Whenever you use someone else's words or ideas in your paper or presentation, you must indicate that this information is borrowed by citing your source. This applies to written sources you've used, such as books, articles and web pages, as well as other formats, such as images, sounds, TV/film clips, and DVDs. Failure to cite such sources may be considered plagiarism. Avoid distress and embarrassment by following a few simple rules.
The most common citation styles are APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian, but there are many others, some of which are included under the Other Styles tab below. Different disciplines use different citation styles, so confirm with your instructor which style you should use.
For more information on how to avoid plagiarism, visit UBC Library's Academic Integrity Resource Centre.
APA
American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of several styles for academic writing. This guide connects you with frequently used citation forms. The sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association is a comprehensive resource, available at most UBC Libraries.
APA Style Guides Online
- UBC Library's APA Style Guide (pdf)
- Diana Hacker | Social Sciences: Documenting Sources
- David Lam Library's Business citation examples
- Purdue OWL APA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Style Guide In Print
MLA
Modern Languages Association (MLA) style is one of several styles for academic citation. It is used in the humanities,
especially English. The examples in this guide cover the more common sources only. For more detailed information, refer to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th ed) available in the reference and the circulation collections at LB 2369.G53 2009.
MLA Style Guides Online
- UBC Library's MLA Style Guide (pdf)
- Humanities: Documenting Sources by Diana Hacker
- David Lam Library's Business Citation Examples
- Purdue OWL MLA Formatting and Style Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions About MLA Style
MLA Style Guide in Print
- MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers by Joseph Gibaldi
Chicago/Turabian
Please note that the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style was released in September 2010 and many online guides are working on updating their content. Be sure to check with your instructor regarding which edition they prefer that you use.
The Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed.) is one of several styles for academic citation. Chicago style is sometimes called Turabian style, which is a modified version. The Chicago Manual of Style provides two distinct citation styles: Humanities style (notes and bibliography) and Scientific/Social Sciences styles (parenthetical author/date references and reference list). This guide connects you with common citation formats. For more detailed information, refer to the Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed.) available in the reference and circulation collections at Z 253.U69 2003.
Chicago/Turabian Style Guide Online
- Chicago Manual of Style Online (Quick Guide)
- UBC Okanagan Library's Chicago/Turabian Citation Guide (pdf)
- Diana Hacker |History: Documenting Sources
- Purdue OWL Chicago Manual of Style
Chicago/Turabian Style Guides in Print
- The Chicago Manual of Style
- A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations By Kate Turabian
AskAway
AskAway is service that connects you to a live librarian that can help you find sources and direct your research. Help is just a click away!
Good day:
For one of my classes, I want to write a stage play which involves using or paraphrasing popular jokes. For example: “why did chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.” It is impossible to determine the author of this joke. It is also not something which I invented myself. So, do I need to provide a citation or any acknowledgment when using or paraphrasing popular jokes in my stage play? How exactly can I do that? Thank you!
Hi there. I would recommend checking with your professor to determine his/her preference regarding citing (or not citing) these jokes. They may fall under the category of common knowledge and not require citation, however, your professor will be the best judge of this. If you are required to cite the jokes, I’d recommend going to the Education Library where a librarian could direct you to a children’s joke book or encyclopedia, which may contain reference to these jokes. I hope this helps!