First Steps
1st: Choose a citation style.
ex. MLA, APA or Chicago
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
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.
Citation Guide: Chicago
- FILE: Student Tip Sheet (Chicago Manual of Style)This tip sheet aimed at students includes links to examples of bibliographies, endnotes, etc.
Citation Generators: Chicago
- MyBib
A free open source citation generator that you can use to create citations in many citation styles including
AMA, APA, Chicago, MLA, CSE.
- NoodleTools Express
Free citation generator for MLA, APA and Chicago styles
ALWAYS check the citation generated against the guidelines given by your instructor.