Kara Sears
When citing a policy or law in APA style, it is essential to follow specific formatting guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency. The name of the policy or law should be written in sentence case, meaning only the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized. Italicize the title of the policy or law, and include the jurisdiction (e.g., country, state) in parentheses immediately after the title. For example, *Affordable Care Act (United States)*. If the policy or law is part of a larger code or compilation, include the section or chapter number in parentheses after the title, such as *Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d (United States)*. Properly formatting policy or law names in APA style ensures that your citations are accurate, professional, and easily identifiable for readers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Italicization | Do not italicize the name of a policy or law. |
| Quotation Marks | Do not use quotation marks around the name of a policy or law. |
| Capitalization | Capitalize the first letter of all major words (e.g., Affordable Care Act). |
| Abbreviations | Use the full name of the policy or law on first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses if applicable (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)). Thereafter, use the abbreviation alone. |
| Punctuation | Do not add periods after the name of a policy or law unless it is an abbreviation that typically includes them (e.g., U.S.A. PATRIOT Act). |
| Formatting in Text | Treat the policy or law name as a proper noun and format it consistently throughout the document. |
| References | If citing a specific section or title of a policy or law, include the section number or title in parentheses after the name (e.g., Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Title I). |
| Examples | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Civil Rights Act of 1964, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. |
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What You'll Learn
- Capitalization Rules: Title case for policy/law names, capitalize first word and proper nouns
- Italics Usage: Do not italicize policy or law names in APA formatting
- Quotation Marks: Avoid using quotation marks for policy or law titles
- Abbreviations: Use official abbreviations if available, otherwise spell out fully
- Citing Policies: Include jurisdiction, title, and year in in-text or reference citations
Capitalization Rules: Title case for policy/law names, capitalize first word and proper nouns
When referencing policies or laws in APA style, it is crucial to adhere to specific capitalization rules to ensure consistency and professionalism. The primary rule is to use title case for policy or law names. Title case means capitalizing the first word of the title and any proper nouns within it, while leaving other words in lowercase unless they are part of a hyphenated compound term. For example, the correct formatting for the *Affordable Care Act* would capitalize "Affordable," "Care," and "Act" because these are the first word and proper nouns. This rule applies universally across all policy and law names in APA style.
In addition to capitalizing the first word and proper nouns, it is important to maintain consistency throughout the document. If a policy or law name appears multiple times, ensure it is capitalized identically each time. For instance, *Every Student Succeeds Act* should always be written with "Every," "Student," and "Succeeds" capitalized, regardless of its placement in a sentence. This consistency helps readers recognize and understand the reference without confusion. Avoid the temptation to capitalize every word, as this deviates from APA guidelines and may appear unprofessional.
Hyphenated terms within policy or law names require special attention. If a compound term is hyphenated, capitalize each part of the term. For example, in the *Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute*, both "Patient" and "Centered" are capitalized because they form a hyphenated compound modifier. However, if the term is not hyphenated, only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. For instance, *No Child Left Behind Act* capitalizes "No," "Child," "Left," and "Behind" because they are part of the title, but "Left" is capitalized as it is a proper noun in this context.
Proper nouns within policy or law names must always be capitalized, regardless of their position in the title. This includes geographical locations, specific institutions, or named programs. For example, in the *California Environmental Quality Act*, "California" and "Quality" are capitalized because they are proper nouns. Similarly, in the *Americans with Disabilities Act*, "Americans" and "Disabilities" are capitalized as they refer to specific groups or conditions. This rule ensures clarity and respect for the entities being referenced.
Finally, when citing policies or laws in APA style, ensure that the title case rule extends to both in-text citations and reference lists. For in-text citations, use the abbreviated form if the name is lengthy, but maintain title case. For example, (*Affordable Care Act*, 2010) is correctly formatted. In the reference list, the full title should appear in title case, followed by the year of enactment in parentheses. For example: *Affordable Care Act (2010)*. Adhering to these capitalization rules not only aligns with APA standards but also enhances the readability and credibility of your work.
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Italics Usage: Do not italicize policy or law names in APA formatting
When formatting policy or law names in APA style, it is crucial to adhere to specific guidelines regarding italics usage. The general rule is straightforward: do not italicize policy or law names. This rule applies to both full names and abbreviated forms of policies or laws. For example, the *Affordable Care Act* should be written as "Affordable Care Act," and the *Americans with Disabilities Act* should be written as "Americans with Disabilities Act." This consistency ensures clarity and professionalism in academic and professional writing.
The rationale behind avoiding italics for policy or law names lies in APA’s emphasis on readability and standardization. Policies and laws are considered formal titles of legal documents, and APA style treats them similarly to book or journal titles, which are also not italicized. Instead, they are capitalized using title case, where the first letter of each major word is capitalized. For instance, "Family and Medical Leave Act" is correctly formatted without italics and with proper capitalization. This approach aligns with APA’s goal of maintaining uniformity across scholarly works.
It is important to distinguish between policy or law names and other elements that may require italics in APA formatting. For example, titles of books, journals, or newspapers are italicized, but legislative acts, amendments, or constitutional provisions are not. If referencing a specific section within a law, such as "Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act," the law name ("Rehabilitation Act") remains unitalicized, while the section designation ("Section 504") is also not italicized. This clear distinction helps writers avoid confusion and ensures compliance with APA standards.
In cases where a policy or law name is part of a larger sentence or paragraph, consistency in formatting remains key. For example, in the sentence, "The *No Child Left Behind Act* was a significant education reform," the correct APA formatting would be, "The No Child Left Behind Act was a significant education reform." This rule extends to all references, whether in the text, references list, or any other section of the document. Writers should double-check their work to ensure no accidental italicization of policy or law names.
Finally, while APA style does not require italics for policy or law names, it is essential to verify the specific guidelines of the institution or publication for which the work is being prepared. Some organizations may have additional style preferences or exceptions. However, as a general rule, adhering to APA’s directive to avoid italicizing policy or law names will ensure that the document meets widely accepted academic and professional standards. This attention to detail reflects the writer’s commitment to precision and adherence to established formatting norms.
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Quotation Marks: Avoid using quotation marks for policy or law titles
When formatting policy or law names in APA style, it is crucial to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency. One key rule to remember is Quotation Marks: Avoid using quotation marks for policy or law titles. Instead, APA style dictates that titles of policies, laws, and legal documents should be presented in sentence case and italicized. This approach distinguishes these titles from other elements in your text while maintaining a professional and standardized appearance. For example, instead of writing *"The Affordable Care Act"* with quotation marks, you should write *The Affordable Care Act* in italics.
The rationale behind avoiding quotation marks for policy or law titles in APA style is rooted in typographical conventions and readability. Quotation marks are typically reserved for shorter works, such as articles or chapters, whereas policies and laws are considered longer, standalone documents. By italicizing the title instead of enclosing it in quotation marks, you signal to the reader that the reference is to a formal, authoritative document. This practice aligns with APA’s emphasis on precision and consistency in academic and professional writing.
To implement this rule effectively, follow these steps: first, identify the official title of the policy or law. Next, capitalize only the first word of the title and any proper nouns, adhering to sentence case. Finally, italicize the entire title to indicate its status as a formal document. For instance, *The Civil Rights Act of 1964* is correctly formatted in APA style. Avoid adding quotation marks or bolding the title, as these can detract from the intended formatting.
It’s important to note that this guideline applies specifically to the titles of policies and laws. If you are quoting a specific section or provision within a policy or law, quotation marks may be used for the quoted material, but the title itself should remain italicized. For example, you might write: *The Family and Medical Leave Act* states, “an eligible employee shall be entitled to a total of 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period.” Here, the title is italicized, while the quoted provision is enclosed in quotation marks.
In summary, when typing a policy or law name in APA style, always avoid using quotation marks for policy or law titles. Instead, italicize the title and use sentence case to ensure compliance with APA guidelines. This practice not only enhances the readability of your document but also demonstrates your attention to detail and adherence to academic standards. By mastering this rule, you contribute to the clarity and professionalism of your writing, making it easier for readers to identify and locate the referenced policies or laws.
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Abbreviations: Use official abbreviations if available, otherwise spell out fully
When citing policies or laws in APA style, the use of abbreviations requires careful consideration to ensure clarity and adherence to academic standards. The general rule is to use official abbreviations if they are available, as these are widely recognized and accepted. For instance, the Americans with Disabilities Act can be abbreviated as ADA, as this is the official and commonly used shorthand. Official abbreviations are typically found in the legislation itself, government publications, or authoritative legal databases. Utilizing these ensures consistency and professionalism in your writing.
If an official abbreviation is not available, spell out the policy or law name in full. This approach avoids confusion and ensures that your reader understands the reference without needing to decipher unfamiliar shorthand. For example, instead of creating an abbreviation for the "Every Student Succeeds Act," it is better to write it out completely, especially if there is no widely accepted abbreviation. This practice aligns with APA's emphasis on accessibility and precision in academic communication.
In cases where you must create an abbreviation because the policy or law name is lengthy and frequently referenced, introduce the abbreviation upon first mention by providing the full name followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. For example, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010." Thereafter, you may use the abbreviation alone. However, this should only be done if the abbreviation aids readability and is consistently used throughout the document.
It is also important to avoid non-standard or unofficial abbreviations, as these can lead to misinterpretation. For instance, abbreviating the Family and Medical Leave Act as "FMLA" is appropriate because it is the official and widely recognized abbreviation. However, abbreviating it as "FAMLA" or "FML Act" would be incorrect and confusing. Always prioritize official or widely accepted abbreviations over self-created ones.
Finally, be consistent in your use of abbreviations throughout your document. If you decide to use an official abbreviation, ensure it is used uniformly in all instances. Similarly, if you spell out a policy or law name in full, maintain that approach unless an abbreviation is introduced and justified. Consistency enhances the readability and credibility of your work, aligning with APA's guidelines for clear and concise academic writing. By following these principles, you ensure that your citations of policies and laws are both accurate and accessible.
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Citing Policies: Include jurisdiction, title, and year in in-text or reference citations
When citing policies or laws in APA style, it is crucial to include the jurisdiction, title, and year in both in-text and reference list citations. This ensures clarity and allows readers to locate the source accurately. The jurisdiction refers to the governing body or entity that issued the policy, such as a federal agency, state government, or international organization. Including the jurisdiction helps distinguish between policies with similar titles from different regions or levels of government. For example, if citing a policy from the U.S. Department of Education, the jurisdiction would be clearly identified as federal and specific to the United States.
In-text citations for policies should include the jurisdiction, a shortened version of the title, and the year of publication. If the jurisdiction’s name is lengthy, it can be abbreviated or shortened for brevity, provided the abbreviation is clear and widely recognized. For instance, an in-text citation might appear as (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, *Affordable Care Act*, 2010). If the jurisdiction is mentioned in the narrative, only the title and year are necessary, such as "The *Affordable Care Act* (2010) introduced significant healthcare reforms." Consistency in formatting ensures that readers can easily identify and locate the policy being referenced.
The reference list entry for a policy follows a specific APA format, emphasizing the jurisdiction, title, and year. The general structure is: *Jurisdiction. (Year). Title of the policy or law*. For example: *U.S. Department of Labor. (2021). Family and Medical Leave Act*. If the policy is part of a larger code or compilation, include the specific section or division after the title. For instance: *California Legislature. (2019). California Education Code, Section 48900*. This detailed approach ensures that all essential information is provided for proper identification.
When the policy title is lengthy, it can be shortened in the in-text citation for readability, but the full title should always appear in the reference list. For example, an in-text citation might use (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, *Clean Air Act Amendments*, 1990), while the reference list entry would include the complete title: *United States Environmental Protection Agency. (1990). Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990*. This balance between brevity and completeness is key to effective APA citations.
Finally, if the policy does not have a formal title or is part of a larger document, cite the relevant section or provision clearly. For example, if referencing a specific rule within a federal code, the citation might appear as (U.S. Code, *42 U.S.C. § 1983*, 2015) in the in-text citation and *U.S. Congress. (2015). 42 U.S.C. § 1983* in the reference list. This approach ensures that even less conventional policy sources are cited accurately and in accordance with APA guidelines. By consistently including jurisdiction, title, and year, writers can create citations that are both precise and accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
In APA style, the title of a policy or law should be italicized. For example: *Affordable Care Act*. If the title is part of a larger document or report, use sentence case for the title and capitalize only the first word and proper nouns.
Yes, if the law or policy is commonly known by an abbreviation, include it in parentheses after the first mention of the full title. For example: *Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)*.
When citing a specific section or subsection, include the abbreviated title of the law, followed by the section number in parentheses. For example: *ADA (§ 12102)*. Use the official abbreviation if available, or create one if necessary.
