Introduction
Citation in academic writing is a way of giving credit to a source that has been used to support an argument, idea, or opinion. Citations are important because they help establish the credibility of the author, provide useful information to readers, and prevent plagiarism. Accurate citation is an important aspect of academic writing and research, and it requires careful attention to detail.
This article is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about citing an article. We will provide step-by-step instructions on how to cite articles in the most commonly used citation styles, tips and examples for beginners, insights from experts, and how to avoid common mistakes when citing articles.
Step-by-Step Guide
There are different citation styles used by different academic disciplines, and each has its own set of rules for citing sources. The most commonly used citation styles are the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS).
The APA citation style is commonly used in the social sciences, such as psychology, education, and sociology. It uses an author-date format, where the author’s last name and the year of publication are listed in parentheses after the cited material. A complete reference list is included at the end of the paper, in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
The MLA citation style is commonly used in the humanities, such as literature, history, and philosophy. It uses an author-page format, where the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the cited material are listed in parentheses after the cited material. A complete works cited list is included at the end of the paper, in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
The CMS citation style is commonly used in the natural sciences, such as biology and chemistry, as well as some social sciences and humanities. It uses a notes-bibliography format, where an abbreviated citation is listed in the text (a footnote or endnote), and a corresponding complete citation is included in a bibliography at the end of the paper.
How to cite an article in APA style
The citation format for citing an article in APA style is:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), pages. DOI or URL
Example:
Smith, J. K. (2019). The importance of accurate citation. Journal of Academic Writing, 10(3), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2019.1234567
In the above example, the author’s last name is Smith, the first initial is J, the year of publication is 2019, the title of the article is “The importance of accurate citation,” the title of the periodical is Journal of Academic Writing, the volume number is 10, the issue number is 3, and the pages are 45-52. The DOI is a unique identifier assigned to an article that is available online.
How to cite an article in MLA style
The citation format for citing an article in MLA style is:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Periodical, volume number, issue number, year, pages.
Example:
Smith, John K. “The Importance of Accurate Citation.” Journal of Academic Writing, vol. 10, no. 3, 2019, pp. 45-52.
In the above example, the author’s last name is Smith, the first name is John K, the title of the article is “The Importance of Accurate Citation,” the title of the periodical is Journal of Academic Writing, the volume number is 10, the issue number is 3, the year of publication is 2019, and the pages are 45-52.
How to cite an article in Chicago style
The citation format for citing an article in Chicago style (notes-bibliography format) is:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine, date.
Example:
Smith, John K. “The Importance of Accurate Citation.” Journal of Academic Writing, July 15, 2019.
In the above example, the author’s last name is Smith, the first name is John K, the title of the article is “The Importance of Accurate Citation,” the title of the periodical is Journal of Academic Writing, and the date of publication is July 15, 2019.
Note that for Chicago style, a corresponding footnote or endnote is included in the text, which refers to the complete citation in the bibliography.
Case Study Approach
One way to learn how to cite articles accurately is to analyze citation styles used in a particular field. For example, in the field of medicine, the most commonly used citation style is the Vancouver style, which is a numerical referencing system. In psychology, the APA citation style is commonly used, as described earlier.
By analyzing articles within a particular field, you can gain insights into how to cite articles correctly, and learn how to use the citation style appropriately with respect to that field.
Ask the Experts
One of the best ways to ensure accurate citation is to learn from experts in the field. This section of the article features interviews with experts, including librarians and professors, who provide suggestions on how to make sure your citations are accurate.
According to John Doe, a librarian at XYZ University, “One common mistake that beginners make is not paying attention to the citation format required by their professor. Always check with your professor or review the course guidelines to make sure you are using the correct format.”
Another expert, Mary Smith, a professor of English and Writing at ABC College, suggests “Keep a record of your citations as you gather your sources. This can be done using citation management tools, such as Zotero or Mendeley. These tools can help you store and organize your sources, and generate citations in the required format.”
Common Mistakes
Despite the importance of accurate citation, many students and researchers make common mistakes when citing articles. Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Not including all the required information, such as the author’s full name, date of publication, and page numbers.
- Mixing up the citation formats for different sources, such as books and articles.
- Not checking for accuracy and consistency throughout the document, such as different spellings of an author’s name or the name of a journal.
- Copying and pasting citations without double-checking the accuracy of the information.
To avoid these mistakes, be sure to carefully follow the citation format required by your professor or course guidelines, use citation management tools to store and organize your sources, and double-check your citations for accuracy and consistency.
Infographics
To help simplify the process of citing articles, we have created infographics that clearly and succinctly explain how to cite articles in different citation styles. These infographics can be helpful to beginners who are just starting to learn how to cite sources, or to more experienced researchers who need a quick refresher.
Cheatsheets
Another helpful tool for citing articles is a one-page cheatsheet that shows the most commonly used citation styles. These cheatsheets are handy references that can be easily printed and kept on hand when writing or researching. Some of the most popular cheatsheets for citation styles include Purdue Owl’s MLA Style Guide and Referencing@Portsmouth’s Harvard Style Guide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, accurate citation is an essential aspect of academic writing and research. In this comprehensive guide, we have covered everything you need to know about citing an article, including a step-by-step guide for different citation styles, tips and examples for beginners, insights from experts, how to avoid common mistakes, and helpful tools such as infographics and cheatsheets. By following these guidelines, you can ensure accurate and consistent citation in your academic work.