Source Type Guides
45 source types across 7 categories
Different types of sources require different citation formats. Learn how to properly cite each source type, no matter which citation style you're using.
Common
5 source types
Website
Web pages, online articles, and digital content.
Book
Print and digital books, e-books, and textbooks.
Journal Article
Academic journals, peer-reviewed articles, and research papers.
Newspaper Article
Print and online newspaper articles.
Book Chapter
Individual chapters from edited books or collections.
Academic
7 source types
Thesis/Dissertation
Dissertations, theses, and academic research papers.
Report
Technical reports, white papers, and organizational documents.
Conference Paper
Papers presented at academic conferences and symposiums.
Manuscript
Unpublished manuscripts, letters, and archival materials.
Review
Reviews of books, articles, or other works in journals.
Book Review
Book reviews published in newspapers or magazines.
Classic Work
Classical works, ancient texts, and historical writings.
Media
11 source types
Video
YouTube videos, films, documentaries, and online video content.
Podcast/Broadcast
Podcast episodes, radio shows, and broadcast media.
Magazine Article
Magazine articles and popular periodicals.
Interview
Recorded or published interviews with individuals.
Speech
Speeches, lectures, addresses, and oral presentations.
Song
Songs, tracks, and recorded musical works.
Musical Score
Sheet music, musical compositions, and scores.
Graphic
Artwork, illustrations, and visual graphics.
Figure
Charts, diagrams, graphs, and scientific figures.
Map
Maps, atlases, and cartographic materials.
Performance
Live performances, concerts, plays, and theatrical productions.
Legal
8 source types
Patent
Inventions, intellectual property, and patent filings.
Legal Case
Court decisions, case law, and judicial opinions.
Legislation
Acts, statutes, laws, and legislative codes.
Bill
Proposed legislation and congressional bills.
Regulation
Agency rules, administrative law, and regulatory codes.
Hearing
Congressional hearings and committee proceedings.
Standard
Technical standards from ISO, IEEE, and standards bodies.
Treaty
International agreements, conventions, and treaties.
Reference
5 source types
Reference Entry
Entries from encyclopedias or reference works.
Dictionary Entry
Dictionary entries and word definitions.
Encyclopedia Entry
Encyclopedia articles and reference entries.
Periodical
Periodicals, journals, and serial publications as a whole.
Collection
Edited collections, anthologies, and compilations.
Digital
4 source types
Other
5 source types
Event
Conferences, exhibitions, and organized events.
Pamphlet
Brochures, pamphlets, and leaflets.
Article
General articles not fitting specific article subtypes.
Document
General documents, memos, and official records.
Personal Communication
Emails, letters, phone calls, and private correspondence.
Citation Tips by Source Type
- Websites: Always include the access date, as web content can change
- Books: Include the edition number if it's not the first edition
- Journals: Include the DOI when available - it's the most reliable link
- Videos: Note the timestamp if citing a specific part