SPA 321: Faces of Spain: Citing Your Sources

Gustavus Library Resources:

• Building Citations Worksheet - use this sheet to help you identify key pieces of information you'll need to build citations in any style. You can also refer to Source Types from the Doing Research guide.
• MLA Cheat Sheet (PDF)

• Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL) (9th ed.)
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) (9th ed.) 
• Sample MLA paper (Purdue OWL) (9th ed.)
• How do I cite generative AI in MLA style? - from MLA Style Center

Google Scholar has a useful feature: If you plug in the author and title of a book or article, it links you to newer publications that have cited it. This is a cool way to see how influential a particular work has been and to see how others have drawn on it. 

One of the most powerful ways to find valuable sources and assess their signifcance is to follow the breadcrumb trail left by scholars in their published work. When researchers cite sources, they are bolstering their argument by providing evidence, but also pointing readers to places they can go for more information. Take them up on it!

In addition to references in books and articles, the bibliographies found in specialized reference works will point you to the most significant research on a topic, an efficient shortcut to the best stuff.

Once you see a reference that looks good, how do you get your hands on it? Here's a quick checklist.

• Is the reference to a book? Search the title of the book in the library catalog.
• Is the reference to a chapter or essay in a book? Check the book title in the library catalog (not the title of the essay).
• Is the reference to a journal article? Search for the title of the journal in the Journals List (not the title of the article).
• Did you strike out? Request it through Interlibrary Loan.
• Not sure what it is? Ask at the reference desk.

24/7 Chat: When Gustavus librarians are not available, librarians from other institutions will be available to help you 24/7.

Research Help Appointments: Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Gustavus librarian; both in person and virtual appointments are available.

Research Next Steps Program:  Fill out this form at any point in your research; a librarian will respond with suggestions and tips within two business days.

E-mail: folke@gustavus.edu (please include your name, the best way to contact you, and a brief description of your research needs)