Library DIY: Choose a Style

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:

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

From https://libanswers.snhu.edu/faq/69000