Cite Your Sources

AP guidelines are focused primarily on writing style rather than on citation style, even for students. Because AP style is so commonly used by U.S. newspapers, magazines, and public relations offices, it is essential that journalism students learn to write according to its conventions.

The materials linked on this page provide introductions, summaries, or supplements to the Associated Press Stylebook. Students can access the online Stylebook through the library's database list.

What do I need to attribute?

• Someone else’s words.
• Information gathered by other journalists.
• Statements of opinion.
• Images and graphs from fact sheets or research articles.
• Attribute any time that attribution strengthens the credibility of a story.

What don’t I need to attribute?

• Don’t attribute facts that the reporter observed first-hand (for example, It was a sunny day.)
• Don’t attribute common knowledge, like the temperature of boiling water.
• Don’t worry about attributing facts where the source is obvious and the fact is not in dispute (for example, the population of a town or the height of an athlete).

General attribution tips:

• Never change what someone said – double-check if you’re not sure of the exact wording of a quote.
• In journalism, you need to name any sources that you use. The source does not need a text citation in the story after each attribution or to be listed in a reference or works cited list. Example:
  • According to police records, the suspect had been arrested for fraud before.
• Take careful notes! You don’t want to attribute something to the wrong source, or worse – fail to attribute the source at all.
• Use multiple sources. Try to talk with all parties involved, or multiple sides of a story or debate.