Writing Style Guides

There are a number of different styles or formats for citations. Which style you use depends upon the subject discipline in which you are working. If you are uncertain about which style to use, ask your instructor.

Each style for citing sources includes the same basic parts of a citation, but may organize them somewhat differently.

Commonly Used Writing Style Guides

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA (American Psychological Association) style is often used by students in the social sciences -- psychology, sociology, business, nursing, etc.

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
The MLA (Modern Language Association) style is often used by students in the humanities -- English, history, writing, speech, etc.

The APA and MLA style guide books and print handouts, with examples, are available at the Reference Desk in the Library. Online handouts for these two styles of citation are available under Research Guides on the Library Instruction web page on the library website. Citing Sources: MLA and APA, a guide developed by LCC librarians, is also available on the LCC Library website.

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