A journal article is used to write an acceptable academic essay in APA referencing format.

A journal article is a type of academic publication that presents original research, reviews existing literature, or discusses a specific topic in depth. When writing an academic essay, it is important to reference journal articles in APA format to give credit to the original authors and provide evidence to support your arguments.

To reference a journal article in APA format, you will need to include the following information:

1. Author(s) of the article
2. Year of publication
3. Title of the article
4. Title of the journal
5. Volume number of the journal
6. Issue number of the journal (if applicable)
7. Page numbers of the article
8. Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or URL (if available)

Here is an example of how to reference a journal article in APA format:

Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. M. (2019). The effects of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 25(3), 45-60. doi:10.1234/jpsy.2019.25.3.45

In-text citations for journal articles should include the author's last name and the year of publication. For example: (Smith & Johnson, 2019).

When writing an academic essay, it is important to use journal articles as sources of information to support your arguments and provide evidence for your claims. By referencing journal articles in APA format, you can ensure that your essay is well-researched and credible.

Using a Journal Article to Write an Academic Essay in APA Referencing Format

Steps:

1. Read and Understand the Journal Article:
- Read the article thoroughly to grasp its main argument, methodology, and findings.
- Note key points and evidence supporting the author's claims.

2. Develop a Thesis Statement:
- Formulate a specific and arguable statement that expresses your central point or response to the article.
- Ensure your thesis is based on evidence from the article and is not simply a summary.

3. Outline Your Essay:
- Create an outline that organizes your thoughts and ideas.
- Consider using an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

4. Cite and Reference the Journal Article:
- Follow the APA citation style to correctly cite the journal article throughout your essay.
- Use in-text citations to support your claims and provide evidence from the article.
- Include a reference list at the end of your essay listing all sources cited.

5. Write the Introduction:
- Begin with a hook to grab the reader's attention.
- State your thesis statement clearly and concisely.
- Briefly introduce the author and the main argument of the journal article.

6. Write the Body Paragraphs:
- Use separate body paragraphs to explore specific aspects of the journal article.
- Support each paragraph with evidence from the article, using in-text citations.
- Analyze the evidence and interpret its significance in relation to your thesis statement.

7. Write the Conclusion:
- Restate your thesis statement in a slightly different way.
- Summarize the main points of your essay and highlight their implications.
- Offer any concluding thoughts or call to action.

8. Proofread and Edit:
- Carefully proofread your essay for any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Ensure your formatting is consistent with APA guidelines.

APA Referencing Format

In-Text Citations:
- Include the author's last name and year of publication in parentheses within the text.
- Example: (Smith, 2023)

Reference List:
- List all sources cited in the essay alphabetically by author's last name.
- Follow APA formatting guidelines for each type of source (e.g., journal article, book).
- Example:
Smith, J. (2023). The impact of technology on student learning: A systematic review. -Journal of Educational Research-, 116(2), 150-165.