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There are three major citation styles: APA, MLA, and Turabian (or Chicago). If you are not sure which one to use, ask your instructor. You may also read the descriptions below to try to decide which citation style is best suited to the paper you are writing. At a minimum, choose one citation style and use it consistently throughout your paper.

APA Style

APA stands for American Psychological Association and refers to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. APA style is used in the social sciences, education, engineering, and business.

For a general overview of how to use APA style, take the University Libraries APA online tutorial.

Click the links below for examples of citations for various types of resources.

• In-text citations
• Reference list

For complete and thorough information about using APA style, go straight to the source. Copies of the 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the APA are available on reserve and in the reference collection of Cook Library. The call number is BF76.7 .P83 2010. (The 5th edition is available at Cook, Gulf Coast, and Gulf Coast Student Service Center Libraries.)

MLA Style

MLA stands for Modern Language Association. This web reference refers to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th edition. MLA is used in the humanities.

For a general overview of how to use MLA style, take the University Libraries MLA online tutorial.

Click the links below for examples of citations for various types of resources.

• In-text citations
• Works Cited

For complete and thorough information about using MLA style, go straight to the source. Copies of the MLA Handbook are available on reserve and in the reference collections of Cook, Gulf Coast, and Gulf Coast Student Service Center Libraries. The call number is LB2369 .G53 2009.

Turabian Style

Turabian refers to A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations written by Kate Turabian. Turabian is a condensed version of the Chicago Manual of Style. The two styles are similar, but not identical. Turabian is used by historians.

For a general overview of how to use Turabian style, take the University Libraries Turabian online tutorial.

Click the links below for examples of citations for various types of resources.

• Notes (endnotes and footnotes)
• Bibliography

For complete and thorough information about using Turabian style, go straight to the source. Copies of the Turabian manual are available on reserve and in the reference collections of Cook, Gulf Coast, and Gulf Coast Student Service Center Libraries. The call number is LB2369 .T8 2007.

Chicago Style

The call number for the 16th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style is Z253 .U69 2010.

The Libraries also have a subscription to The Chicago Manual of Style Online.