How to Create a Google Citation: A Step-by-Step Guide – Creating citations and a bibliography is an essential part of academic writing and research. If you’re using Google Docs as your writing tool, you’ll be pleased to know that it offers a convenient citation tool that can generate citations in various styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago Author-Date. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a Google citation, step by step.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Accessing the Citations Tool
- Adding a Citation Source
- Inserting an In-Text Citation
- Editing a Citation Source
- Deleting a Citation Source
- Inserting a Bibliography
- Translating Auto-Generated Elements
- Useful Tips and Tricks
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
Whether you’re a student or a professional writer, properly citing your sources is crucial to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Google Docs provides a user-friendly citations tool that allows you to effortlessly add citations and a bibliography to your document in different formatting styles. Let’s dive into the process of creating a Google citation.
2. Accessing the Citations Tool
To begin, open the Google Docs document where you want to add citations. Click on the “Tools” tab in the menu bar, and select “Citations” from the dropdown menu. A sidebar will appear on the right-hand side of your document, showcasing the different formatting styles available: MLA, APA, and Chicago Author-Date.
3. Adding a Citation Source
In the Citations sidebar, under your chosen formatting style, click on the “+ Add citation source” button. You’ll be prompted to select the source type, such as a book, website, or journal article. Additionally, you can specify how you accessed the source, whether it’s through a URL or an ISBN number. Fill in the relevant fields with the necessary information. The fields marked with a blue asterisk (*) are recommended.
To include multiple contributors, click on the “+ Contributor” button. You can indicate whether a contributor is an individual or an organization. Once you’ve entered all the required details, click on the “Add citation source” button to save the information.
4. Inserting an In-Text Citation
Now that you’ve added your citation source, it’s time to insert an in-text citation within your document. Place your cursor at the location where you want the citation to appear. In the Citations sidebar, hover over the desired source you want to cite. A “Cite” button will appear on the side of the citation source. Click on the “Cite” button, and the source will be inserted in your selected citation style.
If you see a “#” symbol in the text of your document, delete it or replace it with the appropriate page number(s) for your citation.
5. Editing a Citation Source
If you need to make changes to a citation source, return to the Citations sidebar. Find the citation source you wish to edit and hover over it to reveal the “Edit” button. Click on “Edit” to modify the source details. You can update any field or add/remove contributors as necessary. Remember to click on the “Save” button to save your changes.
6. Deleting a Citation Source
In case you no longer need a citation source in your document, you can easily delete it. Navigate to the Citations sidebar and locate the citation source you want to remove. Hover over the source until the “Delete” button appears. Click on “Delete” to remove the citation source from your document.
7. Inserting a Bibliography
To include a bibliography at the end of your document, position your cursor where you want it to be inserted. Scroll down to the bottom of the Citations sidebar, and you’ll find the “Insert bibliography” button. Click on it, and a bibliography will be automatically generated in your selected citation style.
8. Translating Auto-Generated Elements
While the citations tool in Google Docs is available in all languages, the auto-generated elements, such as the “Bibliography” heading and “edited by” text, currently appear only in English. However, you have the option to translate these elements to another language after you insert them into your document.
9. Useful Tips and Tricks
- Use the “Search” feature in the Citations sidebar to quickly find a specific citation source.
- Utilize the “Suggested content” feature to get recommendations for additional sources related to your topic.
- Correct any spelling and grammar mistakes in your citations using the built-in Google Docs spell-checker.
- Keep track of the word count in your document using the “Count the words” feature.
10. Conclusion
In conclusion, Google Docs provides a powerful and user-friendly citations tool that allows you to easily add citations and a bibliography to your documents. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create accurate and properly formatted Google citations in various styles. Remember to always cite your sources to give credit to the original authors and maintain the integrity of your work. Happy citing!
