When you find a resource, look for a quotation mark icon or options such as Cite this Item, Cite, or Citation Export. These tools will generate a citation you can copy into your paper's Works Cited or References page.
When you write a research paper, you need to document the sources you used. If you quote or paraphrase someone else’s ideas, you must credit them so your reader can locate the original source.
You should fully cite any source you use, including books, articles, interviews, websites, government documents, software, and videos. Provide brief citations in the body of your paper and full citations in a Bibliography or Works Cited list at the end.
Citing your sources is required under UMA’s Academic Integrity Policy, which explains your responsibilities as a student. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to cite every source you use. Your instructors will tell you which citation style to follow, most often APA or MLA.
It's always a best practice to double-check citations before submitting your work!
We cannot guarantee the accuracy of citations created using these free, online tools.
The UMA Writing Centers and VAWLT (Virtual, Accessibility, Writing, Library & Technology tutors) offer UMA learners free online writing help and tutoring sessions. Visit their websites to learn more!
The UMA Writing Centers and VAWLT tutors offer UMA students free online and in person tutoring sessions.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is typically used for Language and Literature, Foreign Language and Literature, Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, and Comparative Literature. MLA style is currently in its 9th edition.
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is typically used for Social Sciences like Psychology, Education, Sociology, Economics, and Criminal Justice, as well as Business. APA style is currently in its 7th edition.
Chicago Style, also known as Turabian Style, has two variations: Notes and Bibliography, and Author-Date. The Notes and Bibliography variation is commonly used in the Arts and Humanities, while the Author-Date variation is used in the sciences and social sciences.
The American Sociological Association (ASA) style is typically used for Sociology papers to be published in ASA journals. ASA style is currently in its 6th edition.
Learn about citation managers, when you should use a citation manager, which citation manager is right for your research, and where you can get help with these programs.
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.
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Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) site is a fairly comprehensive resource for the Modern Language Association's (MLA) style and formatting rules.
Use the left side bar on OWL's page to navigate to the style or other help that you need.
UPDATED TO 9th ed.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) site is a fairly comprehensive resource for the American Psychological Association (APA) style and formatting rules.
Use the left side bar of the OWL page to navigate to the style or other help that you need.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) site is a fairly comprehensive resource for The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) style and formatting rules.
Use the left side bar of the OWL page to navigate to the style or other help that you need.
APA In-Text Citations APA References
APA Formatting Guide APA Headings (setting up the paper)
APA Activity (tutorial) APA Side By Side (compares reference, in-text citation,
and in-text citation with author set-up)