In academic writing, particularly research writing, we give credit to our information sources, so we are not committing plagiarism. The process of giving credit is called source citation or source referencing. It includes a reference to each source at the location it was used within the paper and a list of all the sources used located at the end of the paper.

 

Source citation and formatting is required for many writing assignments here at NWHS including the Graduation Project research paper. This paper, and most others assigned by our English teachers, requires the use of MLA style for source citation and formatting. MLA style is a set of rules for research writing established and maintained by the Modern Language Association of America. 

 

Many of our CCP students have also been asked to complete research papers in their Wilkes Community College courses. Most of these assignments require the use of APA style. Rules for this style were created by the American Psychological Association. 

 

There are a few other styles out there, but MLA and APA are the most used here at NWHS.