Writing and Citing

Guides to Writing and Research

• Guide to Grammar and Style by Jack Lynch, Rutgers University.
• KU Writing Center from Kansas University.
• Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL)
• The Writers Workshop from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Includes sections on writing, grammar, and bibliographies.
• Write, The Elmhurst College Online Writing Lab Elmhurst College’s own OWL

Evaluating Your Sources

Part of information literacy is knowing what sources are useful for what assignments. Below are some resources that can help you figure this out. Of course, you want to check with your instructor, as they are the final arbiter as to what kind of material is appropriate for each assignment.

• Critically Analyzing Information Sources from Cornell University
• Evaluating Sources of Information from Purdue’s OWL
• Evaluating Web Sites from Lesley University
• Popular Magazine vs. Trade Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals from Colorado State University
• Primary Sources from Sonoma State University

Annotating Your Sources

Some professors assign an annotated bibliography. Below are some resources that can help you figure out how to do it.

• How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography from Cornell University
• Annotated Bibliographies from Purdue’s OWL
• Writing an Annotated Bibliography from Concordia University

Citing Your Sources (Documentation)

There are many different ways to cite or document the sources you refer to in a piece of writing. Three of the major documentation styles are

• APA, which is the style developed by the American Psychological Association. The social sciences often use APA style for documenting sources.
• MLA, which is the style developed by the Modern Language Association. The humanities typically use MLA format to cite sources.
• Turabian, named for Kate Turabian who developed this style, is used in various disciplines, including history. This style is sometimes referred to as Chicago style since it is based on The Chicago Manual of Style.
• There are many more styles (see below) recommended by different disciplines. If you’re not sure which style to use, continuing reading, and consult your professor.

APA Style

• Citing Sources from the Duke University Libraries. Concise information on how to cite common sources in APA, MLA, and Turabian styles.
• Using American Psychological Association (APA) Format from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL).
• APA Citation Style Basics Tutorials by the American Psychological Association.
• APA Documentation Style from California State University, Stanislaus.
• APA Citation Guide by University of Maryland.
  
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 2010. Elmhurst College Library Reference R 808.06615P976 2010 c.1 . Ask for this at the Reference and Information Services Desk in the library.

MLA Style

• Citing Sources from the Duke University Libraries. Concise information on how to cite common sources in APA, MLA, and Turabian styles.
• Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL).
• MLA Citation Guide by University of Maryland.
• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed., 2009. Elmhurst College Library Reference R 808.042 M685 2009. Ask for this at the Reference and Information Services Desk in the library.

Turabian/Chicago Style

• Chicago/Turabian Style from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center.
• Citing Sources from the Duke University Libraries. Concise information on how to cite common sources in APA, MLA, and Turabian styles.
• Turabian Citation Style from The University of Chicago Press.
• A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th ed., 2007. Elmhurst College Library Reference R 808.042 T929m6 2007.
• Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003. Elmhurst College Library Reference R808.02 C532 2003.Ask for this at the Reference and Information Services Desk in the library.

Styles by Discipline

These are the styles generally recommended in these disciplines. Consult your professor if you are unsure which style to use.

Biology

• Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 7th ed., 2006. Elmhurst College Library Reference R 808.0666 S416s 2006. Developed by the Council of Science Editors for biology writers.
• CSE Citation Guide from the Ohio State University Libraries
• Council of Science Editors Style – Introduction from the library at Juniata College

Chemistry

• The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors, 3rd ed., 2006. Elmhurst College Library Reference R 808.06654 A187 2006. This is the style manual developed by the American Chemical Society for chemistry writers.
• American Chemical Society (ACS) Style Guidelines from University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries
• ACS Style Guide from Williams College Libraries

Education

• APA (American Psychological Association) Style

History

• Turabian/Chicago
• Turabian Citation Style from The University of Chicago Press.

Humanities (literature, philosophy, and the arts)

• MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

Nursing

• APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Political Science

• The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual, 3rd ed., 2000. Elmhurst College Library Reference R 808.06632 S426p 2000. Provides guidance for writing as well as documenting sources in political science.
• APSA (American Political Science Association) Style from the University of Wisconsin Writer’s Handbook

Psychology

• APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Social Sciences

• Often use APA (American Psychological Association) Style, though some disciplines, such as sociology, use different styles.

Sociology

• The ASA (American Sociological Association) Style Guide, 2nd ed, 1997. Elmhurst College Library. Reference R808.066301 A512A 1997
• ASA (American Sociological Association) Style Guide from Bucknell University
• ASA Format (American Sociological Association) from California State University at Los Angeles
• Formatting in Sociology from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
• Quick Style Guide for Students Writing Sociology Papers from the American Sociological Association has examples and guidelines for documents.

Physics

• AIP Style Guide, 4th ed.