Citation Guide

This guide contains information to help you create annotated bibliographies and cite sources according to different style manuals. It includes examples of APA and MLA citations, plus links to resources for citing with other style guides, like Chicago and AMA. You'll also find information on avoiding plagiarism.

Visit these sites for more information about constructing in-text citations, as well as citations for bibliographies, references lists, and works cited lists:

Create a trail

Citing sources produces a research trail so that those who read or hear your work can find the same materials you did. When you conduct research for a paper, presentation, or other project, one way you "show your work" is by citing sources. Citing appropriate sources also lends authority and credibility to your arguments.

Avoid plagiarizing

You must cite any quotation, summary, or restatement of any idea or passage from your research. Citing sources is giving credit where credit is due. Not citing sources is plagiarism and can carry severe academic penalties.

Whenever you consult a source, record its citation information and note whether you quote (copy passages word-for-word) or you paraphrase (put passages into your own words).

For any material accessed online, note:

• Title of the website or database where you found the material
• URL address (starts with http:// or https://)
• date you accessed the material
• a DOI (digital object identifier), if available

For a book, note:

• full name(s) of author(s) or editor(s)
• full title of the book, including subtitle
• facts of publication: city, publisher, latest copyright date
• edition name or number, if there's more than one
• if applicable, name of series, volume number, and total volumes in the series
• original publication information of any reprinted work
• if using a specific section (introduction, forward, etc.), title, author, and page number range of that section
• specific page numbers for information read or noted

For a periodical article, note:

• full name(s) of author(s)
• full title of the article, including subtitle
• full title of the journal, magazine, or newspaper, or trade publication
• facts of publication: publication date, and, if applicable, volume and issue numbers
• if a special issue, title or description of the issue and special issue editor(s), if different than regular editor(s)
• page number range for the article
• original publication information of any reprinted work
• specific page numbers for information read or noted

For a webpage, note:

• full name(s) of author(s) and/or sponsor(s) of the site
• title of the webpage
• original publication information of any reprinted work
• date the website was last updated

For another source (film, music, photo, etc.):

• Consult a guide for the specific citation style you're using