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APA + MLA CITATION GUIDE

This guide provides information about MLA + APA citation and formatting styles. For information about writing style including punctuation, please see the print manuals in the NCC library.

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 cite the sources you have used and to format your paper. Find pages for each in this guide. See also a page about overall formatting for your paper  (not just citations).

 

Citation Basics -- whether using MLA or APA

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

 

1. Cite your source in the text. in-text citations = short citations in parentheses in the text of the paper (Sometimes these are called parenthetical citations.) Place these citations after the quote or paraphrase or work them into your text.

 - AND -

2. Cite your source on your Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) page. Full citations include more information about the publication and 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). Copy and paste them into your document. Remember to add in-text citations to the paper!

 

How To Cite

Cite something in your assignment if you quote it, of course, but also if you paraphrase or summarize someone else's ideas. Keep track of citation information as you find and read sources. You need the title of a work and name(s) of its author(s). You may need the name of a journal if you are citing an article or the name of a publisher if citing a book. You will need the url of a website. 

Here are several ways to get and/or make your own citations.

 

  • Copy a ready-made citation from a library database. Quote marks at page top indicate a citation.
  • Follow examples of MLA or APA citations. Compare what you see to the information you have.
  • Check citation rules in a printed citation manual (library has copies) or the Purdue OWL
  • Use a citation generator such as MS Word's built-in tool or Citation Machine.

Formatting Your Paper (margins, fonts, title pages)
Go to the Formatting page.

 

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. 

  • Even if you are not sure you will use something in your final draft, keep the citation for information you've read and taken notes on in a document in case you need it later.