Citation Styles Guide

Citations are references to sources of information that you use to support your arguments, ideas, or research in your academic writing. When you cite a source, you give credit to the original author or creator of the work you are referencing, and you also provide readers with the necessary details to locate the source themselves.

Citation Formats

Citations usually follow a specific style or format. This guide will provide information on APA and MLA Style citations, which are two of the most common styles you will encounter at Virginia Western. This guide also provides some information on Chicago style. The Brown Library has copies of each:

For other citation styles, like AMA or CSE, visit the Writing & Research Center on the top floor of Brown Library to talk to a consultant and see citation manuals.

Citing sources serves several purposes:

• Acknowledging the work of others: It gives credit to the authors whose ideas or research influenced your work.
• Avoiding plagiarism: Citing sources helps you avoid plagiarism, which means using someone else's work as your own. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and can result in serious penalties. See the VWCC Student Policies webpage for more information about academic misconduct and penalties.
• Strengthening your argument: Citations provide evidence that supports your claims, making your work more credible and reliable.
• Allowing others to retrace your steps: Readers can go to the original sources you referenced for more detailed information.
• Showing off your research skills: Properly citing sources shows that you've conducted thorough research, engaged with credible materials, and can effectively synthesize information from different perspectives.