Review by Choice Review
This volume by Lipson (political science, Univ. of Chicago) is just what its subtitle says: "a quick guide to citation styles." Chapters 1 and 2 provide the basic introduction on why one needs to use citations and on general similarities found in all citation styles. The remaining chapters cover a single citation style; the exception is the final chapter, which offers a Q&A of the most frequent problems. Each section on a specific style begins with a brief overview and index to the samples within the chapter. The citations are laid out in chart format, with each entry listing the type of resource and types of notes and bibliographies; samples range from single-author books to online resources. For example, the chapter on MLA style discusses its use in the humanities, its use of "in-text notes" instead of footnotes or endnotes, and its use of "Works Cited" instead of bibliography. The types of resources are noted in the chart along with examples of how works cited and in-text notes would appear. The last page gives brief FAQs about MLA citations.Besides the best-known guides--The Chicago Manual of Style (14th ed., CH, Jan'94, 31-2458), Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (4th ed., CH, Oct'95, 33-0646), and those produced by the American Psychological Association--the volume also covers the guidelines of the American Anthropological Association, Council of Science Editors, American Medical Association, American Chemical Society, Harvard Law Review Association, and Association of Legal Writing Directors. It addresses physics, astrophysics, astronomy, mathematics, and computer science citations. It is a handy guide for anyone doing research papers and would be a great ready reference resource. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. All levels. J. P. Burton West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
