Writing a Paper? Get Started Here.
Sometimes you need to narrow or broaden your topic.
- What is a Research Paper?This link leads you to the OWL at Purdue, an excellent website with information on all aspects of writing a paper.
- How to Read a CitationCan't tell the difference between a citation to a book or an article? Check this page out for tips on how citations work.
- How to Read a Call NumberDo you wonder how to read a call number to find a book on the shelf? Check this page out for tips on how to do it.
Revising Prose by ISBN: 0321441699Date: 2007This book models a clear, step-by-step system for creating straight-forward, concise, intelligible and readable prose.
Turn It In
UCLA has a campuswide license to Turnitin.com. Some professors ask their students to turn their papers in electronically and the text is submitted to Turnitin.com where it is compared with a vast database of other student papers, online articles, general Web pages, and other sources. Turnitin.com then produces a report for the instructor indicating whether the paper was plagiarized and if so, how much. To access this resource, log in to MyUCLA and click on the Turnitin.com link in the left-hand column under "MyUCLA Features." There will only be a link if your professor is using Turnitin.com.
APA Citation Style
For Cluster 80, the preferred citation style is APA (American Psychological Association). Below are links to APA resources.
- APA (American Psychological Association) Via OWL at PurdueUse the examples on this page. You DO NOT need to click the green START button to use the website.
Other Citation Styles
Classes in the Humanities or History may use other citation styles, such as the ones below.
- MLA (Modern Language Association) Via OWL at PurdueUse the examples on this page. You DO NOT need to click the green START button and use the website.
- Chicago Manual of Style via OWL at Purdue.Use the examples on this page. You DO NOT need to click the green START button to use the website.
- Chicago Manual of Style Online This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
The complete 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style.
- Chicago Manual of Style-Quick GuideVia University of Chicago Press.
- Turabian Quick GuideBased on the Chicago Manual of Style.
Citation Style Guides — Print
For a general introduction to academic citation and intellectual property, see Citing Sources.
For more detail, consult the complete printed style manuals, available in many campus libraries:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: The Official Guide to APA Style, 7th ed., 2020.ISBN: 9781433832154Click title above for details, call number, and library location(s)
In addition to providing guidance on grammar, the mechanics of writing, and APA style, this manual offers an authoritative reference and citation system. It also covers the treatment of numbers, statistical and mathematical data, tables, and figures.
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9th ed., 2018, by ISBN: 9780226494425Click title above for details, call number, and library location(s)
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed., 2017, by ISBN: 9780226287058Click title above for details, call number, and library location(s)
Also available online.
MLA Handbook, 9th ed., 2021 by
Print book only at YRL and Powell Libraries, UCLA.
The ninth edition works as both a textbook and a reference guide. Focusing on source evaluation, it features a wealth of visual examples and updated advice on punctuation and grammar, footnotes and endnotes, annotated bibliographies, and paper formatting including: Expanded, in-depth guidance on creating works-cited-list entries using the MLA template of core elements that explains what each core element is, where to find it in various sources, and how to style it. A new, easy-to-follow explanation of in-text citations. A new chapter containing recommendations for using inclusive language. A new appendix with hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries by publication format, including books, databases, websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more. Updated guidelines on avoiding plagiarism.
Call Number: REF LB 3259 M52 2021ISBN: 9781603293518
A Writer's Reference, 9th ed. 2017, by ISBN: 9781319057442Click title above for details, call number, and library location(s)
Avoiding Plagiarism
See the Guide Section on Avoiding Plagiarism for more information.