Check with instructor on the preferred style he or she wishes you to use and be sure to conslult the most up-to-date edition of that style manual.

MLA handbook for writers of research papers. - 7th edition

ISBN: 1603290249

The MLA Handbook is an academic style guide widely used in the United States, Canada, and other countries, providing guidelines for writing and documentation of research in the HUMANITIES, which includes Theology. (However, be sure to use your instructor's preferred style manual.) Note: It is no longer fashionable to use ibid or op. cit. when using this Handbook.

A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations : Chicago style for students and researchers / Kate L. Turabian - 7th edition.

ISBN: 0226823377

From Booklist
First published in 1937, Turabian's manual has been updated to reflect the fifteenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (2003) as well as the habits and needs of today's students. The chapter on source citation now includes sections on online databases, e-books, and "informally published electonic sources." A new and lengthy part 1, "Researching and Writing: From Planning to Production," cautions researchers to "beware of Wikipedia" and "never cite it as an authoritative source." Another caution: citation software "may save time, but it is not a substitute for knowing the underlying principles of the style." Quinn, Mary Ellen

Student's guide to writing college papers / Kate L. Turabian. - 4th edition.

ISBN: 0226816303

This book is a concise distillation of the enormous Chicago Style Manual. Recommended for college and graduate students--particularly those who must use multiple citation styles.

Which should you use?

Ask each of your professors which style they want you to use. If they have no preference you can follow any of these styles (just be consistent). However, most of our Seminary students are asked to use either the MLA or Turabian Style Manuals.

• APA: psychology, education, and other social sciences.
• MLA: literature, arts, and humanities.
• AMA: medicine, health, and biological sciences.
• Turabian: designed for college students to use with all subjects.
• Chicago: used with all subjects in the "real world" by books, magazines, newspapers, and other non-scholarly publications.

Print versions of these style manuals contain examples of citing more sources than these web pages do, as well as other things you may need to know, such as margins, font size, etc.

I like the "Long Island University Library Guide" as it is "COLOR CODED."

Frequently Asked Questions about the MLA Handbook (from the MLA Website)

What is new in the seventh edition of the MLA Handbook?

Should I use underlining or italics in my research paper?

How many spaces should I leave after a period or other concluding mark of punctuation?

How do I create the indention that the MLA shows for a works-cited list?

SAMPLE PAPER - MLA STYLE:

Use RefWorks to keep track of resources you find in your research, and to create your bibliography when finished.

Learn more about Refworks and get the UST Refworks Group Code (login required).

BibMe Bibligraphy Maker

VERY simple, BASIC, free online source.

Sophisticated, free, open source, online citation tool. Zotero works with Firefox for Windows, Mac and Linux but not Internet Explorer (IE) or Google Chrome.

Would you like some expert assistance with writing and editing your paper? 

Check out the resources available from the Writing Center.

Concerned about Plagiarism? You should be! View this multi-media tutorial for more information.