Walden University: Analyzing and Improving APA Citation in Writing

This essay analyzes the main points of a study regarding graduate students' difficulties with APA citation, highlighting that students' lack of attentiveness and instructors' failure to correct citations are key issues. It emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and continuous practice for mastering APA style. Instructors should correct 'fossilized' mistakes and address challenges in identifying source types. The analysis concludes that consistent practice and feedback are essential for students to improve their APA citation skills, enabling them to avoid common errors and enhance their academic writing.

Running head: ADDING EVALUATION 1
Adding Evaluation
Phuong Phan
Walden University

ADDING EVALUATION 1
Analysis of the Main Point
According to Chism & Weerakoon (2012), students' lack of attentiveness and their
instructors' failure to correct students' citations were two main reasons graduate students were
unaware of their errors while citing in APA style. In order to achieve high level of performance
in citation, learners are supposed to pay attention to detail. The study by Chism & Weerakoon
proved that attention to detail is important since it helps the student prevent errors and makes
masterly of APA style easier. However, learners’ efforts might not bare fruits especially when
their instructors fail to correct their citations. It is therefore significant for lecturers to help
scholars recognize their “fossilized” mistakes (citation errors they make without even thinking)
through correcting them. As concluded by Chism & Weerakoon, for students to have a splendid
masterly of APA citation style, they have to be influenced by theoretical issues, practice as well
as personal style preferences.
Chism & Weerakoon (2012) found out that there are various factors that affect students’
understanding of APA citation style. In order cite a source correctly; a student needs to
understand the category under which it falls. However, some learners face a challenge while
identifying the type of a source they want to cite owing to their misperceptions of how a source
material needs to be classified. In their investigation, Chism & Weerakoon realized that some
scholars found it easier to recognize books, chapters, articles, articles, and journals but faced
difficulties while separating title volumes in a series, electronic sources, as well as in conference
preparation. Thus, instructors can assist their students by helping them overcome some of these
challenges they encounter while citing their written works in APA style.

ADDING EVALUATION 2
Chism & Weerakoon (2012) concluded that incessant practice enables students to perfect
their APA citation skills. When learners practice using this citing style, they will be in a position
to increase their ability and solve most of the difficulties they face. What is more, with
unremitting practice, students will get an opportunity to learn something new and so, avoid
common errors they are prone to. It is therefore imperative for lecturers to provide their students
with opportunities to practice their APA citation skills and provide them with feedback so that
they can progress.

ADDING EVALUATION 3
Reference
Chism, N. V., & Weerakoon, S. (2012). PA, Meet Google: Graduate students’ approaches
tolearning citation style. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12(2), 27-
38.