Question

When you don't know a page number where the information was printed in the original publication,

Option 1: Parenthetical documentation is required.
Option 2: Use a placeholder page number.
Option 3: Omit the page number.
Option 4: Use the average page number.

Answer 1

When the page number of a cited source is unknown, it's acceptable to omit it; use paragraph or line numbers if available. For unknown authors, use the title of the work. Online magazine articles require a DOI or URL instead.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you are citing sources in an academic paper and you do not know the page number where the information was printed in the original publication, you should not use a placeholder page number or the average page number. Instead, Option 3: Omit the page number is generally acceptable.

However, if it's possible to use paragraph numbers (in the case of prose) or line numbers (in the case of poetry), then you should do so. For example, a source cited in APA style without page numbers may include the specific paragraph indicated (e.g., "para. 18").

When the author of a source is unknown, you should use the work's title in a signal phrase or a shortened version of the title in parentheses. If it's an article, put quotation marks around the title, and italicize book or journal titles. If possible, consult the professor or the citation guidelines for the specific type of source you are using.

If the source is a magazine article read online and has no page numbers, you should provide the DOI if available; otherwise, provide the URL. Remember to present the information in a way that allows readers to easily find the original material.