How to Write Citations
Using proper citation style is usually a requirement for any written assignments and publications. Keeping track of your sources using the appropriate style will help save time and effort looking things up again later.
Feb 21, 2024
It's important to give credit whenever you quote somebody, borrow a concept or idea, or use somebody's research findings or other types of work — including charts, diagrams, photographs, etc.
Citing sources helps you:
- Show that your work is based on credible research.
- Avoid accusations of plagiarism or "stealing" ideas.
- Give credit to authors and creators.
- Help readers look up your sources to use or verify.
Using proper citation style is usually a requirement for any written assignments and publications. Keeping track of your sources using the appropriate style will help save time and effort looking things up again later.
Style guides also include rules for formatting your text, including title pages and bibliographies. Ask your instructor or a librarian if you're not sure which style to use.
APA American Psychological Association
APA is the most common citation style in social science courses and health and human services programs at CNC.
- APA Citations - 7th ed., 2019 CNC Library Information Sheets (PDF file)
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (REF BF 76.7 .P83)
- APA Style Guides (2019 ed. - The OWL at Purdue)
- APA Style List of Changes from 2020 ed. (The Owl at Purdue)
- APA Style Blog (2019 ed.)
MLA Modern Language Association
MLA is the most common citation style in humanities, including English literature, arts, and philosophy.
- MLA Citations: Using MLA 8th edition (2016) format - CNC Library Information Sheet (PDF)
- MLA Handbook (REF LB 2369 .G53)
- MLA Formatting and Style Guide (The OWL at Purdue U)
- Setting up MLA Format in Word 2010 (Metropolitan Community College)
Turabian/Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is a common style guide in publishing, used at CNC for technical writing and some history courses.
- Chicago Citations - CNC Library Information Sheet (PDF file)
- Chicago Manual of Style (REF Z 253 .U69)
- Turabian's Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, Dissertations (REF Z 253 .T87)
- Chicago Manual of Style FAQ (U of Chicago Press)
- Creating Turabian style footnotes in MS Word (Youtube)
Vancouver Style (ICMJE Uniform Requirements)
- Vancouver Style - CNC Library Information Sheet (PDF file)
- Citing Medicine: NLM style guide (2nd ed. 2007+ continuous updates)
- List of All Journals Cited in PubMed (includes title abbreviations)
American Anthropological Association (AAA) Style
- AAA and SAA Style (Trent U)
American Chemical Society (ACS) Style
- ACS Style Guide (REF QD 8.5 .A25)
- ACS Style guidelines (U of Alberta Library)
American Medical Association (AMA) Style
Note: this style is similar to ICMJE Uniform Requirements (Vancouver Style) above.
- AMA Manual of Style (REF R 119 .A533)
- Cite Right, by Charles Lipson. Chapter on AMA. (REF PN 171 .F56 L55)
- AMA Citation Style Guide (BCIT)
American Sociological Association (ASA) Style
- ASA Style Guide (REF HM 561 .A82)
- American Sociological Association (ASA) Quick tips
Council of Science Editors (CSE/CBE) Style
- Scientific Style and Format: the CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers (REF T 11 .S386)
- CSE Citation Style - Quick Guide (Thompson Rivers U)
- CSE Citation Guide: Quick Guide (Dalhousie U)
Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Style
- AAA and SAA Style (Trent U)
More Style Guides
- Strunk's Elements of Style, (PE 1408 .S772)
- AMA Style Guide for Business Writing (HF 5726 .A49)