The tool is... Microsoft Word! What? The free MS Office you get can make citing your work so simple it'll make the rest of your life easier? Well, kind of. I created a set of steps for you. Check it out.

1) First, start writing. When you get to the point that you need to cite a reference (most often at the end of the current line) place your cursor where you want it then click on the References tab on the ribbon (the top menu) and select your required reference type. In this class it's APA.

Citations 1.jpg

2) Click the Insert Citation button and select Add New Source.

Citations 2.jpg

3) Choose the 'Type of Source' (magazine, journal, book, etc.) and fill in the blanks with the appropriate information. Then click OK.

Citations 3.jpg

4) An 'inline' citation will appear where your cursor was. Inline citations are a shortened version of the full citation that goes into your Works Cited or Bibliography page.

Citations 4.jpg

5) Then go back to the References tab, and this time choose Bibliography. Select Works Cited from the menu (just click on it). Make sure your cursor is at the end of the document before you do this.

Citations 5.jpg

6) You will now have a Works Cited section in your document. If you add ANOTHER citation (reference) just click on the Works Cited section title, and click the Updated Citations and Bibliography button. Your Works Cited section will update to include the new reference.

Citations 6.jpg

7) Notice the new line in Works Cited?

Citations 7.jpg

I hope you find this valuable. If you have questions, please ask them below.