Module 14
Citing sources

Contents:
Introduction
Module 1: How to Solve an Information Problem
Module 2: Search Techniques
Module 3: SD Library Network
Module 4: Proquest
Module 5: Infotrac
Module 6: Lexis-Nexis
Module 7: OCLC Firstsearch
Module 8: 
Module 9: 
Module 10: 
Module 11: Internet Searching
Module 12: Evaluating Internet sources
Module 13: Scholarly vs. Popular
Module 15: How to Get Material Not Available Online

Module 14: Citing Sources

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Why cite?

1. To give credit to those whose work/ideas you have used (whether by direct quote or by paraphrasing).

2. To provide evidence to support what you are saying.

3. To allow your readers to find and read the sources you used.

Why a specific citation style?

1. To make it easy for your readers to read your footnotes and find your sources. Using a consistent style in a bibliography (or reference list) lets the reader know where to expect to find a title, where to expect to find an author, etc -- without actually labeling the parts of the citation.

2. Although a variety of citation styles exist -- examples include MLA (Modern Language Association), ACS (American Chemical Society), and APA styles (American Psychological Association) -- each discipline typically has a single style that is used by those in the discipline. By using a single style, a profession's readers are familiar with the style and understand how to read and interpret it.

What citation style?

In ENGL 101, use the MLA style. In ENGL 201, the instructor may suggest that you use the citation style appropriate for your own profession, or the instructor may require you to use a specific citation style. Always use the citation style required by your professor.

If no style is recommended, choose one style and stick to it. Consistency is key, so don't mix styles in a bibliography.

For help using MLA and other citation styles, see: Citing Electronic and Print Documents.

END OF MODULE 14. 
Continue to next page to begin MODULE 15.

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