There are many different types of online references that you can use in your academic writing. These include, but are not limited to, MLA, APA, and Chicago formats, which will be examined in this article.
MLA
The most common type of online reference used in academic writing is the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. This is used when you want to cite sources in the form of printed books, journals, or websites. You need to follow three steps to create an effective MLA citation.
- Find your source
- Select the text you want to use
- Type the name of the source along with the publication information (volume, issue, and page numbers)
Step one of the above steps should be easy – you should already know what source you are using. Step two is a little more complicated because you will have to find the right piece of text. To ensure that you choose the right piece of text, you must examine it thoroughly. Once you have found the right piece of text, the third step is again easy – you just have to enter the required information into the proper fields.
The advantage of this type of reference is that it is extremely easy to use. You do not need to have specialized knowledge to be able to format your citation properly. Also, because it is so widely accepted, you will not need to worry about finding a professor to edit your work for you if you get stuck.
APA
The MLA format was developed in the early 20th century and has not been substantially changed since then. However, there are many instances where it is not suitable for use. One such instance is when you are writing about social science research. For example, when you are writing about a survey of consumers’ opinions, you will need to use the American Psychological Association (APA) format. While the format itself is simple enough, you must know exactly what to do to ensure that you do not put the wrong information in the wrong field.
The first step is the same as with the MLA format – you need to find your source. However, instead of looking for a book, journal, or website, you need to look for a social science research paper (often referred to as an article). Once you have found the right piece of research, you can use it to complete your APA citation.
The disadvantage of using the APA format is that it is less common than the MLA format. Also, if you have used a piece of research that was not published in APA format, you will have to ask the author (or publisher) to help you with the conversion. Finally, if you get stuck at any point during the process, there is no guarantee that a helping hand will be available to assist you.
Chicago
If you have used an unpublished piece of work in your academic writing, you will need to follow the Chicago format. This format was developed in the 1960s and was named after the city where it was first used. Every year, the Chicago style is updated with a new set of rules and regulations. This ensures that all citations are up-to-date and conform to the guidelines set by the Chicago style.
The advantage of this format is that it is the most commonly used citation style in academia. Also, because it has been around for so long and has been continually updated, you will always know that any citation you make will be formatted according to the rules and regulations set by the Chicago style. You will not need to worry about the format being wrong because it will never be outdated.
The disadvantage of this format is that it is a bit more complex than the others mentioned thus far. You will not only need to know how to properly format your citation, you will also need to know how to find the right piece of information. Not all the rules apply to all types of academic writing – you will need to know which ones apply to yours.
Other
The above three formats are the most commonly used online references in academic writing. However, you will need to know how to deal with other types of sources as well. For example, if you have used a book that you have written yourself, you will need to use the format specified by the publisher. If you have used a video or audio recording in your academic work, you will need to follow the format specified by the content creator. Finally, if you have used a chart or graph in your academic work, you will need to cite it according to the format specified by the person who designed the chart or graph.
While the above formats are the most common ones used in academic writing, it is always a good idea to be familiar with at least a few different types of references just in case. You never know when you will need to cite a source that does not follow the commonly accepted formats.
Why Use An Online Reference?
If you are new to academic writing, it is a good idea to look into using an online reference. The above formats were developed over a century ago and have not changed substantially in that time. This makes them easy to use and familiar to those who have used them before. Also, because they have been around for so long and are still frequently used today, there will always be someone available to help you if you get stuck during the process.
However, beyond the familiarity of the citation styles, there is another very good reason to use online references in your academic work: accuracy. When you use an online reference, you can be very sure that the information you enter into the fields is going to be correct. You will not have to worry about making an error because the information will already be there for you to use. This is a very good thing because, as we have learned, academic integrity is key.
How to Format Your Citations
Now that you have found the most common type of reference used in academic writing, it is time to learn how to format your citations correctly. There are many different ways to format your citation – you will need to choose the one that is best suited for your work. Once you have done that, it is time to move onto the next step.
The easiest way to format your citation is to use the reference tool that is already embedded in Microsoft Word. Access these tools by selecting the “Tools” menu from the Home button in the toolbar. Once the menu is open, choose “References” from the list that appears. You will see a panel open up on the right side of the screen. From here, you can easily insert the reference into your document simply by selecting the “Insert Citation” button at the top of the panel.
If you did not use the reference tool to access the different formats, it is time to learn how to use BibTeX. This is a free software package that is available for Linux and Windows users. Simply download the software, install it, and then enter the information into the appropriate fields manually. You will find the information you need quickly and easily because it is all stored in one place. There is no need to waste time searching for references and trying to remember where you found them. Once you have entered the required information, it is time to save the document. Keep in mind that any changes you make to the citation will be overwritten the next time you save the document. You will not need to worry about losing the information because it will be there waiting for you when you need it.
Where Can I Find More Information?
If you want to learn more about the most common type of citation used in academic writing, there are a number of different websites and blogs that you can visit. Below is a short list of some of the more prominent ones.