Resources

Citations & Formatting

An important structural element of every academic paper is citation formatting that indicates which sources you consulted and where you refer to them in your paper.

The precise format (footnotes, endnotes, in-text citations) you use to note sources should conform to the stylistic conventions that have become standard within the discipline you are working in (e.g., APA style or MLA style). For a more detailed discussion of these conventions see the Creating Bibliographies module.

When instructors specify a particular formatting style, they are usually referring to the citation method. However, in some cases, other aspects of an assignments’s format must conform to the designated style, such as margins, line spacing, title page, etc. It is important to clarify with your instructor whether these features must also follow the standard format.

spark Click the button below to review a general formatting plan that could be used if your instructor has not required any particular set of conventions. Refer to the YUL Research Guide on Citing Your Work to access manuals and guides for APA, Chicago or MLA styles.

General Formatting Plan

General Formatting Plan

Margins should be 2.5 to 3.0 cm on each side.
All text should be in a standard 12-point font such as Times New Roman, for example, and double spaced.
If used, a title page should include your name and the title of the essay.
Pages should be numbered with the title page included as page 1. Reference pages should also be numbered.
Using either footnotes, endnotes or in-text citations clearly indicate within the body of the assignment which portions are based on the sources you consulted when preparing the assignment. In a separate section at the end of your paper provide a full reference for each source you have cited. These references should be placed in alphabetical order according to the last name of the first author listed for each source.
Headings and subheadings may be used to indicate major sections and subsections of the essay; however, subheadings should be clearly distinguishable from headings (e.g., section headings might be centred on the page and written in all caps, while subheadings could be justified to the left margin with only the first word capitalized).