Library Citation Help
Citations are an essential part of research and writing, both in college and in your future professional career. Citing sources allows you contribute to the ongoing conversation of scholarship by helping readers understand where your information comes from. It also helps you avoid plagiarism and give proper credit to other researchers. But with so many styles and guidelines, where do you start?
That's where the Sherratt Library can help. We have resources to help you write and cite. Check with your instructor to see which citation style is preferred for your discipline, and then use one of our guides below to get started.
For help managing your sources and citations, check out our guide to Zotero, a free citation management software.Citation guides
American Psychological Association (APA)
APA is used for many of the social sciences
- from the Sherratt Library
- from the Sherratt Library
- from the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Modern Language Association (MLA)
MLA is used for many of the humanities.
- from the Sherratt Library
- from the Purdue OWL
Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
The Chicago Manual of Style is used for history and some social sciences.
- , along with other helpful CMOS tools
General overview of citation styles and plagiarism
- from the Sherratt Library (requires sign-in with 黑料天堂 credentials)
Writing Guides
APA (American Psychological Association) Format
APA Style is the set of guidelines and rules that the APA maintains for writing research papers and citing your sources in the social sciences. Sources cited in APA Style are called "References." All the guidelines, rules, and everything you want to learn about the APA citation style, you can find in:
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). (2020). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Availability
- Available on Reserve (check at the Circulation Desk)
- Available in the Reference Collection (RREF BF76.7 .P83 2020)
- Available in the Main Collection (BF76.7 .P83 2020).
MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
MLA Style is the set of guidelines and rules that the Modern Language Association maintains for writing research papers and citing your sources in English and the humanities. Sources cited in MLA Style are listed under "Works Cited" at the end of the paper. All the guidelines, rules, and everything you want to learn about the MLA citation style, you can find in::
- MLA handbook Eighth edition. The Modern Language Association of America, 2016.
Availability
- Available on Reserve (check at the Circulation Desk)
- Available in the Reference Collection (LB2369 .G53 2016 Ref)
- Available in the Main Collection (LB2369 .G53 2016).
Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
The Chicago Manual of Style Online is the venerable, time-tested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice.
- The Chicago Manual of Style, Seventeenth Edition by The University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff, 2017.
Availability
- Available in the Reference Collection (Z253.U69 2017)
- Available in the Main Collection (Z253.U69 2017).