Citation Help

• Citation Style for Research Papers (OWL at Purdue) - A guide for basic citation information with examples. Make sure you select the correct style (MLA, APA, or something else) before going to far. 
  • MLA Style Guide (OWL at Purdue) - Incorporates information from the newest editions of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th ed., 2009) and the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd ed., 2008).
  • APA Style Guide (OWL at Purdue) - Incorporates information from the newest edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Associaion (6th ed., 2009).
• Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide - Common examples of materials cited using The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition. 

Is there anything I should be paying attention to which will make my life easier as I cite my sources?

• Many databases create citations for you. Look for a citation button when you download full-text articles. Sometimes this citation info isn't formatted correctly. If you use citation info from databases, compare your citation elements and formatting against examples from the guides linked above.
• Remember to take down citation information while using your source to avoid hunting it down later.
• The Library has up-to-date copies of the APA and MLA Style Guids in print format behind the Reference Desk.
• Zotero is an open source solution for students wanting to keep track of their sources as they work. Try either the Firefox add-on or the new stand alone application.