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Library DIY: Choose a Style

Choosing styles

First, it's important that you use the citation style required by your assignment or professor (your syllabus or assignment guidelines/description should list the required citation style but if not, ask your professor).

If you are permitted to choose a citation style to use, it may be easiest to choose one of the most common citation styles. Below is a brief overview of the three most common citation styles (APA, MLA, and Chicago).

Common Citation Styles

APA

APA Style, currently in its 7th edition, is a citation protocol established by the American Psychological Association.  APA is most often used in the disciplines of the social sciences, nursing, and business. It includes:

  • the format & structure of your paper
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

For more information about APA Style, check out the FAQ How do I cite sources in APA style?.

MLA

MLA Style, currently in its 8th edition, is a citation protocol established by the Modern Language Association.  MLA is most often used in the disciplines of the humanities, literature, foreign language and cultural studies. It includes:

  • the format & page layout of your paper
  • stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

For more information about MLA Style, check out the FAQ How do I cite sources in MLA style?.

Chicago

Chicago Style, currently in its 17th edition, is a citation protocol established by the University of Chicago.  Chicago Style is most often used in the disciplines of history and religion. It includes:

  • instruction for manuscript preparation and publication
  • guidelines for style, grammar and usage
  • rules for documenting your sources in-text including the Notes-Bibliography System (NB) and the Author-Date System
  • guidelines for a Bibliography at the end of your paper

For more information about Chicago Style, check out the FAQ How do I cite sources in Chicago style?.

Citation Styles & Fields of Study or Profession

You may also want to choose a citation style based on the field of study you are working in. Here is a brief list of some major disciplines and the citation styles most commonly associated with them:

Citation Styles
CITATION STYLE FIELD OF STUDY OR PROFESSION
AAA (American Anthropological Association)
Full access pdf - free
Anthropology
ACS (American Chemical Society)
Free access
Chemistry
AIP ( American Institute of Physics)
Preparing your manuscript guide
Physics
ALWD (Association of Legal Writing Directors) and Blue Book
Information about guide - no free access

Introduction to Basic Legal Citation (online ed. 2019) by Peter W. Martin
Free access to basic legal citation information website from Cornell University Law School
Legal Studies
AMA (American Medical Association)
Full access with mySNHU login credentials - free
Medical Sciences
AMS (American Mathematical Society)
Full access pdf - free
Mathematics
AP (Associated Press)
Information about guide - no free access
Journalism
Public Relations

APA (American Psychological Association)
Information about guide - no free access

APA Guide Purdue OWL
Full access website - free

APA Style Blog

Business
Criminology
Economics
Education
Psychology
Social Sciences
Sociology
APSA (American Political Science Association)
Full access pdf - free
International Studies
Political Science
ASA (American Sociological Association)
Information about guide - no free access

ASA Guide Purdue OWL
Full access website - free
Sociology
Chicago Manual of Style
Quick guide access - free (not full manual)

Chicago Manual of Style Purdue OWL
Full access website - free
Humanities
History
Religion
Social Sciences
CSE (Council of Science Editors)
Information about guide - no free access

CSE Guide by U of Wisconsin Writing Center
Full access website - free
Biology
Harvard Business School
Full access pdf - free
Business
LSA Style Sheet
Full access pdf - free
Linguistics
Maroonbook (The University of Chicago Manual of Legal Citation)
Full access pdf - free
Legal Studies
MLA (Modern Language Association)
Information about guide - no free access

MLA Guide Purdue Owl
Full access website - free
Humanities
Literature
NLM (National Library of Medicine)
Full access website and pdf - free
Medical Publications
Turabian
Quick guide access - free (not full manual)
Humanities
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences

A larger listing of disciplines and citation styles can be accessed on the OWL at Purdue website.

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