5 Steps to Create a Citation
1st: Choose a citation style.
ex. MLA, APA or Chicago
TIP Disciplines (or subject areas) often have a preferred citation style. Not sure what style to use? Ask you instructor.
2nd: Identify what type of resource you are citing.
ex. book, magazine, newspaper, interview, online video, email, blog, etc.
TIP If you are not sure what type of resource you are using Google the title or ask the librarian.
3rd: How did you access the resource?
- free web (ex. you found the resource using Google/Bing etc)
- library database (ex. you logged in with a username/password)
- in print, real life (ex. you held the item in your hand / saw in real life)
4th: Find the appropriate formula using the criteria above.
ex. MLA - Journal Article in a Library Database
ex. APA - Book in Print
ex. Chicago - Image on a Website
ex. Google it - How to cite a TikTok video in MLA format
5th: Create the citation.
Using the appropriate style guide or a citation generator, find the formula that matches your source type and access point (Step 4) and plug in the corresponding information from your source.
