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Course & Subject Guides

Finding Primary Sources @ Pitt

Learn to distinguish between primary and secondary sources; learn strategies for finding primary sources.

Citation Styles

The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook was published in 2021. In this update, the format for both in-text and Works Cited citations is the same as the 8th edition. The 9th edition also includes this clarification on citing a film/DVD.

A film/DVD:
Generally list film directors as key contributors in the Contributor element
Blade Runner. 1982. Directed by Ridley Scott, director’s cut, Warner Bros., 1992.

Example Citations for an Unpublished Letter

Letter (unpublished)

  • George Creel to Colonel House, 25 September 1918. Edward M. House Papers, Yale University Library. Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed., note form
  • Benton, Thomas Hart. Letter to Charles Fremont. 22 June 1847. MS. John Charles Fremont Papers. Southwest Museum Lib., Los Angeles. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed., works cited
  • (Allport, G. W., 1930-1967, Allport to E. G. Boring, March 1, 1939) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed., in-text citation

Citing Sources Using a Citation Manager

Keep track of all of your reference lists and bibliographies. Pitt's library resources work with citation management tools and allow you to import citations from sources like PittCat and article databases.