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English Composition 1

Documenting Sources from Online Databases

The examples below illustrate how to document sources from online databases, such as ProQuest, FirstSearch, and JSTOR. Most of the sources found in online databases fall into one of two categories: (1) articles in scholarly journals and (2) articles in newspapers or magazines. (See Citing Online Sources for information about creating a Works Cited page for other sources from the Web.)  

Note that the punctuation and spacing is correct in the examples below. Any other spacing or punctuation is incorrect.

An Article in a Scholarly Journal

Felty, Darren. “Spatial Confinement in Hemingway’s ‘Cat in the Rain.’” Studies in Short Fiction 34.3 (1997): 363-69. FirstSearch. Web. 4 May 2009.

Each item in the citation is identified below:

1. Felty, Darren. = Name of the author, with last name first
2. “Spatial Confinement in Hemingway’s ‘Cat in the Rain.’” = Title of the article, in quotation marks
3. Studies in Short Fiction = Title of the journal, italicized
4. 34.3 (1997): = Volume number, issue number, and year of publication
5. 363-69. = Page numbers for the complete article
6. FirstSearch. = Name of the online database in which the article appears, italicized
7. Web. = Medium for the source, which is the Web
8. 4 May 2009. = Date when you accessed the source

An Article in a Magazine or Newspaper

Dowling, Claudia Glenn. "Twist of Fate." People Weekly 26 March 2001: 62-64. FirstSearch. Web. 4 August 2009.

Each item in the citation is identified below:

1. Dowling, Claudia Glenn. = Name of the author, with last name first
2. "Twist of Fate." = Title of the article, in quotation marks
3. People Weekly = Title of the magazine or newspaper, italicized
4. 26 March 2001: = Date of publication
5. 62-64. = Page numbers for the complete article
6. FirstSearch. = Name of the online database in which the article appears, italicized
7. Web. = Medium for the source, which is the Web
8. 4 August 2009. = Date when you accessed the source

Notes

• The only difference in the listings of the two types of sources is that the volume and issue numbers are given for articles from scholarly journals but the publication date is given for articles from magazines and newspapers. Do not give the volume and issue numbers for articles from magazines and newspapers even if your source provides that information.
   
• The page numbers for the complete article should be given, in the format of 32-39. If the page numbering of a source is not continuous (for example, if a newspaper article starts on page B1 and then continues on page B4), give the start page along with a plus sign, in the format of B1+. In no page numbers are given for the article, use n. pag.
   
• Most sources will give the name of the author, but if no author is given, begin the listing of the source with the title of the article. However, if the author is given as Anonymous, then put the word Anonymous in the place where the author's name would appear.