STEP 9
Cite Your Sources
An essential part of a research paper is the Works
Cited page. This is where you will give credit to and
acknowledge the authors and sources of the information
you used to complete your research. The list is made up
of citations, which are references. A reference gives
the reader (your instructor) enough information to
locate the book, article, or Web site you used. Works
Cited pages follow a very structured form. Most
instructors require that students format citations
according to guidelines from:
• MLA - Modern Language Association
• APA - American Psychological Association
NOTE:
Read your assignment to determine which guidelines
to use. For the MLA formats most frequently used by Rio
Hondo College Students, go
http://library.riohondo.edu/research_help/Citing_Sources/index.htm
This Web page is also available as a
handout from the Reference Room on the 2nd floor of the
RHC Library. Additional MLA formats are found in the MLA
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers and at the MLA
Web site at
http://www.mla.org.
For the APA formats use the Publication Manual of
the American Psychological Association or see the APA
Web site at
http://www.APA.org.
NOTE: To make your creation of the Works Cited
page easier, always make copies of the title page and
copyright page for books. Keep printouts of Web sites
and articles found in online databases (ProQuest, SIRS,
etc.)
Ask Yourself:
Do I need a Works Cited page, a list of sources used, or
a bibliography for my research paper?
Then Do This:
• Review your assignment. Ask your instructor if you are
not sure.
Ask Yourself:
Where can I find examples of MLA formats?
Then Do This:
• Use the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
(REF LB2369.G53).
• Go to the Rio Hondo College Library Web site at
http://library.riohondo.edu/research_help/Citing_Sources/index.htm
• Go to the MLA Web site at
http://www.mla.org
Ask Yourself:
Where can I find examples of APA formats?
Then Do This:
• Use the Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association (REF BF76.7.P83) or see the
APA Web site at
http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.htm.
