Citation Styles
Citation Styles
American Chemical Society (ACS)
ACS style allows researchers (including you!) to choose from three variants:
- Superscript numbers. In the reference list, you should list your sources in the order they appear in your paper. Then, when you refer to these sources in the main text of your paper, you can indicate which one you're referencing by using a superscript number (e.g., 1). For example, let's say that the first article you cite in your paper is on green chemistry. That paper would appear first in your reference list, with the number 1 in front of it. Then, every time you use material from that source in your paper, you would use a superscript numeral 1 to show that the information came from that source. Keep in mind that, as you edit your paper, you may need to reorganize your reference list and re-number your in-text citations.
- Parenthetical numbers. Again, for the reference list, you should put your sources in the order you actually refer to them in the paper. However, instead of using a superscript number for your in-text citations, use the number in parentheses. Again, let's say you cite a source on green chemistry first. It would still be first in the reference list, and it would still have a number 1 in front of it. In the text, though, you would use insert (1), not a superscript number, after any information from that source. Again, if you later rewrite portions of your paper, you may need to adjust the numbering in your reference list and in-text citations.
- Name-Year. In this version of ACS style, for your reference list, you should list your sources in alphabetical order, by the last name of the first author. When you use a source in the paper itself, you should insert a parenthetical citation with the last name of the author(s) and the year of publication.
For instructions and examples, you can consult Concordia University's quick guide. In scientific publications, the numerical systems (superscript numbers or parenthetical numbers) are more common, but be sure to check your instructor's preferences.
The ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication has more information about ACS style, but it is not currently available through the Ambrose Library. One chapter of the guide, the ACS Style Quick Guide, is available for free, and it gives a few examples of how to format entries for your reference list; note, however, that this quick guide does not offer any samples of in-text citations.
American Sociological Association (ASA)
The University of Nebraska Kearney offers a helpful introduction to formatting for in-text citations and the reference list in ASA style. The Purdue OWL is not the best choice for information on ASA style right now, as it has not updated its resources to reflect the 6th edition of the ASA guide.
If you have more detailed questions, you can get a print copy of the American Sociological Association Style Guide (2019, 6th ed.) from the Ambrose Library. It's on reserve, so just ask at the circulation desk (aka. the main counter at the front of the library).
American Psychological Association (APA)
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) offers a thorough introduction to APA style (2020, 7th edition). This guide includes a full sample paper, complete with notes explaining the relevant citation rules. The Ambrose Library also holds an online copy of The Concise APA Handbook, a guide published by the APA itself that interprets APA style in a way that makes sense for students. You can even download key chapters of this resource (e.g., the chapters on in-text citation and the reference list) and save them on your device for further access. Just search "The Concise APA Handbook" in the library's catalogue search engine.
If you have more detailed questions, you can get a print copy of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020, 7th ed.) from the Ambrose Library. It's on reserve, so just ask at the circulation desk (aka. the main counter at the front of the library).
Chicago/Turabian (CMS)
The University of Chicago publishes two handbooks for writers: The Chicago Manual of Style and A Manual for Writers of Research Papers (originally written by Kate Turabian). Both handbooks cover two areas: (1) document formatting (page numbers, title pages, figures, etc.) and (2) citation (footnotes, bibliography entries, etc.). In the second area--citation--they are exactly the same, so many people use the terms "Chicago" and "Turabian" interchangeably. If you are looking for information on citation, you can use resources marked as either "Chicago" or "Turabian." However, if you're looking for information about document formatting, you might need to look more carefully: The Chicago Manual of Style is meant for people writing books, whereas A Manual for Writers (aka. "Turabian") is geared for students writing papers.
When it comes to citation, Chicago/Turabian gives writers two options: notes-bibliography (Chicago NB) and author-date (Chicago AD). Chicago NB uses footnotes, whereas Chicago AD uses parenthetical citations (kind of like ASA or APA). Chicago NB is by far the more common option, and most instructors at Ambrose expect students to use this version. However, if you're not sure, check with your instructor.
For a general introduction to Chicago/Turabian (specifically Chicago NB), check out Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL). This site is handy because it includes both the basic rules for citation (which are the same in Chicago and Turabian) and the guidelines from Turabian on how to format a student paper (rather than a book). You'll find lots of examples and a sample paper to guide you. For citation specifically, you can also visit the CMS website and check out their quick guide. This guide does not cover document formatting, but it does give good examples of how to format your citations in Chicago/Turabian.
Chicago/Turabian style is common in music, history, biblical studies, and business. If you're using Chicago/Turabian for biblical studies, Christian history, and theology, you may need more specialized information about how to handle biblical and classical sources. For more details, see "Chicago/Turabian: A Supplement for Biblical Studies."
If you have more detailed questions, you can get a print copy of The Chicago Manual of Style (2017, 17th ed.) or A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (2018, 9th ed.) from the Ambrose Library. They're both on reserve, so just ask at the circulation desk (aka. the main counter at the front of the library). Again, both resources have up-to-date information on citation, but they will differ in their instructions for document formatting. A Manual for Writers (aka. "Turabian") will likely be more helpful if you're looking for information on, say, how to format your title page or page numbers.
Council of Science Editors (CSE)
In the sciences, many instructors will simply say, "Use an acceptable scientific citation style, and use it consistently." If you already know one, great! If not, CSE may be a good choice.
When you use CSE style, you may choose from one of three versions: name-year, citation-sequence, and citation-name. Citation-sequence and citation-name are very similar: the only difference is the order of entries in the references list. Of the three styles, name-year is most common, but, unless your instructor has specified, you can choose any of the three.
The Council of Science Editors offers a fairly detailed quick guide on their website. Also, check out this summary sheet from Dalhousie University.
The official style guide for CSE is Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers (2014, 8th ed). This book is not currently available in the Ambrose library. If you have further questions, check with your instructor, the learning centre, or the library.
Modern Languages Association (MLA)
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) offers a very user-friendly guide to MLA style, covering everything from document formatting (page numbers, headers and footers, etc.) to citation. It also includes a sample paper, with notes to explain various rules. You can also check out the MLA Style Center, a resource published by the MLA specifically for students. You can walk through the "Citing Sources" resources in the top tab, but also be sure to check out the sample papers to see how MLA style looks in an actual student paper.
If you have more detailed questions, you can get a print copy of the MLA Handbook (2021, 9th ed.) from the Ambrose Library. It's on reserve, so just ask at the circulation desk (aka. the main counter at the front of the library).
Society of Biblical Literature (SBL)
SBL style is an adaptation of CMS that offers specific guidelines for the bible, bible commentaries, and so on, making it especially useful for courses in biblical studies and theology. For an introduction to SBL style, see the Student Supplement for The SBL Handbook of Style (2015, 2nd ed.).
If you have more detailed questions, you can get a print copy of the SBL Handbook of Style (2014, 2nd ed.) from the Ambrose Library. It's on reserve, so just ask at the circulation desk (aka. the main counter at the front of the library). The library also holds an electronic copy of this book; just search "SBL Handbook of Style" in the search field of the library catalogue.