Citing Sources: Guide To Authors & Formatting Your Paper
Are you grappling with the complexities of academic writing, unsure how to properly acknowledge the sources that inform your work? Mastering the art of citation isn't merely a matter of avoiding plagiarism; it's about building credibility, demonstrating thorough research, and engaging in a meaningful academic discourse.
Navigating the world of citations can feel like traversing a labyrinth. Different academic disciplines and institutions often have their own preferred citation styles, adding to the potential for confusion. Whether you're working on a research paper, an essay, or any other academic project, understanding the nuances of various citation formats is crucial for producing a well-researched and professionally presented piece of writing.
Let's delve into the core principles of citing sources, focusing on two of the most widely used styles: MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association). While this information serves as a guideline, not expert advice, it should help guide you. Always consult with your professor about the appropriate citation format for your assignments and projects.
When you're writing a paper, you'll encounter a variety of sources that contribute to your research. These might include books, journal articles, websites, interviews, and even films or television shows. Properly citing each source is essential to give credit to the original authors and to allow your readers to locate the sources themselves. For example, you might have authors like Westinghouse (2017) as sources for your paper.
Here is some of the relevant and important information in the table, to guide you for your writing:
| Citation Style | Description | Key Features | Common Uses | Example | Notes |
| MLA (Modern Language Association) | Primarily used in humanities and literature. | Parenthetical citations (author-page), Works Cited list at the end. | Literature, language studies, cultural studies. | (Smith 262) or Smith argues that... (262). Works Cited: Smith, John. The Art of Writing. Publisher, 2023. | Uses "page" to refer to page numbers. If multiple works by the same author are used, the author's name is only given in the first entry. For subsequent entries, type three hyphens, followed by a period and the title. |
| APA (American Psychological Association) | Common in social sciences, psychology, education, and business. | Author-date system, Reference list at the end. | Psychology, education, sociology, business, and sciences | (Jones, 2020, p. 45) or Jones (2020) found that... (p. 45). References: Jones, A. (2020). The Study. Publisher. | Uses "p." or "pp." for page numbers. It has a lot of guidelines for different types of sources. When APA revised their manual in 2019 for their 7th edition, they changed how you compose reference page citations with multiple authors. |
| Citing Multiple Authors |
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| Citing Works by the Same Author in the Same Year | Include a lowercase letter immediately following the date. | Both MLA and APA | (Smith, 2023a) and (Smith, 2023b) | Works are listed alphabetically by title. |
In the world of academic research, clarity is paramount. Avoiding ambiguity and ensuring that your readers can easily identify and verify your sources is essential. This is where adhering to the specific guidelines of citation styles like MLA and APA becomes critical. These styles provide a structured framework for presenting your sources, eliminating confusion, and helping readers follow your train of thought.
Let's look at the specifics of different citation styles. The MLA Handbook (9th edition) is your primary resource for MLA style. In APA style, the APA Publication Manual provides the official guidelines. Remember that these are guides; your professor's preferences always take precedence. If you have multiple sources from a single author in the same year, you'll differentiate them with lowercase letters after the publication year: (Smith, 2023a), (Smith, 2023b), and so on. These citations refer to specific works by the author, listed alphabetically by title in your "Works Cited" (MLA) or "References" (APA) page.
Text citations typically include the author's name and the year of publication, sometimes accompanied by a page number. However, the precise format depends on the style guide you're following. In APA style, you'll typically use the author-date format: (Author, Year). In MLA, you'll usually use the author-page format: (Author Page). Both styles have nuanced rules for various situations, such as citing two or more authors, citing works by the same author, or citing sources with no page numbers.
For example, imagine that you are citing a work which has two authors. The APA system typically uses an ampersand (&) between the authors' names within a parenthetical citation: (Walton & Cohen, 2011). The MLA would use "and" between the authors' names in text citations. If you are using the authors' names within the sentence, you'll simply write "and" between them. These formats help to clearly indicate the specific source you're referring to. If the source is missing page numbers, use an alternative locator. E.g., if citing a website, the locator might be a section title or a paragraph number.
When you're working with sources that have multiple authors, the citation format varies. If the source has two authors, you'll usually include both last names. When the source has more than two authors, MLA and APA styles offer different guidance. MLA often uses "et al." (Latin for "and others") after the first author's name in the in-text citation. APA uses "et al." if the work has three or more authors. (Author 1 et al., Year).
Let's say you're citing an article that hasn't yet been assigned a volume, issue, or page numbers. These are often labeled "Epub ahead of print" or "Advanced online publication". In this case, cite the article as an advanced online publication, noting its status in place of the volume, issue, and page numbers.
When you're compiling your "Works Cited" or "References" list, the format differs depending on the style. MLA requires that you list the authors' names in full. For APA, the author names are listed with initials for the first and middle names. For both, the order is alphabetized by the first author's last name. If a surname is repeated among several references, the initial of the first name is added to differentiate the authors. If the first initial is also the same, the full name is provided. This is why you must also use three hyphens, followed by a period, as a substitution for the author's name after the first entry in a "Works Cited" (MLA) list.
Consider this: you're citing an episode of the show "How I Met Your Mother". The episode "Moving Day," created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, features a performance by Josh Radnor. According to MLA style, the citation would list the episode title first, followed by the creators, performers, and the network and date: Works cited moving day. how i met your mother, created by craig thomas and carter bays, performance by josh radnor, season 2, episode 18, cbs television network, 19 may 2007.
A frequent challenge in academic writing is managing multiple sources. When citing multiple works parenthetically, MLA and APA styles have different practices. MLA requires you to list the citations alphabetically, separated by semicolons. (Author A, Year; Author B, Year; Author C, Year). APA also recommends alphabetical order, but it may also consider the order of importance or relevance to your work. In the case of multiple works by the same author, arrange them by the year of publication in APA style.
When you're quoting directly from a source, be sure to include the page number of the quote. However, even when paraphrasing, it is crucial to give the source's publication year to make it easy for your reader to check the source. Both methods must be followed by the year of publication, and at the end of the sentence, include the page number.
It's essential to note that the information here provides a general overview. Always consult your professor or the specific style guide to ensure accuracy. For further help, you can refer to resources like the APA guide (Shapiro Library). When in doubt, err on the side of caution. If you are not sure how to cite a particular source, the citation style manuals are your friends.
