Citing Sources

Some of these resources can build citations (as can some databases). Others give good examples of citations and provide rules on how to format academic papers according to MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian/SBL, or other styles. Always compare citations built by websites and databases with good examples of citations. For more information on writing and citing, see the “How to Write in College” Pathfinder or the “How to Avoid Plagiarism” Pathfinder.

Citation Machine

This free resource can create citations for MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian, SBL (Society of Biblical Literature), and other styles. Its style guides help you master MLA, APA, and Chicago formatting.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar can create citations for MLA, APA, and Chicago for free. After searching for an article or a book, click on the double-quotation-marks icon under your search results.

Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style Guide

Purdue OWL explains how to do in-text citations and references in APA.

Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide

Purdue OWL explains how to do in-text citations and Works Cited pages in MLA style.

Purdue OWL: Chicago Formatting and Style Guide

Purdue OWL explains how to do footnotes and bibliographies in Chicago style.

Turabian Quick Guide

This Chicago-like style is briefly presented, with examples of citations in notes-bibliography style and author-date style.