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CSE Quick Citation Guide

Citing sources in CSE style.

Citation-Sequence Guidelines

In-Text Numbering

Instead of in-text citations, use numbers. In-text numbering should be:

  • Superscripted (small, raised number)
  • Located at the end of a clause or sentence where outside source material is used
  • Begin with 1
  • Use the same number if citing a previously mentioned source

Reference List

  • Title (References):
    • Left aligned
    • Bold, underlined,  or uppercase letters
    • Begins on the last page of the document
  • Double space between title and first entry
  • Entries:
    • Single-spaced with hanging indent
    • Font size is one or two points smaller than the document text
    • Arranged numerically (following initial in-text order of appearance)
  • List up to 10 authors
  • Abbreviate months to 3 letters (for example: Aug)
  • Include page numbers when specific quotations or passages are being cited 
  • Abbreviate journal titles according to the National Information Standards Organization. Search the journal title in these resources to find the standard abbreviation:

Citation-Name Guidelines

Citation-Name follows most of the same rules as Citation-Sequence, with these exceptions:

  • End references are listed alphabetically by author
  • Numbers assigned in the end references are used in-text, meaning that in-text numbers will likely not start with 1 and continue sequentially

Reference List Entries

Journal Articles: 

  • Last-Name First-Initial. Title of article. Journal Abbreviation Year;Volume#(Issue):Page-range.

Magazine Articles: 

  • Last-Name First-Initial. Title of article. Magazine Title. Year Month Day:Page-range.

Newspaper Articles: 

  • Last-Name First-Initial. Title of article. Newspaper Title. Year Month Day;Sect #:Page-Number (col. Column#).

Books by authors: 

  • Last-Name First-Initial. Title of book: subtitle of book. Edition# ed. City of Publication (State-Abbreviation): Publisher; Year.

Books with editors: 

  • Last-Name First-Initial. Title of book: subtitle of book. Edition# ed. Last-Name First-Initial, Last-Name First-Initial, editors. City of Publication (State-Abbreviation): Publisher; Year.

Book chapters: 

  • Last-Name First-Initial. Title of chapter. In: Last-name First-Initial, Last-name First Initial, editors. Title of book. Edition# ed. City of Publication (State-Abbreviation): Publisher; Year. p page-range.

Website: 

  • Author [such as Last-Name First-Initial. OR Agency/Organization Name]; Title of Webpage. City of Publication (State-Abbreviation): Publisher; Year Month Day [accessed Year Month Day]. URL.

Sources