Style Manuals
Once you understand the basics of writing a citation, a style
manual (a special book devoted to explaining how to write for a specific
profession) will show you the rest. Style manuals are particularly useful
for finding out exactly how to format in-text citations and entries on
your bibliography or works cited pages. There are three main citation
styles used at Ball State University, and each has its own style manual.
MLA Style
The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th edition), published
by the Modern Language Association, is used for most classes in the Arts
and Humanities, such as English, Art, and Philosophy. Here are some
examples of Works Cited entries in MLA Style:
Book:
Smith, Michael W. Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys: Literacy in the
Lives of Young Men. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2002.
Journal Article:
Thrailkill, Jane F. “Doctoring ‘The Yellow Wallpaper.’”
ELH 69.2 (2002): 525-566.
Web Page:
Way, Tom. “Environmental Impact of Dihydrogen Monoxide.” DHMO.org. 2003.
Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division. 28 Apr. 2003 <http://www.dhmo.org/environment.html>.
For more information, see:
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APA Style
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
(5th edition) is usually used for the Social Sciences, including Psychology,
Sociology, and Education. Here are some examples of Reference List
entries in APA Style:
Book:
Firestone, R. W., & Catlett, J. (1999). Fear of intimacy. Washington,
DC: American Psychological Association.
Journal Article:
Anderson, C. J. (2003). The psychology of doing nothing: Forms
of decision avoidance result from reaction and emotion. Psychological
Bulletin, 129, 139-166.
Web Page:
Way, T. (1997). Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division. Retrieved April
28, 2003, from http://www.dhmo.org/
For more information, see:
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Chicago/Turabian Style
The Chicago Manual of Style (14th edition) and Kate Turabian’s closely
allied Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations
(6th edition) are used by some of the Humanities and Social Sciences, particularly
History and Journalism. Here are some examples of the two possible
formats for bibliography entries presented in the Chicago Manual of
Style:
Book, Humanities Style:
Smith, John Q. Urban Turmoil: the Politics of Hope.
New City: Polis Publishing Co., 1986.
Book, Author-Date Style:
Smith, J. Q. 1986. Urban turmoil: The politics of hope.
New City: Polis.
Journal Article, Humanities Style:
Wise, Penelope. "Money Today: Two Cents for a Dollar." No
Profit Review 2 (1987): 123-42.
Journal Article, Author-Date Style:
Wise, P. 1987. Money today: Two cents for a dollar.
No Profit Rev. 2:123-42.
For more information, see:
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Chicago Manual of Style (14th ed.), available in Bracken Library
at the Reference Desk Z 253 .U69 1993
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Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (6th
ed.), available in Bracken Library at the Reference Desk LB 2369 .T8 1996
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Citation
Style Guides in the BSU Libraries’
Online
Reference Shelf
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Many other professions, such as law and music, have their own unique
styles. Always find out which style each of your professors prefer.
And remember, if you ever have any questions about how to cite a particular
source, just ask your professor.
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