Citing Sources: Intro

This guide is designed to help you with citing sources when writing a paper. It introduces the major citation styles and some online tools designed to assist you with the creation and management of citations.

Use the tabs across the top of the page to see info on:

• APA style
• MLA style
• Chicago/Turabian style
• ACS style
• CSE style
• Other style guides
• Other Seminary guides
• Citation tools

Each citation style works in a slightly different way. If you are not sure which style you should use, check with your instructor.

When we write an essay, research paper, etc. and quote, paraphrase, or otherwise "borrow" from another source, the proper thing to do is give credit to the author of the original source that we use. This is known as citing a source.

Why is citing so important?

Using someone else's work in your writing and failing to cite the source of that information is known as plagiarism and considered a serious offense, especially in an academic setting. Both the Erskine College Honor Code and the Erskine Theological Seminary Honor Code list plagiarism as an unacceptable misconduct with severe penalties. But take heart. Plagiarism is easily avoided by properly citing your sources.

A useful resource for learning more about plagiarism is the plagiarism.org website.

A "citation style" is a defined guideline created to provide a standard format for citing sources.

One typical point of confusion is the fact that there are a number of different citation styles that can be used. The major styles are APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian. The citation style usually depends on the field of study or academic discipline. Among the major styles:

• APA - Typically used in the social sciences (including education, psychology, and business) and sometimes in the health sciences
• MLA - Typically used in the humanities (in particular, English) and fine arts
• Chicago/Turabian - Often used in history, the arts, and sometimes business. Turabian is used by the Seminary.

Check with your professor to make sure you use the correct citation style.

And above all, whether using an assigned style or one of your choice (when given the option), be consistent!

Citation – A method of indicating a quotation from or reference to a source, such as a book, article, webpage, interview, etc.

Citation Style – A defined set of guidelines on how to properly cite a source. There are 3 major citation styles: APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian.

Plagiarism – Using someone else's work or ideas as your own without giving them proper credit