What are Citations?

By: Jay Beasley, Communication Consultant 

Citations are forms of reference we use in writing to give credit to other authors for the work that they have done. Any information that we access outside of our own thoughts should be cited in academic writing.

This information may come from books, research articles, websites, textbooks, etc.

Where Do We Use Citations?

The two areas for citations are in-text (parenthetical) citations and the collection of citations at the end of the paper (bibliography, works cited, resources page).

In-Text Citations

In-text citations are located throughout the paper.

• After direct quotes, citations should follow the quote directly.
  • “The earth is composed of 85% water” (Author Page Number).
  • AUTHOR writes that “the earth is composed of 85% water (Page Number).
• Citations should also be used after a collection of thoughts that have been paraphrased from outside sources.
  • The earth is very large. To the average person, it might seem as if the earth is mostly land, but it is actually mostly composed of water! The earth is covered by nearly 85% water (Author Page Numbers).

If you introduce the author of the source you are using in your writing before you use a quote, you do not have to include the author’s last name in your citation. (Purdue OWL MLA in-text citations: The Basics).

(Purdue OWL MLA in-text citations: The Basics).

Bibliography/Works Cited/ Resource Page

The bibliography is the collection of citations at the end of the paper, typically listed as an appendix, where we include all the sources that were referenced throughout the paper.

Typical Formatting

• Alphabetized (A  Z)
  • By author’s last name
• Left-Aligned
• Hanging Indent
  • For each citation, every line after the first is indented.

Example

(Purdue OWL MLA sample works cited page)

The difference between a Bibliography/Resource Page and Works Cited

This can vary from professor to professor, so always make sure you clarify with the professor you are writing for.

• Bibliography/Resource Page
  • Includes full citations for every resource you used to write the paper.
• Works Cited
  • Includes every resource you accessed, whether you used the information in your paper or not.

Different Styles of Citation

There are many different styles of citation (MLA, APA, Chicago, footnotes, etc.), but the two most common citation styles are MLA and APA.

MLA Formatting

MLA formatting is most typically seen in reference to writing surrounding literature. There are different forms of citations for each different resource you access (books, websites, journals, etc.) so always make sure you find the correct format.

• Book (one author)
  • Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Edition, Publisher, Year of Publication.
• Book (two authors)
  • Author’s Last Name, First Name, and Author’s First name Last Name. Title of Book. Edition, Publisher, Year of Publication.
• Journal Article
  • Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, volume number. Issue, Month year of publication, Pages, URL.
• Webpage
  • Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Work.” Website, Day Month Year of publication, URL.
• Newspaper Article
  • Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Newspaper, Day Month year of Publication, URL (if accessed online).
• Dictionary Entry
  • Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Word.” Dictionary, Edition, Year of Publication, URL (if accessed online).

APA Formatting

APA formatting is most typically seen in reference to scientific writing or research.

• Book (one author)
  • Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Book (Edition). Publisher.
• Book (two authors)
  • Last Name, First Initial., & Author’s Last Name, Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Book (Edition). Publisher.
• Journal Article
  • Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Article. Title of Journal, Volume (Issue #), Pages. URL (if accessed online).
• Webpage
  • Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day of Publication). Title of Work. URL
• Newspaper Article
  • Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day of Publication). Title of Article. URL (if accessed online)
• Dictionary Entry
  • Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Word. Editor’s Initials. Last Name (# ed.), Publisher. URL (if accessed online)

Resources

Boyd, Claude E. Water Quality: An Introduction. 3rd ed., Springer, 2020.

Oxford Languages. “‘Citation’ Definition.” Oxford Languages, https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=citations+definition.

Purdue OWL. “MLA in-Text Citations: The Basics.” MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html.

Purdue OWL. “MLA Sample Works Cited Page.” MLA Sample Works Cited Page - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_sample_works_cited_page.html.