How to cite an article

Citing an article is an important part of academic writing, as it gives credit to the author of the original work and allows readers to find the source material. In this article, we will discuss how to cite an article in different citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago.

APA Style:

The APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences. When citing an article in APA style, you should follow the following format:

Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page numbers. doi:xxxx

For example:

Smith, J. (2019). The effects of social media on mental health. Journal of Social Psychology, 153(2), 234-246. doi:10.1080/00224545.2018.1546546

In the example above, Smith is the author of the article, "The effects of social media on mental health," which was published in the Journal of Social Psychology in 2019. The article was published in volume 153, issue 2, and the page numbers are 234-246. The doi (digital object identifier) is a unique identifier that helps readers locate the article online.

MLA Style:

The MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities. When citing an article in MLA style, you should follow the following format:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, volume number, issue number, year, page numbers.

For example:

Garcia, Maria. "The Power of Poetry in Times of Crisis." Poetry Review, vol. 35, no. 3, 2020, pp. 22-25.

In the example above, Garcia is the author of the article, "The Power of Poetry in Times of Crisis," which was published in Poetry Review in 2020. The article was published in volume 35, issue 3, and the page numbers are 22-25.

Chicago Style:

The Chicago style is commonly used in history, literature, and the arts. When citing an article in Chicago style, you should follow the following format:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal volume number, issue number (Year): page numbers.

For example:

Johnson, Lisa. "Reclaiming the Female Voice in American Literature." American Literary History 32, no. 4 (2020): 711-729.

In the example above, Johnson is the author of the article, "Reclaiming the Female Voice in American Literature," which was published in American Literary History in 2020. The article was published in volume 32, issue 4, and the page numbers are 711-729.

In conclusion, citing an article is an essential part of academic writing. When citing an article, it's important to use the correct citation style for your discipline and to include all the necessary information to help readers locate the source material. By following the correct format for citing articles, you can give credit to the author and demonstrate your own knowledge and expertise in your field of study. It's also important to note that some citation styles may require additional information, such as the publisher's name or the date accessed for online sources. It's always best to consult the specific guidelines for your citation style to ensure accuracy.

One way to make citing articles easier is to use citation management software, such as Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote. These tools can help you organize your sources, generate citations automatically, and easily switch between citation styles.

When citing an article, it's also important to be aware of plagiarism. Plagiarism is using someone else's work without proper attribution, which can result in serious consequences in academic and professional settings. Always make sure to give credit to the original author and to use quotation marks or paraphrase when using their words or ideas.

Finally, it's important to keep in mind that citing sources is not just about avoiding plagiarism or giving credit. It's also about demonstrating the scholarly conversation happening in your field of study and adding to that conversation with your own ideas and analysis. By citing sources, you show your readers the research that has influenced your own work and invite them to engage with that research as well.

In summary, citing articles is an essential part of academic writing. By using the correct citation style and including all necessary information, you can give credit to the original author and help readers locate the source material. Additionally, citation management software can make the process easier, and it's important to be aware of plagiarism and to contribute to the scholarly conversation through your citations.