Citing Your Sources
What does it mean to "cite" your sources?
When you do research for a paper or a project, you get some of your information from outside sources--books, magazines, journals, reports, and websites--that were written or produced by others.
When you sit down to write your paper or create your project, you have an ethical and legal obligation not to use others' words or ideas without giving them credit.
Citing is the way you give others credit for their work, and different disciplines have different "styles" of citing their sources.
This guide gives links to instructions for how to follow various citation styles.
Important: Your professor will tell you which citation style to use.
Chicago Style
The Chicago citation style is used widely in the publishing field.
Important: Your professor will tell you which citation style to use.
- Chicago Manual of StyleThe authority on Chicago style.
- Purdue OWLA comprehensive guide to Chicago style by Purdue University.
- Chicago Quick GuideFrom the University of Chicago Press.
- TurabianTurabian (named for Kate Turabian, the originator) style is based on Chicago style.
APA Style
The American Psychological Association's citation style is used by disciplines within the social sciences.
Important: Your professor will tell you which citation style to use.
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological AssociationThe authority on APA style.
- APA Citation GuideThis is the library's guide to APA style.
- Purdue OWLA comprehensive guide to APA style by Purdue University.
- APA TutorialThis tutorial from the American Psychological Association shows you how to apply the basic APA style rules.
MLA Style
The Modern Language Association's citation style is used in disciplines within the humanities.
Important: Your professor will tell you which citation style to use.
- MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly PublishingThe authority on MLA style. Library use only.
- MLA Citation GuideThis is the library's guide to MLA style.
- Purdue OWLA comprehensive guide to MLA style by Purdue University.
Citation Mega Sites
These websites provide information and instructions for citing sources in various styles.
- The Writer's HandbookCovers APSA, APA, CBE, Chicago, MLA, and Turabian
- Research & Citation ResourcesExcellent, detailed guide to MLA, APA, and Chicago styles, with numerous examples
- Research & Documentation Online"These guidelines provide the most current advice available for MLA, APA, Chicago, and CSE styles." (From the Web site.) Includes sample papers and an annotated list of sources for more than 30 disciplines.
- NoodleToolsFree tool walks you through creating citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.
- Son of CitationFree interactive tool helps you create citations in APA, MLA, Turabian, and Chicago styles.
Need Help?
 Reference Desk Contact Info John M. Pfau Library 5500 University Parkway San Bernardino, CA 92407 Telephone: (909) 537-5091 Reference Desk Hours: M-Th 9 am - 7 pm Fri 9 am - 5 pm Sat 10 am - 2 pm Sun closed Send Email |
Legal Style
Legal sources follow a specialized citation style.
- ALWD Citation Manual: A Professional System of CitationThe authority on legal citation. Library use only.
- Introduction to Basic Legal CitationA good introduction to legal citations.
Government Style
- Style Manual: Official Guide to the Form and Style of Federal Government PrintingThe authority on citing government publications.
- Citing U.S. Government PublicationsFrom Indiana University Libraries.
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