Cite a Website for a Research Paper
The Internet can be a great resource when performing research for a paper. Just as when you retrieve information from a book, journal article or other resource, you must cite the website at the end of your research paper. Citing websites is fairly simple regardless of what style you use. All of the information you need to cite the website should be located right on the web page.
Instructions
MLA Style
1. Begin by writing the author's name. Do this all the way in the left margin. The author should be written last name then first name. Place a period after the name.
2. Write the title of the web page next to the author's name. The title of the web page should be in quotations. Remember that this is the title of the page, not the entire website.
3. Place the title of the website next to the web page. You can either underline the title or place it in italics or quotations. The title of the website can also be written in the next line, directly underneath the author. Place a period after the website title.
4. Put the date the piece was published directly after the website title. This can be the full date or just the year. Place a period after the date.
5. Write the publisher's name right after the date. The publisher is not the same as the title author. You will typically only find a publisher if you are on an academic website. Place a period after the publisher.
6. Add the date you visited the website right after the name of the publisher. You should write the number first, then the month and then the year. Place a period after the date.
7. Finish by putting the URL right after the date. When you're done, it should look something like this:
Wassink, Zac. "Amani Toomer done with Giants...or not." Examiner.com. 2009. 3 Feb. 2009. http://www.examiner.com/x-680-New-York-Giants-Examiner~y2009m1d29-Amani-Toomer-done-with-Giantsor-not
APA Style
8. Start with the name of the author. The last name should be written before the first. Place a period at the end of the name.
9. Write the year of publication in parenthesis next to the author's name. Place a period after this.
10. Put the title of the article next to the year. The title shouldn't be underlined or in quotations. Put a period after the title.
11. Write the name of the website in italics right after the article. Remember to put a period after the website name.
12. Place the exact date that you visited the site after the name of the web page. This should be written month first, then day and then year.
13. Finish by writing the URL right after the date. When you're done, it should look like this:
Wassink, Zac. (2009). Amani Toomer done with Giants...or not. Examiner.com (in Italics). February 3, 2009. http://www.examiner.com/x-680-New-York-Giants-Examiner~y2009m1d29-Amani-Toomer-done-with-Giantsor-not
Chicago Style
14. Start with the author's name. Write the last name ahead of the first. End this with a period.
15. Place the title of the web page in quotations right after the author's name. Put a period after the name of the page.
16. Write the name of the website next. The website shouldn't be placed in italics or quotations. Put a period after the website name.
17.Paste the URL after the name of the website. The URL should be written without parenthesis, quotations or italics. Put a period after the URL.
18. Finish with the date that you visited the website. This should be cited in the same way as in the MLA format. Here is an example.
Wassink, Zac. "Amani Toomer done with Giants...or not." Examiner.com. http://www.examiner.com/x-680-New-York-Giants-Examiner~y2009m1d29-Amani-Toomer-done-with-Giantsor-not. (3 Feb. 2009).
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