| No matter what type of paper you're writing, | | | | Manual of Style. Now in its 15th edition, |
| be it a literature review, research report, | | | | the manual explains not only how to document |
| summary, or analysis, rest assured that | | | | your resources, but also how to deal with |
| you'll be required to name your sources. | | | | copyright issues, design and produce a book, |
| There are several different types of resource | | | | and everything in between. The manual has |
| lists, not to mention a number of different | | | | humble origins, starting out as a sheet of |
| styles for writing entries.A reference list, | | | | typographical basics in the 1890s, morphing |
| also called a list of works cited, is a | | | | into a short pamphlet first published in |
| catalog of all the sources you cited or | | | | 1906, and now weighing in at a hefty 986 |
| otherwise referred to in your paper. A | | | | pages. Aimed at publishers, editors, and |
| citation involves giving another author | | | | writers, you might have to learn this style |
| credit for a quote, idea, finding, or phrase | | | | if you are majoring communications or related |
| that you use in your paper. You should cite | | | | fields.Also mentioned earlier were the |
| all direct quotes, as well as instances of | | | | guidelines developed by the American |
| paraphrasing; original or novel ideas, | | | | Psychological Association (APA). If you're |
| perspectives, and facts; and research | | | | taking a psychology or other social science |
| findings. This is necessary so that authors | | | | course, odds are that you'll be using this |
| receive due credit for their work. It's also | | | | style for your reference list. The APA is |
| an academic obligation: it provides your | | | | the largest association of psychologists, |
| readers the opportunity to locate the sources | | | | with over 150,000 members and 53 divisions. |
| you used, read and interpret the evidence | | | | The APA's Publication Manual is a |
| themselves, and perhaps even challenge your | | | | comprehensive resource for both students and |
| conclusions.In contrast to reference lists, | | | | professionals who wish to publish their |
| you list all the sources you read in a | | | | research. Along with guidelines for writing |
| bibliography. Even if you do not cite the | | | | a reference list, the Publication Manual also |
| source, it must receive a mention in the | | | | includes information on how to organize your |
| bibliography if you used it in any way | | | | paper's content; how to express your ideas |
| throughout the research and writing | | | | coherently; ethical standards for reporting |
| processes. Thus, books and articles you | | | | research findings; and how to develop and |
| consulted for reference early on must be | | | | submit a manuscript for publication. If you |
| included in your bibliography, receiving the | | | | ever plan on publishing work in psychology, |
| same attention as those sources you cited | | | | sociology, social work, criminology, nursing, |
| extensively.In addition to various types of | | | | business or economics, you will need to know |
| resource lists, there are also different | | | | APA style forwards and backwards!There are a |
| styles in which you can compile them. Your | | | | number of other style guides available; each |
| professor will tell you whether she wants you | | | | field prefers a specific style, and many have |
| to use a reference list or bibliography, | | | | developed their own guidelines. Thus, you |
| along with what style your list should be | | | | should always double check with your |
| presented in. This information will most | | | | professor to see what style she wants you to |
| likely be in the assignment itself, so read | | | | use.Even though the reference list falls at |
| through your handouts carefully. When in | | | | the end of your paper, make no mistake - it's |
| doubt, it's better to ask the professor than | | | | extremely important! Any errors you make |
| guess!One of the most popular styles is | | | | could inadvertently deny an author credit for |
| Modern Language Association (MLA) style. | | | | her work. Incorrect citations might make it |
| Founded in 1883, the MLA is a professional | | | | difficult or impossible for your peers to do |
| association that promotes the study and | | | | their own research on the topic. Failure to |
| teaching of - you guessed it - language and | | | | properly credit your sources could get you in |
| literature. MLA Style is the format | | | | big trouble, whether it's an intentional |
| recommended for bibliographies by the | | | | omission or not. Compiling the list in the |
| Association. Along with the styles developed | | | | incorrect format, while not as serious as |
| by the University of Chicago Press and the | | | | excluding it altogether, may still annoy your |
| APA, it's one of the "big three" styles. The | | | | professor.The reference list is more than an |
| MLA guidelines are used by more than 125 | | | | afterthought. Afford it as much attention as |
| scholarly journals, newsletters, and | | | | you do the rest of your paper, and be well on |
| magazines, and are quite common in high | | | | your way to a stellar research |
| schools and colleges. You are likely to | | | | report!Copyright Kelly Garbato, 2005Kelly |
| encounter them at some point in your academic | | | | Garbato is an author, ePublisher, and small |
| career.The University of Chicago Press also | | | | business owner. |
| publishes a style guide, called The Chicago | | | | |