Citation errors rarely come from forgetting to cite a source entirely — they're usually smaller formatting and consistency issues that nonetheless cost real points on a rubric that specifically grades citation accuracy.
1. Mixing citation styles within one document
Using APA-style in-text citations alongside an MLA-style works cited list (or any other mismatched combination) is a surprisingly common error, especially when working from mixed source templates or copying examples from different places. Pick one style per our style comparison guide and apply it consistently throughout.
2. Inconsistent capitalization in titles
Different styles have different title capitalization rules — APA generally uses sentence case for article titles (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized) within reference entries, while MLA uses title case (most words capitalized) — applying the wrong convention, or applying it inconsistently across different sources in the same list, is a common, easily avoidable error.
3. Missing italics or incorrect italicization
Book titles, journal names, and website names are typically italicized across most styles, while article titles are typically placed in quotation marks instead — mixing these up, or forgetting italics when copying and pasting from a source that didn't preserve formatting, is a frequent small error.
4. Alphabetization errors in the reference list
Reference lists and works cited pages are alphabetized by author's last name (or by title, for sources without a clear author) — a surprisingly common error is alphabetizing by first name, or simply listing sources in the order they were cited in the text rather than alphabetically.
5. In-text citations that don't match the reference list
Every source cited in the body text needs a corresponding full entry in the reference list, and vice versa — a reference list entry with no matching in-text citation, or an in-text citation with no corresponding full entry, is flagged by most citation-checking rubrics and is one of the more common oversights, especially when sources are added or removed during revision without updating both locations.
6. Incorrect or missing page numbers for direct quotes
Direct quotations generally require a specific page number (or paragraph number for sources without pagination) in the in-text citation, distinct from a general paraphrase citation which sometimes doesn't require this level of specificity, depending on the style — omitting page numbers for direct quotes specifically is a common point deduction.
7. Citing a source you didn't actually read directly
If a source was cited secondhand — found quoted within another source rather than read in its original form — proper citation practice generally requires indicating this (often using "as cited in" or a similar convention), rather than citing the original source as if you'd read it directly, which is considered a form of misrepresentation even if unintentional.
8. Forgetting the access date where required
As covered in our website citation guide, MLA and Chicago style typically expect an access date for web sources, while APA generally doesn't — applying the wrong convention for your specific required style is an easy, common slip.
A quick self-check before submitting
Before submitting any assignment with citations, verify: one consistent style throughout, every in-text citation has a matching reference entry (and vice versa), and formatting (italics, capitalization, punctuation) is consistent across every entry in your list.
Start with an accurate draft citation
Our free Citation Generator produces a consistently formatted starting citation for your chosen style, reducing the risk of several of the formatting errors described above — always do a final manual review against your specific style guide before submitting.
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