Style Guides

When a professor instructs you to write your paper in this style or that style, she's asking you to adhere to a particular format that provides rules and guidance on how to:

· physically arrange the paper
· insert footnotes or endnotes
· cite resources
· document resources you've used

There are several different style guides available, but the three most common are MLA (Modern Language Association Style Manual), APA (American Psychological Association Publication Manual), and Chicago (The Chicago Manual of Style). Though citations may vary in arrangement, they all include the same basic information:

· author
· title of the resource
· date of publication

Books include place of publication, and periodical materials, such as journal articles, will include volume and issue number, but not a place of publication. Electronic resources will be cited differently depending on the style guide you're using.

Resources

The Write Place, The ULM English department's writing center, where you can get help with your papers!

The Owl at Purdue, an excellent resource for styles

Some citation examples (.doc)