Introduction
Citing articles is an integral part of any research or writing process. It allows readers to access your sources, verify your claims, and gives credit to the original author. Most importantly, proper citation prevents plagiarism, which can result in serious academic and legal consequences. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of citing sources and provide a comprehensive guide to citing articles, covering basic elements, citation styles, common mistakes, and advanced topics.
Guide for Beginners
What is a citation?
A citation is a reference to a published or unpublished source that you used in your research or writing. It allows readers to locate and verify your sources. A citation typically includes basic information such as author, title, date, and source.
Why is it important to cite sources?
Citing sources is important for several reasons. First, it gives credit to the original author and demonstrates academic integrity. Second, proper citation allows readers to access your sources and verify your claims. Finally, citation prevents plagiarism, which is a serious academic and legal offense.
Where to find information to cite sources?
When citing articles, you can usually find the necessary information on the article itself. This includes the author’s name, article title, the publication it appears in, volume and issue numbers, and page numbers. You can also use online databases to find additional information, such as the date of publication, DOI (digital object identifier), or ISSN (International Standard Serial Number).
The basic elements of a citation
The basic elements of a citation include the author’s name, article title, the publication it appears in, volume and issue numbers, and page numbers. The format of this information varies depending on the citation style you are using.
Steps involved in citing articles
The general steps involved in citing articles include identifying the type of source, choosing a citation style, locating necessary information, and formatting the citation. In the next sections, we’ll examine these steps in more detail.
Examples of how to cite articles
Example of an APA citation for a journal article:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), page range.
Example of an MLA citation for a journal article:
Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Journal volume number.issue number (Year): page numbers. Medium of publication.
Focus on a Specific Citation Style
Choose a citation style
There are several styles of citation used in academic writing, including APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Each style has its own rules and guidelines for citing sources. Which one you choose depends on your field of study and the requirements of your instructor.
Explain the specific rules and guidelines of the style
For example, the APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in social sciences and emphasizes the author and date of the source. Whereas the MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in humanities and emphasizes the title and source of the work.
Provide examples of how to cite articles using a particular style
Example of an APA citation for a journal article:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), page range.
Example of an MLA citation for a journal article:
Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Journal volume number.issue number (Year): page numbers. Medium of publication.
Highlight Common Mistakes
Common mistakes that people make when citing articles
Some common mistakes people make when citing articles include missing elements, incorrect punctuation, and formatting errors. Another mistake is failing to properly distinguish between paraphrasing and quoting a source.
Explanation of why mistakes matter
Mistakes in citation compromise the credibility of your work, can result in lost marks or elicit penalties, and can even lead to accusations or findings of plagiarism.
Tips and guidance to avoid these mistakes
To avoid mistakes when citing articles, it is important to carefully check the requirements of your citation style and always ensure that all the basic elements of the citation are present. Additionally, double-checking all citations against your sources can catch any errors, and taking time to proofread your work can help to avoid quoting or paraphrasing errors.
Address Advanced Topics
Citing specific types of sources (e.g. interviews, online articles, journal articles, etc.)
While most sources can be cited using the basic elements described earlier, some sources may require additional elements to be cited adequately. These may include information on the author, editor, or producer of a work. For instance, citing an interview requires the name of the interviewer as well as the name of the interviewee.
In-text citations and bibliographical references
In-text citations are short references to sources within the body of your paper. They include the author’s last name and the year of publication and correspond to the complete reference in the bibliography. Bibliographical references are complete citation lists of all the sources you cited in your work.
Integrating citation into writing style
When writing academic papers, citation is often based on the requirements of the instructor or the citation style. However, as you become more advanced, you may need to integrate citation into your writing style more seamlessly. This may involve carefully selecting appropriate references and integrating them smoothly into your text, using signal phrases to introduce sources and employing citation management tools to save time.
Conclusion
Proper citation of articles is essential for any academic or scholarly work. It demonstrates academic integrity, gives credit to the original author, and allows readers to access and verify your sources. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can avoid common mistakes and integrate citation seamlessly into your writing style. So remember to always cite your sources appropriately and practice proper citation techniques.
