Numerous databases, library catalogs, and other resources will provide a sample citation for a selected item. This is a very useful option but can also be a source of frustration.
Lincoln Christian University strongly advises students to exercise caution when utilizing these citations and to very carefully check that the citation matches the MLA style as outlined in the MLA Handbook, 8th edition and A Pocket Style Manual, 2016 MLA Update Edition by Diana Hacker and as outlined in this guide.
The final responsibility for an accurate citation rests on the shoulders of the individual student as the paper's author. Professors will not accept the excuse "That's what the computer said."
Watch for the following areas of concern when utilizing citation generators:
- Each of the citation generators provides a note reminding students to carefully check citations.
- When copying the citation from the generator to a paper, the word processing program utilized will change the spacing and indents.
- Double-check the capitalization matches the MLA style. The generator is simply rearranging the data into the appropriate order but is unable to adapt the capitalization which may be in headline style, sentence style, or even all capitals.
- The citation generator will not incorporate any changes and requirements used by Lincoln Christian University or a specific professor.
- Citation generators typically only create works cited entries not parenthetical, in-text citations.
Given these concerns, some individuals may feel it is easier to edit the citation produced by a citation generator than to create their own citation.
