Missing Elements
If an element is missing in your source, the table below will explain and provide an example on how to properly modify your citation.
How to Create a Citation When an Element is Missing
|
Missing Element |
Solution |
Template |
|
|
Reference List Entry |
In-Text Citation |
||
|
Nothing – All Elements are Present |
Provide the author, date, title, and source of the work |
Author. (Date). Title. Source. |
(Author, year)
Author (year) |
|
Author |
Provide the title, date, and source |
Title. (Date). Source. |
(Title, year)
Title (year) |
|
Date |
Provide the author, write “n.d.” for “no date,” then provide the title and source. |
Author. (n.d.). Title. Source. |
(Author, n.d.)
Author (n.d.) |
|
Title |
Provide the author and date, describe the work in square brackets, then provide the source. |
Author. (Date). [Description of work]. Source. |
(Author, year)
Author (year) |
|
Author and date |
Provide the title, write “n.d.” for “no date,” then provide the source. |
Title. (n.d.). Source. |
(Title, n.d.)
Title (n.d.) |
|
Author and title |
Describe the work in square brackets, then provide the date and source. |
[Description of work]. (Date). Source. |
([Description of work], year)
[Description of work] (year) |
|
Date and title |
Provide the author, write “n.d.” for “no date,” describe the work in square brackets, then provide the source. |
Author. (n.d.). [Description of the work]. Source. |
(Author, n.d.)
Author (n.d.) |
|
Author, date, and title |
Describe the work in square brackets, write “n.d.” for “no date,” then provide the source. |
[Description of work]. (n.d.). Source. |
([Description of work], n.d.)
[Description of work] (n.d.) |
|
Source |
Cite as a personal communication or find another work to cite. |
No reference list entry |
(C.C. Communicator, personal communication, month day, year)
C.C. Communicator (personal communication, month day, year) |