How to Cite Your Sources
The citation style used by anthropologists can vary, so the suggested format used in anthropology at UVM varies as well. The most common citation style preferred by anthropologists is the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition following the Author-Date system, as is common in many social sciences. Chicago Manual of Style, then, is a format that most professors will ask for and can be the default if they do not specify. Some professors may specify that they would like the American Anthropological Association (AAA) citation style. Note that as of September, 2015, AAA Style is no longer an officially recognized citation format beyond university-level work. The American Anthropological Association has adopted the Chicago Manual of Style as its primary format for anthropological work, as they are very similar formats. While these are two common formats, some professors may specify a different one or let you choose a style that you feel most comfortable with. Professors will also decide whether they prefer their students to write with footnotes or in-text citations. The important thing is to be consistent and stick to one style throughout the paper.
Below, we break down the most common elements of both Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition and AAA Style so you can familiarize yourself with them. For types of sources not shown here, or any questions you have, always refer to your professor as well as the Chicago Manual of Style’s official website (new tab) or the official AAA Style Guide (new tab) for more details.
⇒ Given examples are fictional and do not reference actual published works or authors. Any resemblance to real work, authors, or publishers is unintentional. ⇐
Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition
Book with One Author
Last Name, First Name of Author. Date of Publication. Title of work. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Doe, John. 2012. Figuring Out Citations in Anthropology. New York: Example Press.
Book with Two (or more) authors
Last Name, First name, Second Author full name, and Last Author full name. Date of Publication. Title of work. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Doe, John, Earl Test, and Stu Dent. 2007. Being an Anthropology Major. Boston: University of Nowhere Press.
Book In-text Citations
(Author’s last name Year, page number)
- There is no punctuation between the author’s name and the year
- If the work is by two authors, include the last names of both authors, separated by “and”
- If the work has more than two authors, provide the last name of the first author followed by “et al.”
(Doe 2012, 417-18)
(Doe and Test 2007, 142)
(Doe et al. 2007, 13-14)
Chapter in an Edited Book
Last Name, First Name of Author of the Chapter. Date of Publication. “Title of Chapter.” In Title of Whole Volume by Name(s) of Author(s) of the Book, Page Range. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Micah, Sarah. 2009. “The Rise of Digital Culture and What it Means for Us”In Anthropology: Past, Present, and Future by Charles Gisby and Alicia Corts, 200-220. London: Nothing Press.
Note: When there is more than one editor, use eds.
Chapter In-text Citations
Same format as for a book, see above
(Micah 2009, 217)
Journal Article
Last Name, First Name of Author. Date of Publication. “Title of Article.” Name of Journal Volume, Issue Number (Month or Season of Issue): Page Range.
Zuke, Whitney M. 2012. “Understanding Citation and its Functions.” Writing and Research 20, no. 3 (April): 23-37.
Journal In-text Citations
Same format as for a book, see above
(Zuke 2012, 30)
AAA Style
Book with One Author
Last Name, First Name of Author
Date of Publication Title. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Doe, John
2012 Figuring Out Citations in Anthropology. New York: Example Press.
In-text Citations
(Author’s last name Year:page number)
- There is no punctuation between the author’s name and the year
- If the work is by two authors, include the last names of both authors, separated by “and”
- If the work has more than two authors, provide the last name of the first author followed by “et al.”
(Doe 2012:417-18)
(Doe and Test 2007:142)
(Doe et al. 2007:13-14)
Book with Two (or more) authors
Last Name, First name, Second Author, and Last Author
Date of Publication Title. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Doe, John, Earl Test, and Stu Dent
2007 Being an Anthropology Major. Boston: University of Nowhere Press.
Chapter in an Edited Volume
Last Name, First Name of Author of the Chapter
Date of Publication Title of Chapter. In Title of Whole Volume. Name(s) of Editor(s) of the Volume, ed. Page Range. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Micah, Sarah
2009 The Rise of Digital Culture and What it Means for Us. In Anthropology: Past, Present, and Future. Charles Gisby and Alicia Corts, eds. Pp. 200-220. London: Nothing Press.
Note: When there is more than one editor, use eds.
Journal Article
Last Name, First Name of Author
Date of Publication Title of Article. Name of Journal Volume Number(Issue Number):Page Range.
Zuke, Whitney M.
2012 Understanding Citation and its Functions. Writing and Research 20(3):23-37.