Citing Sources

Books on writing and style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style.

Accurately citing sources helps writers demonstrate academic integrity.

Using an appropriate documentation style helps your readers cross-reference sources, provides consistency, enhances credibility, and indicates professionalism.

Following style guidelines helps writers cite and organize sources correctly:

  • Citation Manuals & Style Tips– Offer guidelines for specific documentation styles.
  • Citation Managers– Help writers collect and organize resources, as well as format citations.

Citation Manuals & Style Tips

ACS – American Chemical Society Style Guide

Cover of "The ACS Style Guide," 3rd edition.
Cover of "The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law 2017".

AP – Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law

APA – Publication Manual of the American Psychological Assoc.

APA Publication Manual, 7th Edition, on a wooden surface.
Cover of the "ASA Style Guide," Fifth Edition.

ASA – American Sociological Association Style Guide

  • ASA tips (Purdue OWL) 
  • Reference, Dick Smith Library
    • HM569 .A54 2014 – in-house use

Chicago Manual of Style

Cover of "The Chicago Manual of Style," 17th edition.
Cover of "Scientific Style and Format," 8th Edition by the Council of Science Editors.

CSE – Scientific Style and Format

MLA – Modern Language Assoc. Handbook

MLA Handbook, Eighth Edition, cover on a wooden surface.
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, Twentieth Edition.

The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation

(Turabian) A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations

Cover of "A Manual for Writers" by Kate L. Turabian, Eighth Edition.

Citation Managers

Citation managers (sometimes called reference managers or bibliographic managers) offer online storage for citation information and software to generate citations. Some citation managers are free, but robust tools often require paid subscriptions. The following alphabetical list shows a few free citation managers. Note: Outside programs cannot be downloaded to campus computers.

Remember, no software program can think as well as you can. Always check your work using a current manual for your documentation style.

  • BibMe: Offers additional features with registration. Creates citations in two ways: auto-fill or using information you type in. Lets users store reference lists after creating accounts. Styles: APA, Chicago, MLA, and Turabian.
  • Endnote Web: Requires registration. Lets users save, edit, and organize resource information, plus import existing references. Many Tarleton library databases will export source information to EndNote Web. Styles: ACS, APA, APS, ASME, CBE, Chicago, MLA, and citation styles for multiple journals.
  • Mendeley: Requires registration. Lets users import, organize, and add annotations to files, as well as share works with other researchers and collaborate on projects. Generates citations and bibliographies. Offers free download (desktop and app). Styles: ACS, APA, APS, ASME, Chicago, MLA, and citation styles for thousands of journals.
  • Zotero: Requires registration and download. Lets users import PDF files, images, audio and video files, web page snapshots, and more. Indexes file contents to enable searches. Many Tarleton library databases will export source information to Zotero. Styles: ACS, APA, APS, ASME, CBE, Chicago, MLA, and many others. Offers mobile apps.
  • Read this G2 Crowd article to learn more about reference management tools.