How to Cite Sources

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Gather your information about each source.

   First you need to find out what kind of information you'll need from each type of source.
   
   If you're using a strict format that requires the copyright year of each book you refer to, it can be a pain to go through all of your research without knowing this, then have to go back, find all the books at the library, and determine the copyright date.
   
   Generally, it's better to record more information than less, just in case. , Collect the full names of all authors, title of the book, city of publication, publisher's name, and the year of publication.
   
   If the book is published by an organization and the individual authors aren't listed, write down the full name of the organization.
   
   For electronic books, also record the URL and date of access.
   
   Encyclopedias and dictionaries
   - Also get the full name of the author who wrote the entry (if it is given), the entry title, the number of volumes in the set, and the edition.
   
   Write down the volume you're using and the page numbers, unless the content is organized alphabetically.
   
   Anthologies and collections
   - Note the author and the title of individual work you're citing (poem, play, short story, etc.), the full names of any editors and compilers, and the page number(s).
   
   If the work was previously published in another book, record the information for the original source as described above. , Collect the journal title, article title, author name(s), volume and issue number of the journal, date of publication, and page numbers of the article.
   
   If it is an online journal, also record the page or paragraph numbers (if applicable), URL, and the date you accessed the site.
   
   If you are accessing the article through a database, also record the database name. , Collect the author(s) names, title of the article, title of the magazine, volume number (if applicable), date of publication, and page numbers.
   
   For online magazines, get the date of access and URL as well.
   
   If you access the magazine through a database, find the vendor/supplier of database, database name, accession number of article (if applicable), and the date of access. , Collect the name of the author of the article, title of the article, name of the newspaper, date of publication, and the section, page and column location of the article.
   
   If the newspaper is online, get the URL and date of access, too.
   
   If you found the newspaper article in a database, write down the URL, date of access, database, and library through which article was accessed (name, city, and state). , Get the author's name (if given), title of work, group responsible for the site (if applicable), date site was last updated, date of access, and URL.
   
   If you have trouble finding everything except the last two items, you might want to reconsider the validity of this source.
   
   For postings, also get the title of posting, post number (if numbered), date of posting, URL the post was made to, and URL of message archives. , If published by the US government, get the issuing agency, title of the document, number of the Congress, session number of Congress, place of publication, date of publication, document number (if given), and SuDoc number. , Collect the names of the author and recipient (or interviewer and interviewee), date written/conducted, name of collection, name of depository, and the depository's location.
2. 2

   Step 2: Books.

3. 3

   Step 3: Journal articles.

4. 4

   Step 4: Magazine articles.

5. 5

   Step 5: Newspaper articles.

6. 6

   Step 6: Websites.

7. 7

   Step 7: Government documents.

8. 8

   Step 8: Letters and interviews.

Detailed Guide

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