Do citations go before or after the period? This is a common question among students and writers who are new to academic writing. Understanding the correct placement of citations is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your work and adhering to the guidelines of various citation styles. In this article, we will explore the rules and best practices for citing sources in your writing.
Citations play a vital role in academic writing, as they provide evidence to support your arguments and acknowledge the work of others. The placement of citations can vary depending on the citation style you are using, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard. In this article, we will focus on the most common styles and their guidelines for citing sources.
APA Style
In APA style, citations typically go after the period. For example, if you are citing a book, you would write the author’s last name, followed by the publication year, and then the citation. The format would look like this: (Smith, 2020). If you are citing a source within a sentence, the citation should come after the period, as in this example: “According to Smith (2020), the impact of climate change is evident in rising sea levels.” This rule applies to all types of sources, including books, journal articles, and websites.
MLA Style
In MLA style, citations also go after the period. The format for in-text citations is similar to APA, with the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses. For example: (Smith 2020). If you are citing a source within a sentence, the citation should come after the period, as in this example: “The impact of climate change is evident in rising sea levels (Smith 2020).” MLA style requires a Works Cited page at the end of your paper, where you list all the sources you cited in your writing.
Chicago Style
Chicago style has two sub-styles: Author-Date and Notes-Bibliography. In the Author-Date system, citations go after the period, similar to APA and MLA. For example: (Smith 2020). If you are citing a source within a sentence, the citation should come after the period, as in this example: “The impact of climate change is evident in rising sea levels (Smith 2020).” In the Notes-Bibliography system, footnotes or endnotes are used to cite sources, and the citation format is different from the Author-Date system.
Harvard Style
Harvard style is another citation style where citations go after the period. The format for in-text citations is similar to APA and MLA, with the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses. For example: (Smith 2020). If you are citing a source within a sentence, the citation should come after the period, as in this example: “The impact of climate change is evident in rising sea levels (Smith 2020).” Like APA and MLA, Harvard style requires a reference list at the end of your paper, where you list all the sources you cited.
In conclusion, the placement of citations in academic writing depends on the citation style you are using. In APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard styles, citations typically go after the period. It is essential to follow the guidelines of the specific style you are using to ensure the accuracy and integrity of your work.
