Citing Sources Guide

Most instructors will require you to cite your sources of information (e.g., book, website, personal interview, article or video) in a bibliography or a works cited page, and for good reason. When you cite properly you:

• Acknowledge those whose ideas and writings you depended on
• Get credit for doing good research and using quality sources
• Demonstrate how well you back up your ideas
• Help readers verify your sources or read more about your topic
• Relate your writing and ideas to the larger community of people writing on your topic

There are many styles of writing citations, such as the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), American Medical Association (AMA), Chicago, and Turabian styles. Ask your instructors which style they prefer for your papers. The following are some great web resources on how to cite using different citation styles. 

MLA Style, 7th Edition

• Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format is a comprehensive explanation of using MLA style from Purdue University's Writing Lab.
  
• Humanities Research and Documentation Online from Bedford/St. Martins includes good examples of  MLA styles.  Open drop down menus on the left under "Documentation" and in text for examples.
• Citation Fox from University at Albany, SUNY includes expanding menu providing works cited page citation examples.
  
• MLA Style Guide from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg.

APA Style, 6th Edition

• You may want to watch this short Video on APA style.
• Using American Psychological Association (APA) Format is a comprehensive explanation of using APA style from Purdue University's Writing Lab. 
• Examples of citing electronic resources in APA Style are available from APA Style.org. 
  This site also contains an APA Style Frequently Asked Questions section.
• Social Science Research and Documentation Online from Bedford/St. Martins includes good examples of  APA styles.  Open drop down menus on the left under "Documentation" and in text for examples.
• Citation Fox from University at Albany, SUNY includes expanding menu providing APA works cited page citation examples.
  

Try these free citation composers to format your citations:

Warning! Citation writing software may have programming glitches, and if you put in the wrong information in the boxes provided you will get an inaccurate citation. Always check the final product and make the appropriate edits.  Also, be careful when saving your work at the online services server, they may loose your saved work.  Always save a backup copy on your own computer or disc.

• EasyBib offers a free online MLA bibliography composer.
• David Warlick Landmark-Project Citation Machine is a free online citation composer for MLA and APA styles.
• SourceAid is a free online citation formatting/management and research tool that requires an initial registration. You may choose from MLA, APA, CSE or Chicago styles.

Spring 2013 LMS