How to Reference a Website
In an essay or research paper, a list of references is needed. The two most used formats are MLA and APA. MLA style lists the references on a separate page at the end of a paper, called the "Works Cited" page. APA requires a reference list at the end the paper. Both need in-text citations as well.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
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APA
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1
Enter the author of the website or the last name and first initial of the website article author. Place a period after the first name initial.
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2
Enter the date of publication in parentheses. Write the year, then insert a comma, followed by the date. Place a period after the closing parentheses.
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3
Type the name of the article in italics with a period after.
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4
Include the date you viewed the article. Start it with "Retrieved [insert date: month day, year]" and follow the date with a comma.
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5
Type the title of the website as such: "from [insert name of website] website" followed by a colon.
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6
Finish the reference with the website link to the article. Include the "http://" first. The end result should look like this:
Epsicokhan, J. (2004, February 20). Confessions of a closet trekkie. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from Jammer's Reviews website: http://www.jammersreviews.com/articles/confessions.php
MLA
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7
Enter the last name and first name of the author of the web article. Place a period after the name.
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8
Enter the title of the article with quotations around it. End it with a period within the quotations.
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9
Type the title of the website in italics. End this with a period as well.
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10
Enter the date you viewed the website by day, abbreviated month and year format. End it with a period.
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11
Enter the URL of the web page you are referencing within "<" and "<" marks. Follow it with a period. The end result should look like this:
Epsicokhan, Jamahl. "Confessions of a Closet Trekkie." Jammer's Reviews. 15 Mar. 2010. <http://www.jammersreviews.com/articles/confessions.php>.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Each line after the first line must be indented five spaces for both MLA and APA format.
If the referenced site does not include an author, start the reference with the title of article.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pencils image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com
