How to Cite if the Author is an Organization
Citing sources is an essential aspect of academic writing, ensuring that authors give proper credit to the original creators of ideas, data, or other materials. When the author of a source is an organization, the citation format may differ slightly from citing an individual. This article provides guidelines on how to cite sources effectively when the author is an organization.
First and foremost, it is crucial to identify the organization as the author in the citation. In APA style, for instance, the organization’s name should be written in italics followed by the title of the work in quotation marks. The year of publication should be included in parentheses immediately after the title. Here’s an example:
Organization. (Year). Title of the work.
For MLA style, the organization’s name is followed by the title of the work in quotation marks. The publication date is placed in parentheses after the title. An example is as follows:
Organization. “Title of the work.” Year.
In Chicago style, the organization’s name is written in italics, followed by the title of the work in quotation marks. The publication year is placed in parentheses after the title. Here’s an example:
Organization. “Title of the work.” Year.
When citing an organization in Chicago style, it is also important to include the location of the organization if it is relevant to the source. For example:
Organization. “Title of the work.” Year. Location.
In addition to the author and title, it is essential to include other relevant information in the citation, such as the source’s format, edition, and page numbers. Here are some examples for different citation styles:
APA style:
Organization. (Year). Title of the work. Format. Edition. Page numbers.
MLA style:
Organization. “Title of the work.” Format. Edition. Page numbers. Year.
Chicago style:
Organization. “Title of the work.” Format. Edition. Page numbers. Year. Location.
Remember that these guidelines are general, and specific citation styles may have additional rules or exceptions. Always refer to the official guidelines of the citation style you are using to ensure accuracy.
In conclusion, citing sources with an organizational author requires attention to detail and adherence to the appropriate citation style. By following these guidelines, you can effectively acknowledge the contributions of organizations in your academic work.
