This document provides guidance on how to properly cite sources and create a references page. It explains that a references page is where readers can find information about the sources cited in a paper, such as author names and publication details, so they can verify the information. The references page should be created as a work in progress alongside the paper, adding citations as quotes or paraphrases are included from sources. The references page is typically the last page of a document and formatted with a running header. Sources should be cited within the text and also fully documented on the references page using a consistent citation style.

1. Citing Sources:
Simple as 1-2-3?
Maybe not, but
here’s the A, B, Cs!

2. QUESTIONS to be ANSWERED
 What is the References page?
 Why do we need or use it?
 When do we create the Reference page?
 Where is the Reference page located?
 How do we cite sources?

3. What is the References page?
QUESTION
 You’ve been told that your paper is fine, but you
did not include a References page (Works Cited
or Bibliography)… but what is this page?
- What should it contain?
- Where should it be placed?

4. What is the References page?
ANSWER
 The References page is:
 Your reference page or bibliography; it can be one or
more pages depending on how many sources you use
 The page where your reader can find out about your
sources:
• Who authored them and where they were printed;
• How current they are; when the article or book was written
And…most importantly…
• Where your reader can find this information (just in
case they want to “check out” the source document)

5. Why do we use
a References page?
QUESTION
 I just don’t understand why we create the
References page. Why waste our time?

6. Why do we use
a References page?
ANSWER
There is no new information in the world.
Agree or disagree?
 You might not agree with the previous statement, but at the
associates- or bachelors-degree level, you are not presenting new
information, but using researched information and data to uphold
the ideas in your papers, portfolios or presentations.
 You are presenting scholarly, well-researched, academic writing on
the topic of your choice (or your instructor’s choice)

7. Do your sources pass the test?
 Basically, the References page is where your
reader can “test” your resources
 They assess you as an academic writer by:
 Seeing how current the resources are
 How reliable they are
 How valid they are
 This is where you reaffirm to your reader that
you know what you are talking about

8. Ensure you document your trail
 Imagine that the References page is a
roadmap leading your reader back to the
source for your information. Citing sources
offers them directions to find the same
information you read and used.

9. What if the reader gets lost?
 If the information on
the References page  What will your reader
think?
is poorly formatted  Does this author know
 Ok, let’s just say it… what he/she is talking
about?
what if it is wrong?  Is this source credible?
 Or, worse yet, what if  Can I trust what I am
you misrepresent the reading here?
source information?

10. When do we need to create
the References page?
QUESTION
 Hmmm, this is the final item in our document, so
the References page should be created last,
right?

11. When do we need to create
the References page?
ANSWER
 The References page is a work-in-progress.
 Recommend:
 Starting your References page when you begin your
research.
 Continue to add and subtract from your works cited
page while writing the document
 Then finish it and format the list of sources as you
finish your paper.

12. Recommendation
 When creating your References page,
why not create your citations at the same
time?
 Create a working list of citations.
 So when you take a quote or a paraphrase
from your resource, you have the citation
readily available and you don’t forget to
include it.

13. Where is the References
page located?
QUESTION
 Help! I know I need a References page… but
where do I put this?

14. Where is the References
page located?
ANSWER
 The References page is placed on the
final page of your document.
 Your References page must be double-
spaced and indented, so it may run for
several pages.
 In any case, it should appear on the last
pages of your paper.

15. How do we cite sources?
 BOOKS: Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial.
(Year of Publication). Title of book: Subtitle of book.
edition. Place of Publication: Publisher.
 WEBSITES: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of
publication). Title of document. Retrieved from http://
Web address.
 CHAPTERS: Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle
Initial. (Date of Publication). Title of chapter or
article. In Editor #1 First Initial. Middle Initial. Last
Name, & Editor #2 First Initial. Middle Initial. Last
Name (Eds.), Title of book: Subtitle of book (pp.
Pages). Place of Publication: Publisher.

16. REMEMBER…
For every reference listed on your
References page, there will be a
corresponding citation within your document.
Parenthetical Citation Works Cited Page
…and we will get to parenthetical
(in-text) citations soon!

17. Post questions as needed to
the discussion area or email Dr. Lori.
Let’s learn from each other!