Can you recognize plagiarism?

MLA and APA are discipline specific formatting and citation style guides used to document the sources you paraphrase, quote, and use in your research paper or project. The style determines the exact format of your citations by specifying the publication information that must be included and the order of this information as well as capitalization and punctuation. The style also determines the paper format or set up.

What is MLA?

• MLA stands for Modern Language Association
• Used in writing courses and the humanities, especially language and literature.
• Sources used appear at the end of the paper in an alphabetical list called the Works Cited page.
• MOST ASC 101 classes will use MLA for the annotated bibliography

Learn more at Modern Language Association

What is APA?

• APA stands for American Psychological Association
• Used in the social sciences.
• The Nursing Program at CSU also uses APA.
• Sources used appear at the end of the paper in an alphabetical list called References. 

Learn more at American Psychological Association's APA Style.

Why do I have to cite? 

• It is the ONLY way to avoid plagiarism! Plagiarism is a very serious offense with consequences. 
• The author or creator of the original work deserves to be recognized and given credit.

Learn more about plagiarism and avoiding plagiarism at the CSU Writing Center website.

Where can I get help?

• Talk to your professor.
• Schedule an appointment at the Writing Center.
• Visit TASC.

Need help with your citations? Just can't seem to get started on that paper?

Did you know there are many different citation styles?

Different academic disciplines have different expectations for how works are cited. Journals may even have their own style for citing works.

Here are a few examples. 

• ACS (American Chemical Society)
• AMA (American Medical Association)
• Chicago