Style Manual & Writing Guides

Style Manuals & Writing Guides

What is a Style Manual?
A handbook or guide that illustrates the accepted format
for citing your references in term papers, theses, articles, etc.

Free software for
viewing PDF Files


AAA (American Anthropological Association) Style

On the web: AAA Style Guide
Note: AAA (American Anthropological Association) format uses The Chicago Manual of Style and Webster's Tenth New Collegiate Dictionary. Where no rule is present on this list, follow Chicago.

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

In the library:
The APA Publication Manual is available at the Reference Desk under this call number: BF 76.7 .P83
The APA Style Guide to Electronic References is available at the Reference Desk under this call number: BF 76.7 A63

On the web:
Social Sciences: Documenting Sources - by Diana Hacker
APA Formatting and Style Guide - from the OWL at Purdue University
Annotated Bibliographies in APA, MLA, & CMS - from the OWL at Purdue University Electronic References - official APA page covers commonly asked questions regarding how to cite electronic media. Research Style Crib Sheet - concise guide includes examples of print and electronic sources. ONLINE! A Reference Guide to Using Internet Sources - citing internet sources in APA

ASA (American Sociological Association) Style

In the library:
The ASA Style Guide (4th edition) is available at the Reference Desk under this call number: HM 73.A547 2010

On the web:
Formatting in Sociology (ASA Style) - from the OWL at Purdue University

Printable guide:   PDF
This University Library Guide is intended for authors who wish to publish articles in the American Sociological Association format. If you have trouble printing it, you can ask for a copy at the reference desk.

CSE (Council of Science Editors) Style
Formerly CBE (Council of Biology Editors)

In the library:
Scientific Style and Format (6th edition) is available at the Reference Desk under this call number: T 11 .S386 1994.

On the web:
Sciences: Documenting Sources - by Diana Hacker

CBE Citation Guide (PDF Format) - from Ohio State University

Guidelines (PDF Format) - from the National Library of Medicine
ONLINE! A Reference Guide to Using Internet Sources - citing internet sources in CBE

Chicago Manual of Style

In the library:
The Chicago Manual of Style (15th edition) is available at the Reference Desk under this call number: Z 253 .U69

On the web:
Chicago Style Citation Quick Guide
Annotated Bibliographies in APA, MLA, & CMS - from the OWL at Purdue University
Printable guide:
Documentary-Note Style -- Used in Literature, History, and the Arts MS Word   or PDF
Author-Date System -- Used in Physical, Natural, and Social Sciences MS Word   or PDF

This University Library Guide follows The Chicago Manual of Style 15th ed. If you have trouble printing it, you can ask for a copy at the reference desk.

MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

In the library:
The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition) is available at the Reference Desk under this call number: LB 2369 G53 2009

On the web:
Humanities: Documenting Sources - by Diana Hacker
MLA Formatting and Style Guide - from The OWL at Purdue University
Frequently Asked Questions about MLA Style - This is published and kept current on the Internet by the Modern Language Association of America.
Annotated Bibliographies in APA, MLA, & CMS - from the OWL at Purdue University
MLA-Style Bibliography Builder - An online tool that helps you format your citations for a "works cited" page
MLA Bibliography Generator - free software that allows you to quickly and effortlessly format your documents' works cited lists in accordance with the latest MLA or APA style guidelines.

Printable guide: MS Word or PDF
This University Library Guide is based on the 7th edition of the the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. This guide follows MLA's official guidelines for electronic formats and includes very useful examples from our Library's collection of online databases. If you have trouble printing it, you can ask for a copy at the reference desk.

Turabian Style

In the library: The Turabian Manual is available at the Reference Desk under this call number: LB 2369 .T8

Writing Guides

Cal State L.A. University Writing Center

Paradigm Online Writing Assistant - Paradigm is an extensive online writer's guide and handbook. It is intended to be useful for all writers, from inexperienced to advanced.

The Write Place This is an extraordinary web site for information and help with the type of special academic writing required of you in a university setting. There are hundreds of outstanding online guides on all aspects of writing.