Citing the sources you used when writing a paper or other assignment helps to avoid plagiarism and allows others to quickly identify and locate your sources. Your professor has probably recommended a particular citation style. Each style formats citations with the same basic information, but they may organize them differently.

This guide will provide examples for citing using American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), and University of Chicago Press (Chicago) styles for print and online sources. However, many disciplines have their own styles for citing. Check out other options under this list of style manuals.