how to make a bibliography for websites

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College University and Postgraduate
Academic Writing

How to Add a Website to a Bibliography

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Diane Stubbs and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Diane Stubbs is a Secondary English Teacher with over 22 years of experience teaching all high school grade levels and AP courses. She specializes in secondary education, classroom management, and educational technology. Diane earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware and a Master of Education from Wesley College. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 172,621 times.

As much information as is available on the internet, you may want to use a website as a source for a research paper. When you do, you have to include an entry in your list of references at the end of your paper. Most of the information contained in that entry will be the same regardless of what citation style you use. However, the format varies depending on whether you're writing a Works Cited entry in Modern Language Association (MLA) style, a Reference List entry in American Psychological Association (APA) style, or a Bibliography entry in Chicago style.

Quick Steps

List the author’s full name, starting with their last name first.
Type the site title in italics, followed by the affiliated organization in regular font.
Include the date that the website was created or last updated.
Close your bibliography by adding the URL for the website.

Step 1 Start your Works Cited entry with the author's name if known.

Individual author example: Lovegood, Luna.
Institutional author example: Wizarding World Publications.

Step 2 Provide the title of the website and the affiliated organization.

Example: Lovegood, Luna. The Daily Cauldron , Wizarding World Publications,

Step 3 Include the date the site was last updated or modified.

Example: Lovegood, Luna. The Daily Cauldron , Wizarding World Publications, 18 May 2019,

Step 4 Close with the URL for the website.

Example: Lovegood, Luna. The Daily Cauldron , Wizarding World Publications, 18 May 2019, www.thedailycauldron.org.

MLA Works Cited Format – Website

LastName, First Name. Title of Website , Affiliated Organization, Day Month Year, URL.

Step 1 Include the URL for the site in your paper if you're citing the entire website.

For example, you might write "The Daily Cauldron provides muggles with insight into happenings in the wizarding world."

Step 2 Start a reference list entry for a webpage with the author's name.

Example: Lovegood. L.

Step 3 Provide the year of publication in parentheses.

Example: Lovegood. L. (2017).

Example: Lovegood. L. (2017). Voldemort's influence among teachers and students at Hogwarts.

Step 5 Close with a URL for the specific webpage.

Example: Lovegood. L. (2017). Voldemort's influence among teachers and students at Hogwarts. Retrieved from http://www.thedailycauldron.org/V_influence_Hogwarts

APA Reference List Format – Webpage

LastName, A. (Year). Title of webpage in sentence case. Retrieved from URL.

Step 1 Start your entry with the author of the website.

Example: Lovegood, Luna.

Step 2 Include the title of the specific page in quotation marks.

Example: Lovegood, Luna. "Descent into Darkness."

Example: Lovegood, Luna. "Descent into Darkness." The Daily Cauldron .

Step 4 List the publication date and date of access.

Example: Lovegood, Luna. "Descent into Darkness." The Daily Cauldron . Accessed June 23, 2018.

Step 5 Close your bibliographic entry with the URL.

Example: Lovegood, Luna. "Descent into Darkness." The Daily Cauldron . Accessed June 23, 2018. http://www.thedailycauldron.org/descent.

Chicago Bibliography Format – Website

LastName, FirstName. "Title of Specific Page, if Any." Name of Website . Month Day, Year. Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.

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⚙️ Styles	APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard
📚 Source types	Websites, books, articles
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Create separate reference lists for each of your assignments to stay organized. You can also group related lists into folders.

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Introduction
Finding sources

Evaluating sources

Integrating sources

Citing sources

Tools and resources, a quick guide to working with sources.

Working with sources is an important skill that you’ll need throughout your academic career.

It includes knowing how to find relevant sources, assessing their authority and credibility, and understanding how to integrate sources into your work with proper referencing.

This quick guide will help you get started!

Finding relevant sources

Sources commonly used in academic writing include academic journals, scholarly books, websites, newspapers, and encyclopedias. There are three main places to look for such sources:

Research databases: Databases can be general or subject-specific. To get started, check out this list of databases by academic discipline . Another good starting point is Google Scholar .
Your institution’s library: Use your library’s database to narrow down your search using keywords to find relevant articles, books, and newspapers matching your topic.
Other online resources: Consult popular online sources like websites, blogs, or Wikipedia to find background information. Be sure to carefully evaluate the credibility of those online sources.

When using academic databases or search engines, you can use Boolean operators to refine your results.

Generate APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard citations in seconds

Get started

In academic writing, your sources should be credible, up to date, and relevant to your research topic. Useful approaches to evaluating sources include the CRAAP test and lateral reading.

CRAAP is an abbreviation that reminds you of a set of questions to ask yourself when evaluating information.

Currency: Does the source reflect recent research?
Relevance: Is the source related to your research topic?
Authority: Is it a respected publication? Is the author an expert in their field?
Accuracy: Does the source support its arguments and conclusions with evidence?
Purpose: What is the author’s intention?

Lateral reading

Lateral reading means comparing your source to other sources. This allows you to:

Verify evidence
Contextualize information
Find potential weaknesses

If a source is using methods or drawing conclusions that are incompatible with other research in its field, it may not be reliable.

Integrating sources into your work

Once you have found information that you want to include in your paper, signal phrases can help you to introduce it. Here are a few examples:

Function	Example sentence	Signal words and phrases
You present the author’s position neutrally, without any special emphasis.	recent research, food services are responsible for one-third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.	According to, analyzes, asks, describes, discusses, explains, in the words of, notes, observes, points out, reports, writes
A position is taken in agreement with what came before.	Recent research Einstein’s theory of general relativity by observing light from behind a black hole.	Agrees, confirms, endorses, reinforces, promotes, supports
A position is taken for or against something, with the implication that the debate is ongoing.	Allen Ginsberg artistic revision …	Argues, contends, denies, insists, maintains

Following the signal phrase, you can choose to quote, paraphrase or summarize the source.

Quoting : This means including the exact words of another source in your paper. The quoted text must be enclosed in quotation marks or (for longer quotes) presented as a block quote . Quote a source when the meaning is difficult to convey in different words or when you want to analyze the language itself.
Paraphrasing : This means putting another person’s ideas into your own words. It allows you to integrate sources more smoothly into your text, maintaining a consistent voice. It also shows that you have understood the meaning of the source.
Summarizing : This means giving an overview of the essential points of a source. Summaries should be much shorter than the original text. You should describe the key points in your own words and not quote from the original text.

Whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize a source, you must include a citation crediting the original author.

Citing your sources is important because it:

Allows you to avoid plagiarism
Establishes the credentials of your sources
Backs up your arguments with evidence
Allows your reader to verify the legitimacy of your conclusions

The most common citation styles are APA, MLA, and Chicago style. Each citation style has specific rules for formatting citations.

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Scribbr offers tons of tools and resources to make working with sources easier and faster. Take a look at our top picks:

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Plagiarism Checker : Detect plagiarism in your paper using the most accurate Turnitin-powered plagiarism software available to students.
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Paraphrasing tool: Avoid accidental plagiarism and make your text sound better.
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Summarizer: Read more in less time. Distill lengthy and complex texts down to their key points.
AI detector: Find out if your text was written with ChatGPT or any other AI writing tool. ChatGPT 2 & ChatGPT 3 supported.
Proofreading services : Have a human editor improve your writing.
Citation checker: Check your work for citation errors and missing citations.
Knowledge Base : Explore hundreds of articles, bite-sized videos, time-saving templates, and handy checklists that guide you through the process of research, writing, and citation.

Plagiarism and grammar
Citation guides

Cite a Website

Don't let plagiarism errors spoil your paper, citing a website in apa.

Once you’ve identified a credible website to use, create a citation and begin building your reference list. Citation Machine citing tools can help you create references for online news articles, government websites, blogs, and many other website! Keeping track of sources as you research and write can help you stay organized and ethical. If you end up not using a source, you can easily delete it from your bibliography. Ready to create a citation? Enter the website’s URL into the search box above. You’ll get a list of results, so you can identify and choose the correct source you want to cite. It’s that easy to begin!

If you’re wondering how to cite a website in APA, use the structure below.

Author Last Name, First initial. (Year, Month Date Published). Title of web page . Name of Website. URL

Example of an APA format website:

Austerlitz, S. (2015, March 3). How long can a spinoff like ‘Better Call Saul’ last? FiveThirtyEight. http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-long-can-a-spinoff-like-better-call-saul-last/

Keep in mind that not all information found on a website follows the structure above. Only use the Website format above if your online source does not fit another source category. For example, if you’re looking at a video on YouTube, refer to the ‘YouTube Video’ section. If you’re citing a newspaper article found online, refer to ‘Newspapers Found Online’ section. Again, an APA website citation is strictly for web pages that do not fit better with one of the other categories on this page.

Social media:

When adding the text of a post, keep the original capitalization, spelling, hashtags, emojis (if possible), and links within the text.

Facebook posts:

Structure: Facebook user’s Last name, F. M. (Year, Monday Day of Post). Up to the first 20 words of Facebook post [Source type if attached] [Post type]. Facebook. URL

Source type examples: [Video attached], [Image attached]

Post type examples: [Status update], [Video], [Image], [Infographic]

Gomez, S. (2020, February 4). Guys, I’ve been working on this special project for two years and can officially say Rare Beauty is launching in [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Selena/videos/1340031502835436/

Life at Chegg. (2020, February 7) It breaks our heart that 50% of college students right here in Silicon Valley are hungry. That’s why Chegg has [Images attached] [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/LifeAtChegg/posts/1076718522691591

Twitter posts:

Structure: Account holder’s Last name, F. M. [Twitter Handle]. (Year, Month Day of Post). Up to the first 20 words of tweet [source type if attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. URL

Source type examples: [Video attached], [Image attached], [Poll attached]

Example: Edelman, J. [Edelman11]. (2018, April 26). Nine years ago today my life changed forever. New England took a chance on a long shot and I’ve worked [Video attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/Edelman11/status/989652345922473985

Instagram posts:

APA citation format: Account holder’s Last name, F. M. [@Instagram handle]. (Year, Month Day). Up to the first 20 words of caption [Photograph(s) and/or Video(s)]. Instagram. URL

Example: Portman, N. [@natalieportman]. (2019, January 5). Many of my best experiences last year were getting to listen to and learn from so many incredible people through [Videos]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRD-FBB8HI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

If this guide hasn’t helped solve all of your referencing questions, or if you’re still feeling the need to type “how to cite a website APA” into Google, then check out our APA citation generator on CitationMachine.com, which can build your references for you!

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APA Format Guide

Get the facts on citing and writing in APA format with our comprehensive guides. Formatting instructions, in-text citation and reference examples, and sample papers provide you with the tools you need to style your paper in APA.

Chicago Format Guide

Looking to format your paper in Chicago style and not sure where to start? Our guide provides everything you need! Learn the basics and fundamentals to creating references and footnotes in Chicago format. With numerous examples and visuals, you’ll be citing in Chicago style in no time.

Footnotes | Website | Book | Journal

Harvard Referencing Guide

Learn the requirements to properly reference your paper in Harvard style. The guides we have provide the basics and fundamentals to give credit to the sources used in your work.

In-Text Citations | Books | Article | YouTube | View all Harvard Referencing Examples

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No matter what citation style you're using (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) we'll help you create the right bibliography

Check for unintentional plagiarism

Scan your paper the way your teacher would to catch unintentional plagiarism. Then, easily add the right citation

Strengthen your writing

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Find and fix grammar errors

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Guides & Resources

Complete guide to mla format.

Everything you need to know about MLA format is in this guide. Brush up on MLA basics and break down citations for multiple source types each with a real-life citation example to help you learn.

Useful guide to APA format

Take the uncertainty out of citing in APA format with our guide. Review the fundamentals of APA format and learn to cite several different source types using our detailed citation examples.

Practical guide to Chicago syle

Using Chicago Style is easier once you know the fundamentals. This guide presents the base rules of Chicago Style along with citation examples for various source types. It'll give you a solid foundation to begin citing from.

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How to Cite a Website and Online/Electronic Resources

The pages outlines examples of how to cite websites and media sources using the Harvard Referencing method .

What are electronic sources?

An electronic source is any information source in digital format. The library subscribes to many electronic information resources in order to provide access for students. Electronic sources can include: full-text journals, newspapers, company information, e-books, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, economic data, digital images, industry profiles, market research, etc.

Should I include extra information when I cite electronic sources?

Referencing electronic or online sources can be confusing—it's difficult to know which information to include or where to find it. As a rule, provide as much information as possible concerning authorship, location and availability.

Electronic or online sources require much of the same information as print sources (author, year of publication, title, publisher). However, in some cases extra information may be required:

the page, paragraph or section number—what you cite will depend on the information available as many electronic or online sources don’t have pages.
identify the format of the source accessed, for example, E-book, podcast etc.
provide an accurate access date for online sources, that is, identify when a source was viewed or downloaded.
provide the location of an online source, for example, a database or web address.

In-text citations

Cite the name of the author/ organisation responsible for the site and the date created or last revised (use the most recent date):

(Department of Social Services 2020)

According to the Department of Social Services (2020) ...

List of References

Include information in the following order:

author (the person or organisation responsible for the site
year (date created or revised)
site name (in italics)
name of sponsor of site (if available)
accessed day month year (the date you viewed the site)
URL or Internet address (between pointed brackets). If possible, ensure that the URL is included without a line-break.

Department of Social Services 2020, Department of social services website , Australian government, accessed 20 February 2020, <https: //www .dss.gov.au/>.

Specific pages or documents within a website

Information should include author/authoring body name(s) and the date created or last revised:

(Li 2004) or:

(World Health Organisation 2013)

author (the person or organisation responsible for the site)
year (date created or last updated)
page title (in italics)
name of sponsor of site (if available)
accessed day month year (the day you viewed the site)
URL or Internet address (pointed brackets).

One author:

Li, L 2014, Chinese scroll painting H533 , Australian Museum, accessed 20 February 2016, <https: // australianmuseum.net.au/chinese-scroll-painting-h533>.

Organisation as author:

World Health Organisation 2013, Financial crisis and global health , The United Nations, accessed 1 August 2013, <http: //www .who.int/topics/financial_crisis/en/>.

Webpages with no author or date

If the author's name is unknown, cite the website/page title and date:

( Land for sale on moon 2007)

Land for sale on moon 2007, accessed 19 June 2007, <http: // www . moonlandrealestate.com>.

If there is not date on the page, use the abbreviation n.d. (no date):

(ArtsNSW n.d.)

List if References

ArtsNSW n.d., New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards , NSW Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation, accessed 19 June 2007, <http: // www . arts.nsw.gov.au/awards/ LiteraryAwards/litawards.htm>.

Kim, M n.d., Chinese New Year pictures and propaganda posters , Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, accessed 12 April 2016, <https: // collection.maas.museum/set/6274>.

Media articles (print)

If there is no author, list the name of the newspaper, the date, year and page number:

( The Independent 2013, p. 36)

If there is an author, cite as you would for a journal article:

(Donaghy 1994, p. 3)

Articles can also be mentioned in the running text:

University rankings were examined in a Sydney Morning Herald report by Williamson (1998, p. 21), where it was evident that ...

year of publication
article title (between single quotation marks)
publication title (in italics with maximum capitalisation)
date of article (day, month)
page number

Williamson, S 1998, ‘UNSW gains top ranking from quality team’, Sydney Morning Herald , 30 February, p.21.

Donaghy, B 1994, ‘National meeting set to review tertiary admissions’, Campus News , 3-9 March, p. 3.

An unattributed newspaper article:

If there is no named author, list the article title first:

Article title, between single quotation marks,
Publication title (in italics with maximum capitalisation)
Date published (date, month, year)
Page number (if available)

‘Baby tapir wins hearts at zoo’, The Independent , 9 August 2013, p. 36

Online media articles

A news article from an electronic database:

If the article has a named author:

(Pianin 2001)

author (if available)
newspaper title (in italics)
date of article (day, month, page number—if given—and any additional information available)
accessed day month year (the date you accessed the items)
from name of database
item number (if given).

Pianin, E 2001, 'As coal's fortunes climb, mountains tremble in W.Va; energy policy is transforming lives', The Washington Post, 25 February, p. A03, accessed March 2001 from Electric Library Australasia.

A news article without a named author:

No named author:

( New York Daily Times 1830)

The article can also be discussed in the body of the paragraph:

An account of the popularity of the baby tapir in The Independent (2013) stated that ...

If there is no named author, list the article title first.

'Amending the Constitution', New York Daily Times , 16 October 1851, p. 2, accessed 15 July 2007 from ProQuest Historical Newspapers database.

'Baby tapir wins hearts at zoo', The Independent , 9 August 2013, Accessed 25 January 2014, <http: // www . independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/baby-tapir-wins-hearts-at-zoo-30495570.html>.

An online news article:

Cite the author name and year:

(Coorey 2007)

Coorey, P 2007, ‘Costello hints at green safety net’, Sydney Morning Herald , 10 May, accessed 14 May 2012, <http: // www . smh.com.au/news/business/costello-hints-at-green-safety-net/2007/05/09/1178390393875.html>.

While a URL for the article should be included, if it is very long (more than two lines) or unfixed (from a search engine), only include the publication URL:

Holmes, L 2017, 'The woman making a living out of pretending to be Kylie Minogue', The Daily Telegraph , 23 April, accessed 22 May 2017, <http: // www . dailytelegraph.com.au>.

Media releases

Cite the author (the person responsible for the release) and date:

Prime Minister Howard (2007) announced plans for further welfare reform...

author name or authoring organisation name
title of release (in italics)
accessed day month year
URL (between pointed brackets)

Office of the Prime Minister 2007, Welfare Payments Reform , media release, accessed 25 July 2007, <http: // www . pm.gov.au/media/Release/2007/Media_Release24432.cfm>.

How to cite broadcast materials and communications

Harvard referencing

How to cite different sources
How to cite references
How to cite online/electronic sources
Broadcast and other sources
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Bibliography Examples

Discover the best bibliography examples for your research paper. Learn how to format citations correctly in various citation styles.

Creating a bibliography can often seem like a daunting task, but it’s an essential part of academic writing. A bibliography is a comprehensive list of all the sources you have referred to in your work, including detailed bibliography entries that provide readers with the information they need to locate these sources themselves. Understanding how to properly format and organize your bibliography is crucial for presenting a polished piece of writing. In this guide, we will delve into various bibliography examples, illustrating the correct way to cite different types of sources, from books and journal articles to websites and online resources.

Understanding Bibliography Examples

What is a bibliography.

A bibliography is an organized list of all the sources you have referenced in your research or writing. It typically appears at the end of your document, allowing readers to trace the origins of your information. Each bibliography entry gives detailed information about the source, such as the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication date, and where it was published. This not only lends credibility to your work but also prevents plagiarism by giving proper credit to the original authors. Bibliographies are essential in academic and professional contexts, where accuracy and accountability of information are paramount. Whether you are writing an essay, a research paper, or a book, having a well-organized bibliography will enhance the overall quality and reliability of your work.

Importance of a Bibliography

The importance of a bibliography cannot be overstated. Firstly, it lends credibility to your work by showing that you have conducted thorough research and consulted a range of reliable sources. This boosts your reader’s confidence in the accuracy and validity of your information. Additionally, an annotated bibliography can provide additional insights and context for the sources listed, helping readers understand the relevance and quality of each source. Secondly, a bibliography helps to avoid plagiarism by giving proper credit to original authors and creators. This is crucial in maintaining academic integrity and ethical standards. Furthermore, a well-structured bibliography allows readers to delve deeper into your topic by providing them with the resources to explore further. Lastly, it showcases your organizational skills and attention to detail, which are highly valued in both academic and professional settings. Overall, a comprehensive bibliography enhances the quality and trustworthiness of your work, making it an indispensable part of any research or writing project.

Common Bibliography Formats

When creating a bibliography, it is essential to use a consistent format, such as the APA style. The most common bibliography formats include APA, MLA style, and Chicago styles. The Chicago Manual of Style is versatile, used across various disciplines. It has two systems: Notes and Bibliography (for humanities) and Author-Date (for sciences). Each system has specific rules for listing authors, titles, and publication details. Familiarising yourself with these formats is crucial for ensuring that your bibliography meets academic standards and is easy for readers to navigate. Always check the specific guidelines required by your institution or publisher.

Creating an Annotated Bibliography

Gathering sources effectively.

Effective source gathering is key to creating a comprehensive and accurate bibliography. Start by identifying credible sources relevant to your topic. Academic journals, books, and reputable websites are good starting points. Utilize library databases and online academic repositories to access peer-reviewed articles. When citing an article online, it is important to include URLs to ensure the source can be easily accessed and verified. Take meticulous notes as you read, ensuring you record all necessary citation information such as author names, publication dates, and titles. Use citation management tools like EndNote or Zotero to organize your sources and generate citations automatically. Additionally, be mindful of the relevance and timeliness of your sources; outdated or unrelated references can weaken your work. Lastly, always cross-check your sources to ensure their accuracy and reliability. By gathering sources effectively, you not only create a strong foundation for your bibliography but also enhance the overall quality of your research.

Organizing Your Bibliography

Organizing your bibliography is a crucial step in presenting your research coherently. Begin by deciding on the citation style required for your work, whether it be APA, MLA, or Chicago. For MLA style, organize a works cited page by listing sources alphabetically by the author’s last name. Each style has specific rules for arranging entries, such as alphabetically by the author’s last name. Be consistent in your formatting to maintain a professional appearance. Use hanging indents for each entry to enhance readability. Group similar types of sources together if your citation style allows, such as books, journal articles, and websites. Double-check that all necessary information is included for each source, like author names, titles, publication dates, and publishers. Keeping your bibliography organized not only helps your readers but also ensures that you have not missed any sources. A well-organized bibliography reflects your attention to detail and commitment to academic integrity.

Formatting Tips and Tricks in MLA Style

Formatting a bibliography correctly can significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your work. Firstly, ensure that you use the correct font and size as specified by your citation style, typically Times New Roman, 12-point font. Use double spacing throughout your bibliography to enhance readability. Apply a hanging indent to each entry, where the first line is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented. This helps distinguish individual entries clearly. Pay attention to punctuation; different styles have specific rules regarding the use of commas, periods, and italics. For instance, book titles are often italicized in MLA and APA styles. Use consistent abbreviation rules for publishers and journal titles. Additionally, employ citation management tools like EndNote or Zotero to automate much of the formatting process, reducing the likelihood of errors. Following these tips and tricks will ensure your bibliography is both accurate and easy to read.

For annotated bibliographies, include a brief summary and evaluation of each source after the citation. This provides context and relevance, helping readers understand the significance of each source.

Bibliography Examples for Books

Single author books.

Citing single-author books in your bibliography is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Begin with the author’s last name, followed by their first name. Next, italicize the book title and capitalize the significant words. Include the edition number if it is not the first edition. Follow this with the place of publication, the name of the publisher, and the year of publication. For example, a proper citation in MLA format would look like this:

Smith, John. Understanding Bibliographies . 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 2020.

In APA format, the citation would be:

Smith, J. (2020). Understanding bibliographies (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Each citation style has its own nuances, so it’s crucial to refer to the specific guidelines for the style you are using. Accurately citing single-author books enhances the credibility of your work and makes it easier for readers to find your referenced sources. For instance, an APA reference list entry for a book would look like this: Smith, J. (2020). Understanding bibliographies (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Multiple Author Books

Citing multiple author books in your bibliography requires listing all authors in a specific order. For works with up to three authors, list each author by their last name followed by their first name, separated by commas. Use ‘and’ before the final author’s name. For example, in MLA format, a citation would appear as:

Brown, Lisa, and Mark Johnson. Exploring Bibliographies . Cambridge University Press, 2018.

For books with more than three authors, MLA allows you to list the first author followed by ‘et al.’:

Brown, Lisa, et al. Exploring Bibliographies . Cambridge University Press, 2018.

In APA format, the citation for a book by two authors would be:

Brown, L., & Johnson, M. (2018). Exploring bibliographies . Cambridge University Press.

For more than three authors, list all names up to 20 authors before using ‘et al.’.

Consistently following the correct format ensures that your citations are clear and verifiable, enhancing the reliability of your work. Multiple author books are cited similarly across different citation styles, ensuring consistency and clarity.

Edited Collections

When citing edited collections in your bibliography, the format differs slightly from single-author books. Begin with the editor’s name, followed by the abbreviation ‘ed.’ for a single editor or ‘eds.’ for multiple editors. The book title should be italicized and capitalized appropriately. Next, include the place of publication, the publisher’s name, and the year of publication. For instance, in MLA format, an edited collection citation would appear as follows:

Jones, Michael, ed. Perspectives on Bibliographies . Routledge, 2019.

For multiple editors, it would be:

Jones, Michael, and Sarah Lee, eds. Perspectives on Bibliographies . Routledge, 2019.

In APA format, the citation for a single editor would be:

Jones, M. (Ed.). (2019). Perspectives on bibliographies . Routledge.

For multiple editors, use:

Jones, M., & Lee, S. (Eds.). (2019). Perspectives on bibliographies . Routledge.

This accurate citation style ensures that credit is given to the editors and provides clear reference points for your readers. For more detailed guidelines on citing edited collections, refer to the MLA handbook.

Bibliography Examples for Articles

Journal articles.

Citing journal articles in your bibliography involves including several key details. Start with the author’s last name, followed by their initials. Next, provide the year of publication in parentheses. The title of the article should be in sentence case, meaning only the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized. Follow this with the title of the journal in italics and title case. Include the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses, and the page range. For example, in APA format, a citation would appear as:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Understanding bibliographies: A comprehensive guide. Journal of Academic Writing , 15 (2), 45-67.

In MLA format, the citation would be:

Smith, John A. “Understanding Bibliographies: A Comprehensive Guide.” Journal of Academic Writing , vol. 15, no. 2, 2020, pp. 45-67.

An example of an annotated bibliography entry for a journal article in APA format would be:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Understanding bibliographies: A comprehensive guide. Journal of Academic Writing , 15 (2), 45-67. This article provides a detailed overview of the structure and purpose of bibliographies, making it a valuable resource for academic writers.

By accurately citing journal articles, you provide a clear and reliable pathway for readers to locate the original source, enhancing the credibility of your work.

Magazine Articles

Citing magazine articles requires specific details to ensure accuracy. Start with the author’s last name, followed by their first name. Next, include the title of the article in quotation marks, with major words capitalized. Follow this with the title of the magazine in italics and title case. Include the date of publication, which may be in the format of day, month, and year, and then the page numbers the article spans. In MLA format, a citation would look like:

Doe, Jane. “The Evolution of Bibliographies.” Modern Research Magazine , 15 Mar. 2021, pp. 22-27.

In APA format, the citation is slightly different:

Doe, J. (2021, March 15). The evolution of bibliographies. Modern Research Magazine , 22-27.

An example of a bibliography entry for a magazine article in The Chicago Manual of Style would be:

Doe, Jane. “The Evolution of Bibliographies.” Modern Research Magazine , March 15, 2021.

By following these guidelines, you ensure that your bibliography is precise and allows readers to easily locate the original source, thereby enhancing the credibility and reliability of your work.

Newspaper Articles

Citing newspaper articles in your bibliography requires attention to detail. Start with the author’s last name, followed by their first name. Then, include the title of the article in quotation marks, capitalizing the major words. Next, provide the name of the newspaper in italics and title case. Follow this with the complete date of publication in the format of day, month, and year. If available, include the section and page number. For example, in MLA format, a citation would look like:

Brown, Lisa. “The Future of Bibliographies.” The Times , 12 Apr. 2021, p. A3.

Brown, L. (2021, April 12). The future of bibliographies. The Times , p. A3.

For online newspaper articles, include the URL at the end of the citation. For example, an MLA citation for an article online would be:

Brown, Lisa. “The Future of Bibliographies.” The Times , 12 Apr. 2021, (LINK 1).

Accurate citations help readers locate the original source, ensuring the credibility and traceability of your information. This thoroughness enhances the academic integrity of your work.

Bibliography Examples for Online Sources

Websites and blogs.

Citing websites and blogs requires different details compared to print sources. Start with the author’s name, if available, followed by the title of the page or post in quotation marks. Next, include the name of the website or blog in italics. Follow this with the date of publication in the format of day, month, and year. Finally, provide the full URL. For example, in MLA format, a citation would look like:

Doe, John. “Understanding Bibliographies in the Digital Age.” Research Insights , 15 Mar. 2021, www.researchinsights.com/understanding-bibliographies.

Doe, J. (2021, March 15). Understanding bibliographies in the digital age. Research Insights . https://www.researchinsights.com/understanding-bibliographies

If no author is available, start with the title of the page. Including URLs ensures that readers can directly access the source, maintaining the transparency and reliability of your work. Accurate citations for online sources are essential for a comprehensive and credible bibliography. For example, in APA style, a website citation would look like this: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of web page. Website Name . URL.

Online Journals

When citing online journal articles, it’s essential to include several key details to ensure accuracy and credibility. Start with the author’s last name, followed by their initials. Then, include the year of publication in parentheses. The title of the article should be in sentence case, meaning only the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized. Follow this with the title of the journal in italics and title case. Include the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses, and the page range. Finally, provide the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL. For example, in APA format, a citation would look like:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Understanding bibliographies: A comprehensive guide. Journal of Academic Writing , 15 (2), 45-67. https://doi.org/10.1234/jaw.2020.15.2.45

An example of an APA reference list for online journals would include all cited articles formatted as shown above, ensuring consistency and adherence to APA guidelines.

Including DOIs or URLs allows readers to easily locate the original source, ensuring the reliability and traceability of your information.

Social Media Posts and Publication Date

Citing social media posts in your bibliography requires specific details to ensure clarity and credibility. Start with the author’s real name, if available, followed by their username in square brackets. Include the date of the post in the format of day, month, and year. Next, provide the content of the post in quotation marks, ensuring it captures the essence of the original. Specify the type of post (e.g., Tweet, Facebook post) and include the URL directly linking to the post. For example, in APA format, a citation would look like:

Doe, John [@johndoe]. (2021, April 12). “Understanding bibliographies can enhance your research.” Twitter . https://twitter.com/johndoe/status/1381534321

Doe, John [@johndoe]. “Understanding bibliographies can enhance your research.” Twitter , 12 Apr. 2021, https://twitter.com/johndoe/status/1381534321 .

Accurate citations for social media posts ensure that readers can verify the source, thereby enhancing the transparency and reliability of your research. Social media posts are cited similarly across different citation styles by including URLs or the name of the database if the post was consulted online.

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Annotated Bibliographies: Resource Guide

Image of a stack of academic journals in a magazine holder. Text reads Annotated Bibliographies.

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

A traditional bibliography is a list of books and articles you used when writing a paper. It includes details like the author's name, the title of the work, the date it was published, and where it was published. This helps readers find the sources you used.

An annotated bibliography includes all that information, plus a short summary and evaluation of each source. This helps future readers and researchers quickly see if a source is useful for them.

Here’s what you might include in an annotation:

The main purpose and scope of the work
A brief description of the content and format
The author's main argument and how current it is
The author's background and qualifications
The intended audience of the work
The value and significance of the work
Any possible weaknesses or bias
Special features like a glossary or index
Your own brief impression of the work

Most annotations are about 150 words long, roughly the length of a short paragraph. They can be written in full sentences or short phrases, depending on what your instructor prefers.

The number of sources you need to include in your annotated bibliography will depend on your assignment, so be sure to check with your instructor for specific guidelines.

Find Academic Coaching help with an annotated bibliography
Log into the Library Catalog
Full Research Guide list
Library Homepage
WNC Homepage

General Resources

How to Write an Annotated Bibliography ; video created by the University of Maryland Library
How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography ; Cornell University
Write an annotated bibliography ; Robert F. Kennedy Library (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
Annotated Bibliographies ; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Writing Center, including examples in MLA and APA citation styles.
Creating an Annotated Bibliography ; Oviatt Library (California State University, Northridge), including examples in MLA and APA citation styles

MLA Style Annotated Bibliographies

MLA style from the Purdue Online Writing Lab
Guidance on writing an annotated bibliography from the MLA Style Center .
Sample MLA annotated bibliography ; Indian River State College Library. This site also includes a template for creating an annotated bibliography in the MLA citation style.
Creating an MLA annotated bibliography ; Columbia College.
Sample MLA annotated bibliography from the University of Central Florida Writing Center.

APA Style Annotated Bibliographies

APA style from the Purdue Online Writing Lab
Sample APA annotated bibliography ; Liberty University
Another sample APA annotated bibliography ; Bethel University Library
Writing an Annotated Bibliography ; Skidmore College Library
Why doesn't APA have an “official APA-approved format” for annotated bibliographies?

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Last Updated: Aug 2, 2024 11:36 AM
URL: https://library.wnc.edu/annotated_bibliographies

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Referencing Generator

Select style:
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Dictionary entry
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E-book or PDF
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Encyclopedia article
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Online image or video
Presentation
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Religious text

What is Cite This For Me’s APA Reference Generator?

Cite This For Me’s open-access reference generator is an automated citation machine that turns any of your sources into references in just a click. Using a bibliography generator helps students to integrate referencing into their research and writing routine; turning a time-consuming ordeal into a simple task.

A referencing generator is essentially a citation machine that accesses information from across the web, drawing the relevant information into a fully-formatted bibliography that clearly presents all of the sources that have contributed to your work.

If you don’t know how to reference a website correctly, or have a fast-approaching deadline, Cite This For Me’s accurate and intuitive reference generator will lend you the confidence to realise your full academic potential. In order to get a grade that reflects all your hard work, your references must be accurate and complete. Using a bibliography generator not only saves you time but also ensures that you don’t lose valuable marks on your assignment.

Not sure how to write a bibliography, what in-text referencing is, or just want to find out more about Cite This For Me’s reference generator? This guide outlines everything you need to know to equip yourself with the know-how and confidence to research and cite a wide range of diverse sources in your work.

Why Do I Need To Reference?

Simply put, referencing is the citing of sources used in essays, articles, research, conferences etc. When another source contributes to your work, you have to give the original owner the appropriate credit. After all, you wouldn’t steal someone else’s possessions so why would you steal their ideas?

Regardless of whether you are referencing a website, an article or a podcast, any factual material or ideas you take from another source must be acknowledged in a reference unless it is common knowledge (e.g. The Second World War started in 1939). Failing to credit all of your sources, even when you’ve paraphrased or completely reworded the information, is plagiarism. Plagiarising will result in disciplinary action, which can range from losing precious marks on your assignment to expulsion from your university.

What’s more, attributing your research infuses credibility and authority into your work, both by supporting your own ideas and by demonstrating the breadth of your research. For many students, crediting sources can be a confusing and tedious process, but it’s a surefire way to improve the quality of your work so it’s essential to get it right. Luckily for you, using Cite This For Me’s reference generator makes creating accurate references easier than ever, leaving more time for you to excel in your studies.

In summary, the citing process serves three main functions:

To validate the statements and conclusions in your work by providing directions to other sound sources that support and verify them.
To help your readers locate, read and check your sources, as well as establishing their contribution to your work.
To give credit to the original author and hence avoid committing intellectual property theft (known as ‘plagiarism’ in academia).

How Do I Cite My Sources With The Cite This For Me Referencing Generator?

Cite This For Me’s reference generator is the most accurate citation machine available, so whether you’re not sure how to format in-text referencing or you don’t know how to write a bibliography, this bibliography generator will solve all of your citing needs.

Crediting your source material with a bibliography maker doesn’t just prevent you from losing valuable marks for plagiarism, it also provides all of the information to help your reader find for themselves the book, article, or other item you are citing. The accessible interface of the reference generator makes it easy for you to identify the source you have used – simply enter its unique identifier into the citation machine search bar. If this information is not available you can search for the title or author instead, and then select from the search results that appear below the reference generator.

Don’t know how to reference a website? The good news is that by using tools such as Cite This For Me’s reference generator, which help you work smarter, you don’t need to limit your research to sources that are traditional to cite. In fact, there are no limits to what you can cite with this bibliography maker, whether you want to reference a website, a YouTube video or a tweet.

To use the reference generator, simply:

Select your style from Harvard, APA and many more*
Choose the type of source you would like to cite (e.g. website, book, journal, video)
Enter the URL , DOI , ISBN , title, or other unique source information to find your source
Click the ‘Cite’ button on the reference generator
Copy your new citation straight from the referencing generator into your bibliography
Repeat for each source that has contributed to your work.

*If you require another style for your paper, essay or other academic work, you can select from over 1,000 styles by creating a free Cite This For Me account.

Once you have created your Cite This For Me account you will be able to use the reference generator to create multiple references and save them into a project. Use the highly-rated iOS or Android apps to generate references in a flash with your smartphone camera, export your complete bibliography in one go, and much more.

What Will The Reference Generator Create For Me?

Cite This For Me’s reference generator will create your reference in two parts; an in-text citation and a full reference to be copied straight into your work.

The reference generator will auto-generate the correct formatting for your bibliography and in-text referencing depending on your chosen style. For instance, if you select a parenthetical style to format in-text referencing, the bibliography maker will generate an in-text citation in parentheses along with a full reference to slot into your bibliography. Likewise, if the reference generator is set to a footnote style then it will create a fully-formatted reference for your reference list, as well as a corresponding footnote to insert at the bottom of the page containing the relevant source.

Parenthetical examples:

In-text referencing example: A nation has been defined as an imagined community (Anderson, 2006).* Alternative format: Anderson (2006) defined a nation as an imagined community.

*The reference generator will create your references in the first style, but this should be edited if the author’s name already appears in the text.

Reference list example: Anderson, B. (2006). Imagined Communities. London: Verso.

What Are Citation Styles?

A citation style is a set of rules that you, as an academic writer, must follow to ensure the quality and relevance of your work. There are thousands of styles that are used in different academic institutions around the world, but in Australia the most common are Harvard and APA.

The style you need to use will depend on the preference of your lecturer, discipline or academic institution – so if you’re unsure which style you should be using, consult your department and follow their guidelines exactly, as this is what you’ll be evaluated on when it comes to marking. You can also find your university’s style by logging into your Cite This For Me account and setting your institution in ‘My Profile’.

Citing isn’t just there to guard against plagiarism – presenting your research in a clear and consistent way eases the reader’s comprehension. Each style has a different set of rules for formatting the page, in-text referencing and your reference list. Be sure to adhere to formatting rules such as font type, font size and line spacing to ensure that your work is easily legible. Furthermore, if your work is published as part of an anthology or collected works, each entry will need to be presented in the same style to maintain uniformity throughout. Even when using a citation machine, it is important to make sure that you don’t jump from one style to another, so follow the rules carefully to ensure your reference list and bibliography are both accurate and complete.

If you’re unsure about how to reference and need a hand with your in-text referencing or reference list, why not try Cite This For Me’s reference generator? It’s the quickest and easiest way to cite any source, in any style. The reference generator above will create your citations in the Harvard style as standard, but the bibliography maker can also generate fully-formatted references in over 1,000 styles – including university variations of each style. So, whether your lecturer has asked you to adopt Harvard referencing , or your subject requires you to use APA referencing , AMA or MLA we’re sure to have the style you need. To access each style’s reference generator, simply go to Cite This For Me’s website to create your free Cite This For Me account and search for your specific style.

How Do I Format A Reference List Or Bibliography?

Drawing on a wide range of sources greatly enhances the quality of your work, and reading above and beyond your recommended reading list – and then using these sources to support your own thesis – is an excellent way to impress your reader. As well as in-text referencing, a clearly presented reference list and bibliography demonstrate the lengths you have gone to in researching your chosen topic.

Typically, a reference list starts on a new page at the end of the main body of text and includes a complete list of the sources you have actually cited in your paper. This list should contain all the information needed for the reader to locate the original source of the information, quote or statistic that directly contributed to your work. On the other hand, a bibliography is a comprehensive list of all the material you may have consulted throughout your research and writing process. Both provide the necessary information for readers to retrieve and check the sources cited in your work.

Each style’s guidelines will define the terminology of ‘reference list’ and ‘bibliography’, as well as providing formatting guidelines for font, line spacing and page indentations. In addition, it will instruct you on how to order each list – this will usually be either alphabetical or chronological (meaning the order that these sources appear in your work). Even if you’ve used a bibliography generator, be sure to check that you have formatted your whole paper according to your style’s formatting guidelines before submitting your work.

Sound complicated? Citing has never been so easy. If you don’t know how to write a bibliography, Cite This For Me’s bibliography generator will automatically generate fully-formatted references for your reference list and bibliography in your chosen style. Sign in to your Cite This For Me account to save and export your bibliography.

How Do References Actually Work?

Although the bibliography maker will cite your sources for you in record time, it is still useful to understand how a reference generator works behind the scenes. Understanding how a citation machine actually generates references will greatly increase the quality of your work.

As well as saving you time with its referencing generator, Cite This For Me provides the learning resources to help you fully understand the citing process and the benefits of adopting great referencing standards.

The referencing process:

Find a book, journal, website or other source that will contribute to your work
Save the quote, image, data or other information that you will use in your work
Save the source information that enables you to find it again (i.e. URL, ISBN, DOI etc.)
Format the source information into a reference
Copy and paste the citation into the body of the text
Export or copy and paste the fully-formatted reference into your bibliography
Repeat for each source that contributes to your work

Manage all your references in one place

Create projects, add notes, cite directly from the browser and scan books’ barcodes with a mobile app.

How to cite ChatGPT

Use discount code STYLEBLOG15 for 15% off APA Style print products with free shipping in the United States.

We, the APA Style team, are not robots. We can all pass a CAPTCHA test , and we know our roles in a Turing test . And, like so many nonrobot human beings this year, we’ve spent a fair amount of time reading, learning, and thinking about issues related to large language models, artificial intelligence (AI), AI-generated text, and specifically ChatGPT . We’ve also been gathering opinions and feedback about the use and citation of ChatGPT. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared ideas, opinions, research, and feedback.

In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we’ll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor and student questions. As always, defer to instructor guidelines when writing student papers. For more about guidelines and policies about student and author use of ChatGPT, see the last section of this post.

Quoting or reproducing the text created by ChatGPT in your paper

If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or in a comparable section of your paper. For literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers, you might describe how you used the tool in your introduction. In your text, provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications , with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating. Quoting ChatGPT’s text from a chat session is therefore more like sharing an algorithm’s output; thus, credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation.

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper.

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Creating a reference to ChatGPT or other AI models and software

The in-text citations and references above are adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10). Although here we focus on ChatGPT, because these guidelines are based on the software template, they can be adapted to note the use of other large language models (e.g., Bard), algorithms, and similar software.

The reference and in-text citations for ChatGPT are formatted as follows:

Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Let’s break that reference down and look at the four elements (author, date, title, and source):

Author: The author of the model is OpenAI.

Date: The date is the year of the version you used. Following the template in Section 10.10, you need to include only the year, not the exact date. The version number provides the specific date information a reader might need.

Title: The name of the model is “ChatGPT,” so that serves as the title and is italicized in your reference, as shown in the template. Although OpenAI labels unique iterations (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), they are using “ChatGPT” as the general name of the model, with updates identified with version numbers.

The version number is included after the title in parentheses. The format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods.

Bracketed text is used in references for additional descriptions when they are needed to help a reader understand what’s being cited. References for a number of common sources, such as journal articles and books, do not include bracketed descriptions, but things outside of the typical peer-reviewed system often do. In the case of a reference for ChatGPT, provide the descriptor “Large language model” in square brackets. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4 as a “large multimodal model,” so that description may be provided instead if you are using ChatGPT-4. Later versions and software or models from other companies may need different descriptions, based on how the publishers describe the model. The goal of the bracketed text is to briefly describe the kind of model to your reader.

Source: When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the URL. This is the case for ChatGPT. The URL for ChatGPT is https://chat.openai.com/chat . For other models or products for which you may create a reference, use the URL that links as directly as possible to the source (i.e., the page where you can access the model, not the publisher’s homepage).

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How to Create Your Own Browser Extension

An image of four different colored 3D puzzle pieces put together.

Most of us spend a lot of time inside a web browser. If you're a Chrome , Firefox , or Edge user, then you'll know these browsers come with a huge number of third-party extensions to augment the features already built into the software.

But what if you need some kind of specific extra functionality, some tool or feature that’s not covered by existing add-ons? Then it might be time to consider writing your own browser extension. That might sound daunting, but It's not that difficult to do once you learn how. And once you’ve created a custom extension, you can either keep it for your own private use or make it public so anyone can use it.

Some coding knowledge is required, so you'll need to learn the basics of how web pages and scripts are written if you don't already know them. If you’re a beginner, you can start small and work your way up. There are also a lot of helpful resources out there on the web if you need them, everything from code libraries to online courses.

Get Started

An image of a web browser extension web store.

You're going to need an idea for an extension you can write.

There are certain components that make up a browser extension. First is the manifest, which takes the filename manifest.json and contains various bits of metadata identifying the extension and what it does. You put the name of the extension in the manifest, describe what it does, and specify a default action that the extension carries out.

Check out the manifest file format documentation provided by Google for Chrome. You can see some examples there, including a minimal manifest only containing the basics. The manifest points to all of the other required files for the extension, which should be kept in the same folder as you develop it.

Some of the files the manifest points to are the icon files, which visually represent your extension in the browser. Users will look for your icon to see that your extension is running, and they’ll click on the icon to access the extension’s settings or to disable it. You should create a 128 x 128-pixel icon as a minimum, and icons at other sizes ( as listed here ) are recommended, so the extension looks the same everywhere it appears in the browser, from the settings screen to the tab bar. If you don't provide an icon, a generic one showing the first letter of the extension name will be used instead.

You then have your scripts, which do the actual work of the extension and can come in a variety of forms: HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) for basic web design, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) for more advanced styling and manipulation of objects on the web, and JavaScript to do the bulk of the programming tasks (assuming your extension does something more than simply loading a page on screen).

The Cambridge Audio Evo One Is a Beautiful High-End Speaker

These are the same technologies that power web pages and web apps you load every day inside the browser, and you're going to need at least a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to get going. If you've never played around with any of these languages before, don't be put off: Even if you're starting from scratch, you can be building simple code in less than an hour.

You're also going to need an idea for what your extension should do: Maybe think about missing functionality you wish you had in your browser, or something that makes a particular website easier for you to use. If you need some inspiration, have a look at the third-party browser extension libraries for Chrome and Firefox to see what others are making.

The Coding Process

An image of Codecademy a resource used to practice coding.

Codecademy is one resource you can use to up your coding game.

We don't have the space here for a full beginner's guide to programming, but there's virtually no end to the educational resources available on the web, and learning the basics doesn't take as long as you might think. Along with tutorials, you'll also find a whole host of example extensions and code snippets you can copy, paste, and then adapt for your own purposes.

Google has helpfully provided a full tutorial for coding a basic Chrome extension, which covers everything from creating the manifest to checking through error logs and making sure the completed add-on is visible in the browser. It's a good introduction to how to structure the various components that make up your extension.

There's another good tutorial over at FreeCodeCamp . It's a little older, but it's still useful, starting right at the beginning before introducing ideas such as how to select parts of a web page and how extensions can be used to manipulate objects on a page. You'll find plenty more tutorials like this as well.

As far as general coding resources go, places like Codecademy and Upskill can take you from a beginner to someone who can program an extension pretty rapidly. There are lots of really useful tutorials on YouTube too—like this video that'll teach you the basics of JavaScript in an hour—and you can even get generative AI tools to give you instructions and help as well (just watch out for those hallucinations).

To begin building your extension, it’s best to target the browser you work in most often. After you build your extension for your preferred browser, you have the option of making it available for other browsers as well. This is easier than it used to be, thanks to the adoption of more cross-platform standards, but it still requires some work: Mozilla has a useful guide to cross-browser extensions you can consult.

In terms of software, you can start coding in a simple plain text editor like Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS. As you start to get more confident, you can step up to more advanced code editors that help with inputting and formatting code, as well as full integrated development environments (IDEs) that include extra tools for testing and debugging your work.

Using Your Extension

An image of a list of different extensions.

Switch to developer mode in Chrome to load your own extensions.

Your extension doesn't have to be anywhere near finished before you can start testing it out locally on your own computer. If you load up the Extensions page in Chrome, for example, you'll see a Developer mode toggle switch in the top right corner. Turn this on and you can load any add-ons you've been working on.

The three options given to you are Load unpacked (for loading an extension that's still stored as several separate files), Pack extension (for packing those files into a finished .crx file that can be distributed), and Update (for updating the files used by an extension you've already added). You'll use all three as you go through the development process.

When your finished add-on is neatly packaged in a file with .crx at the end of its name, you can add it to Chrome just by double-clicking on it. It also means you can submit it to the Chrome Web Store. This requires registering a Google developer account , which requires a one-off fee of $5 and lets you submit up to 20 different extensions.

The submission process requires filling out information about what the extension does and how it handles user privacy. After you submit your extension, Google will review it to make sure it's safe and does what it says it does. This process can take several weeks, and Google has published more information about it here .

If you do decide to publish an extension, whether for the greater good of humanity or to make a few extra bucks (you can charge for your add-on if you want to), be aware that distributing it does take a significant amount of work. As well as providing a listing for the extension, you need to be ready to respond to feedback and to handle bug reports.

Despite the occasional inconveniences though, it's definitely something worth considering. As well as getting a grasp of modern-day web technologies and languages, you could also end up with thousands or even tens of thousands of people using the extension you've made.

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Free Tools for Students
Harvard Referencing Generator

Free Harvard Referencing Generator

Generate accurate Harvard reference lists quickly and for FREE, with MyBib!

🤔 What is a Harvard Referencing Generator?

A Harvard Referencing Generator is a tool that automatically generates formatted academic references in the Harvard style.

It takes in relevant details about a source -- usually critical information like author names, article titles, publish dates, and URLs -- and adds the correct punctuation and formatting required by the Harvard referencing style.

The generated references can be copied into a reference list or bibliography, and then collectively appended to the end of an academic assignment. This is the standard way to give credit to sources used in the main body of an assignment.

👩‍🎓 Who uses a Harvard Referencing Generator?

Harvard is the main referencing style at colleges and universities in the United Kingdom and Australia. It is also very popular in other English-speaking countries such as South Africa, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. University-level students in these countries are most likely to use a Harvard generator to aid them with their undergraduate assignments (and often post-graduate too).

🙌 Why should I use a Harvard Referencing Generator?

A Harvard Referencing Generator solves two problems:

It provides a way to organise and keep track of the sources referenced in the content of an academic paper.
It ensures that references are formatted correctly -- inline with the Harvard referencing style -- and it does so considerably faster than writing them out manually.

A well-formatted and broad bibliography can account for up to 20% of the total grade for an undergraduate-level project, and using a generator tool can contribute significantly towards earning them.

⚙️ How do I use MyBib's Harvard Referencing Generator?

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If citing a book, website, journal, or video: enter the URL or title into the search bar at the top of the page and press the search button.
Choose the most relevant results from the list of search results.
Our generator will automatically locate the source details and format them in the correct Harvard format. You can make further changes if required.
Then either copy the formatted reference directly into your reference list by clicking the 'copy' button, or save it to your MyBib account for later.

MyBib supports the following for Harvard style:

⚙️ Styles	Harvard, Harvard Cite Them Right
📚 Sources	Websites, books, journals, newspapers
🔎 Autocite	Yes
📥 Download to	Microsoft Word, Google Docs

🍏 What other versions of Harvard referencing exist?

There isn't "one true way" to do Harvard referencing, and many universities have their own slightly different guidelines for the style. Our generator can adapt to handle the following list of different Harvard styles:

Cite Them Right
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
University of the West of England (UWE)

Daniel is a qualified librarian, former teacher, and citation expert. He has been contributing to MyBib since 2018.

COMMENTS

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How to Cite a Website in APA Style
To cite a website or online article in APA Style, you need the author, title, date, website name, and URL.
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How to Cite a Website in MLA: Your questions about creating an MLA citation for a website are answered in our free resource. Get it here.
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Citing a website on the reference page In the next section of this APA citation website guide, we're going to focus on how to format an APA website citation. If you're wondering how to create an APA citation of a web page, the majority of web references use the structure shown below.
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Generate citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard style with Scribbr's free Citation Generator. Trusted by students worldwide.
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Citing a website in APA Once you've identified a credible website to use, create a citation and begin building your reference list. Citation Machine citing tools can help you create references for online news articles, government websites, blogs, and many other website! Keeping track of sources as you research and write can help you stay organized and ethical. If you end up not using a ...
EasyBib®: Free Bibliography Generator
Automatic works cited and bibliography formatting for MLA, APA and Chicago/Turabian citation styles. Now supports MLA 9.
How to cite a website in APA format
The easy way to cite a website in APA format We can cite a website for you automatically (and for free) with our citation generator below. Simply paste the page URL into the search box (or search for some keywords) and then click on the result we find. We'll find all the details you need and format it correctly, ready for you to copy into your paper.
BibMe: Free Bibliography & Citation Maker
BibMe is a free bibliography and citation maker that supports various styles including MLA, APA, Chicago, and Harvard.
How to Cite a Website and Online/Electronic Resources
The pages outlines examples of how to cite websites and media sources using the Harvard Referencing method.
FREE Citation, Bibliography & Works Cited Generator
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FREE Citation Machine: Accurate & Easy-to-Use
Enter the URL, DOI, ISBN, title, or other unique source information into the citation generator to find your source. Click the 'Cite' button on the citation machine. Copy your new reference from the citation generator into your bibliography or works cited list. Repeat for each source that has contributed to your work.
Free MLA Citation Generator [Updated for 2024]
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FREE Reference Generator: Accurate & Easy-to-Use
What is Cite This For Me's APA Reference Generator? Cite This For Me's open-access reference generator is an automated citation machine that turns any of your sources into references in just a click. Using a bibliography generator helps students to integrate referencing into their research and writing routine; turning a time-consuming ordeal into a simple task.
Free APA Citation Generator [Updated for 2024]
Generate APA style citations quickly and accurately with our FREE APA citation generator. Enter a website URL, book ISBN, or search with keywords, and we do the rest! Updated with APA 7th Edition!
How to cite ChatGPT
This post outlines how to create references for large language model AI tools like ChatGPT and how to present AI-generated text in a paper.
How to Create Your Own Browser Extension
If you find yourself doing repetitive tasks in your browser, it may be time to try writing an extension for Chrome or Firefox—with just minimal coding knowledge required.
Free Harvard Referencing Generator [Updated for 2024]
Generate Harvard references automatically with our fast and free Harvard reference generator. Get correctly formatted references for books, websites, journals and more!

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