How to Cite: Basic Elements and Common Styles
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How to Cite: Basic Elements and Common Styles [PDF]Downloadable PDF version of the slide deck above.
Style Guides
Consult an official guide for the style you are using to write your paper. There is no HKS school-wide policy that mandates a certain citation style for student papers, so if you are unsure, we recommend checking with the individual faculty member who assigned your paper to determine if they have a required or preferred citation style.
The Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style is a popular citation style for the social sciences.
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The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. (print)Call Number: HKS Library - Ref Z253 .U69 2017Publication Date: 2017
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Chicago Manual of Style Online (Harvard Login)This includes the fully searchable online versions of the 17th (current) and 16th (previous) editions of the Chicago Manual of Style as well as Q & A section, online tools, and a Chicago Style Citation Quick Guide.
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Chicago Style Guide from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL)This site provides information on the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) method of document formatting and citation. It also provides sample papers using both the CMS Notes and Bibliography style and the CMS author-date style.
APA (American Psychological Association) Style
The American Psychological Association style, referred to as APA, is also used in the social sciences.
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Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed. (print)Call Number: HKS Library - Ref BF76.7 .P83 2020ISBN: 9781433832178Publication Date: 2019 -
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (print)Call Number: HKS Library - Ref BF76.7 .P83 2010Publication Date: 2010
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APA Style (official site)Helpful companion website that primarily covers the basics but also includes the APA Style Blog, which addresses tricky cases, new item types, and general writing tips from experts affiliated with the APA Manual.
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APA Style Guide from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL)This website provides a quick introduction to the basic principles of APA style, with ample examples.
AP Stylebook
The Communications Program at HKS recommends AP Style for non-academic writing such as blog posts, op-eds and news stories.-
The Associated Press Stylebook Online (HKS Login)Access for HKS affiliates only. You must be within an HKS-associated IP range, e.g., on VPN.
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The Associated Press Stylebook 2020-2022 (Print Only)Call Number: HKS Library - Ref PN4783 .A83 2020 -
The Associated Press Stylebook 2018 (Print Only)Call Number: HKS Library - Ref PN4783. A83 2018Publication Date: 2018 -
The Associated Press Stylebook 2015 (Harvard Login)Publication Date: 2015
Citation Tools
Many resources like HOLLIS and article databases will offer you citation information for individual articles and books, formatted according to various citation styles. When using this functionality, please remember to check these citations for accuracy before including them in your work.
Instead of relying on these static—and potentially faulty—citations, however, we recommend that you use citation management software that can help you automate the process of keeping your citations up to date, even if you need to make changes. At HKS, the recommended citation management tool is Zotero.
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Getting Started with Zotero
Harvard Library's guide to this free, easy-to-use tool that will help you collect, organize, and cite your sources regardless of the style you choose. Since Zotero is free, anyone with an internet connection can download the program and collaborate with you.
Writing Resouces
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HKS Communications ProgramThe HKS Communication Program offers a wide range of workshops on writing, presentations, and digital skills, as well as one-on-one sessions with writing consultants.
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Academic Resource Center at Harvard UniversityOpen to HKS students, the ARC offers academic coaching, workshops, as well as ESL consultations.
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Harvard Guide to Using SourcesUseful site from the Harvard College Writing Program, with tips on writing with sources, avoiding plagiarism, and using and citing other people's research.
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Finding Your Voice: Understanding Academic Integrity and Graduate Writing at HarvardOnline resource from Harvard Library specifically designed for the kinds of writing that graduate and professional students do most often.
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Policy Memo ResourceSite with helpful suggestions on how to write persuasive policy memos, with many examples, from the HKS Communications Program.
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Online Writing Lab (OWL)Website from the Writing Lab at Purdue University with helpful information on various citation styles, recommendations on writing techniques, etc.
Last but not least, your friendly librarians at HKS Library & Knowledge Services [KNet access] are happy to help you find and work with the wealth of resources Harvard Library has to offer. (For example, check out our Fast Answer on recommended library resources to start a literature review.) LKS is also the go-to support for Zotero at HKS.