how to cite an article in an essay

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APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition)

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How to Cite an Article in an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students

how to cite an article in an essay a step by step guide for students

Understanding the Importance of Citing Articles in Your Essay

Chicago style, step 1: choose your citation style, step 2: gather necessary information, step 3: format your citation, common mistakes to avoid when citing articles in essays, resources and tools to help you cite articles effectively.

Citing articles in your essay is a fundamental aspect of academic writing that serves multiple essential purposes. First and foremost, it provides credibility to your arguments. When you reference reputable sources, you demonstrate that your ideas are backed by research and expert opinions. This not only strengthens your position but also instills confidence in your readers, allowing them to trust the information presented.

Another critical reason for citing articles is to acknowledge the original authors and their contributions to your topic. By giving credit to the sources you use, you uphold the ethical standards of academic integrity. Failing to do so can lead to accusations of plagiarism, which can have serious consequences for your academic career. Proper citation reflects respect for the intellectual property of others and encourages a culture of knowledge sharing.

Additionally, citations allow readers to verify your sources and further explore the topic. When you provide detailed references, you enable your audience to track down the original materials for additional insights or context. This not only enriches their understanding but also enhances the overall quality of your work.

Incorporating citations effectively also enhances the structure and flow of your essay. By strategically placing references, you can guide readers through your arguments, illustrating how each piece of evidence supports your thesis. This organized approach makes your writing more coherent and engaging, ultimately leading to a more impactful essay. You may also be interested in: Unraveling Mr. Avery: The Hidden Significance in To Kill a Mockingbird

Different Citation Styles: How to Cite an Article in an Essay

When writing an essay, citing sources accurately is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and providing credit to original authors. Different citation styles exist, each with its own set of rules and formats for citing articles. Understanding these styles will help you effectively incorporate sources into your work. Below, we explore the most common citation styles and provide examples of how to cite an article in each.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in the social sciences. To cite an article in APA format, you generally follow this structure:

Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume(Issue), Page range. DOI or URL

For example: Smith, J. (2020). Understanding social behavior. Journal of Social Psychology, 45(3), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1234/jsp.2020.56789

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is often used in humanities disciplines. The basic format for citing an article in MLA is as follows:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages. URL.

For instance: Doe, Jane. "Exploring Narrative Techniques." Literary Review, vol. 32, no. 1, 2021, pp. 45-67. www.literaryreview.com/exploring-narrative.

Chicago style offers two systems: Notes and Bibliography, and Author-Date. In the Notes and Bibliography format, an article citation would look like this:

Author First Name Last Name, "Title of the Article," Title of the Journal volume number, no. issue number (Year): page range, URL.

Example: Johnston, Mark, "The Role of Technology in Education," Educational Studies 29, no. 2 (2019): 200-215, www.educationalstudies.org/role-of-technology.

Each citation style has its unique rules, and it's essential to be consistent throughout your essay. Make sure to check the specific guidelines for the style you are using, as minor variations can affect the accuracy of your citations.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cite an Article in an Essay

Citing an article in your essay is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and providing proper credit to the original authors. Following a structured approach ensures that your citations are accurate and consistent. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively cite an article in your essay.

Before you begin, determine which citation style you are required to use. Common styles include:

APA (American Psychological Association) - often used in social sciences
MLA (Modern Language Association) - commonly used in humanities
Chicago/Turabian - frequently used in history and some social sciences
Harvard - popular in many academic fields

Each style has its own set of rules for citing articles, so make sure to refer to the specific guidelines for your chosen format.

To accurately cite an article, collect all relevant details. You will typically need:

Author(s): Full names of the authors
Title of the article: The complete title as it appears
Title of the journal or website: The publication where the article appears
Publication date: The date the article was published
Volume and issue number: For journal articles
Page numbers: The range of pages for the article
DOI or URL: A direct link to the article if applicable

Having this information on hand will simplify the citation process.

Once you have all the necessary details, format your citation according to the guidelines of your chosen style. Here are examples for citing an article in both APA and MLA formats:

APA: Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal , volume(issue), page range. https://doi.org/xxxxx
MLA: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal , vol. number, no. number, Year, pp. page range.

Ensure that you pay attention to punctuation, italics, and capitalization as specified in the style guide.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your citations are properly formatted and that you uphold the standards of academic writing in your essay.

Citing articles in essays is crucial for supporting arguments and giving credit to original authors. However, many students make common mistakes that can undermine their work. One frequent error is inconsistent citation styles . Different disciplines often require specific citation formats, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. Failing to adhere to the required style can confuse readers and detract from the credibility of the essay. Always ensure you understand the guidelines for the required citation style and apply them consistently throughout your work.

Another mistake to avoid is incomplete citations . Omitting essential information, such as the author's name, publication date, or article title, can lead to issues of academic integrity and make it difficult for readers to locate the source. It is vital to include all necessary details in your citations. For example, a complete citation in APA format includes the author’s last name, first initial, publication year, article title, journal name, volume number, and page range. Make sure to double-check your citations to ensure they are comprehensive.

Additionally, many students overlook the importance of paraphrasing correctly . Simply changing a few words in a sentence does not constitute a proper paraphrase. If the original idea is retained, it still requires a citation. Misrepresenting someone else's ideas, whether intentionally or unintentionally, can lead to plagiarism issues. Always aim to fully understand the source material before paraphrasing, and ensure you cite the source appropriately to maintain academic integrity.

Lastly, neglecting to include a bibliography or works cited page is a common oversight. Even if you have included in-text citations, failing to provide a comprehensive list of all sources used can weaken your essay. This section not only gives credit to the original authors but also serves as a resource for readers who may want to explore the topic further. Ensure that your bibliography is formatted correctly according to the citation style you are using, and include all sources cited in your essay.

When it comes to citing articles, having the right resources and tools can make all the difference in ensuring accuracy and adherence to various citation styles. Numerous online platforms and software options are available to assist both students and professionals in creating properly formatted citations. Utilizing these tools not only saves time but also enhances the credibility of your work.

1. Citation Management Software: Tools like Zotero, EndNote, and Mendeley allow users to organize research materials and automatically generate citations in multiple styles such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. These platforms can import citation data directly from academic databases, making it easy to keep track of your sources. With features like note-taking and PDF management, they serve as comprehensive research assistants.

2. Online Citation Generators: Websites such as Citation Machine, EasyBib, and BibMe provide quick solutions for generating citations. Users simply input the required information, and the tools format it according to the chosen style. These generators often include features that check for common errors, ensuring that your citations are accurate and complete.

3. Style Guides and Manuals: Referencing style guides, such as the APA Publication Manual, the MLA Handbook, and the Chicago Manual of Style, is crucial for understanding the nuances of citation rules. Many of these guides are available online, offering detailed explanations and examples that can clarify complex citation scenarios. They serve as valuable references when questions arise about specific citation formats.

4. Educational Resources: Many universities and libraries provide online tutorials and workshops focused on citation practices. These resources often include video tutorials, infographics, and downloadable guides that break down the citation process into manageable steps. Engaging with these educational materials can significantly enhance your understanding of effective citation strategies.

Did you find this article helpful? How to Cite an Article in an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students See more here General .

Ashley Watts

I am Ashley Watts, a passionate math teacher with experience teaching preschool and middle school. As a parent, I understand the importance of early learning and the holistic development of children. My goal is to inspire curiosity and a love of math in my students, while balancing my professional life with my role as a dedicated mother.

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How to Cite an Essay in MLA

The guidelines for citing an essay in MLA format are similar to those for citing a chapter in a book. Include the author of the essay, the title of the essay, the name of the collection if the essay belongs to one, the editor of the collection or other contributors, the publication information, and the page number(s).

Citing an Essay

Mla essay citation structure.

Last, First M. “Essay Title.” Collection Title, edited by First M. Last, Publisher, year published, page numbers. Website Title , URL (if applicable).

MLA Essay Citation Example

Gupta, Sanjay. “Balancing and Checking.” Essays on Modern Democracy, edited by Bob Towsky, Brook Stone Publishers, 1996, pp. 36-48. Essay Database, www . databaseforessays.org/modern/modern-democracy.

MLA Essay In-text Citation Structure

(Last Name Page #)

MLA Essay In-text Citation Example

Click here to cite an essay via an EasyBib citation form.

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

Annotated Bibliography
Bibliography
Block Quotes
et al Usage
In-text Citations
Paraphrasing
Page Numbers
Sample Paper
Works Cited
MLA 8 Updates
MLA 9 Updates
View MLA Guide

Citation Examples

Book Chapter
Journal Article
Magazine Article
Newspaper Article
Website (no author)
View all MLA Examples

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To cite your sources in an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author’s name(s), chapter title, book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for in-text citations and a works-cited-list entry for essay sources and some examples are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author on the first occurrence. For subsequent citations, use only the surname(s). In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author(s).

Citation in prose:

First mention: Annette Wheeler Cafarelli

Subsequent occurrences: Wheeler Cafarelli

Parenthetical:

….(Wheeler Cafarelli).

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

The title of the chapter is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Chapter.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Cafarelli, Annette Wheeler. “Rousseau and British Romanticism: Women and British Romanticism.” Cultural Interactions in the Romantic Age: Critical Essays in Comparative Literature , edited by Gregory Maertz. State U of New York P, 1998, pp. 125–56.

To cite an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author(s), the essay title, the book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for citations in prose, parenthetical citations, and works-cited-list entries for an essay by multiple authors, and some examples, are given below:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author (e.g., Mary Strine).

For sources with two authors, use both full author names in prose (e.g., Mary Strine and Beth Radick).

For sources with three or more authors, use the first name and surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Mary Strine and others). In subsequent citations, use only the surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Strine and others).

In parenthetical citations, use only the author’s surname. For sources with two authors, use two surnames (e.g., Strine and Radick). For sources with three or more author names, use the first author’s surname followed by “et al.”

First mention: Mary Strine…

Subsequent mention: Strine…

First mention: Mary Strine and Beth Radick…

Subsequent mention: Strine and Radick…

First mention: Mary Strine and colleagues …. or Mary Strine and others

Subsequent occurrences: Strine and colleagues …. or Strine and others

…. (Strine).

….(Strine and Radick).

….(Strine et al.).

The title of the essay is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name, et al. “Title of the Essay.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Strine, Mary M., et al. “Research in Interpretation and Performance Studies: Trends, Issues, Priorities.” Speech Communication: Essays to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Speech Communication Association , edited by Gerald M. Phillips and Julia T. Wood, Southern Illinois UP, 1990, pp. 181–204.

MLA Citation Examples

Writing Tools

Citation Generators

Other Citation Styles