When you don't cite properly, you are claiming someone else's ideas or work as your own. Whether intentional or accidental, taking credit for someone else's ideas or work is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a crime: the original author can sue you, or you might have action taken against you by the University.

The Gutman Library offers many citation tools to help ensure you cite properly:

The Student Learning and Advising Center

The Learning and Advising Center has information for students about using the APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver (ICMJE), CSE styles and more.

Style Guides

ACS Publications

• ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication

American Psychological Association

• APA Style Guide to Electronic References
• APA LibGuide
• APA Interactive Tutorial (created by Center City Writing Center)
• List of Sample References

Chicago Style

• Chicago Style Citation Quick Guide

ICMJE (Vancouver style)

• Print References
• Preparing the Manuscript

And just for fun, visit Strunk & White's Elements of Style to see the classic 1918 manual for writers of term papers.

Reference Books

These guides are located in the Reference Collection, on the Main Floor of the Library:

• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed 2010
  Call Number R808.06615P976a6
• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed 2009
  Call Number R808.027 M685m7
• Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed 2010
  Call Number R808 .027 C532m16
• Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers, 7th ed 2006
  Call Number R808.0665 S416c7
• AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors, 10th ed 2007
  Call Number R808.06661 A512i10
• The ACS Style Guide: Effective Communication of Scientific Information, 3rd ed 2006
  Call Number R808.06654 A187c3