Zines

How to Cite a Zine

Things to Remember About Zines

Sometimes it can be difficult to locate the zinester, or author/creator of the zine. You can try searching for the zine online to see if you can find the creator's information, but sometimes this is done on purpose. Some zinesters choose to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym to protect their identity. Given the often sensitive content zines might have, it is best practice to follow what the zine contains itself. If the zine does not have a name or uses a pseudonym, even if you know their real name, follow suit with what is on the zine itself. 

Information to Look For

  • Creator/author name
  • Title of zine
  • Issue or volume
  • Date issued/created
  • City of publication/creation

MLA

In-text citation: An in-text citation names the author of the source, and gives the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

In a list of Works Cited: Author last name, first name. “Title of Zine.” [Zine] Volume or issue number. City of publication. Year published. 

APA

In-text citation: An in-text citation gives the author of the source, the date of publication, and a page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

In a list of Works Cited: Author last name, first initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Zine [Zine] Volume or issue number. 

Chicago Style

In-text note for the first time you reference a zine: Author first name and last name, Title of Zine, Issue/Volume Number(City of publication, year published), page(s) you are referencing.  

In a list of Works Cited: Author last name, first name. Title of Zine. Zine. Volume or issue number. City of publication: Year published. 

Taken from Bernard College's Cite This Zine found here. 

 

Note: When in doubt, treat the zine as you would a pamphlet or booklet, which usually follows suit with citing a book.

Citation Formats

What Are Citation Formats?

Citation formats are rules and guidelines that make writing styles uniform within a specific work or publication. They cover the following:

  • Layout of paper. Includes margins, spaces between lines, font size, etc.
  • Full documentation of source used. Added to end-of-paper list named Works Cited for MLA and References for APA.
  • In-Text documentation of sources. Small part of full documentation that goes near used information.

There are many citation formats. Some of the more commonly used ones are MLA format, APA format and Chicago format.

Why Cite Sources?

There are several reasons why you would want to cite your sources:

  • Lend authority and credibility to your work
  • Allow readers (including your instructor) to cross‐reference sources easily
  • Provide consistent format
  • Acknowledge academic debts and avoid plagiarism

What Is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is giving the impression that you wrote or thought something that you borrowed from someone else.

  • Even accidental plagiarism can lead to failing your class or being expelled.
  • Plagiarism in your professional career can result in being sued, fired, and publicly embarrassed.

How Can You Avoid Plagiarism? Cite your sources using a citation format.

What Must Be Cited?

  • Directly Quoted Information – Info straight from a source, which goes in quotation marks
  • Paraphrased Information – Ideas from source but phrasing changed to your words
  • Summarized Information – Ideas from large passage of source condensed using your words
  • Factual Information – Factual information that is NOT common knowledge

Material is probably common knowledge if:

  • Same info is undocumented in at least five other sources
  • Your readers probably already know the info
  • Facts found in many places and likely known by a lot of people

From: The Online Writing Lab. Purdue University

Frequently Used Formats

  • MLA Format – Created by the Modern Language Association. Used for research papers in many college and academic classes, including English classes.
  • APA Format – Created by the American Psychological Association.
  • Chicago Format – Published by the University of Chicago Press in The Chicago Manual of Style.
  • AMA Format – Made by the American Medical Association for writing medical research.

How do you know which format to use? Your instructor will let you know the required format for your class and assignments.

MLA Format

APA Format

Citation Management Tools

Citation management tools can help you create citations in various formats. Click on the link below for more information about the citation management tool available through the library.