
“Every breakthrough starts with a question nobody dares to ask,” said host Lena Chen on The Innovation Mindset (2022, Episode 14, 12:34).
“Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systemic issue,” argued psychologist Dr. Morgan on Mental Health Weekly (2023, Episode 7, 8:21).
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge,” stated guest speaker Roberts (Leading Forward, 2021, Episode 22, 15:40).
“We underestimate the power of small habits,” noted behavior expert Dr. Liu (Habit Hacker, 2023, Episode 5, 6:12).
“Democracy requires constant participation, not just voting every four years,” emphasized historian Dr. Greene (Civic Pulse, 2022, Episode 18, 10:05).
“Creativity flourishes under constraints,” explained designer Taylor (Creative Fuel, 2023, Episode 9, 7:33).
“Algorithms shape our worldview more than we realize,” warned tech critic Singh (Digital Life, 2022, Episode 11, 14:18).
“Resilience is built through adversity, not comfort,” shared trauma therapist Dr. Cole (Healing Voices, 2023, Episode 3, 9:45).
“Financial literacy should be taught as early as elementary school,” advocated economist Foster (Money Matters, 2021, Episode 6, 11:20).
“True inclusion means designing for everyone from the start,” insisted accessibility expert Diaz (Inclusive Futures, 2023, Episode 1, 5:10).
“Curiosity is the engine of lifelong learning,” declared educator Park (Learn Forward, 2022, Episode 13, 7:55).
“Community gardens strengthen both nutrition and neighborhood bonds,” highlighted urban planner Wright (City Roots, 2023, Episode 4, 13:02).
Quotes from Videos and YouTube Content
“The brain can change itself—a concept known as neuroplasticity—is one of the most exciting discoveries in neuroscience,” explained Dr. Sarah Jones in her TED Talk (2020, 3:45).
“You don’t need permission to make art,” said artist Marcus Lee in his YouTube video (2022, 6:10).
“Sustainable fashion isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity,” stated designer Harper in a documentary clip (Green Style, 2021, 22:15).
“Every child deserves a champion—an adult who never gives up on them,” shared educator Rita Pierson (TED, 2013, 4:20).
“Climate action starts with individual choices multiplied across millions,” argued activist Nguyen (Earth Rising, 2022, 8:30).
“AI will augment human creativity, not replace it,” predicted futurist Dr. Ellis (FutureCast, 2023, 11:45).
“Diversity in tech leads to better products for everyone,” emphasized engineer Rivera (Code Inclusive, 2021, 7:22).
“Gratitude rewires the brain for happiness,” revealed neuroscientist Dr. Kim (Mindful Science, 2020, 5:10).
“Public transportation is key to reducing urban emissions,” noted city planner Adams (Smart Cities, 2023, 9:05).
“Storytelling is the oldest form of teaching,” reminded cultural historian Brooks (Legacy Lessons, 2022, 14:30).
“Failure is just data in disguise,” joked entrepreneur Clark (Startup Stories, 2021, 6:50).
“Laughter reduces stress hormones and boosts immunity,” shared wellness coach Diaz (Joy Lab, 2023, 4:15).
Quotes from Social Media Posts
“Progress over perfection—every small step counts,” tweeted @MindfulLeader on March 10, 2023 (Twitter, 2023).
“Your voice matters. Speak up, even if it shakes,” posted activist Maya Chen on Instagram (2022, para. 1).
“Investing in girls’ education transforms entire communities,” shared UNESCO on Facebook (2023, para. 2).
“Burnout recovery starts with saying no,” wrote therapist Dr. Lena Moore on LinkedIn (2023, para. 1).
“Clean energy jobs are growing three times faster than the overall job market,” reported @GreenFuture on Twitter (2023).
“Kindness is free. Sprinkle it everywhere,” posted motivational page Daily Joy (Instagram, 2022, para. 1).
“Feedback is a gift—learn to receive it with grace,” advised leadership coach Taylor (LinkedIn, 2023, para. 3).
“You don’t need to be loud to lead,” shared introvert advocate Reed (Twitter, April 2, 2023).
“Equality isn’t a women’s issue—it’s a human issue,” posted UN Women (Facebook, 2023, para. 1).
“Curiosity killed the cat? No—complacency did,” joked science educator Dr. Vega (Instagram, 2022).
“Your resume doesn’t define your worth,” wrote career counselor Kim (LinkedIn, 2023, para. 2).
“Plastic pollution affects every ocean on Earth,” warned Greenpeace on Twitter (2023).
Quotes from Government and NGO Reports
“One in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence” (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021, p. 12).
“Over 80% of Americans support expanding renewable energy infrastructure” (U.S. Department of Energy, 2022, p. 5).
“Food insecurity has risen by 30% since 2020 due to economic instability” (United Nations, 2023, p. 8).
“Air pollution contributes to seven million premature deaths annually” (WHO, 2022, p. 15).
“Digital skills training increases employability by 40% in underserved communities” (UNICEF, 2021, p. 22).
“Children exposed to trauma require integrated mental health services in schools” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023, p. 9).
“Gender pay gaps persist across all sectors, averaging 18% globally” (International Labour Organization, 2022, p. 31).
“Access to clean water remains a critical challenge for 2.2 billion people” (UN Water, 2023, p. 6).
“Biodiversity loss threatens ecosystem stability and food security” (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, 2021, p. 44).
“Vaccination rates below 95% risk resurgence of preventable diseases” (CDC, 2022, p. 13).
“Homelessness increased by 12% in major U.S. cities last year” (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023, p. 7).
“Education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty” (UNESCO, 2022, p. 10).
Quotes from Films and Documentaries
“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse” (Brando as Don Vito Corleone, *The Godfather*, 1972, 00:12:34).
“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies” (Freeman as Red, *The Shawshank Redemption*, 1994, 01:45:22).
“Just keep swimming” (DeGeneres as Dory, *Finding Nemo*, 2003, 00:33:10).
“With great power comes great responsibility” (Dunst as Mary Jane, *Spider-Man*, 2002, 00:45:18).
“I am your father” (Irving as Darth Vader, *The Empire Strikes Back*, 1980, 01:22:45).
“You had me at ‘hello’” (Zellweger as Dorothy, *Jerry Maguire*, 1996, 01:10:05).
“Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get” (Hanks as Forrest Gump, 1994, 00:18:30).
“Why so serious?” (Ledger as Joker, *The Dark Knight*, 2008, 00:55:12).
“I’ll be back” (Schwarzenegger as Terminator, 1984, 00:40:20).
“There’s no place like home” (Garland as Dorothy, *The Wizard of Oz*, 1939, 01:55:10).
“Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand” (Reeves as Neo, *The Matrix*, 1999, 00:28:40).
“They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!” (Gibson as William Wallace, *Braveheart*, 1995, 02:05:30).
Quotes from Conference Presentations and Lectures
“Interdisciplinary collaboration drives innovation faster than siloed research,” stated Dr. Elena Torres at the Global Science Summit (2022, Slide 12).
“Equity in AI requires diverse training data and inclusive design teams,” emphasized researcher Kim at TechEthics 2023 (Slide 7).
“Student engagement peaks when learning is project-based and collaborative,” shared educator Harris at EduInnovate 2022 (Slide 5).
“Cities must prioritize walkability to reduce emissions and improve public health,” argued urban planner Diaz (Sustainable Cities Conf., 2023, Slide 9).
“Trauma-informed care improves patient trust and treatment outcomes,” explained Dr. Morgan at the Mental Health Symposium (2022, Slide 14).
“Blockchain has potential beyond cryptocurrency—think supply chain transparency,” noted tech analyst Reed (FutureTech 2023, Slide 3).
“Cultural humility is more impactful than cultural competence in healthcare,” claimed Dr. Patel (Diversity in Medicine, 2022, Slide 8).
“Gamification increases motivation in adult learners by 40%,” reported instructional designer Lee (Learning X, 2023, Slide 6).
“Regenerative agriculture restores soil health and sequesters carbon,” highlighted environmental scientist Wu (Climate Action Forum, 2022, Slide 11).
“Peer mentorship boosts retention in STEM majors,” shared program director Garcia (Higher Ed Summit, 2023, Slide 4).
“Design thinking fosters empathy and user-centered solutions,” taught professor Chen (Innovation Workshop, 2022, Slide 2).
“Open-access publishing democratizes knowledge and accelerates discovery,” asserted librarian Thompson (Academic Futures, 2023, Slide 10).
Schlussworte
Properly citing quotes in APA format is more than a technical requirement—it's a practice of intellectual honesty and scholarly respect. From books and journals to social media and live presentations, each source type demands specific formatting rules to ensure clarity and accuracy. By mastering these citation styles, writers enhance their credibility, avoid plagiarism, and contribute to a transparent academic conversation. Whether quoting a classic philosopher or a viral tweet, the principles remain the same: attribute clearly, format correctly, and verify thoroughly. As communication evolves, so too must our citation practices—adapting to new media while upholding rigorous standards. With these examples and guidelines, you're equipped to cite confidently and ethically in any context.








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