For this class you have been asked to use the MLA citation style. In other classes you will be asked to use other styles depending on the discipline.
This page also includes some of the other styles you might be asked to use, a quick video about why we cite, and information about citation management tools (these can really help keep you organized when doing your research!).
MLA
The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation and format style guide is commonly used to "cite sources within the language arts, cultural studies, and other humanities" (Purdue OWL).
For more information on MLA and examples of citations, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) MLA website and navigate using the left-hand side menu.
APA
The American Psychological Association (APA) citation and format style is commonly used to cite sources in the natural and social sciences.
For more information on APA style and examples of citations, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website and navigate using the left-hand side menu.
The College Library also provides direct access to the APA Online Handbook.
Chicago (CMOS)
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS or just Chicago) citation and format style is "most commonly used to cite sources within history and the arts" (Purdue OWL).
For more information on Chicago and examples of citations, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) Chicago website and navigate using the left-hand side menu.
The College Library also provides direct access to the Chicago Manual of Style.
ACS
The American Chemical Society (ACS) Style Guide is commonly used for "research papers in the field of chemistry" (Williams College).
For help, consult Chapter 14 of The ACS Style Guide. The College Library also provides access to the full text of The ACS Style Guide.
CSE
The Council of Science Editors (CSE) citation style was developed for citing references and content within the field of biology.
For more information on CSE and how to use the style, consult The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers. Access provided by the College Library.
ASA
The American Sociological Association (ASA) Style Guide is commonly used to prepare manuscripts for publication in ASA journals. It is also used by students, researchers, et al., when writing in the field of sociology.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab website offers examples of ASA Style for In-Text (Citation) References and References Page Formatting.
Citation: A (Very) Brief Introduction
What is citation? Why do we cite?
Video created by North Carolina State University Libraries.
It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States license.
Citation Management Tools
Citation Management Tools, like Zotero and Mendeley, can help you stay organized when researching by gathering and organizing citation info for your sources.
There are pros and cons to each tool, but we recommend starting with Zotero, since it's a open-source tool that you can take with you after you leave F&M. For more information on Zotero & Mendeley, visit the links below.