Citation Guide for Grades 5 & 6
1. Author: The creator of the item. There can be more than one author for an item. On some websites, like online encyclopedias, an item may not have an author.
2. Title: The name of the source or item.
If you create a picture, give it a name. Make sure the title describes the picture.
(Example: You take a photograph of the Parthenon in Nashville. A title that makes sense would be “Parthenon in Nashville”. A title that does NOT make sense would be “My Awesome Vacation!!!”.)
If you did not create the item and there is no title, call it Untitled.
3. Source Type: A source can be a website, book, photograph, video, newspaper, magazine, letter, interview, song, or artwork.
4. Date: The year that the source was created, copyrighted, or last updated.
- On a website, look for the date at the bottom of the page or on the "About Us" page.
- In a book, look for the date on the back of the title page.
- If you can't find the date, leave it blank.
Correct format for citation
Author (if given), Title, source type, date.
*The title should be italicized. If you handwrite the citation, underline the Title instead.
How to Cite a Book
Author, Title, Source Type, Date.
Example: Robert E. Corlew, Tennessee: The Volunteer State, Book, 2008.
How to Cite a Website
Title, Source Type, Date.
Example: Tennessee History for Kids, Website, 2013.
How to Cite a Photograph from a Website
Photographer's Name OR Name of Website, Photograph Title, Source Type, Date Created or Retrieved.
Example: Image Quest, Skyscraper, Photograph, 2013.
How to Cite a Personal Photograph
Photographer, Image Title, Source Type.
Example: Melissa Powers, Parthenon in Nashville, Photograph, 2012.
How to Cite Non-photo Image (artwork, clip art, etc.)
Name of Source, Image Title, Source Type, Date Created or Retrieved.
Example: Image Quest, Puppy, Artwork, 2013.
How to Cite an Item without a Title
Author (if known), Untitled, Source Type, Date.
Example: John Doe, Untitled, Painting, 2010.
How to Cite a Video
Title, Film Studio or Distributor, Source Type, Date.
Examples:
TV Show:
Mythbusters, Discovery, Television, 2011.
Feature Film/Movie:
Toy Story, Disney, Film, 1995.
Online Video:
Gangnam Style, YouTube, Video, 2012.