How to Do Work Cited on Google Docs
Step 1: Create a New Document or Insert an Existing One
To start citing sources in Google Docs, you need to create a new document or insert an existing one. This is necessary because Google Docs has some limitations when it comes to citations, and citing sources in a new document will allow you to create a more formal citation.
- To create a new document, go to the "Insert" menu and select "New document" or press Ctrl+N (Windows) or Command+N (Mac).
- Alternatively, you can search for "document" in the Google Docs search bar to find a new document.
- Create a new document and give it a title, such as "Works Cited" or "References".
Step 2: Choose a Citation Style
Google Docs has several citation styles, including the Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, and APA. For this example, we will use the MLA citation style.
- To choose a citation style, go to the "Tools" menu and select "Citation style".
- Select the citation style you want to use, such as MLA or APA.
- Google Docs will automatically apply the selected citation style to your document.
Step 3: Add Works Cited Entries
Works Cited entries are the individual entries that cite the sources in your document. You can add Works Cited entries by following these steps:
- To add a new Works Cited entry, go to the "Insert" menu and select "Works Cited".
- Select the citation style you want to use (e.g. MLA or APA).
- Click on the "Add" button.
- You will see a list of sources, including books, articles, websites, and more.
- To add a new source, click on the "Add" button next to the "Add" header.
- You can also use the "Type source" field to add a single source entry, such as a book title and author.
How to Cite Different Types of Sources
- Books:
- Author(s). Title. Publisher. Year. Publication date.
- Example: Smith, J. The History of Art. Random House, 2015. ISBN: 978-0-306-66401-2.
- Articles:
- Author(s). Title. Title of the article. Publication date. Publication place. Publisher. Type.
- Example: Johnson, K. "The Impact of Climate Change." Environmental Science, vol. 15, no. 2, 2018, pp. 12-20.
- Websites:
- Author(s). Title. Publication date. URL.
- Example: Williams, K. The Benefits of Yoga. Mindful Publications, 2020. www.mindfulpublications.com.
- Papers:
- Author(s). Title. Title of the paper. Publication date. Publication place. Publisher. Type.
- Example: Lee, J. "The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health." Journal of Psychology, vol. 15, no. 1, 2019, pp. 15-25.
How to Format Works Cited Entries
Google Docs has a number of formatting options available to help you organize and style your Works Cited entries. Here are a few tips:
- To format a Works Cited entry, select the "Format" button at the top of the entry.
- Select the citation style you want to use.
- Choose the font, size, and color of the entry.
- You can also use the "Font size" button to adjust the font size.
- To insert a citation style, select the "Tools" menu and select "Citation style".
Tips and Tricks
- To format multiple Works Cited entries, select all of them and use the "Format" button at the top of the selection.
- To add a Works Cited entry from a URL, select the "Type source" field and copy and paste the URL into the field.
- To insert a Works Cited entry from a spreadsheet, select the "Insert" menu and select "Works Cited".
- To use the "Custom" option, select the "Tools" menu and select "Citation style" and then "Custom".
Conclusion
Citing sources in Google Docs is a simple process that can help you organize and format your sources. By following these steps and tips, you can create a formal citation for your sources and ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Remember to always use the citation style recommended by your instructor or the publisher of the source, and to format your Works Cited entries according to the chosen citation style.