How to Cite Properly in English Language

Greetings DAPPS Lovers,

One of the crucial aspects of writing is citing sources properly to give credit to the original author and avoid plagiarism. Citing sources is important in any writing because it helps to strengthen your arguments, increase the credibility of your work and provide authenticity to your sources. In this article, we will explore the various ways to cite in the English language and provide you with a complete guide on how to cite properly.

The Basics of Citing

Before we dive into the details, let’s have a quick overview of the basics of citing:

Citation Style	Description
APA Style	The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is used in social sciences and is widely used in education, psychology, and social work.
MLA Style	The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is commonly used in the humanities, including literature, arts, and language studies.
Chicago Style	The Chicago Manual of Style is often used in the publishing industry and covers a wide range of subjects, including history, social sciences, and natural sciences.

It is important to determine which citation style to use depending on your subject and audience.

APA Citation Style

APA citation style follows the author-date system. This style requires the author’s last name and the year of publication to be included in the in-text citation. The full reference is listed in the reference page at the end of the document, which includes the author’s name, publication date, title, publisher information, and an optional URL or DOI.

Example of APA in-text citation:

According to Jones (2018),…

Example of APA reference page citation:

Jones, A. (2018). Introduction to Citing Sources. New York: Barnes and Noble.

MLA Citation Style

MLA citation style uses the author-page system that requires the author’s last name and page number where the information is taken from within the source used to be included in the in-text citation. The full reference is listed in the works cited page, which includes the author’s name, title, publisher information, publication date, medium, and an optional URL or DOI.

Example of MLA in-text citation:

According to Jones (28),…

Example of MLA works cited page citation:

Jones, Andrew. Introduction to Citing Sources. Barnes and Noble, 2018.

Chicago Citation Style

Chicago citation style uses both the author-date and notes-bibliography systems. It includes either footnotes or endnotes in the in-text citation. The full reference is listed in the bibliography section, which includes the author’s name, title, publisher information, publication date, and an optional URL or DOI.

Example of Chicago in-text citation:

According to Jones,…¹

Example of Chicago bibliography citation:

Jones, Andrew. Introduction to Citing Sources. Barnes and Noble, 2018.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Different Citation Styles

While each citation style has its strengths, each also has its weaknesses. Here we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of each citation style:

APA Citation Style

Strengths:

• Strict guidelines that are easy to follow
• Emphasis on the date of publication to give more importance to current research
• Clear formatting and layout makes it more attractive to read

Weaknesses:

• Not suitable for subjects that do not use in-text citation
• Lengthy in-text citations can disrupt the flow of writing
• Requires additional information such as location of publication

MLA Citation Style

Strengths:

• Clear and concise in-text citation style
• Suitable for several subjects in the humanities
• Eliminates need for additional citation information

Weaknesses:

• Can be complicated when citing multiple sources from the same author
• Not suitable for subjects that require a long reference list
• Basic details are limited to author’s name, title, publication information and URL.

Chicago Citation Style

Strengths:

• Provides a clear reference list for readers
• Footnotes and endnotes can be used to provide additional information
• Allows for a more organized and flexible citation system

Weaknesses:

• Footnotes and endnotes can be distracting and take up a lot of space.
• Requires additional information such as page numbers and publication locations
• Can be time-consuming due to many citation styles within the Chicago Manual of Style

FAQs about Citing

1. What is plagiarism and why is it important to avoid?

Plagiarism is defined as using someone else’s work without proper citation. It is important to avoid plagiarism because it is dishonest and can result in severe consequences, including expulsion from school or legal charges.

2. How do I know which citation style to use?

You should determine which citation style to use based on the subject of your work and the guidelines provided by your professor or publisher.

3. Can I use the same citation style for multiple sources?

Yes, you can use the same citation style for multiple sources if they are of the same type and from the same author.

4. How can I check if I have cited correctly?

You can check if you have cited correctly by using online citation generators or checking the guidelines for the citation style you are using.

5. Do I need to cite a source if I paraphrase it?

Yes, you need to cite a source when paraphrasing or summarizing it because you have taken the information from another author’s work.

6. Can I use the same citation for different pages within the same source?

No, you should use different page numbers within the citation if the information is taken from different pages within the same source.

7. Do I need to include URLs in my citations?

It depends on the citation style you are using. Some citation styles require a URL or DOI to be included, while others do not.

Encouraging Readers to Take Action

Now that you know how to properly cite in English language, start practicing the style of your choice and ensure that you follow the proper guidelines to avoid plagiarism. Citing your sources properly is a fundamental aspect of research and gives credit to the original author’s work. So start creating your citations to make your writing more authentic and credible.

Thank you for reading DAPPS Lovers!

Closing Words

Creating citations may be a challenging task, but being familiar with the different citation styles can make the entire process easier. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to cite in English language, and we hope that this will help you in your future writing tasks. Always remember to cite your sources properly to ensure authenticity and avoid plagiarism.

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