Citation Generator
Generate citations in APA 7th, MLA 9th, Chicago, and Harvard formats
About Citation Styles
Proper citation is essential in academic writing to give credit to original authors, avoid plagiarism, and allow readers to verify your sources. Different academic disciplines use different citation styles, each with specific rules for formatting references.
Popular Citation Styles
- APA 7th Edition: Used in psychology, education, social sciences. Uses author-date in-text citations and a References page.
- MLA 9th Edition: Used in humanities, English, literature. Uses author-page in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
- Chicago/Turabian: Used in history, arts, some social sciences. Offers both notes-bibliography and author-date systems.
- Harvard: Popular in UK and Australian universities. Similar to APA with author-date citations.
Tips for Accurate Citations
Always include the most complete information available. Double-check author names, dates, and titles. For online sources, include the URL and access date. When in doubt, include more information rather than less. Maintain consistency in your citation style throughout your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between APA and MLA?
APA is used in social sciences and uses author-date in-text citations. MLA is used in humanities and uses author-page citations. They differ in reference formatting, with APA emphasizing publication date and MLA emphasizing page numbers.
How do I cite a website with no author?
Use the title of the page in place of the author name. In APA, use the first few words of the title in quotation marks. In MLA, use the full title. If no date is available, use 'n.d.'
What citation style should I use?
It depends on your field: APA for psychology/education/social sciences, MLA for English/literature/humanities, Chicago for history, Harvard for UK/Australian universities. Always check your instructor's requirements.