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 Even if you do not cite | | | | Along with guidelines for writing a reference list, |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