Academic writers are expected to be proficient and familiar with the use of various citation styles. Having a good background on proper methods to referencing can greatly reduce the potential for plagiarism. Looking closely, the most common citations used in academic writing are APA, MLA and Chicago. Here are some tips that writers can use to properly reference resources from websites, books, journals, online magazines and videos.
Websites – the most common resource academic writers use nowadays. It is important to note that there are different approaches utilized when referencing these webpages. They are comprised of the following:
APA (Basic Format): Surname, Name Initials (Year of Publication). Title of Article. Title of Website. Retrieved from website address
Sample: Hansen, J.J. (2010). Beginner’s guide to writing a persuasive academic abstract. Woodhill Park Retreat. Retrieved from http://www.woodhillpark.com/articles/2/1/Beginneras-guide-to-writing-a-persuasive-academic-abstract/Page1.html
MLA (Basic Format): Surname, First Name. ‘Title of Article.’ Name of Webpage, date of publication. Web. date of access.
Sample: Hansen, Jens. ‘Beginner’s guide to writing a persuasive academic abstract.’ Woodhill Park Retreat. 14 Dec. 2010. Web. Accessed 7 Jul. 2015.
Chicago (Basic Format): Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Name of Website. Publication date. url.
Sample: Hansen, Jens. “Beginner’s guide to writing a persuasive academic abstract.” Woodhill Park Retreat. December 14, 2010. http://www.woodhillpark.com/articles/2/1/Beginneras-guide-to-writing-a-persuasive-academic-abstract/Page1.html.
Books – there are different ways that citation styles deal with referencing. Here are some of the simplest examples:
APA (Basic Format): Surname, Name Initials (Year of Publication). Title of Work. Location: Publisher.
Sample: Greene, R. (2010). 48 Laws of Power. UK: Profile Books.
MLA (Basic Format): Surname. First Name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Type of Publication
Sample: Greene, Robert. 48 Laws of Power. London: Profile Books, 2010. Print.
Chicago (Basic Format): Surname, First Name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
Sample: Greene, Robert. 48 Laws of Power. London: Profile Books, 2010.
Journal articles – the standards are comprised of the following referencing styles:
APA (Basic Format): Surname, Name Initials (Year of Creation). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), pages. Link (if available)
Sample: Middleton, M., Dupuis, J. and Tang, J. (2013). Classrooms and culture: the role of context in shaping motivation and identity for science learning and indigenous adolescents. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 11(1), pp.111-141.
MLA (Basic Format): Surname, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal Volume Number.Issue Number (Year of Creation): pages. Type of Publication.
Sample: Middleton, Michael, Dupuis, Juliann, and Tang, Judy. ‘Classrooms and culture: the role of context in shaping motivation and identity for science learning and indigenous adolescents.’ International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education 11.1(Feb.2013): 111-141. Print.
Chicago (Basic Format): Surname, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal Volume number, Volume number (Date): page numbers.
Sample: Middleton, Michael, Dupuis, Juliann, and Tang Judy. “Classrooms and culture: the role of context in shaping motivation and identity for science learning and indigenous adolescents.” International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education 11, no.1 (2013): 111-141.
Online Magazines – another important resource that academic writers can use to support their research. The following are ways to properly reference online magazines using each referencing style.
APA (Basic Format): Last name, Name Initials. (Year of Publication). Title of Article. Name of Magazine. Retrieved from URL
Sample: Corder, M. and Casert, R. (2015, July 7). Greece Gets Sunday Deadline to Stave Off Collapse. Time. Retrieved from http://time.com/3948957/greece-grexit-alexis-tsipras-deadline/
MLA (Basic Format): Surname, First Name. ‘Title of Article.’ Name of Magazine. Date of Publication. Web. Accessed date.
Sample: Corder, Mike and Casert, Raf. ‘Greece Gets Sunday Deadline to Stave Off Collapse.’ Time. 7 Jul. 2015. Web. Accessed 8 Jul. 2015.
Chicago (Basic Format): Surname, First Name. “Title of Article.” Name of Magazine. Date of Publish. URL.
Sample: Corder, Mike and Casert, Raf. “Greece Gets Sunday Deadline to Stave Off Collapse.” Time. July 7, 2015. http://time.com/3948957/greece-grexit-alexis-tsipras-deadline/.
Videos – sources coming from videos are also becoming popular in the process of academic writing. In referencing videos, it is important to familiarize with the following standards:
APA (Basic Format): Author’s Name or Contributor (date of video). Title of Video
Retrieved from URL
strong>Sample: TED (2014, June 27). Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIho2S0ZahI
MLA (Basic Format): Author’s Name. “Title of Image or Video.” Media Type. Name of Website. date of posting. Web. access date.
Sample: TED. “Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen.” Online video clip. YouTube. 27 Jun. 2014. Web. Accessed 7 Jul. 2015.
Chicago (Basic Format): Surname, First Name. Title of Video. Source of Video. Access date. URL of video.
Sample: TED. Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen. YouTube. June 27, 2014. Accessed July 7, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIho2S0ZahI.
Overall, familiarity on how to reference different resources used in academic writing takes time and practice to get accustomed to. These basic rules offer aspiring writers to identify how each style differs with one another and properly apply each one to satisfy requirements. It is important to note that these standards are just some of the basic features applicable for each referencing style. These tips are just starting points that can help reinforce the writer’s ability to properly cite resources and mitigate the potential of plagiarism.