Which citation style should I use?

Whichever your instructor or discipline requires — APA for sciences, MLA for humanities, Chicago for history. Always confirm with your assignment guidelines.

Do I need to cite paraphrased material?

Yes. Paraphrasing still uses someone else's idea, so it must be cited just like a direct quotation.

What counts as common knowledge?

Widely known facts that aren't tied to a specific source — like the date of a famous event. When unsure, cite to be safe.

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How to Cite Sources

Citing sources gives credit, builds credibility, and protects you from plagiarism. Each style has its own rules — here's how the three most common ones work.

By Mustafa Bilgic · Reviewed 2026-06-14 · ~6 min read

Why citation matters

Citations let readers trace your evidence, demonstrate the depth of your research, and — crucially — protect you from plagiarism, an academic offense with serious consequences. When in doubt, cite.

The three major styles at a glance

Style	Common in	In-text example
APA	Sciences, psychology, education	(Smith, 2020, p. 14)
MLA	Humanities, literature	(Smith 14)
Chicago	History, some humanities	Footnote¹ or (Smith 2020, 14)

Reference list basics

APA ends with a 'References' page; entries are author–date.
MLA ends with a 'Works Cited' page; entries emphasize the author and title.
Chicago uses a 'Bibliography' and either notes or author–date.

Avoiding plagiarism

Cite every idea, quotation, paraphrase, and statistic that isn't your own or common knowledge. Paraphrasing still requires a citation. Use a citation manager to stay organized and consistent.

Always verify the exact current rules in the official style manual (APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, or the Chicago Manual of Style) or your university writing center — formatting details change between editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which citation style should I use?: Whichever your instructor or discipline requires — APA for sciences, MLA for humanities, Chicago for history. Always confirm with your assignment guidelines.
Do I need to cite paraphrased material?: Yes. Paraphrasing still uses someone else's idea, so it must be cited just like a direct quotation.
What counts as common knowledge?: Widely known facts that aren't tied to a specific source — like the date of a famous event. When unsure, cite to be safe.