STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT TUTORIAL

PRODUCED BY THE CENTER FOR TEACHING AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

THE CITATION CHALLENGE:

DEMYSTIFYING APA AND MLA
CHAPTER 1: CITING SOURCES IN APA AND MLA STYLES

WHY CITE SOURCES ANYWAY?

There are plenty of reasons to cite your sources, but here are three of the best ones:

1. Citing your sources in text and in your bibliography will let your readers track down your research if they
need it.
2. Citing your sources will help you maintain academic integrity and keep you from being accused of
plagiarism, a serious offense on any university campus.
3. Citing your sources will make you a part of the academic community of writers and help to get your paper
the respect and credibility it deserves!

CHAPTER 2: CITING SOURCES AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Some definitions before we start:

Copy and Paste to move information directly from one electronic source to another.

Academic Integrity the Center for Academic Integrity defines academic integrity as a commitment,
even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect and
responsibility.

Original Ideas these include thoughts, opinions, research or facts.

Summarize to rewrite the text in your own words so that it is shorter than the original.

Paraphrase to rewrite the text in your own words so that it is about the same number as the original.

Anytime you copy more than five words from a book or article or copy and paste from the Internet, you must cite
your source. To maintain academic integrity you must give credit to others for their original ideas whether you
quote, summarize or paraphrase their ideas in your text.

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WHAT IS ACADEMIC INTEGRITY?

If you copy someone else's work and claim it as your own, you are plagiarizing. Many people don't realize that they
may plagiarize accidentally if they forget to include the citation information for their references. To avoid
plagiarizing, you need:

Planning and preparation

Attention to details
A good style guide (online or in hard copy)

It is also plagiarism if you get someone else to write your work for you. You can find out more about the SF State
policy on academic integrity on the SF State web site.

CHAPTER 3: CITATION STYLES

WHAT ARE APA AND MLA CITATION STYLES?

Standard citation styles are developed and updated by academic associations who have an interest in them. Most
instructors use one of the two formats: APA or MLA. Your instructor will probably tell you which one you should
use. If youre not sure, you should ask.

Hot Tip: Your teacher will look for consistency throughout your paper, so be sure to apply the same style
all the way through.

APA CITATION STYLE

The American Psychological Association created and makes updates to the standards of the APA citation format,
often used to cite sources in the social sciences.

Some definitions before we start:

Bibliography a list at the end of your document that includes all of the works that you consulted while
writing, whether or not you cited them in your text.

References the APA name for the list at the end of your document that includes only the works you
cited in your

A quotation cited in APA style looks like this:

Researchers believe that the birds search for a tree on the basis of physical
characteristics including, a main crotch splitting into three or four branches, sturdy
enough to support the nest and easily accessible from the air (Weidensaul, 1996, p.
23).

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The end of the paper written in APA format contains a bibliography called References.

An APA style reference looks like this:

Weidensaul, S. (1996). Raptors: The birds of prey. New York: Lyons & Burford.

MLA CITATION STYLE

The Modern Language Association determines the standards for MLA style, which is most often used in the fields
of languages and literature. In MLA style, the emphasis is on the author and page number rather than the year the
publication was written.

Some definitions before we start:

Bibliographya list at the end of your document that includes all of the works that you consulted while
writing, whether or not you cited them in your text.

Works Citedthe MLA name for the list at the end of your document that includes only the works you
cited in your text.

An MLA in-text citation looks like this:

In her memoir, Under the Tuscan Sun, Mayes comments that in the eyes of the local
electrician they are clearly headed for ruin (115).

The bibliography at the end of an MLA paper is called the Works Cited.

The citation for this quotation looks like this:

Mayes, Frances. Under the Tuscan Sun. New York: Broadway Books, 1997.

CHAPTER 4: BUILDING YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY

TRACKING AND USING YOUR SOURCES

Collect information on your sources while you conduct your research. In your notes, put information you take
directly from the source in quotation marks. Make a note if you are paraphrasing or summarizing.

Keep your information up to date while you write your paper. Even professional writers have gotten into trouble
when they failed to keep accurate records and repeated information and ideas without putting it in quotation
marks or including the citation.

If you use the copy and paste feature on your computer, it's easy to lose track of which words are your own and
which belong to the outside source. Develop a system to keep track of this and stick to it.
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 Hot Tip: You may want to collect the information on 3x5 cards or right in your electronic document.
You can photocopy the pages of the book or journal or even buy a software program that will help you
generate and organize citations.

Web pages and databases continually change so you may not be able to retrieve the exact information
that you need later. Get it now so you dont forget it or have trouble at the last minute!

APA AND MLA REFERENCE STYLE FOR A BOOK

APA and MLA style each use a standard format for citing a book. Take a moment to study the basic format of the
information.

APA REFERENCE STYLE FOR A BOOK

Last name, A. A. (Year). Title of the book. Location: Publisher.

APA example for a book:

Anderson, F.B. (2004). The joy of engineering. New York: Holiday Spirit Publishers.

MLA REFERENCE STYLE FOR A BOOK

Last name, First name. Title of a Book. Location: Publisher, Year.

MLA example for a book:

Anderson, Frank B. The Joy of Engeeneering. New York: Holiday Spirit Publishers, 2004.

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NOW ITS YOUR TURN CITATION FOR A BOOK!

APA: Please select the book correctly cited in the APA style:

st
A. Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. 1 Vintage Contemporaries ed. New
York: Vintage Books, 1991.
st
B. Cisneros, S. (1991). The house on Mango Street. 1 Vintage Contemporaries ed.
New York: Vintage Books.
st
C. House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros, Vintage Books, 1 Vintage
Contemporaries, New York, 1991.

D. 1991, Cisneros, Sandra, The House on Mango Street. Vintage Books, New York.

B IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

MLA: Please select the book correctly cited in the MLA style:

st
A. Cisneros, S. (1991). The house on mango street. 1 Vintage Contemporaries ed.
New York: Vintage Books.
st
B. House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros, Vintage Books, 1 Vintage
Contemporaries, New York, 1991.

C. 1991, Cisneros, Sandra, The House on Mango Street. Vintage Books, New York.
st
D. Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. 1 Vintage Contemporaries ed. New
York: Vintage Books, 1991.

D IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

APA AND MLA REFERENCE STYLE FOR A PERIODICAL

APA and MLA styles each use a standard format for citing a periodical. There are many different types of
periodicals. The most common ones are journals, magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. Take a moment to
study the basic format of the information.

APA REFERENCE STYLE FOR A PERIODICAL

Last name, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Title of Periodical, Volume #(Issue #), Page # (s).

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APA example for a journal:

Mason, J.C. (2004). Learning the shortcuts to filmmaking. New Film Magazine, 11(4),
17-29.

MLA REFERENCE STYLE FOR A PERIODICAL

Last name, First name. "Title of the Article." Title of the Magazine Volume # (Year): Page # (s).

MLA example for a journal:

Mason, James C. Learning the Shortcuts to Filmmaking. New Film Magazine 11.7
(2004): 11- 27

NOW ITS YOUR TURN CITATION FOR A JOURNAL!

APA: Please select the journal correctly cited in the APA style:

A. Journal of Economic Education, The teaching of undergraduate economics: a

discussion list. Barbour, J. (2003)

B. Barbour, Jim. Teaching of Undergraduate Economics: A discussion List. Journal of

Economic Education Winter 2003: 92.

C. Winter 2003, Barbour, J. The teaching of undergraduate economics: a discussion

list. Journal of Economic Education, 34 (1), 92.

D. Barbour, J. (2003). The teaching of undergraduate economics: A discussion list.

Journal of Economic Education, 34, 92.

D IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

MLA: Please select the journal entry correctly cited in the MLA style:

A. Barbour, J. (2003). The teaching of undergraduate economics: a discussion list.

Journal of Economic Education, 34 (1), 92.

B. Journal of Economic Education, The teaching of undergraduate economics: a

discussion list. Barbour, J. (2003)

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 C. Barbour, Jim. Teaching of Undergraduate Economics: A Discussion List. Journal of
Economic Education 34 (2003): 92.

D. Winter 2003, Barbour, J. The teaching of undergraduate economics: a discussion

list. Journal of Economic Education, 34 (1), 92.

C IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

CHAPTER 5: WHERE TO FIND CITATION INFORM ATION ON THE WEB

SOME ONLINE SEARCH TIPS

Just because its online doesnt mean it should be cited as a Web page. It may need to be cited differently
if it is an online publication, a print publication retrieved from the web, or a PDF (Portable Document
Format) retrieved from a database. Check a style guide to make sure that you choose the format that
matches where you found the information.
You need to direct your readers to the exact information you quoted, not just the organization's
homepage. Make sure that you cite the specific page so they don't have to click on any other links or
search for the information.

Hot Tip: If you need the URL address of a PDF, you can get it by right clicking on the link to get to the
Properties window.

WHERE IS ALL THIS INFORMATION ON A WEB PAGE?

You will need the following elements to reference a Web page:

1. Author
2. Organization Title
3. Web page title
4. Web site URL
5. Published Datethe date when the information was posted on the Webpage
6. Retrieved Datethe date when you retrieved the information from the Web page

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NOW ITS YOUR TURN CITATION FOR A WEB PAGE!

APA: Now that youve had a little practice with book and journal citations, see if you can recognize the APA citation
of a Web page in the list below:

A. ABC Health Matters, (2003). Glue ear fact file. retrieved Jun 28, 2004, from Fact File
Glue Ear Library A-Z Health Matters Web site:
http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/glueear_ff.htm.

B. <http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/glueear_ff.htm>. Glue Ear fact file, Fry, Rae,

fact-File A-Z. 18 Jun 2004.

C. Fry, Rae. Glue Ear Fact File. 27 March 2003. Fact File Glue Ear Library A-Z
Health Matters. ABC Health Matters. 28 Jun 2004

D. 18 Jun 2004, <http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/glueear_ff.htm>. Fry, Rae.

Glue Ear Fact File.

A IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

MLA: Now that youve had a little practice with book and journal citations, see if you can recognize the MLA
citation of a Web page in the list below:

A. Fry, Rae. Glue Ear Fact File. 27 March 2003. Fact File Glue Ear Library A-Z
Health Matters. Health Matters. 28 Jun 2004
<http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/glueear_ff.htm>.

B. Health Matters, (2003). Glue ear fact file. retrieved Jun 28, 2004, from Fact File
Glue Ear Library A-Z Health Matters Web site.

C. <http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/glueear_ff.htm>. Glue Ear fact file, Fry, Rae,

fact-File A-Z. 18 Jun 2004.

D. 18 Jun 2004, <http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/glueear_ff.htm>. Fry, Rae.

Glue Ear Fact File.

A IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

Hot Tip: Never let the URL go onto two lines. It is tough enough to read as it is! Both APA and MLA list
the corporate and individual author, but MLA lists the individual author first.

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CHAPTER 6: USING A STYLE GUIDE

WHY SHOULD I USE A STYLE GUIDE?

Style guides, available online and in print, offer useful information on how to format your references. Check out
some of the resources in the EXTRAS section. Whatever you use, make sure that the information is up-to-date and
accurate.

A style guide can help you deal with tricky situations such as:

A journal article written by more than one author

Two or more articles by the same author
A work by three to five authors
Authors with the same last name

THE CITATION MACHINE: A FREE ONLINE TOOL

The Citation Machine is an online tool that is part of the Landmarks for School web site for teachers. It can help
you create correctly formatted citations for your paper. It allows you to input your citation information and puts
each piece in the right spot for you..

Try using it to create a book citation. Open the Citation Machine by visiting http://www.citationmachine.net.
Practice entering information from one of your textbooks or another book you are reading. Once you have entered
all of the necessary information into the fields provided, click Make Citations to generate the citations
automatically. It will generate standard APA and MLA citations.

Hot Tip: Always double-check any citation you create with the Citation Machine as there may be
updates to citation formats and/ or technical issues.

POP QUIZ!

Please choose the correct answer:

1. MLA and APA are styles maintained by organizations with an interest in academic integrity.
a. True
b. False

A IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

The Modern Language Association and the American Psychological Association maintain those two citation styles.

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 2. In a bibliography written in either APA or MLA format your references will include:
a. The title
b. The author
c. The publication date
d. The year
e. All of these

E IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

3. APA format is most often used in the fields of languages and literature.
a. True
b. False

B IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

The fields of languages and literature are most often cited in the style of the Modern Language Association.

4. The most important criteria when selecting a reference for citing your sources is that:
a. It covers both MLA and APA format
b. It is on sale
c. It is up to date
d. It is also online

C IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

5. Online sources should be cited by including a URL in parenthesis within the text.
a. True
b. False

B IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

6. An online citation guide will NOT tell you:

a. Where to place the elements of a citation for books
b. Where to place the elements of a citation in text
c. What the parenthetical in-text reference should look like
d. How the text should be paraphrased

D IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

7. In an online reference, the published date and the retrieved date are always the same.
a. True
b. False

B IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

The published date is the date the information was posted and the retrieved date is the date you retrieved it from
the web.
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 8. Forgetting to cite yours sources is accidental plagiarism and may be punishable by SF State.
a. True
b. False

A IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

9. In APA format, what element always comes first in your citations:

a. The year
b. The title
c. The author
d. The punctuation

C IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

10. When you paraphrase someones ideas, the text must be in your own words.
a. True
b. False

A IS THE CORRECT ANSWER

EXTRAS

Recommended resources:

CENTER FOR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

http://www.academicintegrity.org

SF STATE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

http://academic.sfsu.edu/facaffairs/ctfd/fac_resources/plagiarism.php

THE CITATION MACHINE

http://citationmachine.net

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

http://www.apastyle.org

DIANA HACKERS GUIDE TO REFERENCING

http://www/dianahacker.com

Hacker Diana. A Writers Reference. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford St. Martins. 2003.

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STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT TUTORIAL

Using Someone Elses Words: Quotes, Summarize and Paraphrase Your Way to Success available through the
CTFD Student Learning Support Tutorials Project online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~ctfd/tutorials.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Your teacher may have asked you to provide some proof of completion in the form of a certificate. If so, print the
Certificate of Completion for this tutorial on the following page and fill in the required information for your
instructor before handing it in.

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