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Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Citing an unknown primary source?

Asked by: Christina Sinclair

How do you cite a source that is unknown?

Write “Anonymous” in place of the author’s name in the parenthetical reference if it is used in the source, for example: (“Anonymous, 2008). Cite the source by its title if neither an author’s name nor the word “anonymous” is present.

How do you cite a primary source with no author?

Author’s last name, first name, middle initial (if given; if no author is given, use title of Newspaper here instead in italics). Title of article (in quotes); Title of newspaper (if not used above) in italics.

Does a primary source have to be original?

Primary sources are original materials, regardless of format. Letters, diaries, minutes, photographs, artifacts, interviews, and sound or video recordings are examples of primary sources created as a time or event is occurring.

What would an APA in text citation include when the author of a source is unknown?

What would an in-text citation include when the author of a source is unknown? It would include the first few words of the Reference list entry of that work and the year. It would only include the word anonymous if the work’s author is stated as anonymous.

How do you cite a website if the author is unknown?

Cite in text the first few words of the reference list entry (usually the title) and the year. Use double quotation marks around the title or abbreviated title.: (“All 33 Chile Miners,” 2010). Note: Use the full title of the web page if it is short for the parenthetical citation.

How do you cite an unnamed author?

In-Text Citations:

  1. Citations are placed in the context of discussion using the author’s last name and date of publication.
  2. When a work has no identified author, cite in text the first few words of the article title using double quotation marks, “headline- style” capitalization, and the year.

How do you cite a primary source from a website?

If you are using an online primary source from a website, follow the format below: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Primary Source Document: Subtitle.” Year of creation. Title of Website, Publisher of Website, Publication Date, URL.

How do you cite a primary source in a bibliography?

Author’s last name, first name. Description of primary source, Date. In Title of Secondary Source, edited by Editor’s first name last name. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.

How do you cite your own primary research?

How to Cite Primary Sources

  1. Author or creator’s name.
  2. Title of the source or a description.
  3. Date the source was written/created.
  4. Publication information, such as the database you accessed it from.
  5. Collection name, if there is one.
  6. Box and folder, if the source was housed in a place that uses such a system.

How do you cite an unknown author in APA 7?

Unknown Author



When the work does not have an author move the title of the work to the beginning of the references and follow with the date of publication. Only use “Anonymous ” if the author is the work is signed “Anonymous.” This is a new addition to APA 7.

What if an author is unknown in APA 7th edition?

No Author. Note: If your source does not have an author, use the title as the first part of your citation. For both your reference list and your in-text citations, use italics for book titles. The titles of articles, chapters, or web pages are in regular font but have quotation marks in the in-text citations.

Which of the following examples is the correct use of an unknown author?

The Chicago style recommends the following when the author is unknown: Sources that have no known author or editor should be cited by title.

What happens if your source does not have an author listed?

No Author. If no author or creator is provided, start the citation with the title/name of the item you are citing instead. Follow the title/name of the item with the date of publication, and the continue with other citation details. Note: an author/creator won’t necessarily be a person’s name.

How do you credit unknown?

Use “Anonymous” as the author name in the corresponding reference entry as well. If the work you are referencing does not name an author (which is different than Anonymous being the identified author), use the first few words of the title instead (APA, 2020, p. 264).



How do you cite an unknown author in MLA?

When no author is given, omit the author section and start the citation with the title. MLA also discourages the use of “Anonymous” as a replacement for the author’s name (“How”). Examples: The Epic of Gilgamesh.

How do you cite a quote from an unknown source in MLA?

Unknown Author

Where you’d normally put the author’s last name, instead use the first one, two, or three words from the title. Don’t count initial articles like “A”, “An” or “The”. You should provide enough words to make it clear which work you’re referring to from your Works Cited list.