Last Updated: Oct 25, 2024 Views: 22627

First, it's important that you use the citation style required by your assignment or professor (your syllabus or assignment guidelines/description should list the required citation style but if not, ask your professor).

If you are permitted to choose a citation style to use, it may be easiest to choose one of the most common citation styles. Below is a brief overview of the three most common citation styles (APA, MLA, and Chicago).

Common Citation Styles

APA

APA Style, currently in its 7th edition, is a citation protocol established by the American Psychological Association.  APA is most often used in the disciplines of the social sciences, nursing, and business. It includes:

  • the format & structure of your paper
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

For more information about APA Style, check out the FAQ How do I cite sources in APA style?.

MLA

MLA Style, currently in its 9th edition, is a citation protocol established by the Modern Language Association.  MLA is most often used in the disciplines of the humanities, literature, foreign language and cultural studies. It includes:

  • the format & page layout of your paper
  • stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

For more information about MLA Style, check out the FAQ How do I cite sources in MLA style?.

Chicago

Chicago Style, currently in its 18th edition, is a citation protocol established by the University of Chicago.  Chicago Style is most often used in the disciplines of history and religion. It includes:

  • instruction for manuscript preparation and publication
  • guidelines for style, grammar and usage
  • rules for documenting your sources in-text including the Notes-Bibliography System (NB) and the Author-Date System
  • guidelines for a Bibliography at the end of your paper

For more information about Chicago Style, check out the FAQ How do I cite sources in Chicago style?.

Citation Styles & Fields of Study or Profession

You may also want to choose a citation style based on the field of study you are working in. Here is a brief list of some major disciplines and the citation styles most commonly associated with them:

Citation Styles
CITATION STYLE FIELD OF STUDY OR PROFESSION
AAA (American Anthropological Association) This link opens in a new window
Full access pdf - free
Anthropology
ACS (American Chemical Society) This link opens in a new window
Free access
Chemistry
AIP ( American Institute of Physics) This link opens in a new window
Preparing your manuscript guide
Physics
ALWD (Association of Legal Writing Directors) and Blue Book This link opens in a new window
Information about guide - no free access

Introduction to Basic Legal Citation (online ed. 2019) by Peter W. Martin This link opens in a new window
Free access to basic legal citation information website from Cornell University Law School
Legal Studies
AMA (American Medical Association) This link opens in a new window
Full access with mySNHU login credentials - free
Medical Sciences
AMS (American Mathematical Society) This link opens in a new window
Full access pdf - free
Mathematics
AP (Associated Press) This link opens in a new window
Information about guide - no free access
Journalism
Public Relations

APA (American Psychological Association) This link opens in a new window
Information about guide - no free access

APA Guide Purdue OWL This link opens in a new window
Full access website - free

APA Style Blog This link opens in a new window

Business
Criminology
Economics
Education
Psychology
Social Sciences
Sociology
APSA (American Political Science Association) This link opens in a new window
Full access pdf - free
International Studies
Political Science
ASA (American Sociological Association) This link opens in a new window
Information about guide - no free access

ASA Guide Purdue OWL This link opens in a new window
Full access website - free
Sociology
Chicago Manual of Style This link opens in a new window
Quick guide access - free (not full manual)

Chicago Manual of Style Purdue OWL This link opens in a new window
Full access website - free
Humanities
History
Religion
Social Sciences
CSE (Council of Science Editors) This link opens in a new window
Information about guide - no free access

CSE Guide by U of Wisconsin Writing Center This link opens in a new window
Full access website - free
Biology
Harvard Business School This link opens in a new window
Full access pdf - free
Business
LSA Style Sheet This link opens in a new window
Full access pdf - free
Linguistics
Maroonbook (The University of Chicago Manual of Legal Citation) This link opens in a new window
Full access pdf - free
Legal Studies
MLA (Modern Language Association) This link opens in a new window
Information about guide - no free access
Humanities
Literature
NLM (National Library of Medicine) This link opens in a new window
Full access website and pdf - free
Medical Publications
Turabian This link opens in a new window
Quick guide access - free (not full manual)
Humanities
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences

 

Further Help

Campus Students

To access academic support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.

Online Students

To access help with citation and more, visit Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:

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