Virtual Help
- Chat with library staff now
- Contact your library
Citation & Research : Citation Styles
Citation Styles: sub-module 2 of 4 of how to cite
A citation style is a set of rules that specifies the format and content of a citation. Each style outlines a set of rules for authors to follow. Adherence to the rules is required to make a correct citation. Most academic disciplines have a preferred style, but the style you should use is usually specified by the instructor or noted in the assignment guidelines.
Tips
- Check with your Instructor
Your instructor will almost always tell you the citation style you should use. Ask your instructor or check your assignment instructions to confirm the required citation style. - Don't get mixed up!
Don't use more than one citation style in a single assignment. Always remain consistent with the style that you are using. The only exception to this rule is if your instructor would like you to practice a local variant of the style. - Choose a Trusted Style Guide
Every citation style is based on a set of rules outlined in a published manual. Many colleges have created online versions of these guides. Getting familiar with these guides will increase your efficiency when citing your sources.
Your instructor will almost always tell you the citation style you should use. Ask your instructor or check your assignment instructions to confirm the required citation style.
Don't use more than one citation style in a single assignment. Always remain consistent with the style that you are using. The only exception to this rule is if your instructor would like you to practice a local variant of the style.
Every citation style is based on a set of rules outlined in a published manual. Many colleges have created online versions of these guides. Getting familiar with these guides will increase your efficiency when citing your sources.
Which Style Should You Use?
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association by ISBN: 9781433832161Publication Date: 2019-10-01The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition is the official source for APA Style. With millions of copies sold worldwide in multiple languages, it is the style manual of choice for writers, researchers, editors, students, and educators in the social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, nursing, communications, education, business, engineering, and other fields.
APA is often used in the following disciplines:
- Psychology
- Education
- Business
MLA Handbook by ISBN: 9781603293518Publication Date: 2021-04-22Relied on by generations of writers, the MLA Handbook is published by the Modern Language Association and is the only official, authorized book on MLA style. The new, ninth edition builds on the MLA’s unique approach to documenting sources using a template of core elements—facts, common to most sources, like author, title, and publication date—that allows writers to cite any type of work, from books, e-books, and journal articles in databases to song lyrics, online images, social media posts, dissertations, and more. With this focus on source evaluation as the cornerstone of citation, MLA style promotes the skills of information and digital literacy so crucial today.
MLA is often used in the following disciplines:
- English
- Literature
- Communications
The Chicago Manual of Style by ISBN: 9780226287058Publication Date: 2017-09-05This seventeenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style has been prepared with an eye toward how we find, create, and cite information that readers are as likely to access from their pockets as from a bookshelf.
Chicago is often used in the following disciplines:
- History
- Philosophy
- Anthropology
Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation by
ISBN: 9780779899531Publication Date: 2023-05-26Written for all law students and legal academics, “the McGill Guide” is the official standard for citation in Canada and is considered authoritative in many other Commonwealth jurisdictions. The Guide's straightforward and comprehensive approach has established it as an important tool for legal research and writing. Now in its 10th edition, the Guide provides a straightforward, uniform approach to citation of government documents, case law, legislation, periodicals, monographs and other secondary materials across all jurisdictions.
Canadian Uniform Legal Citation is often used in the following discipline:
- Law and Legal studies
Citation Terminology
All major citation styles are comprised of a brief in-text citation, as well as a detailed list of cited sources at the end of the document; however, the method varies by citation style.
Terminology Comparison
The chart below outlines the terminology used by each citation style. Remember to consult the citation style guide to check for any exceptions.
| Citation Style | In-Text Citation | List of Citations |
|---|---|---|
| APA | Parenthetical Citation | References |
| MLA | Parenthetical Citation | Works Cited |
| Chicago | Footnotes | Bibliography |
| Legal | Footnotes | Bibliography |
Purdue OWL provides the following sample papers, formatted according to various styles:
Brief In-Text Citation Styles
Parenthetical citations require you to place the necessary citation components into parentheses. For example: (Freud, 1930).
Footnotes require the use of numeric footnotes, which direct readers to the footer of the document. The footer contains the necessary citation components. For example, Schama3.
Detailed Source List Styles
Reference Lists, Works Cited pages, and Bibliographies are all alphabetical lists of the sources used within a paper.