Including all sources on the "cited works" page at the end of your book or paper helps the reader find confirmation of the validity of your research. They may ask you to cite sources using the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), or Chicago style. Before resorting to Wikipedia for your research, make sure your professor or editor accepts that site as a source. Find out how to cite Wikipedia.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Quote in the APA Style
![Cite Wikipedia Step 1 Cite Wikipedia Step 1](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-17-j.webp)
Step 1. Start with the title of the Wikipedia entry
Don't put it in quotes. After the title put a period.
For example, if you are referring to an article about watermelon, you could write the word "Watermelon"
![Cite Wikipedia Step 2 Cite Wikipedia Step 2](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-18-j.webp)
Step 2. Add the date if available
This should be in month, day, comma and year format.
For most Wikipedia entries it will not be possible to include the date of publication, as they are changed regularly. Write "n.d." after the title
![Cite Wikipedia Step 3 Cite Wikipedia Step 3](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-19-j.webp)
Step 3. Write the words "In Wikipedia"
Italicize the word Wikipedia. Add a point.
![Cite Wikipedia Step 4 Cite Wikipedia Step 4](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-20-j.webp)
Step 4. Continue with the consultation date
Use the words "Consulted in" followed by the month, day and year. Add a comma after the date.
For example, "Accessed January 30, 2012"
![Cite Wikipedia Step 5 Cite Wikipedia Step 5](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-21-j.webp)
Step 5. Finish with the URL
Type "from" and then the URL of this Wikipedia entry.
For example, your voice might look like this: Watermelon. n.d. In Wikipedia. Accessed on February 4, 2013, from [1]
Method 2 of 3: Cite Wikipedia in the MLA Style
![Cite Wikipedia Step 6 Cite Wikipedia Step 6](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-22-j.webp)
Step 1. Start with the title of the Wikipedia entry
Put the title in quotes. Add a period before the closing quotes.
![Cite Wikipedia Step 7 Cite Wikipedia Step 7](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-23-j.webp)
Step 2. Write the source, Wikipedia
Italicize the font. End with a period.
![Cite Wikipedia Step 8 Cite Wikipedia Step 8](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-24-j.webp)
Step 3. Add the organization that publishes Wikipedia, ie the Wikimedia Foundation
Include a comma after the organization.
![Cite Wikipedia Step 9 Cite Wikipedia Step 9](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-25-j.webp)
Step 4. Write the publication date, if you can find it
The format will be day, abbreviated month and year. Add a point.
For example, the publication date might be written as "4 Feb. 2013." If there is no date write "n.d."
![Cite Wikipedia Step 10 Cite Wikipedia Step 10](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-26-j.webp)
Step 5. Write the means of communication
In this case, write "Web". End with a period.
![Cite Wikipedia Step 11 Cite Wikipedia Step 11](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-27-j.webp)
Step 6. End your entry with the date you viewed the information
Write the date in the same format as the previous one, with a period at the end.
For example, your voice might look like this: "Watermelon." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Feb. 2013. Web. 4 Feb. 2013."
Method 3 of 3: Cite Wikipedia in the Chicago Style
![Cite Wikipedia Step 12 Cite Wikipedia Step 12](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-28-j.webp)
Step 1. Begin the quote with the title of the Wikipedia entry
Do not use quotation marks or italics. End with a period.
![Cite Wikipedia Step 13 Cite Wikipedia Step 13](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-29-j.webp)
Step 2. Add the publication date, followed by a period
Use only the year if available. Use "n.d." if no year of publication is available.
![Cite Wikipedia Step 14 Cite Wikipedia Step 14](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-30-j.webp)
Step 3. Add the URL
![Cite Wikipedia Step 15 Cite Wikipedia Step 15](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3414-31-j.webp)
Step 4. End with the date you viewed the entry, written in parentheses
Use the format "(consulted in month, day, year)". Put a period at the end.