Here's a breakdown of the process and examples using APA and MLA styles, two of the most common:
1. In-text citation: This brief reference appears within the body of your text, immediately after the information you're citing. It typically includes the author's last name and the year of publication.
* APA: (Author's Last Name, Year). For example: "The theory of relativity revolutionized physics (Einstein, 1905)." If you're quoting, you also need a page number: (Einstein, 1905, p. 27). If you mention the author's name in the sentence, you only need the year in parentheses: "Einstein (1905) revolutionized physics with his theory of relativity."
* MLA: (Author's Last Name Page Number). For example: "The theory of relativity revolutionized physics (Einstein 27)." If you mention the author's name in the sentence, you only need the page number in parentheses: "Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized physics (27)."
2. Bibliographic entry (Works Cited/References page): This is a complete list of all the sources you cited in your paper, alphabetized by author's last name. The format varies considerably depending on the source type (book, journal article, website, etc.).
Here are examples using APA and MLA styles for a few common source types:
APA Style:
* Journal Article:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. *Title of Periodical*, *volume*(issue), pages–pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxx/xxxx
*Example:*
Smith, J., & Jones, D. (2023). The impact of social media on political polarization. *Journal of Communication*, *73*(2), 200-225. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcom.2250
* Book:
Author, A. A. (Year). *Title of work*. Publisher.
*Example:*
Strunk, W., Jr., & White, E. B. (2000). *The elements of style*. Longman.
* Website:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). *Title of page*. Site name. URL
*Example:*
American Psychological Association. (2023, October 26). *APA style*. https://apastyle.apa.org/
MLA Style:
* Journal Article:
Author. "Title of Article." *Title of Periodical*, Volume.Issue (Year): pages. DOI or URL.
*Example:*
Smith, J., and D. Jones. "The Impact of Social Media on Political Polarization." *Journal of Communication*, 73.2 (2023): 200-225. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcom.2250
* Book:
Author. *Title of Work*. Publisher, Year.
*Example:*
Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. *The Elements of Style*. Longman, 2000.
* Website:
Author of page, if known. "Title of Page." *Name of Website*, Sponsor of Website, Date of Publication, URL.
*Example:*
"APA Style." *American Psychological Association*, American Psychological Association, 26 Oct. 2023, https://apastyle.apa.org/.
Important Considerations:
* Consistency: Use one style guide consistently throughout your entire paper.
* Accuracy: Double-check all your information for accuracy.
* Consult a Style Guide: The examples above are simplified. For complete and accurate guidance, consult the official publication manual for your chosen style guide (e.g., the *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association* for APA style, or the *MLA Handbook* for MLA style). Many universities also have their own style guides or resources.
* Citation Management Software: Programs like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote can greatly assist with creating and managing citations and bibliographies.
Remember to always properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism. If you're unsure about how to cite a particular source, it's best to consult a style guide or seek assistance from a librarian or writing center.