How to Cite an Article in an Essay: 5 Types Examples & Tools

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Write by  Emily Watson
2025-02-28 18:01:47 • 7 min read

Throughout your studies, you will need to acquire the skill of citing articles in your essays. Quoting your sources provides credit where it’s due, and bolsters your own case. 

This guide explains how to cite an article in an essay, in simple terms and with practical examples.

What is a Cited Article?

A cited article is a source you've referenced in your essay to support your argument or provide information. It acts as proof that your facts and statements are backed by credible research. 

Citing articles accurately is crucial as it allows others to verify your sources and demonstrates your integrity as a scholar. 

Now that you know what a cited article is, let's explore the different citation formats you might encounter.

Types of Citation Formats and Their Applications

Different citation styles are used in various disciplines, each with unique rules for in-text citations and reference lists. 

Below is an introduction to major citation formats, their characteristics, subject areas, and how to apply them correctly.

1. APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Characteristics:

  • Used in social sciences, psychology, education, and business.

  • Emphasizes author and year in in-text citations.

  • Reference list entries are arranged alphabetically by author’s last name.

Example of in-text citation:

  • Short Quotation: “The study found that cognitive therapies are effective” (Smith, 2020, p. 25).

  • Long Quotation: 

Smith (2020) stated:
“Cognitive therapies have consistently shown positive outcomes across various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders. These therapies focus on altering dysfunctional thinking patterns, which leads to significant emotional and behavioral changes. (p. 25)”

  • Summary or Paraphrase: Studies indicate that cognitive therapies are highly effective for mental health conditions (Smith, 2020).

Reference List Format Example:

  • Book: Smith, J. (2020). The psychology of learning. Oxford University Press.

  • Journal Article: Brown, T. (2018). The impact of social media on education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 45(2), 150-165. https://doi.org/xxxx

2. MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

Characteristics:

  • Common in humanities, literature, and cultural studies.

  • Uses author-page format for in-text citations.

  • Reference list is called “Works Cited” and does not include DOIs.

Example of in-text citation:

  • Short Quotation: “Cognitive therapies are crucial in treating depression” (Smith 25).

  • Long Quotation: 

Smith explains:
“Cognitive therapies have proven fundamental in addressing depression and anxiety. They offer a framework that helps individuals challenge and change unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors. (25)”

  • Summary or Paraphrase: Cognitive therapies play a significant role in mental health treatment by addressing maladaptive thoughts (Smith 25).

Works Cited Format Example:

  • Book: Smith, John. The Art of Literature. Penguin, 2020.

  • Journal Article: Brown, Thomas. “The Influence of Shakespeare in Modern Theater.” Literary Studies, vol. 45, no. 2, 2018, pp. 150-165.

3. Chicago Style (Notes and Bibliography & Author-Date)

Characteristics:

  • Used in history, arts, and some social sciences.

  • Has two citation systems:

    1. Notes and Bibliography (NB): Uses footnotes or endnotes.

    2. Author-Date: Similar to APA, uses in-text citations with year.

Example of in-text citation (Author-Date):

  • Short Quotation (Author-Date): “Cognitive therapies yield positive outcomes” (Smith 2020, 25).

  • Long Quotation (Author-Date): 

According to Smith:
“Cognitive therapies effectively address various mental health challenges by promoting changes in thought patterns. These therapies have demonstrated efficacy in clinical settings, particularly for disorders such as anxiety and depression. (2020, 25)”

  • Summary or Paraphrase (Author-Date): Research highlights the effectiveness of cognitive therapies in mental health treatment (Smith 2020, 25).

Example of in-text citation (Notes & Bibliography – Footnote):

  • Short Quotation (Notes & Bibliography): “Cognitive therapies yield positive outcomes.”¹

  • Long Quotation (Notes & Bibliography): 

According to Smith:
“Cognitive therapies effectively address a range of mental health challenges by altering thought patterns, leading to significant clinical improvements.¹”

  • Summary or Paraphrase (Notes & Bibliography): Research underscores the effectiveness of cognitive therapies in improving mental health.¹

Bibliography Format Example:

  • Book: Smith, John. The History of War. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020.

  • Journal Article: Brown, Thomas. “The Evolution of Warfare Strategies.” Historical Review 45, no. 2 (2018): 150-165.

4. Harvard Referencing Style

Characteristics:

  • Used in business, economics, and some sciences.

  • Author-date system similar to APA but differs in punctuation and format.

Example of in-text citation:

  • Short Quotation: “Cognitive therapies offer significant benefits” (Smith, 2020, p. 25).

  • Long Quotation: 

Smith (2020) asserts:
“Cognitive therapies are pivotal in treating complex mental health disorders. By focusing on altering core cognitive distortions, these therapies provide a comprehensive approach to mental wellness. (p. 25)”

  • Summary or Paraphrase: Cognitive therapies contribute significantly to mental health treatment by addressing cognitive distortions (Smith, 2020).

Reference List Format Example:

  • Book: Smith, J. (2020) Economic Growth and Development. Oxford University Press.

  • Journal Article: Brown, T. (2018) ‘The role of digital marketing in e-commerce’, Business Research Journal, 45(2), pp. 150-165.

5. IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Style

Characteristics:

  • Used in engineering, computer science, and technology fields.

  • Uses numbered in-text citations.

  • Reference list is numbered in the order of appearance.

Example of in-text citation:

  • Short Quotation: “Cognitive therapies prove beneficial” [1, p. 25].

  • Long Quotation: 

As noted by Smith:
“Cognitive therapies effectively transform negative thought patterns, which is crucial for mental health improvement. They are integral to contemporary psychological practices. [1, p. 25]”

  • Summary or Paraphrase: Cognitive therapies are shown to be effective in treating various mental health issues [1].

Reference List Format Example:

  • Book: [1] J. Smith, Artificial Intelligence in Modern Technology, 2nd ed. New York: Springer, 2020.

  • Journal Article: [2] T. Brown, “Machine learning in cybersecurity,” IEEE Transactions on Cybersecurity, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 150-165, 2018.

Commonly Used Citation Management Tools

Citation management tools help researchers and students organize references, generate citations, and format bibliographies automatically. These tools streamline the citation process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. 

Below are some of the most commonly used citation management tools, along with their key features and usage.

1. Zotero

Overview:

  • Free and open-source tool.

  • Supports multiple citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE, etc.).

  • Allows users to collect references from websites, PDFs, and academic databases.

  • Works with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice.

How to Use Zotero:

  1. Install Zotero: Download and install Zotero from www.zotero.org.

  2. Add References:

    1. Use the browser extension to save citations from web pages.

    2. Manually add sources or import citations from databases in BibTeX, RIS, or EndNote formats.

  3. Organize References:

    1. Create folders and tags to categorize sources.

  4. Generate Citations:

    1. Use the Zotero plugin in Word or Google Docs to insert citations and automatically format the bibliography.

  5. Export References:

    1. Export references in various formats for different citation styles.

2. Mendeley

Overview:

  • Free tool with premium options.

  • Excellent for managing PDFs and annotating research papers.

  • Compatible with multiple citation styles.

  • Works with Word and LaTeX.

How to Use Mendeley:

  1. Install Mendeley: Download from www.mendeley.com.

  2. Add References:

    1. Drag and drop PDFs into Mendeley to extract metadata automatically.

    2. Import references from research databases.

  3. Organize References:

    1. Use folders and tags for classification.

  4. Generate Citations:

    1. Use the Mendeley plugin in Word to insert citations and create bibliographies.

  5. Collaborate with Others:

    1. Share references with teams and create group libraries.

3. EndNote

Overview:

  • Paid software with advanced citation management features.

  • Supports thousands of citation styles.

  • Ideal for researchers working on long-term projects.

How to Use EndNote:

  1. Install EndNote: Download from www.endnote.com.

  2. Import References:

    1. Add sources manually, import from databases, or use the EndNote web clipper.

  3. Organize References:

    1. Create libraries and use smart groups to manage citations.

  4. Generate Citations:

    1. Use EndNote with Word to insert citations and format bibliographies.

  5. Sync Across Devices:

    1. Use EndNote online to access references from multiple devices.

4. Citavi

Overview:

  • Popular in Europe, particularly in Germany.

  • Combines reference management with task planning.

  • Supports citation in Word and LaTeX.

How to Use Citavi:

  1. Download Citavi: Install from www.citavi.com.

  2. Add References:

    1. Import from databases, add manually, or scan ISBNs.

  3. Organize and Annotate:

    1. Assign categories and annotate PDFs.

  4. Generate Citations:

    1. Use the Citavi plugin in Word to insert references and format citations.

  5. Manage Research Tasks:

    1. Track tasks, deadlines, and related notes.

5. RefWorks

Overview:

  • Web-based tool for managing citations.

  • Commonly used by universities and institutions.

  • Allows collaboration on shared projects.

How to Use RefWorks:

  1. Sign Up for an Account: Register at www.refworks.com.

  2. Import References:

    1. Import from databases, manually add, or upload PDFs.

  3. Organize References:

    1. Use folders and projects to group citations.

  4. Generate Citations:

    1. Use the RefWorks plugin for Word or Google Docs.

  5. Export Bibliographies:

    1. Export in different citation styles.

Things to Note When Citing Articles

Here are key things to keep in mind when citing articles in different citation styles.

1. Accuracy in Citation Details

  • Always include correct author names, publication year, article title, journal title, volume, issue number, and page numbers.

  • Ensure that DOI or URLs are correct and functional (if required).

Example (APA Style):

Correct:
Brown, T. (2018). The impact of social media on education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 45(2), 150-165. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Incorrect:
 Brown, T. (2018). The impact of social media on education. Journal of Educational Psychology.

2. Consistency in Citation Style

  • Use the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE, etc.) consistently throughout the paper.

  • Follow specific formatting rules, such as italicizing journal titles (APA, Chicago) or using quotation marks (MLA).

Example (MLA Style):

Brown, Thomas. “The Influence of Shakespeare in Modern Theater.” Literary Studies, vol. 45, no. 2, 2018, pp. 150-165.

3. In-Text Citations Must Match the Reference List

  • Every in-text citation should correspond to a full reference in the bibliography or reference list.

  • Ensure that author names and publication years are the same in both in-text citations and references.

Example (APA In-Text Citation & Reference List Match):

In-text citation: (Brown, 2018)
Reference list: Brown, T. (2018). The impact of social media on education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 45(2), 150-165.

4. Handling Multiple Authors Correctly

  • Follow the correct format for citing multiple authors based on the citation style.

  • APA: Use “&” in references but “and” in in-text citations.

  • MLA: List all authors for up to three; use “et al.” for more than three.

  • IEEE: List all names if fewer than six; use “et al.” for six or more.

Example (APA Style for Multiple Authors):

In-text: (Smith & Jones, 2020)
Reference: Smith, J., & Jones, R. (2020). Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. Springer.

5. Secondary Citations (Citing a Source Within a Source)

  • Whenever possible, cite the original source instead of relying on a secondary citation.

  • If the original source is unavailable, indicate that it was cited in another work.

Example (APA Style for Secondary Citations):

Smith (as cited in Brown, 2020) argues that...

By following these guidelines, you can ensure accuracy, credibility, and proper attribution in your citations.

FAQs

1. How do you cite an article source in an essay?

Using the required format, include the author's name, publication year, and page number in-text and provide full details in the reference list.

2. How do you cite an article name in an essay?

Article titles are usually placed in quotation marks and are part of the reference list, with variances depending on the citation style.

3. How do you mention articles in an essay?

Introduce articles by discussing their relevance or the point they support, then back up your claims with proper citations.

4. Do summaries need to be cited?

Yes, even when summarizing, you must cite the original source to acknowledge the original author.

5. What is the difference between citation and reference?

A citation appears within the text and directs the reader to your reference list, which provides the full source details.

Finally, let's wrap up with some concluding thoughts.

Conclusion

Learning how to cite an article in an essay is an invaluable skill for any college student. It ensures academic integrity, enhances the credibility of your work, and respects the intellectual property of others. With practice, citation formats will become second nature, enabling you to focus on your research and writing efforts.

Remember, citation might seem tricky at first, but with the right approach and tools, you'll handle it like a pro. Happy writing!