How to Cite Sources in APA, MLA & Chicago — 2026 Reference Guide

The fastest way to learn citation styles: side-by-side examples for in-text citations, reference lists, and special cases like AI tools and TikTok videos.

Step-by-Step

Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last.

  • Identify your style: Check your rubric: APA for sciences/business, MLA for humanities, Chicago for history.
  • Capture full source data: Author(s), year, title, container, publisher, URL, DOI.
  • Use a citation manager: Zotero (free) or Mendeley auto-formats both in-text and reference entries.
  • Format in-text citations: APA: (Smith, 2024); MLA: (Smith 14); Chicago: footnote with full first cite.
  • Build the reference list: Alphabetize by author last name; hanging indent; double-spaced in APA/MLA.

Citing AI Tools

APA 7 treats ChatGPT as 'OpenAI (2024)' with the chat URL in the reference. MLA 9 lists it under the prompt. Always disclose AI use per your school's policy.

Citing Social Media

TikTok, Instagram, X — cite by handle, full date, post text in quotes (truncated if long), and direct URL.

Step-by-Step

  1. Identify your style: Check your rubric: APA for sciences/business, MLA for humanities, Chicago for history.
  2. Capture full source data: Author(s), year, title, container, publisher, URL, DOI.
  3. Use a citation manager: Zotero (free) or Mendeley auto-formats both in-text and reference entries.
  4. Format in-text citations: APA: (Smith, 2024); MLA: (Smith 14); Chicago: footnote with full first cite.
  5. Build the reference list: Alphabetize by author last name; hanging indent; double-spaced in APA/MLA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between APA 6 and APA 7?

APA 7 dropped publisher locations, changed et al. rules (use after 2 authors), and added DOI/URL formatting changes.

Do I need to cite paraphrased content?

Yes. Any idea not original to you needs a citation, even if you reword it entirely.