Citing Sources

This research guide was designed to provide you with assistance in citing your sources when writing a paper.

Failing to cite resources properly in your research can be interpreted as plagiarism, which is a violation of the university's Honor Code. 

There are different styles which format the information differently, so select the tab for the style you need and take a look at some examples.

For each style we not only give you examples for how different resources are cited, but also give you links to further information elsewhere on the Internet.  If you cannot find an example for the type of information resource that you are need to cite, we recommend that you use an appropriate print resource in the library.  On each tab, you will find the link to the appropriate print style guide in the catalog.

There are quite a few different ways to cite resources in your paper. The citation style usually depends on the academic discipline involved. For example:

• MLA style is typically used by the Humanities
• APA style is often used by Education, Psychology, and Business.
• Chicago/Turabian is generally used by History and some of the Fine Arts

Check with your professor to make sure you use the required style. And whatever style you choose, BE CONSISTENT!

For additional assistance with any of these Citation Styles, please Ask a Librarian.  You can find us at the Information desk in Jones Library, or just chat with us using the box to the right.

"The purpose of a research paper is to synthesize previous research and scholarship with your ideas on the subject. Therefore, you should feel free to use other persons' words, facts, and thoughts in your research paper, but the material you borrow must not be presented as if it were your own creation."

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th Edition. New York: MLA. 55. Print.