When writing a paper, creating a presentation, or putting together any assignment or making an argument, it's important to identify your sources of information in order to give your assignments and arguments credibility. In order for your readers to locate the information sources you used, there are citation style formats that need to be followed to allow for consistency and completeness of sources.
While there are several citation style formats, the two primary styles used are MLA and APA.
This guide provides resources on how to format sources in MLA and APA format. Most of the library's databases as well as the library's OneSearch system also have citation tools that allow you to copy and paste the citations into assignments.
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MLA Style (Modern Language Association) is used often to cite sources within the Liberal Arts and Humanities. The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers contains information on how to write papers in MLA Style, citing within your paper, and how to prepare the Works Cited page. See the resources below for more information: |
These are the general pieces of information that MLA suggests including in each Works Cited entry. In your citation, the elements should be listed in the following order:
Each element should be followed by the punctuation mark shown here.
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The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) is used often to cite sources within the social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, nursing, communications, education, business, engineering, and other fields. The 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the APA contains information on how to write papers in APA Style, citing within your paper, and how to prepare the Works Cited page. See the resources below for more information: |
One of the most important reasons to cite your sources is to avoid any accusations of plagiarism.
The two videos below address the ethical considerations of the research process and ways to avoid plagiarizing.
