Are you unsure of how to properly cite your sources when writing a paper? Different writing styles have their own specific rules and regulations for citing sources. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the basics of each style and outlining the specific guidelines for proper source citation. Read on to learn more!
Introduction to Citing Sources
There are different ways to cite sources depending on the writing style you are using to write my paper. MLA, APA, and Chicago are the most common citation styles.
MLA:
In MLA style, citations are placed in the body of the paper and use parenthetical author-page citation. For example, if you were citing this article in your paper, your citation would look like this: (Smith 1). The first time you cite a source, you will give the full citation. For subsequent citations of the same source, you will just use the author’s last name and the page number. For example: (Smith 3). If you are cited more than one work by an author, you will need to include the title as well to differentiate between them. For example: (Smith, Article 1 3).
APA:
In APA style, citations are also placed in the body of the paper but use an author-date citation system. For example, if you were citing this article in your paper, your citation would look like this: (Smith, 2019). Unlike MLA style, you do not need to include the page number for subsequent citations of the same source. If you are citing more than one work by an author from the same year, you will need to include letters after the dates to differentiate between them. For example: (Smith, 2019a).
Chicago:
In Chicago style, citations are placed in footnotes or endnotes and use a numbered citation system. For example, if you were citing this article in your paper, your citation would look like this: 1. John Smith, “Title of Article,” Journal Name (Date). This style requires that the full citation be provided each time it is used.
Different Types of Writing Styles and their Citation Rules
There are different types of writing styles, and each has its own citation rules. The six most common writing styles are MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, Turabian, and IEEE.
MLA style is typically used for humanities papers. The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition) provides guidelines for formatting papers and documenting sources. In MLA style, you must give credit to sources both in-text and in a Works Cited list at the end of your paper.
APA style is typically used for social science papers. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition) provides guidelines for formatting papers and documenting sources. In APA style, you must give credit to sources both in-text and in a Reference list at the end of your paper.
Chicago style is typically used for history papers. The Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition) provides guidelines for formatting papers and documenting sources. In Chicago style, you must give credit to sources both in-text and in a Bibliography at the end of your paper.
Harvard style is typically used for business papers. The Harvard Business School Guide to Writing a Case Study (9th edition) provides guidelines for formatting papers and documenting sources. In Harvard style, you must give credit to sources both in-text and in a Reference List at the end of your paper.
– APA Style
There are different writing styles that format how a paper should look, and each one has its own specific rules for citing sources. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is most often used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology. This style guide can help you properly format your paper and cite your sources according to APA guidelines.
In-text citations in APA style include the author’s last name and the year of publication, separated by a comma. For example: (Smith, 2019). If you are quoting directly from a source, you will also need to include the page number: (Smith, 2019, p. 12). At the end of your paper, you will need to provide a full reference list of all the sources you cited.
References should be listed alphabetically by the author’s last name. Each entry should include all the information needed to find the original source. For journal articles, this includes the author’s name(s), the article title, the journal name, the volume and issue number, and the page range. For example:
Smith, J. (2019). How to properly cite sources according to different writing styles. Journal of Writing Research, 11(2), pp. 1-10.
– MLA Style
MLA style is a style of writing developed by the Modern Language Association. It is used for research papers and other academic writing. MLA style is most commonly used in the humanities, especially in English literature.
In MLA style, citations are listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Each citation includes the author’s last name, followed by a space and the page number(s) where the cited material can be found: (Smith 42). If there is no author listed, the citation is alphabetized by the title of the work.
When citing sources, always include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper. This lists all of the sources you have cited in your paper, and provides full bibliographic information for each one.
– Chicago/Turabian Style
When writing a paper in the Chicago or Turabian style, you will need to properly cite your sources both in footnotes and in a bibliography at the end of your paper. In general, you will want to use either footnotes or endnotes, but not both.
Footnotes are notes that appear at the bottom of each page of your paper. They are numbered consecutively throughout your paper. To create a footnote, simply place a superscript number at the end of the sentence where you are referencing a source. Then, add a corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page with all the relevant information about that source.
Endnotes are similar to footnotes, but they appear together at the end of your paper instead of at the bottom of each page. To create an endnote, simply place a superscript number at the end of the sentence where you are referencing a source. Then, add a corresponding endnote at the end of your paper with all the relevant information about that source.
Your bibliography should appear after your endnotes (if you are using them), or after your footnotes (if you are using those instead). In it, you should list all of the sources that you used in your paper. For each source, include all relevant information such as author names, dates, titles, etc.
– Harvard Style
The Harvard style of citation is also known as the author-date system. In this style, sources are cited using the author’s last name and the date of publication. For example: (Smith, 2019). If you’re citing a specific section of a source, you can add a page number after the date: (Smith, 2019, p. 5).
If you’re citing a source that has two authors, use both names: (Smith and Jones, 2019). If there are three or more authors, use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”: (Smith et al., 2019).
In-text citations in the Harvard style should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you’re citing a specific section of a source, you can add a page number after the year: (Smith, 2019, p. 5).
How to Properly Cite Sources in Your Paper
When writing a research paper, it is important to properly cite the sources you used in order to give credit where it is due and avoid plagiarism. There are different ways to cite sources depending on the writing style guide you are using. The most common citation styles are MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago.
Here are some general guidelines on how to properly cite sources in your paper:
-Include a list of references at the end of your paper.
-For each source you use, include the author’s name, title of the work, publication date, and other relevant information.
-Format your references according to the specific style guide you are using.
-Use in-text citations when referring to specific passages from your sources. Include the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses after the quoted or paraphrased text.
Follow these guidelines and consult your chosen style guide for more detailed instructions on how to properly cite sources in your paper.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing Sources
There are different ways to cite sources depending on the writing style guide you are using. The most common styles are MLA, APA, and Chicago. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when citing your sources:
Not including a Works Cited page or bibliography. This is one of the most common mistakes students make. Remember to include a Works Cited page or bibliography at the end of your paper to list all the sources you used.
Not citing your sources at all. This is a sure way to get an automatic F on your paper. Be sure to cite any and all sources that you use in your paper, whether you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing.
Citing only websites as your sources. While website can be reliable sources of information, they should not be the only sources you use in your paper. Try to find books, articles, or other print sources as well to add credibility to your paper.
Using unreliable or fake websites as your source. There are a lot of fake websites out there that will give you inaccurate information. Make sure you are using reliable websites by checking for author credentials, date of publication, and other indicators of reliability.
Also read: How to write nursing assignment
Conclusion
Properly citing your sources is an essential part of any research paper or essay. It helps others to access and better understand the information you are presenting in your work, and it also lets readers know that you have given credit where it’s due. Ultimately, proper citations serve as a way for us to acknowledge the contributions made by other scholars before us, allowing them to be included in our dialogue on any subject. With this guide on how to properly cite sources according to different writing styles, you can ensure that all of your sources are appropriately credited so that everyone can benefit from the conversation.
Author Bio
I am Julie Mike, and I have been working as Content Writer at Rananjay Exports for past 2 years. My expertise lies in researching and writing both technical and fashion content. I have written multiple articles on Gemtone Jewelry. I hope my work keeps mesmerizing you and helps you in the future.
