How Do I Cite an Electronic Dictionary?

With the amount of information and resources available on the Internet, a number of people now use the web as their primary research source. Thus, knowing how to properly cite electronic dictionaries and other sites is imperative when constructing a References or Works Cited page. Though formal standards for this type of citation do not exist, the acceptable format for online dictionary references is different for MLA and APA writing styles.

Instructions

  1. MLA Citations

    • 1

      Include the headword first, using quotation marks and a period to separate the word from the rest of the citation. Do not capitalize the headword unless the word is a proper noun.

    • 2

      Name the electronic dictionary used as the source. Underline or italicize the name and end this part of the citation with a period.

    • 3

      Locate the publication year at the bottom of the entry's web page. This may also reflect the latest revision date for the page. Insert the year after the electronic dictionary's name, followed by a period.

    • 4

      List the website's title next. This may be the same name entered in step 2. End with a period.

    • 5

      Go to the next line and indent by pressing the "Tab" key on your keyboard or by moving your writing instrument over one-half of an inch. Enter the date that you accessed the information. This information should be written with the day first, followed by the month and the year. Do not place a period after the date.

    • 6

      Place the full URL of the website next. Include the complete URL with the file name of the specific headword. Enclose the URL using the symbols "<" and ">".

    APA Citations

    • 7

      List the headword, followed by a period. Do not place quotation marks around the word, and only capitalize it if it is a proper noun.

    • 8

      Insert the publication year or the year of the page's last revision found at the bottom of the web page. End with a period.

    • 9

      Place the name of the electronic dictionary next. Include the word "In" in front of the dictionary's name, so that this part of the citation reads: In Generic Electronic Dictionary. Underline or italicize the name of the dictionary, and end with a period.

    • 10

      Go to the next line, indenting using the "Tab" key or by moving your writing instrument over one-half of an inch. List the date of retrieval and the full URL of the web page. This part of the citation should read: Retrieved January 4, 2011, from http://www.generic-electronic-dictionary.com/headword.

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