In the fast-paced world of academic writing, mastering the art of citing sources is a skill every scholar must possess. As you embark on your academic journey, understanding different citation styles such as APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago becomes paramount. This blog post not only demystifies these citation styles but also serves as a comprehensive guide, offering examples for in-text citations and bibliography entries.

APA Style

Navigating through the intricacies of the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style can be daunting for many. This section breaks down the key elements of APA, providing clarity on in-text citations, referencing books, articles, and online sources.

Examples

Books:

In-text citation: (Author, Year)

Example: (Smith, 2019)

Reference entry:

Smith, J. (2019). The Art of Academic Writing. Publisher.

Articles:

In-text citation: (Author, Year)

Example: (Johnson & Brown, 2020)

Reference entry:

Johnson, A., & Brown, K. (2020). “Crafting Compelling Research Articles.” Journal of Academic Writing, 15(3), 45-58.

Websites:

In-text citation: (Author, Year)

Example: (National Institute of Writing, 2021)

Reference entry:

National Institute of Writing. (2021). Effective Writing Strategies. URL

Journals:

In-text citation: (Author, Year)

Example: (Anderson, 2018)

Reference entry:

Anderson, M. (2018). “The Impact of Writing Styles on Academic Success.” Journal of Writing Studies, 7(2), 112-127.

Blogs:

In-text citation: (Author, Year)

Example: (Miller, 2022)

Reference entry:

Miller, P. (2022, January 15). “Mastering the Art of Academic Writing.” Pithy Insights. URL

MLA style

This style is commonly used in humanities. In MLA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the page number. The works cited list should include the author’s name, title of the source, title of the container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, and location. Check the examples below.

Books:

In-text citation: (Author page)

Example: (Smith 45)

Works Cited entry:

Smith, John. The Art of Academic Writing. Publisher, 2019.

Articles:

In-text citation: (Author page)

Example: (Johnson and Brown 57)

Works Cited entry:

Johnson, Alice, and Brown, Kevin. “Crafting Compelling Research Articles.” Journal of Academic Writing, vol. 15, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-58.

Websites:

In-text citation: (Author)

Example: (National Institute of Writing)

Works Cited entry:

National Institute of Writing. Effective Writing Strategies. 2021, URL.

Journals:

In-text citation: (Author page)

Example: (Anderson 115)

Works Cited entry:

Anderson, Mary. “The Impact of Writing Styles on Academic Success.” Journal of Writing Studies, vol. 7, no. 2, 2018, pp. 112-127.

Blogs:

In-text citation: (Author)

Example: (Miller)

Works Cited entry:

Miller, Peter. “Mastering the Art of Academic Writing.” Pithy Insights, 15 Jan. 2022, URL.

This blog aims to empower academics by unravelling the complexities of citation styles—APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago. Offering practical examples across various sources, it seeks to enhance precision and clarity in academic writing. Aligned with Pithypage.com’s mission, the blog not only provides valuable insights but also serves as a resource for those seeking excellence in scholarly communication.

Harvard style

This style is commonly used in the UK and Australia. In Harvard style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication. The reference list should include the author’s name, publication year, title of the article, title of the journal, volume number, and page numbers. For example.