Citing Sources
There are many different styles for a resource list or bibliography. Ask your teacher what style they prefer, BUT regardless of the style you MUST cite your resources.
General Rules
v The purpose of a resource list is to include sufficient details to allow the reader to easily locate or retrieve the source.
v Sources are placed in alphabetical order by author’s last name, or by title if the author is unknown.
v If there are a number of sources, students may divide them into types: print, Internet, video.
v The most essential elements of citing a source are: author, title, date. Each element is separated by punctuation (usually a comma or a period).
v The publication date is generally placed at the end. In the author-date style, which appears frequently in history texts, the date is placed in parentheses immediately after the author’s name.
v Book titles, encyclopedia titles, and magazine titles are in italics. In a handwritten resource list, they may be underlined.
v All direct quotations must be indicated as such by citing the reference directly in the text. This may be done by a footnote or a parenthetical reference (I would like you to cite it in parenthesis. When citing a source directly in a piece of work, the essential elements are the author’s name and date, or the website URL <exact website>, and date consulted Students should also indicate the page number of the quotation if it is from a book or another longer published work.
For example
(B. Smith, 2001) or <http://www.metisresourcecentre.mb.ca/> (4 April 2003 ).
Recommendations
v Record the reference details right away; this avoids having to find the source again later on.
v In some cases, all the necessary details are difficult to find or absent (e.g., websites, printed brochures). In this case, students should include all the details that will help in retrieving the source.
v Avoid errors by always using the cut-and-paste feature to reproduce a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or Internet address. Students should also note the date they consulted the source, as sites are updated or change frequently. In the case of a very long URL, students should include the home address and specify the links they clicked or the search word they used to reach that page. (page 1 of 2)
Citing Sources
The following examples are included as suggestions only. Emphasize uniformity and simplicity in resource or reference lists.
Book
Example:
Douglas and McIntyre, 2000.
CD-ROM
“Topic,” Title in italics [CD-ROM], publisher, date.
Note: Place the author at the beginning if indicated in the CD-ROM.
Example:
“Louis Riel,”The Manitoba Legislative Building Manitoba
Website
Include the exact page title, the name of the website (the date posted or last update at bottom of web page), and the date retrieved, followed by the URL.
Example:
“Manitoba Canada
November 2003: <http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/confederation/kids/h2-1375-e.html>
Newspaper Article
Example:
Elliott, L. “Native leaders eyed for key cabinet post,” Winnipeg Free Press,
Video
Example:
TV Show
Example:
Fifth Estate, CBC , 15 April 2004 .
Personal Interview:
Include name, background, and interview date.
Example:
Smith, John Joseph. World War II veteran, personal interview, 10 November 2003 .
