How to Cite a White Paper
If the publication has an author, use that first., Next, place the agency responsible for the publication after the country., Add the name of the document in italics, followed by a period., Add the place of publication, followed by a colon, and the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: If the publication has an author
Place the last name, a comma, and a first name.
Follow the name with a period. “Gregory, Bob.” If the publication does not have an author, use the name of the national government first.
Otherwise, place it after the name: “Gregory, Bob.
United States.” -
Step 2: use that first.
If you are doing a white paper for a corporation, you can begin with the corporation’s name: “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.” , MLA uses title-case capitalization for titles, meaning you capitalize all important words. “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.
Why Chocolate Is the Best Antidepressant.” If the document was the result of a hearing or a particular congressional session, you can include that afterwards, in this form: “109th Cong., 1st sess.” , Most government documents are printed by the Government Printing Office, abbreviated GPO. “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.
Why Chocolate Is the Best Antidepressant.
Washington, D.C.:
GPO,” Notice a comma comes after “GPO.” , The publications date should be followed by a period and the medium of publication: “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.
Why Chocolate Is the Best Antidepressant.
Washington, D.C.:
GPO,
2008.
Print.” , “Willow, Lesta.
Green Foods.
Chocolate for Life:
A Report on the Health Benefits of Chocolate.
Eugene, Oregon:
Redbook Printers,
2007.
Print.” In this instance, "Green Foods" is the company. , -
Step 3: place the agency responsible for the publication after the country.
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Step 4: Add the name of the document in italics
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Step 5: followed by a period.
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Step 6: Add the place of publication
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Step 7: followed by a colon
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Step 8: and the printer.
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Step 9: Place the date of publication next.
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Step 10: Use a similar format for corporations.
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Step 11: For the in-text citation
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Step 12: use the author’s last name and a page number in parenthesis at the end of the sentence: “Chocolate is tasty (Gregory 24).” If it doesn’t have a name
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Step 13: use the the corporation
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Step 14: committee
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Step 15: or agency: “Chocolate is tasty (Center for Happy People 24).”
Detailed Guide
Place the last name, a comma, and a first name.
Follow the name with a period. “Gregory, Bob.” If the publication does not have an author, use the name of the national government first.
Otherwise, place it after the name: “Gregory, Bob.
United States.”
If you are doing a white paper for a corporation, you can begin with the corporation’s name: “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.” , MLA uses title-case capitalization for titles, meaning you capitalize all important words. “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.
Why Chocolate Is the Best Antidepressant.” If the document was the result of a hearing or a particular congressional session, you can include that afterwards, in this form: “109th Cong., 1st sess.” , Most government documents are printed by the Government Printing Office, abbreviated GPO. “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.
Why Chocolate Is the Best Antidepressant.
Washington, D.C.:
GPO,” Notice a comma comes after “GPO.” , The publications date should be followed by a period and the medium of publication: “Gregory, Bob.
United States.
Center for Happy People.
Why Chocolate Is the Best Antidepressant.
Washington, D.C.:
GPO,
2008.
Print.” , “Willow, Lesta.
Green Foods.
Chocolate for Life:
A Report on the Health Benefits of Chocolate.
Eugene, Oregon:
Redbook Printers,
2007.
Print.” In this instance, "Green Foods" is the company. ,
About the Author
Richard Barnes
Writer and educator with a focus on practical lifestyle knowledge.
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