What is a Style Manual?
A handbook or guide that illustrates the accepted format for organizing your papers (headings, structure, etc.) and citing your sources (references) in term papers, theses, articles, etc.
Why should you cite your sources?
One reason is that your professor expects you to (so you won't be accused of plagiarism). More importantly, citing your sources gives credit to the work and ideas of others and shows that you have done research using authoritative sources. Also, bibliographies act as further reading lists and help guide the reader of your paper to additional sources on that particular topic.
What is a Bibliography?
A list of sources (books, articles, etc.) used or considered by an author in preparing a particular work. Depending on the Style Manual you are using, the bibliography might also be called the "reference list" or "works cited"
What is the difference between a source, a citation, and a reference?
While these terms have similar meanings and are sometimes used interchangeably, there are differences between them.
Which style should you use?
In many cases, your professor will tell you which style they prefer. If they don't, here's a general break down:
Style | Subjects |
AAA | Anthropology |
ACS | Chemistry |
APA | Business, Education, Psychology, and other Social Sciences |
ASA | Sociology |
Chicago/Turabian (Notes-Bib Style) |
Literature, History, and the Arts |
Chicago/Turabian (Author-Date System) | Physical, Natural, and Social Sciences |
CSE | Biology |
MLA | Literature, Arts and the Humanities |
(Adapted from the Arkansas State Univ. Library Citation Guide)