What Is Harvard Style Citation?

Harvard style refers to a specific citation and referencing format commonly used in academia, particularly in the areas of social sciences, business, and natural sciences. It is named after Harvard University, as the university’s faculty first introduced it in the late 19th century.

Overall, the Harvard style of citation and referencing is widely recognized and adopted by many academic institutions and journals. It facilitates proper citation and referencing, ensuring that scholarly work is accurately attributed to its sources and allowing for the traceability and verifiability of information.

Harvard Citation Style: Why Do You Need to Know It?

As a rule, when you receive an assignment from your teacher, it is accompanied by oral or written instructions. Before you immerse yourself in the writing process, it is necessary to define why it is important to comply with the requirements of the specified formatting style. In our case, it is Harvard citation style.

Academic integrity

Properly citing sources using the Harvard style demonstrates academic integrity by acknowledging the original authors or creators of the information being used.

Building credibility and trust

When you provide accurate and complete citations, it enhances your credibility as a researcher or writer. Harvard-style citation provides detailed information about the sources used, enabling readers to verify the information, locate the sources, and assess the reliability of your work.

Supporting future research

Proper citation using the Harvard style allows other researchers to build upon and extend your work. By citing sources accurately, you provide a roadmap for further exploration, enabling readers to delve deeper into the subject matter or verify the claims and findings you have presented.

In a nutshell, it ensures that information is accurately credited, shared, and accessible, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and fostering a responsible scholarly community.

Harvard Style of Citation and Referencing: Pivotal Characteristics

The question of how to do citations in Harvard style will not be so actual after reading the key features that will give a holistic image of requirements peculiar to this style. 

• Author-Date System

Harvard style uses an author-date system where you need to indicate the author’s last name and the year of publication in the in-text citation. For example, (Smith, 2020).

• Full Reference List

At the end of the document, a comprehensive reference list is provided, which includes the complete details of all the sources cited in the text. These references are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name.

• Consistent Formatting

Harvard style follows consistent formatting for both Harvard style in-text citations and the reference list. It typically includes the author’s name, publication year, title of the work, publisher, and other relevant details depending on the source type.

• Citations for Various Sources

Harvard referencing accommodates a wide range of sources, including books, journal articles, websites, conference papers, reports, and more. It provides specific rules for citing different types of sources, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

• Direct and Indirect Quotes

Harvard citation style allows for both direct quotations and paraphrasing. When directly quoting, the page number is usually added to the citation. If it’s a paraphrase, the page number is not necessary, but it is still recommended to provide the relevant page or section if available.

• Inclusion of URL and DOI

When citing online sources, Harvard style encourages the inclusion of a URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) to facilitate easy access to the referenced material. It is particularly important for websites, journal articles, and online documents.

• Referencing Multiple Authors

When citing sources with multiple authors, Harvard-style citations provide guidelines for different scenarios. It typically includes the names of all the authors for work with up to three authors, while for works with more than three authors, the last name of the first one, followed by “et al.,” is used.

These key features make Harvard-style citation and referencing a comprehensive and standardized method for citing sources in academic writing, facilitating easy access to referenced material while maintaining academic integrity.

Rules of Using Harvard Style Citation and Referencing

If you are willing to add credibility or a note of persuasion when including Harvard-style citations in your text, you need to follow the basic rules of in-text citation and reference lists. 

In-text Citations

You need to add a Harvard-style in-text citation, which includes the author’s last name, publication year, and page number (if applicable) in parentheses. 

For example, (Smith, 2020, p. 25). If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the publication year and page number (if applicable) are needed in parentheses.

Book References

Referencing a book using the Harvard citation style, including the author’s last name, initials, publication year, italicized title of the book, edition (if applicable), place of publication, and the name of the publisher.  

For example: Smith, J. (2020). The Art of Harvard Referencing (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Harvard University Press.

Journal Article References

For journal articles, use Harvard style citation, including the author’s last name, initials, year of publication, article title in sentence case, journal name in italics, volume number (issue number), and page range for the article. 

For example: Johnson, A. L., & Williams, B. R. (2021). The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Journal of Environmental Science, 45(2), 123-135.

Website References

When citing a website using citations Harvard style, include the author (if available), year of publication or last update, the title of the web page or article in sentence case, the website name in italics, and the URL.

For example: The World Health Organization. (2022). COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/vaccination-strategies

Remember, these steps are a general guide. For more detailed instructions or unusual cases, consult the official Harvard-style citation guide of the last edition or the guidelines provided by your institution.

Reference List in Harvard Citation Style

The Reference list in Harvard style citation is an essential component of academic writing. It serves as a comprehensive list of all the sources cited and referenced within a document.

Add a reference list on the final page of your writing, mentioning all the sources you cited alphabetically by the author’s last name. If you cited multiple works by the same author, list them chronologically from the oldest to the newest.

Using Harvard style citation, each entry in the Reference List begins with the author’s last name, followed by their initials. The title of the work is then written in italics or using proper capitalization rules, depending on the type of source.

One important aspect of creating a reference list using Harvard-style citations is consistency. It is crucial to ensure that the format and punctuation style are maintained throughout the entire list.

The reference list should only contain sources that have been directly cited or referenced within the document. Any sources that have been consulted but not specifically mentioned should not be included.

Harvard Citation Style Example for All Cases

To understand how to organize information properly while citing or referring to sources in Harvard style, you may consult the following samples that cover the most actual cases. 

Here are some examples of in-text citations in Harvard style, both direct and indirect.

• Direct In-Text Citation:

According to Smith (2015), “climate change is a threatening global issue” (p. 45).

• Indirect In-Text Citation:

Climate change has been identified as a significant global concern (Smith, 2015).

Here, you may find a Harvard citation style example for a source with one or multiple authors.

• One Author:

Smith, J. (2015). Climate Change: A Global Perspective. Cambridge University Press.

• Multiple Authors (Two):

Johnson, A., & Brown, K. (2019). The Impact of Alternative Energy Sources on Environmental Sustainability. Journal of Environmental Studies, 25(2), 56-72.

• Multiple Authors (Three or More):

Anderson, M., Davis, R., Johnson, S., et al. (2020). The Role of AI in Healthcare Innovation. New England Journal of Medicine, 385(10), 1125-1133.

Please do not neglect to revise the Harvard citation styles format several times before submission, and always consult your teacher’s instructions if such are available. 

Conclusion

Of course, if you do not often deal with Harvard-style citations, it may be challenging to handle assignments without the extra assistance of consultations of official Harvard-style guidance. In any case, it is crucial to comply with basic requirements to showcase your expertise and ability to create papers following academic writing requirements. 

What Is MLA vs APA In Text Citation?

APA and MLA are two widely spread citation styles in academic writing. They both provide guidelines for citing resources used in the text of a research paper or essay. While they share certain similarities, there are also notable differences between them.

Both APA and MLA styles require a corresponding entry in the reference list or works cited page, which provides more detailed information about each source. These pages are typically found at the end of an academic paper and provide readers with the necessary information to find the sources.

It is important to note that while APA and MLA are widely used, specific guidelines may vary, especially regarding more niche fields of study or specific academic journals. It is always a good idea to consult the official style guides or check with your teacher or professor to ensure accurate citation formatting.

What Is the Difference Between MLA and APA Format?

MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) formats are popular for citing and formatting academic papers. While both are widely used, there are notable differences between them.

Before we start investigating the difference between MLA and APA styles, it must be mentioned that the requirements of every style are periodically updated and published in special manuals. Today, APA’s latest version was published in October 2019 and is the 7th manual edition. As for MLA, the actual is the 9th edition, released in April 2021.

APA format is mostly used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. It has a more structured approach to documenting sources and includes guidelines for organizing content, formatting headings, and presenting data. In APA, in-text citations typically comprise the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses. A “References” page is included at the end of the paper, listing full bibliographic details for each source cited.

MLA format primarily focuses on humanities and liberal arts subjects, such as literature, languages, and cultural studies. It provides guidelines for citing resources within the text and creating a bibliography page at the end of the paper. In MLA, the author’s last name and page number are usually included in parentheses for in-text citations. This format also emphasizes using a works cited list to provide detailed bibliographic information for each source used.

Another difference between MLA and APA is the formatting of the title page and running headers.

• In MLA, the paper’s title is centered, and a header with the student’s last name and page number is placed in the top right corner.
• APA format, on the other hand, requires a running head with a shortened title and page number aligned to the top right and a title page with the full title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation.

Additionally, while both styles encourage in-text citations and references, their format differs. MLA utilizes a more straightforward parenthetical citation style, whereas APA incorporates a more complex system that includes the author’s name, date, and page number.

In summary, MLA and APA differences regarding their intended use, citation styles, and formatting guidelines are traced. Researchers and students should refer to the specific style guide relevant to their field to ensure their academic papers meet the required standards.

MLA and APA for Reference List

Creating accurate and well-formatted reference lists is essential to academic writing. Whether you are working on a research paper, essay, or any scholarly document, adhering to proper citation styles is crucial. This guide will explore the MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) formats and provide step-by-step instructions to help you construct impeccable reference lists, considering the similarities and differences between APA and MLA.

MLA Style

Understand the basics:

• MLA style uses an in-text parenthetical citation format and a corresponding Works Cited page.
• Arrange entries alphabetically by the author’s last name or title if no author exists.
• Use a hanging indent for each entry’s second and subsequent lines.

Book Reference Format:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.

Journal Article Reference Format:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. Number, issue number, Year, page range.

Website Reference Format:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of a Web page.” Title of Website, Publisher/Sponsor, Publication/Update Date, URL (exclude http:// or https://).

APA Style

Familiarize yourself with the basics:

• APA style employs an in-text parenthetical citation format and a corresponding References page.
• Sort entries alphabetically by the author’s last name and use a hanging indent format.
• Include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online articles if provided.

Book Reference Format:

• Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Book. Publisher.

Journal Article Reference Format:

• Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page Range. DOI/URL (if applicable).

Website Reference Format:

• Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Publication Date). Title of web page. Site Name. URL.

When writing reference lists, you must clarify, ‘What is the difference between MLA and APA format?’ It is of utmost importance to maintain academic integrity and acknowledge the work of others. Following the prescribed formats and guidelines ensures that your reference lists are accurate, properly formatted, and compliant with respective citation styles. Consult the official MLA and APA guides for specific examples and additional details.

More Facts on MLA vs. APA In Text Citation

If you want to produce a more convincing and upgraded text, citations MLA APA, etc. are obligatory. Using someone’s words in the text to provide evidence or cite to make your writing more significant is known as in-text citation. In-text citations play an integral role in scholarly writing, providing proper credit to the original authors and enabling readers to locate the cited sources.

MLA Style

MLA style is primarily applied in the humanities, including literature, arts, and other disciplines.

• In MLA, in-text citations typically consist of the author’s last name and the page number of the source.

It has been argued that “citation text” (Smith 47).

• Only the page number is needed if the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence.

According to Smith, “citation text” (35).

• When a work has two authors, include both names:

Some scholars have stated the opposite view (Johnson and Davis 25).

• If the source contains three or more authors, you need to use the last name of the first author followed by “et al.”:

Recent studies indicate this trend is changing (Brown et al. 82).

APA Style

APA style is mainly utilized in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education.

• In APA, in-text citations comprise the author’s last name and the publication year.

Citation text (Smith, 2019).

• Page numbers are included for direct quotations.

It has been argued that “citation text” (Smith, 2019, p. 47).

• When a work has two authors, include both names connected by an ampersand (&):

Some scholars have stated the opposite view (Johnson & Davis, 2020).

• If the source has three or more authors, you need to use the last name of the initial author, “et al.”, and the publication year.

Recent studies indicate this trend is changing (Brown et al., 2021).

Remember, both MLA vs APA in-text citations should correspond to the complete reference list at the end of your paper or document. Please note that the above examples serve as a general guide. It is essential to consult the official MLA and APA style guides or the specific requirements provided by your educational establishment or instructor to ensure citation accuracy.

Formatting Paper in MLA and APA

The general look, spacing, font, and other details that seem not decisive for context are essential when you must comply with the required formatting style. Let’s find out, ‘What is the difference between APA and MLA paper formatting?’

MLA Style Formatting

Page Setup:

• Use standard 8.5″ x 11″ white paper.
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Use a legible font like Times New Roman with a 12-point size.
• Double-space the entire document.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch using the tab key.
• Place your last name and page number in the header, aligned right.

Title:

• Center-align the title in the middle of the first page.
• Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in the title, except for articles and conjunctions.
• Do not italicize, underline, or use bold for the title.

APA Style Formatting

Page Setup:

• Use standard 8.5″ x 11″ white paper.
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Use Times New Roman font with a 12-point size.
• Double-space the entire document.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch using the tab key.
• Place the page number in the header, aligned right.

Title:

• Center-align the title on the first page.
• Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in the title.
• Do not italicize, underline, or use bold for the title.
• Use a running header on the top-left corner of each page (except for the title page) with a title (up to 50 characters) in all capital letters.

Understanding how to format your papers correctly according to the APA and MLA citation styles is essential in academic writing. Whether you choose MLA or APA, adherence to the prescribed guidelines ensures consistency and professionalism and enhances the credibility of your research.

MLA and APA Differences in Application

In addition to peculiar requirements, the difference between MLA and APA may be observed in applying both. When deciding which style to use, paying attention to the requirements of the specific academic discipline or the instructor’s preferences is crucial. For example, MLA would be appropriate for writing a literature analysis or an English essay. Conversely, if you are conducting research in psychology or writing a scientific paper, APA would be more fitting.

Moreover, elementary and high school teachers prefer assigning MLA-style papers since they are not intended for scholarly research or investigations. At the same time, APA is more popular among college and university students since it often deals with advanced scientific papers.

It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines provided by each style to ensure accurate citations and proper formatting. Many universities and academic institutions have writing centers or online resources that offer detailed guidance on using and defining the difference between MLA and APA styles.

Comparison of APA and MLA Features

Both APA and MLA citation styles have unique features designed to suit specific disciplines and provide clarity in academic papers. Understanding these formatting guidelines and citation systems is crucial for researchers and students to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their work.

You may consult the table to understand the pivotal difference between APA and MLA styles and know the similarities.

Now, you are familiar with all the peculiarities and requirements of the two formatting styles you will definitely face in educational establishments, so you will feel confident using our guidelines and copying any paper.

FAQ

Which style is more widely used, APA or MLA?

Both APA citation vs MLA citation styles are widely used, but their prevalence can vary depending on the field of study or discipline. The APA style is mainly used in social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. On the other hand, the MLA style is frequently used in humanities disciplines, including literature, languages, and cultural studies.

Which style is more acceptable for colleges, APA or MLA?

According to data from various academic institutions, it is generally seen that the APA style is more commonly used than the MLA style in college settings. However, it’s important to note that the preferred citation style may vary among different colleges and individual professors. Hence, it is always recommended to consult your professor or refer to the specific guidelines provided by your educational institution for accurate information on citation styles.

What are the similarities between APA and MLA?

Both APA and MLA require in-text citations to give credit to the source of information. These citations are included within the body of the text and provide the reader with a brief reference to the full citation in the reference list or works cited page. Moreover, APA and MLA formats utilize a hanging indent for the reference list or works cited page. A hanging indent is when the first line of each citation is flush left, while subsequent lines are indented.

Can we use interchangeably APA and MLA styles?

Since there are numerous differences between MLA and APA, changing the requirements while writing is not recommended. MLA is often used in humanities, literature, and liberal arts, while APA is commonly used in social sciences, psychology, and education. Moreover, you risk receiving lower grades if you do not comply with the teacher’s requirements.

What Is Bluebook Citation?

The Bluebook book citation style is used in the US legal citation system. Lawyers, legal researchers, and law students should abide by its rules, which seems pretty challenging because of the large number of referencing rules for different resource types.

Its official title is The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, and the guide contains over 500 pages of legal citations. Thus, use your discretion to know what recommendations to follow and which ones can be skipped.

The book has two main sections:

The Bluepages

This section has rules for legal documentation practitioners who compose legal documents, like court filings and memoranda.

The Whitepages

This part contains regulations for writing academic publications, such as law journal articles.

Using Bluebook Citation

This section shows you how to use the Bluebook guide to cite different materials.

How to Cite Federal or State Cases Using Bluebook

Citing cases is common for all legal practitioners. The Bluebook case citation style has a format for citing federal or state cases. However, the precise format for citing a case depends on the case type, court, and jurisdiction. The basic citing formation remains as follows:

• For court documents (briefs, motions) and legal memoranda, always underscore or italicize the full name.
• In legal writing, like review articles, underline or italicize the case name.

Citing Statutes Using Bluebook

The Bluebook Citation statutes section has rules for citing legal statutes, for instance, when using it to create a Rome statute Bluebook citation. Like with cases, the exact citing format varies. However, its basic citation guidelines are as follows:

• Title numbers.
• The abbreviations of the codes used.
• The section symbols (§) are followed by spaces and the section numbers containing the statutes.
• The year of the codes. (not necessary when citing the current code).

Citing Other Resources

Below are rules and examples for other kinds of legal documentation many first-year law students may need to reference besides cases and statutes.

Constitutions

The book’s Rule 11 covers citing the US Constitution and state constitutions.
You must reference the US federal constitution by “U.S. Const.” and state constitutions by “[abbreviated state name] Const.”
Examples:
U.S. Const. art. 1, § 9, cl. 9.
Tex. Const. art. 1, § 3.

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Bluebook Citation Examples

Learning from a perfect example is one of the best ways of advancing your referencing mastery. Here are some examples of Bluebook citation abbreviations and citing different materials.

• The US Supreme Court

David v. the City of New York, 465 P.3d 873 (Wash. 2019) (en banc). This ruling was made by the full court, as implied by the term en banc. Rule 10.6.1 states that we can but are not required to add details to the gravity of the opinion’s authority in a parenthetical after the date.

• Court of Appeals

Austin v. Wash. State Bar Ass’n, 67 P.3d 5678 (Wash. Ct. App. 2022)

• Citing the Holy Bible

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (King James). Please note that the Bible book is italicized (or may be underlined). Additionally, the Bible’s version is indicated in the parenthesis.

• Citing an Internet Source

The Bluebook citation website rules also require citing a website in a given format. Below is an example.

Jacob Joseph Posner, Ten Steps to Productive Living, The Good Life Network (March. 25,
2022, 11:11 AM), https://www/thegoodlife.com/articles/858595095.html.

The author’s name, followed by the title of the particular website page (underlined or italicized), followed by the title of the site’s main page, the date and the last time the website was updated, and the URL (remove the hyperlink, blue font, and the URL’s underlining).

• Case Name

Case names usually contain excessive information. Below are the two rules to follow, plus examples.

1. Omit all parties except the first listed on each side of the “v.”

Kim Yong Jones & Co. v. Patel, Ltd.

This variant is more concise and correct in line with the Blubook guidance than the full version of the case name: Kim Yong & Company, Inc., Plaintiff, v. Patel, Limited and Abdul Fazul Mohamed, Defendants

2. For names of individuals, use their last names only, and omit everything else

David v. Goliath

It’s more correct than the full version: Jesse A. David v. Achish Z. Goliath and Zeeb D. Haman

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Making Things Easier Using a Bluebook Citation Generator

If you need help citing legal documents in the Bluebook format, a wise decision may be to use a Bluebook citation machine to kick-start you. Below are three easy steps to using a Bluebook website citation generator.

1. Paste your text in the field, ensuring it references U.S. Federal, State, or Case law.
2. Next, click the “Extract Links” button, and the Bluebook citation maker will list links to credible U.S. law materials.
3. Lastly, check the search results list and click on the links to navigate to the external legal resource.

Using a legal Bluebook citation generator has pros and cons. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of using this tool for your legal referencing.

🟢 Pros:

Here are the pros of using a Bluebook citation checker.

• A citation machine Bluebook eliminates human error by creating citations that abide by this citation style.
• You enjoy consistent and accurate citations with an automated Bluebook legal citation generator.
• It’s easy and fast to use.
• It helps researchers learn how to format citations correctly.

🔴 Cons:

All human machines make mistakes because they depend on algorithms that aren’t always 100% accurate.

• You could select the wrong information source.
• Chances of misplaced or incorrect punctuation are high.
• You run into the risk of wrong capitalization or omission of information.

Conclusion

We hope this guide provided the necessary information for correctly using the Bluebook citation format. Study the guide inside out to sharpen your proficiency in legal resource referencing, or find an efficient automated tool to simplify this task for yourself.

Writing a reference list is always a challenge for a student. Indeed, you will hardly remember a sophisticated order of a reference entry. Books, authors, editions, and volumes – all this stuff puts you into unbearable frustration.

Today, we are about to end your suffering and provide you with a clear and understandable guideline into the APA 7th edition citation format.

Citing a Book in Print

You should stick to the following format while citing a printed book:

• Write the author’s last name first, followed by initials.
• Put a publication year.
• Write an italicized book title.
• If there is a subtitle, you should capitalize its first word.
• If you cite a book that is not the first edition/volume, you should include the edition/volume number in the brackets after the book title.
• Include a publisher. Don’t mention the publisher’s business structure (such stuff as Ltd.).

Here is an example:

• Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone. Bloomsbury.

Also, check this example for the book with editions:

• Woolfolk, A. (2019). Educational psychology (14th ed.). Pearson.

If there is a book volume, you should include it in brackets like this: (Vol.2).

Citing a Whole Authored Book

A whole authored book is a work written by a single author. You should keep to the following guidelines while citing it:

• Start your entry with the author’s last name and initials (for the first and the second (if the author has a middle name)). Put a comma after the author’s last name and use spaces between initials. Place a dot after each initial.
• Put a publication year in round brackets at the end of the sentence. It is the reference entry’s first part.
• Include the title of the book.
• Include a volume/edition if necessary.
• Include a publisher.

Here is an example:

• Lastnameson, F. M. (2008). How to cite a book APA (Vol.2). EUSA.

Citing a Book with Multiple Authors

If a book has several authors, you should include their names in a row before the publication year. After the first author’s initials, put a comma and include the second, the third author, etc. Also, put an ampersand (&) before the last author. It has to look like this:

• Clark, M. K., & Burke, A. (2014). The Cinderella Murder. Simon & Schuster.

In-Text Citations

You should keep to the following text citation format: (an author’s last name, a book publication date). It should look like this: (Jackson, 2009). If you want to include a page number for a direct quote, you should do it in the following way: (Jackson, 2009, p.34).

What if your book has multiple authors? You should include up to two authors in the text citation like this: water becomes ice when it freezes (Jackson & Peterson, 2008). If three or more people wrote a book, you should include only the first author and add “et al.” in your citations. It will look like this: Drinking water is deadly because every water drinker dies eventually (Anderson et al., 2010).

The narrative citation will look like this: Jackson (2009) found that the Earth orbited the Sun. Peterson et al. (2010) stated that sugar was sweet.

Citing an e-Book

Fortunately, there are a few differences in citing printed and online books. With an online book, you need to add a URL (a web address) or a digital object identifier (DOI) after a book publisher. What is a DOI? It’s a link to your online book that never changes, unlike the web address. The DOI starts with “https://doi.org/.”

How to find a DOI? It’s usually displayed within the book information on a particular page. However, it’s not a problem if you can’t find a DOI for your book. Just use a URL instead. Thus, an e-book citation will look like this:

• Botsford, G. W. (1913). An ancient history for beginners. New York The Macmillan Company. https://archive.org/details/ancienthistoryfo00botsuoft/page/n27/mode/2up

In-Text Citations

There is no difference between in-text citations for an online and printed book.

Citing a Book Found in a Database

You may find a book in a library database. It’s an easy way to access a required work and find the necessary info. Fortunately, citing a book retrieved from a database doesn’t need anything special.

You don’t need to include the database name or copy a link to the source. You can ignore the fact that you accessed an online library to find a book. To cite one, follow the citation template for a printed book. In-text citations follow the same pattern: (author’s last name, publication year).

Citing a Republished Book, with Editor

Sometimes, a book undergoes editing and gets published once again. So, there is an author, an editor, and two publication dates. How to combine them in your reference page and in-text citations? Check this below:

• Include the author’s last name, initials, and the edited version’s publication year.
• Write the title of the book.
• Put an editor’s initials, their last name, and the “Ed.” notification.
• Write the publisher.
• Include a URL and DOI.
• Write the following notification: (Original work published (insert a year)).

It will look like this:

• Anderson, F. M. (2008). How to cite a textbook APA (F. M. Peterson, Ed.). EUSA. (Original work published 2007).

In-Text Citations

While mentioning the work in text, you should put the author’s last name and the publications’ year (for the original and edited publication) in round brackets: (Anderson, 2007/2008).

Citing an Audio Book in APA

Sometimes, it’s much better to listen to a book while lying on your sofa, walking along the street, or going by bus to college. So how to cite a book APA when it’s an audio one? In this case, you have to follow this pattern:

• Author’s last name, initials (a year of the audio version release).
• Write the narrator’s initials and the last name, and include “Narr.” in round brackets at the end of the sentence.
• Put “Audiobook” in box brackets.
• Write an audiobook publisher.
• Include a DOI or URL if necessary.
• Write an original publication year.

The entry will look like this:

• Orwell, G. (2007). 1984 (S. Prebble, Narr.) [Audiobook]. Blackstone Audio. https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/1984/103069 (Original work published 1949)

In-Text Citations

With both parentheses and narrative citations, include the author’s last name and the audiobook release year: (Orwell, 2007).

The Bottom Line

Citing a book in APA is a challenging task, and it may take hours for you to create a reference list. Nonetheless, it’s better to check web resources like ours to cite books correctly. It will help you save your time and grades. Once you learn the general pattern of formatting a reference page in APA, you will understand its variations (like multiple authors or editors) much quicker. You can also ask for help an essay writing service if you have no time to create a reference list for your paper.

You can find plenty of tips and hints on citing any book, journal, or scientific publication. But what about citing a website? Some websites have multiple authors; others don’t have any author at all. Pretty often, when citing a website it isn’t even clear where to begin and what kind of data to search for. 

If you are drowning in questions and don’t feel like the answers are on the surface, don’t worry. Our essay writing service collected all you need to know about how to cite a website in a widely used MLA format. In the following article, you can find a lot of useful information regarding in-text citations and proper referencing of different websites. 

For your better navigation, below is the overview of the topics covered in this guide:

1. The changes in MLA citation website according to the eighth edition
2. How to cite a website with an author: citing a website with one, two, three or more authors
3. How to cite a website that does not have a contributor 
4. How to cite a website MLA that does not have a specific formal title 
5. Citing social media websites: how to cite Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
6. Citing social media comments: how to cite such sources?
7. In-text citations for a website 

Citation Generator 

Regardless of your essay’s size or the message it aims to transmit, you always have to rely on some evidence. The latter makes your paper sound professional and convincing. Giving credit to the authors who contributed to the research and those you mentioned in your essay is necessary. What you should do is not merely make sure you don’t miss out on a single reference but also that you cite all sources in an appropriate way. To do the latter, you can use the citation generator. 

Using a citation generator comes in handy when you run out of time. Besides, time does not necessarily have to be a critical factor; good quality citation generators serve as insurance for the correctness of your references. Additionally, a citation generator might be a perfect way to double-check how you format your references manually in MLA. 

To cite a website, you should have the following information:

• Source title (indicated in almost every case)
• Author’s name
• Container’s title (the name of the website)
• The names and roles of contributors 
• Number of publication
• Publication date (this element is not available in 100% of cases)
• URL of the webpage (link to the website)
• Version 
• Publisher 

These are all the elements that should interest you if you decide to cite your paper in MLA according to the Modern Language Association. So, when your professor asks you to compose a paper following MLA formatting style, you may be sure that you do not need to look for any extra points. And if you are citing a website, knowing these elements is more than enough. 

In case one or a few elements are not indicated (such as the name of the author, the version, or even the source name), you can omit them. But this holds only in the case of citing a web page; If you are citing a book, you aren’t allowed to omit the contributor’s name or, what is even worse, the title of the book or chapter. 

On the contrary, you can include some additional elements if doing so is reasonable. The list of features above is enough to cite appropriately. However, you may feel free to indicate further details provided that they make sense. You can find extra information regarding how to include additional information to your citations in the MLA handbook. 

Besides, it is of critical importance not to confuse numbers and versions of sources. Additionally, the same regards the name of a container and a publisher’s name – these are not to be confused.

Changes to MLA Citation for Websites in Eighth Edition

The new edition of the MLA handbook brought along a few changes. First of all, before the new edition’s introduction, students were not expected to include a URL link to the source. Indeed, you might often notice that a lot of papers written according to MLA format do not contain any URLs. This was the case before the eighth edition. These days, you should necessarily indicate the URL of the website. This is the thing now due to several reasons. One of them is the following: the name of the website or the title might be modified. This might lead to an inability to find the website you mentioned in your references. And if it becomes complicated to find, your professor might question the source’s validity and authenticity. Indicating a URL straight away allows oneself to view the source just by clicking the link. 

Now, here’s a critical remark on URLs. When you copy and paste the URL, make sure you don’t include ‘https://’. The latter is the requirement of the eighth edition. Besides, it might be useful for you to make sure that the reader can view the link just by clicking it. Therefore, if you are submitting your paper electronically, don’t delete the hyperlinks. 

You might have already encountered a thing called ‘DOI’. DOI stands for digital object identifier and means almost the same as URL. The only difference is that it isn’t as changeable as URL. Thus, you can use either or ask your teacher for advice. 

The New edition made citing much easier. For example, now you shouldn’t necessarily include the day of accessing the website. Before, it was mandatory. The reason for it was straightforward: the content of the website might merely change with time. So if you mention that you accessed the website on May 19th, it won’t be a problem if the content is slightly modified on July 19th. But, today, you no longer need to indicate the date of access. Only if you want to mention it for personal reasons – feel free to do so. Make sure you list it at the end of your reference following the URL. There is no specific way you have to write it. For simplicity, you may just write ‘Accessed April 2nd, 2020’. 

MLA 8: Citing Websites With an Author

Although you can sometimes come across a website that has no author, the contributors’ names are indicated in most cases. Below we outlined some essential elements that you need to indicate when citing a website with an author: 

• The name of a contributor
• The title of the article posted on the website (or the name of the page itself)
• URL of the page which you can simply take from the address bar in your browser
• Website name (container name)
• Date the article was published (it is not available in many cases)

Don’t worry if you cannot find all of the elements indicated above. While citing a periodic publication requires you to include all the citation elements, citing a website is less demanding. 

Citing a Website in MLA 

First things first, MLA formatting requires you to begin citing with the last name of the contributor. The last and the first name should be separated with a comma. Then, after you have written the author’s name in the required order, you need to write down the title of the paper taking it in quotation marks. It is critically important to place a period after the header but before the end of the quotation. Afterward, you should indicate a container and italicize it. A container is a source that contains the source you are citing. In our case, a container is the name of the website. You then need to indicate the publisher after the container, but do not italicize it. Finally, you can finish your reference with DOI or URL. 

This is an example of how the works cited section should look like:

Contributor’s Last name, FIrst name. “Title.” The website name, Publisher, URL. 

In-text website citation with one author 

Basically, an in-text citation is the name of the author. Throughout the text, you just need to take the contributor’s name in parentheses and place it at the end of the sentence. Only in case you want to be more precise and refer to a specific section or a paragraph can you include extra information in parentheses. Otherwise, outlining just the last name is okay. 

Here is a standard way to include an in-text citation with one author: (Smith). Or, if you are referring to some specific paragraph, you can write it in the following way: (Smith, para. 16). 

How to cite a website with two authors in MLA 8

Now, suppose that you are citing a website article written by two authors. The contributors’ names should be written just in the same way they appear in the source. Here is one important note: when writing the first author’s name, you first need to mention the last name and then follow it with the first name. But with the second author, you have to do precisely the opposite: you should first write the first name and then the last name. 

Here’s an example: First Contributor’s Last name, FIrst name, Second contributor’s First name Last name. “Title.” Website name, Publisher, URL. 

In-text website citation with two authors

Just like it is in the case with one author only, you just need to include the Last names within the text. For instance, this should look like this: (Smith and Wesson). Ensure that the names appear in the text exactly in the same order they appear in your works cited list. 

How to cite a website with three or more authors in MLA 8

If you are referencing three or more authors in MLA, you need to adhere to a different formatting requirement. Namely, regardless of how many contributors the work has, you do not need to mention all the authors’ names. All you need to do is just write the author’s last name and follow it with ‘et al.’ after a comma. What et al. means is a gender-neutral way to indicate ‘and other’ in Latin. 

An example: First listed Contributor’s Last name, FIrst name, et al. “Title of the Page.” Website name, Publisher, URL. 

In-text website citation with 3+ authors

If you are including an in-text citation of an article with at least three authors, you need to write the first contributor’s last name only. Afterward, put a comma and ‘et al.’ after it. 

In the text, it should look the following way: 

(The top listed contributor’s last name et al.)

Pay attention to the fact that you don’t need to separate the last name and ‘et al.’ with a comma when you include references in the text. 

MLA 8 Citation for Websites with No Author

Coming across websites without any contributor at all isn’t a rare thing. A lot of websites do not include any information about the article’s or site’s contributors. If this is your case, you just need to omit the author information and immediately proceed to indicating the title of a webpage. 

An example: “Title of the Page.” Website name, Publisher, URL. 

Here’s one remark about the corporations’ webpages: sometimes, organizations publish web pages and articles without indicating the contributor’s name. If the name of the publisher is known, you may use it as the author’s name. The reason why you can certainly use the publisher’s name instead of authors is simple: these are often the same people. Besides, outlining the publisher’s name as the contributor’s name will make it easier for the reader to find the source in the references list. 

You may do it in the following way: (Title of the page) or (Publisher’s name). 

MLA 8 Citation for Websites Without a Formal Title  

Some websites have all contributors’ names and necessary details included, such as Publisher’s name and date, but have no formal title. Once you see this, you might be blown away by confusion. So what to do in this case? Simply write the page’s description. Just write it the way it appears on the website; you don’t need to italicize it. Also, make sure that the description isn’t too long. Otherwise, you can make it shorter.

Here’s an example: Description of the web page. Website name, Publisher’s name, URL. 

MLA 8 Citation for Social Media Websites

Even though social media posts may not seem too reasonable to cite, they sometimes are. Since we live in the era of technological advancements and most companies are gradually switching to digital and social media platforms, they are now perceived as a relevant, popular source. Social media has been significantly influencing our lives, modifying how we express our thoughts, and affecting the way we reason these thoughts. 

The process of citing a social media website in MLA does not differ very much from citing a standard website. Below are some rules for you to refer to when citing Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

How to cite Twitter in MLA 8 

Twitter has gradually become a top social media platform used for acknowledging contrasting, intriguing points of view. It is no longer surprising that many Internet users find Twitter a suitable platform for referring to each another’s ideas, especially considering that a lot of famous politicians and experts use this website to share their opinions. 

Here is how to cite a tweet. First, indicate a Twitter handle’s owner. If you are new to Twitter, a handle is basically a username written like this: @Name. Then you have to put the twitter content you are referring to in quotation marks. It is important to make sure that you mention the full content without shortening it. Even if you only want to refer to the tweet’s first sentence, you still need to indicate the entire tweet. 

Here is an example: @Handle. “Tweet’s content.” Twitter, Date, Time strap, URL. 

How to cite Instagram in MLA 8

Since you can cite a Tweet, you can also cite an Instagram post. It works in the same way: you first should indicate the name of the account owner, which looks like this: @username. Afterward, you have to indicate the picture description. In case the description is missing, you can briefly describe it in your words. Then, list the name of the publisher (which is Instagram) and italicize it. 

For example, you can write a reference like this: @accountholder. “Description of the picture.” Instagram, photographed by First name Last name, date, URL. 

How to cite Facebook in MLA 8  

Finally, you can cite Facebook. As with other social media, you need to begin your citation with the user’s name. This might be either the account holder’s username or their Last and First name. Afterward, you have to indicate the caption of the post’s title. Just in case you cannot find any caption, you can compose a tiny description instead (Just like with Instagram). Don’t forget to italicize the name of a publisher. 

Here’s a great example:  Author’s Last Name, First Name or Username. Caption of the post. Facebook, date the post was published, Time Stamp, URL. 

Social media and website comments

We’ve just explained how to cite a post on social media, but you can also cite other user’s comments. As a rule, you first begin by mentioning the user’s name whose comment you would like to cite. You then have to follow with ‘Comment on ‘the title of the source’’. Only the title should be placed in quotation marks. Afterward, everything remains the same, just like in the case of citing a Facebook post.

Take a look at this example: The commenter’s name. Comment on “Title of the post”. Publisher, Date and time of publishing, URL. 

Publisher, in this case, is the name of the social media. 

In-text Citations for Websites 

Overall, all one has to indicate in the in-text citations for websites is the last name of the contributor. You do not need to mention any page numbers. The only exception is the website with numbered sections or paragraphs. If you refer to section number 5, for example, you can write it like this: (Smith, sec. 5). If the source is written by two authors, you should outline their names exactly the same way (Adams and Thompson). And, finally, if the source comprises three or more authors, just write the first one’s Last name and add et al (Adams et al.).