Skip to Main Content

APA + MLA CITATION GUIDE

Depending on the course, you may be asked to use MLA style (from the Modern Language Association) or APA style (from the American Psychological Association) to format your paper including citations. Find pages for each in this guide. See also a page about overall formatting for your paper  (not just citations).

Formatting Citations

In both APA and MLA, you need to cite each source that you use two times:

1. Cite your source in the text.

in-text citations = short citations in parentheses in the text of the paper

 - AND -

2. Cite your source on your Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) page.

Full citations go on a separate page at the end of the paper

 

hurray hurray sign Most of the NCC Library's online databases, including eBook collections, give you ready-made citations (MLA or APA). Cut and paste them into your document. You will have to add in-text citations to the paper itself.

Formatting Your Paper (according to MLA + APA)
Go to the Formatting page. (margins, fonts, title pages)

 

INFORMACION EN ESPANOL
Citation information in Spanish from our neighbors at Northern Essex Community College.

TIPS:

  • It's easiest to do citations in reverse order -- first, the full citation and then the shortened form.

  • Keep track of where you find information! Even if you are not sure you will use something in your final draft, keep the citation in a document in case you need it later.