How to Properly Cite Sources in MLA, APA, and Chicago Style

Citing sources is a critical aspect of academic writing, ensuring that credit is given to the original authors and avoiding plagiarism. Whether you’re writing a research paper, essay, or dissertation, knowing how to properly cite sources in MLA, APA, and Chicago style is essential. Each citation style has its own set of rules and guidelines, and understanding these can help you maintain academic integrity and improve the credibility of your work. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to properly cite sources in these three major citation styles, providing detailed explanations and examples for each.

Why Properly Citing Sources is Important

Before diving into the specifics of each citation style, it’s important to understand why properly citing sources is crucial. Citations serve several purposes:

1. Avoiding Plagiarism: Properly citing sources ensures that you give credit to the original authors, avoiding accusations of plagiarism.
2. Providing Evidence: Citations provide evidence for your arguments, showing that your work is based on credible sources.
3. Enhancing Credibility: Proper citations enhance the credibility of your work, demonstrating that you’ve conducted thorough research.
4. Facilitating Further Research: Citations allow readers to locate the original sources, facilitating further research on the topic.

Now, let’s delve into the specifics of how to properly cite sources in MLA, APA, and Chicago style.

How to Properly Cite Sources in MLA Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in the humanities, particularly in literature and language studies. MLA style emphasizes brevity and clarity, with a focus on the author and page number in in-text citations.

In-Text Citations in MLA Style

In MLA style, in-text citations are brief and include the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found. The citation is placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence, before the period.

Example:

• According to Smith, “properly citing sources is essential for academic integrity” (123).

If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is needed in the citation.

Example:

• Smith argues that “properly citing sources is essential for academic integrity” (123).

Works Cited Page in MLA Style

The Works Cited page is a comprehensive list of all the sources you’ve referenced in your paper. Each entry should include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication date, and other relevant publication information.

Format for a Book:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.

Example:

• Smith, John. The Art of Citation. Academic Press, 2020.

Format for an Article:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pages.

Example:

• Doe, Jane. “The Importance of Proper Citations.” Journal of Academic Writing, vol. 15, no. 2, 2021, pp. 45-60.

Online Sources in MLA Style

For online sources, include the URL or DOI at the end of the citation.

Example:

• Brown, Michael. “How to Properly Cite Sources in Academic Writing.” Academic Blog, 2022, www.academicblog.com/properly-cite-sources.

How to Properly Cite Sources in APA Style

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education. APA style emphasizes the author and date of publication in in-text citations.

In-Text Citations in APA Style

In APA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you’re quoting directly, include the page number as well.

Example:

• According to Smith (2020), “properly citing sources is essential for academic integrity” (p. 123).

If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the year and page number are needed.

Example:

• Smith (2020) argues that “properly citing sources is essential for academic integrity” (p. 123).

Reference List in APA Style

The Reference list in APA style is similar to the Works Cited page in MLA style but includes additional details such as the publication date and DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online sources.

Format for a Book:

• Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.

Example:

• Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Academic Press.

Format for an Article:

• Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), pages. DOI or URL

Example:

• Doe, J. (2021). The importance of proper citations. Journal of Academic Writing, 15(2), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.xxxx

Online Sources in APA Style

For online sources, include the URL or DOI at the end of the citation.

Example:

• Brown, M. (2022). How to properly cite sources in academic writing. Academic Blog. Retrieved from www.academicblog.com/properly-cite-sources

How to Properly Cite Sources in Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) is commonly used in history, art history, and some social sciences. Chicago style offers two citation systems: the Notes and Bibliography system and the Author-Date system. We’ll focus on the Notes and Bibliography system, which is more commonly used in the humanities.

Footnotes and Endnotes in Chicago Style

In the Notes and Bibliography system, citations are provided in footnotes or endnotes. Each note corresponds to a superscript number in the text.

Example:

• According to Smith, “properly citing sources is essential for academic integrity.”¹

The footnote or endnote should include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication information, and the page number.

Format for a Book:

• Author’s First Name Last Name, Title of Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page number.

Example:

• John Smith, The Art of Citation (New York: Academic Press, 2020), 123.

Format for an Article:

• Author’s First Name Last Name, “Title of Article,” Title of Journal volume number, no. issue number (Year): page number.

Example:

• Jane Doe, “The Importance of Proper Citations,” Journal of Academic Writing 15, no. 2 (2021): 45-60.

Bibliography in Chicago Style

The Bibliography in Chicago style is similar to the Works Cited page in MLA style but includes additional details such as the publication date and place of publication.

Format for a Book:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.

Example:

• Smith, John. The Art of Citation. New York: Academic Press, 2020.

Format for an Article:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal volume number, no. issue number (Year): page range.

Example:

• Doe, Jane. “The Importance of Proper Citations.” Journal of Academic Writing 15, no. 2 (2021): 45-60.

Online Sources in Chicago Style

For online sources, include the URL or DOI at the end of the citation.

Example:

• Brown, Michael. “How to Properly Cite Sources in Academic Writing.”  Academic Blog, 2022. www.academicblog.com/properly-cite-sources.

Tips for Properly Citing Sources

1. Use Citation Tools: Tools like Zotero, EndNote, and Citation Machine can help you generate citations in the correct format.
2. Double-Check Your Citations: Always double-check your citations to ensure they follow the correct format and include all necessary information.
3. Be Consistent: Ensure that all your citations follow the same style and format throughout your paper.
4. Consult Style Guides: Refer to the official style guides for MLA, APA, and Chicago for detailed instructions and examples.

Conclusion

Properly citing sources is an essential skill for any academic writer. Whether you’re using MLA, APA, or Chicago style, understanding the specific rules and guidelines for each can help you maintain academic integrity and enhance the credibility of your work. By following the detailed instructions provided in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to properly cite sources in any academic writing project. Remember, the key to properly citing sources is consistency, accuracy, and attention to detail. Happy writing!