* MLA (Modern Language Association): Commonly used in the humanities. Emphasizes author and page number.
* APA (American Psychological Association): Widely used in social sciences and psychology. Focuses on author, date, and source.
* Chicago/Turabian: Offers both a notes-bibliography system and an author-date system. Used across various disciplines.
* IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): Used primarily in engineering and computer science. Numeric referencing system.
* ACS (American Chemical Society): Used in chemistry publications.
To format your citations correctly, you MUST know which style your instructor or publication requires. There is no single "correct" way without this information.
General Steps (applicable with modifications depending on the style):
1. Identify the source type: Is it a book, journal article, website, interview, etc.? Different source types have different citation elements.
2. Gather the necessary information: This will vary by source type but typically includes:
* Author(s): Last name, first initial (or first name if no initial provided).
* Title: Book title, article title, website title, etc. (Italics for larger works like books and journals; quotation marks for smaller works like articles and chapters).
* Publication information: Publisher, journal name, volume number, issue number, page numbers, date of publication, URL (for online sources), DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
3. Use a citation management tool (recommended): Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can automatically format citations in various styles, saving you considerable time and effort. They also help you keep track of your sources and prevent plagiarism.
4. Consult a style guide: Each citation style has a detailed guide outlining its rules. These guides are usually available online or in libraries. Some examples include:
* MLA Handbook (for MLA style)
* Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (for APA style)
* Chicago Manual of Style (for Chicago/Turabian style)
Example (APA Style):
Let's say you're citing a journal article:
Source: Smith, J. (2023). The impact of social media on teenagers. *Journal of Adolescent Research*, *15*(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1000/jar.2023.12345
In-text citation: (Smith, 2023)
Reference list entry: Smith, J. (2023). The impact of social media on teenagers. *Journal of Adolescent Research*, *15*(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1000/jar.2023.12345
In short: Don't try to guess the citation format. Find out the required style and use its official guide or a citation management tool to ensure accuracy. Incorrect citations can significantly impact your grade or publication prospects.