Now that you know the basics of what citations are, and when to use them, let’s take a closer look at how to properly cite a source. First, you need to know that there are multiple styles to choose from, including Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA) and the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago style). Knowing how to cite sources in APA format, MLA format and Chicago style will be helpful for you when citing sources for different types of assignments.
When learning how to cite sources in MLA format, know that MLA style includes parenthetical in-text citations and a “works cited” page at the end of the paper with the full citations. For in-text citations, use the formats in the following examples. (Note that the numbers are page numbers corresponding to where the information is found in the source.)
- When the author’s name appears in the text: “For example, Smith notes that this is true in the majority of cases” (50–51).
- When the author’s name does not appear in the text: “This is true in the majority of cases” (Smith 50–51).
- When there are two authors: “This trend occurs throughout history, such as during the Battle of Gettysburg” (Smith and Doe 13).
- When using a direct quotation: “The renowned scientist J. Garcia states that ‘these trees have means of communicating with each other in ways humans obviously cannot hear…’” (qtd. in Smith 78).
At the end of your paper, you’ll attach a “works cited” page that contains an alphabetical listing of all of your sources. Here’s a look at the basic format of a citation:
Last name, first name of author. Title of source in italics for books or quotations for periodicals. Title of container italicized and followed by a comma, credits for the container. Publisher, publication date, location.
Not all citations will include a container. The container is the larger work of which your source is a part. For example, you may have used one essay within a collection of essays. The additional credits for the container might be the editor or translator of the collection. A container can also be a website that contains an individual webpage that you used as a source.
The location may also not be applicable to all citations. It refers to where your source is found, such as page numbers in a journal.
Like MLA style, APA style also uses in-text citations with the author’s name. However, instead of the page number, you’ll usually add the date of publication. Here’s an example: “The mice learned to navigate the maze more quickly with peanut butter as a reward than when cheese was used” (Smith, 2020).
Note that when you are citing a source in APA format, you will need to add the page number of the source to the in-text citation if you are using a direct quote from that source. Here’s an example: The scientists working on the maze study noted, “the brand of peanut butter didn’t seem to matter to the mice; they liked both Skippy and Jiff equally” (Smith, 2020, p. 16).
If you reference the author’s last name in the sentence, you’ll do so like this: “Smith (2020) found that the mice liked Skippy and Jiff peanut butter equally” (p. 16).
At the end of your paper, you'll provide a reference list labeled "References." (Center the word at the top of the page, and do not use quotes or italics.)
Here are a few quick rules for your reference list:
- List authors’ last names first, then write first and middle names as initials.
- Use hanging indentation for all lines after the first line of each entry.
- Alphabetize the list according to the authors’ last names.
- For titles, capitalize only the first word of titles and subtitles (as well as proper nouns).
- Italicize most titles (e.g., books and newspapers). Essays in collections or individual chapters in books should not receive italics, quotes or underlining.
Here’s a look at the basic formats:
- To list a book: Author. (Year of publication). Title of work. Publisher.
- To list a journal article: Author. (Year of publication). Title of work. Journal Name, volume number. Page(s).
Rather than using parenthetical citations in the text, Chicago style prefers numbers in superscript at the end of sentences. These numbers correspond to a footnote citation at the end of the page. You’ll also include a bibliography at the end of the paper that lists all of your sources.
However, there is an exception to this. Some professors might prefer that you use the author–date style rather than the notes and bibliography style. The author–date style is much like APA's in-text citations. Check with your professor to determine which version of Chicago style they prefer.
Chicago-style citations for books and journals are as follows:
Books
Last name, full first name of author(s). Publication year. Title. Place of publication: Publisher name.
Journal Articles
Last name, full first name of author(s). Publication year. “Title of article.” Journal name, volume number: page range. Hyperlink if applicable.
