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
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"
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
Step 3. Write the words "In Wikipedia"
Italicize the word Wikipedia. Add a point.
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"
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
Step 1. Start with the title of the Wikipedia entry
Put the title in quotes. Add a period before the closing quotes.
Step 2. Write the source, Wikipedia
Italicize the font. End with a period.
Step 3. Add the organization that publishes Wikipedia, ie the Wikimedia Foundation
Include a comma after the organization.
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."
Step 5. Write the means of communication
In this case, write "Web". End with a period.
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
Step 1. Begin the quote with the title of the Wikipedia entry
Do not use quotation marks or italics. End with a period.
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.
Step 3. Add the URL
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.
