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SOC2410: Minority Groups in America: Cite It Right

Citation Styles

There are a number of citation styles available to use, and it's important that you use the correct style for your class. 

The most common styles are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association), but always check your syllabus know which to use.

The library has many resources available (online and on campus) to help with citing.  Below are a few useful links:

Why Cite?

There are a number of reasons why you should provide a list of references at the end of each paper or project, as well as cite these references in the actual text.

  1. To give credit to the original author/creator,
  2. To allow your professor and other readers to find the original sources.

Citing your sources is good form, but it also helps the reader to distinguish between your own thoughts and those of others.  It is also important in avoiding plagiarism, which is the intentional OR unintentional use of another's work without citing.