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Library Guide to Research: 7. Cite Your Sources

Why Cite?

Citing Sources -

  • Allows you to acknowledge your source and the author of the original concept.
  • Ensures that you are not plagiarizing or claiming someone else's original idea as your own idea.
  • Shows the careful work you have put into finding good sources.
  • Helps the reader understand the context of your research and locate other sources of interest.

Citation: A Brief Introduction

*Courtesy of North Carolina State University Libraries

Primary Citation Style Guides

The best way to ensure you are properly citing sources is to refer to the appropriate style guide.  Copies of these guides are available in the library's Reference Collection (1st Floor, Fireside Room).

Style
Copies at Georgetown College Library
APA

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

MLA

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 

Chicago

The Chicago Manual of Style

 

 

Need to locate other style guides? Use the library catalog and search these subject headings:

  • Authorship--Style manuals
  • Authorship--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
  • Scholarly publishing--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

How to Cite a Source

The following sites provide information to help you format MLA, APA, or Chicago style citations.