A Quick Guide to Citation Styles

For more information on citation styles use our list of print and web based citation guides. This is NOT a definitive guide to citation formats but provides some examples.
Print Resources: | Books | Articles in Books | Journal/Periodical Articles | Newspaper Articles|
Electronic Resources: | Electronic Journal | Electronic Newspaper | Web Page |
Government Publications: |Special Considerations | Executive Branch Publications | Congressional Hearings | Congressional Report | Congressional Record |
| Electronic Government Information |

There are many different "citation styles". The you style should used is usually determined by the discipline in which you are working. Ask your instructor what style s/he recommends for each course.

The two cardinal rules of citing are:

  1. Pick a style and be consistent. This will give a more polished look to your report.
  2. Give complete information. - The objective in citing is to lead the next person to the same information you found. (Make sure your citation contains everything you would need to backtrack and find the information again).

PRINT RESOURCES

Books
Common Elements

Author or Editor
Title of Book
Edition (if needed)
Place of Publication
Publisher
Date

   APA Lemons, J. and D. A. Brown. (1995). Sustainable development: Science, ethics, and public policy. Boston: Kluwer Academic.
  Chicago Lemons, John and Donald A. Brown. 1995. Sustainable Development: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. Boston: Kluwer Academic.
  MLA Lemons, John and Donald A. Brown. Sustainable Development: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. Boston: Kluwer Academic, 1995.
  Turabian Lemons, J. and D. A. Brown. Sustainable Development: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. Boston: Kluwer Academic, 1995.

 

Articles in Books
Common Elements

Author/Editor of Book
Title of Book
Edition of Book
Author of Article
Title of Article
Publisher
Place of Publication
Date
Page Numbers of Article 

   APA Deschenes, Jules. (1996) "Toward international criminal justice."   In Roger S. Clark and Madeleine Sann (Eds.), Prosecution of international crimes (29-58). New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers. 
  Chicago Deschenes, Jules.  "Toward International Criminal Justice."   In Prosecution of International Crimes, edited by Roger S. Clark and Madeleine Sann, 29-58. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1996. 
  MLA Deschenes, Jules. "Toward International Criminal Justice" Prosecution of International Crimes. Ed. Roger S. Clark and Madeleine Sann. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1996. 29-58.
  Turabian Deschenes, Jules.  "Toward International Criminal Justice."   In Prosecution of International Crimes, ed. Roger S. Clark and Madeleine Sann, 29-58. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1996. 

 

Journal and Magazine Articles
Common Elements

Journal or magazine title 
Article title 
Author 
Volume and issue number
Date of publication 
Page numbers of the article 

   APA Pytte, Alyson. (24 November 1994). "Clean Air Act amendments" Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, 48(7), 3934-3963.
  Chicago Pytte, Alyson. "Clean Air Act Amendments." Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. 48, no. 7 (24 November 1990): 3934-3963. 
  MLA Pytte, Alyson. "Clean Air Act Amendments". Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report 48.47 (24 November 1990): 3934-3963.
  Turabian Pytte, Alyson. "Clean Air Act Amendments." Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. 48, no. 47 (24 November 1990): 3934-3963. 

 

Newspaper Articles
Common Elements

 Author of article 
Title of article 
Name of newspaper 
Date of publication 
Section, page and column location of article 

   APA Marks, A. (1997, June 24)"For sustainable development, women are a key resource" Christian Science Monitor. pp. 11:1.
  Chicago Marks, Alexandra. "For Sustainable Development, Women Are a Key Resource", Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 1997, p.11, col.1. 
  MLA Marks, Alexandra. "For Sustainable Development, Women Are a Key Resource." Christian Science Monitor. 24 June 1997, national ed.: 11. 
  Turabian Turabian notes that newspaper articles are seldom referenced in bibliographies. Use a footnote or parentheses.
    Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 1997. 
or (Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 1997). 

 

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

When citing an electronic publication include the same information you would for a print resource (author, title, publisher, etc.) and then include the information that identifies the database or WWW site. Since documents often disappear (particularly from WWW sites) is a good rule to note the date the information was accessed as well.
Electronic Journal or Magazine Articles
Common Elements

Author of Article
Article title 
Journal or magazine title 
Volume and issue number
Date of publication 
Page numbers of the article 

   APA Dorman, Steve M. "Technology and the gender gap." Journal of School Health. [Online] 68(4), 165-166, 1998 Available: Proquest Direct. [12 July 1998]
  Chicago Dorman, Steve M. "Technology and the Gender Gap." Journal of School Health. 68: 165-166, 1998 Available: Proquest Direct. [12 July 1998]
  MLA Dorman, Steve M. "Technology and the Gender Gap." Journal of School Health. 68.4 (1998): 165-166, 1998. Available: Proquest Direct. [1999, July 12]
  Turabian Dorman, Steve M. "Technology and the Gender Gap." Journal of School Health. 68: 165-166, 1998. [on-line journal]; available from Proquest Direct; accessed 12 July 1999

 

Electronic Newspaper
Common Elements

 Author of article 
Title of article 
Name of newspaper 
Date of publication 
Medium (e.g. online, internet)
database name
date accessed
URL 

   APA Schwartz, John. (1999, July 9). "U.S. cites race gap in use of internet; Clinton bemoans 'digital divide'. " Washington Post. Retrieved 12 July 1999 from Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe on the WWW at http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe. 
  Chicago No example given in current edition of the manual. Use the format for newspapers (see above) and include web address or database name and date retrieved. 
  MLA Schwartz, John. (1999). "U.S. Cites Race Gap In Use of Internet; Clinton Bemoans 'Digital Divide'. " [Online] Washington Post July 9. Available: Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe. [1999, July 12] 
  Turabian Schwartz, John. "U.S. Cites Race Gap In Use of Internet; Clinton Bemoans 'Digital Divide'. " Washington Post 9 July 1999. [newspaper on-line]; available from Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe; accessed 12 July 1999. 

 

Web Page
Generally, if the web material you are using is a journal article, book, or article in a book, follow the format for that item and include the address and date accessed. If this information is not available include the information listed below.

 Hint: when working in a web site with frames you can determine the correct address by doing the following:

  • In Netscape:: Right Click on the frame you are referencing. Choose "open frame in new window". The correct address will then be displayed.
  • In Internet Explorer: Right click on the frame you are referencing. Choose "properties" The correct address will be displayed. 
    		•
    Common Elements

    Page Creator/Author
    Title of Page
    Publisher or Organization
    address
    date accessed 

    		   APA O'Meara, Molly. (1999). Reinventing cities for people and the planet. (Worldwatch Institute paper 147) Washington, D.C., Worldwatch Institute, 1999. Retrieved July 9, 1999 from the WWW: http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/147.html.
      Chicago No example given in current edition Use format for books, journals, etc. and include web address and date accessed.
      MLA O'Meara, Molly. Reinventing Cities for People and the Planet. [book on-line] (Worldwatch Institute Paper 147) Washington, D.C., Worldwatch Institute, 1999. 9 July 1999 <http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/147.html>.
      Turabian O'Meara, Molly. Reinventing Cities for People and the Planet. [book on-line] Worldwatch Institute Paper 147 ( Washington, D.C., Worldwatch Institute, 1999, available from http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/147.htm; Internet; accessed 9 July 1999. 

    GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

    The four major citation styles (APA, Chicago, MLA, and Turabian) all address citing government information. However, none of the citation manuals address in detail all the various types of government information that you may want to cite. One of the most critical pieces of information to include is the issuing agency. The issuing agency can be used as an author, particularly when no person is credited.

    The definitive style manual for government information was written by Smith and Garner, and is similar in style to Turabian. This manual is available at the Social Sciences Library Service desk. .

    The citations below are to some typical publications from the United States Government. Additional examples of this citing format for US publication is available at University of Memphis Libraries, Government Documents Section. For the publications of other governments and international organzations, consult the manuals.

    Executive Branch Publications
    Common Elements

    Issuing Agency
    Title of Publication
    Personal Author
    Place of Publication
    Publisher
    Date of Publication
    Document classification number

    		   APA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (1990). The Clean Air Act of 1990, a primer on consensus building. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
      Chicago U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Air Act of 1990, a Primer on Consensus Building. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1990
      MLA U.S. Enivronmental Protection Agency. The Clean Air Act of 1990, a Primer on Consensus Building. Washington: GPO, 1990.
      Turabian U.S. Enivronmental Protection Agency. The Clean Air Act of 1990, a Primer on Consensus Building. Washington, D.C.: 1990.
      Smith/Garner U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Air Act of 1990, a Primer on Consensus-Building. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1990. (EP1.2:C58/6) 

     

    U.S. Congressional Hearings
    Common Elements

    Chamber (House/Senate)
    Congressional Committee
    Title of Hearing
    Date(s) of Hearing
    Hearing Number (if any)
    Place of Publication
    Publisher
    Date of Publication
    Document classification number

    		   APA Clean Air Act in California, the RECLAIM program: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. 103rd Cong., 1st Sess. (1994)
      Chicago U.S. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Clean Air Act in California, the RECLAIM Program: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. 103rd Cong., 1st sess., 4 October 1993. Washington, D.C.: G.P.O., 1994.
      MLA United States. Cong. House. Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Clean Air Act in California, the RECLAIM Program: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. . 103rd Cong., 1st sess. Washington: GPO, 1994.
      Turabian U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. (1993) Clean Air Act in California, the RECLAIM Program: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 103rd Congress, 1st sess., 4 October 1993. Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1994.
      Smith/Garner U.S. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. Clean Air Act in California, the RECLAIM Program. Hearing, 4 October 1993 (Serial no. 103-66). Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1994. (Y4.EN 2/3:103-66) . 

     

    Congressional Committee Report
    Common Elements

    Chamber (House or Senate)
    Committee
    Title of Report
    Report Number 
    Place of Publication (Washingrton, D.C.)
    Publisher (G.P.O.)
    Date of Publication
    Document Number (SuDocs)
    Date of Publication

    		   APA H. Rep. No. 101-409, 101st Cong., 1st Sess. (1990).
      Chicago U.s. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. 101st Cong., 1st sess., 1990. H. Rept. 101-409.
      MLA United States Cong. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. 101st Cong., 1st sess., 1990. H. Rpt. 101-409. Washington: GPO, 1990.
      Turabian U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. 101st Cong., 1st sess., 1990. H. Rpt. 101-409. 
      Smith/Garner U.S. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. (H. Rpt. 101-490). Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, 1990. (Y 1.1/8:101-490/pt.1)

     

    Congressional Record Citation
    Common Elements

    Speaker
    State
    Title of Speech
    Title of Publication (Congressional Record)
    Volume and Issue
    Date
    Page numbers
    Date of Publication

    		   APA No example given
      Chicago U.S. House. Representative Hastert speaking on children are our future. Congressional Record. 106th cong., 1st sess., 1999, 145, no.55, daily edition (21 April 1999): H2205.

    The manual notes that if the speaker and subject are identified in the text this information may be omitted. Citation would then read: Congressional Record. 106th cong., 1st sess., 1999, 145, no.55.
      MLA Cong. Rec. 21 Apr. 1999: H2205. 
      Turabian U.S. Congress. House. (1999) Representative Hastert of Illinois speaking on Children are our Future. 106th Cong., 1st sess. Congressional Record 145, no. 55, daily edition (21 April 1999): H2205. 
      Smith/Garner Rep. Hastert (IL) "Children are our Future." Congressional Record 145 no. 55 (21 Apr. 1999), p H2205. 

     

    ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

    Congressional Universe (WWW)
      Congressional Universe, which is available off the LIAS Fast Track, contains the full text of many congressional publications including hearings, reports, and the Congressional Record. While it is available through the WWW you should cite it as you cite other materials from databases such as Proquest or Academic Universe. You need to cite to the database where full text is available as well as note the fact that you retrieved the information from Congressional Universe. Follow the examples from appropriate style above and include the information on Congressional Universe and the date accessed.

      For further information and sample citations READ the instructions on their pages How to Cite Print, and Microfiche Congressional Publications. These citations follow the Smith/Garner Style manual rules and should be adapted to APA, Chicago, MLA, or Turabian as appropriate.
    Other Electronic Government Resources
    For government informaton located on the Internet, use entries similar to those above and include information on the database, web address, data accessed, and other information, using the format shown in electronic resources examples above. For further examples see the University of Memphis Guide to Citing

    .