How to Cite an Online Journal

1). Determine which of the two most popular citation formats are required. Modern Language Association, or MLA, format is generally preferred in the humanities, which include philosophy, history, literature, rhetoric and communication. For the social sciences such as anthropology, education, linguistics, political science, psychology and sociology most scholars prefer American Psychological Association, or APA, style citations.
2). For MLA: List the author's name, last name first, followed by a period. Write the title of the article in quotes followed by a period. Write the title of the online journal ending with a period. List two dates---the posting date and the date of access both followed by a period. List the web address of the exact page.
3). Be sure your MLA entry matches this sample: Doe, John. "How to Cite." ABC Journal. 21 April 2007. 17 Nov. 2008 <http://ABCJournal.com/id/55555/>.
4). For APA: List the author's last name and first initial followed by a period. Write the posting date of the article in parenthesis followed by a period. Insert the article title followed by a period. Put the title of the online journal ending with a period. Write the retrieved date of access followed by a comma. List the web address.
5). Be sure your APA entry follows this format: Doe, J. (2007, April 21). How to Cite. ABC Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://ABCJournal.com/id/55555/