VCSU Library Citation Guide

General Formatting and Species Capitalization

• Double space all text
• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• Do not capitalize common names of species except words that are proper names
• Scientific names follow the first mention of a common name, except in the title
• Place scientific names following common names in parentheses and italic font with the first letter of the genus name capitalized and the species name in lower-case letters.
• Do not use subspecies names unless essential

Bibliography

Use Hanging Indent citations [in Word, highlight text, right click, select Paragraph, and choose “Hanging” under Indentation:]

• List your references or sources used beginning on a new page, not following the conclusion paragraph(s).
• May use Works Cited, Bibliography, or Literature Cited as the page heading.  
• Center the heading (Works Cited, Bibliography, etc.) at the top of the Works Cited page.
• List references alphabetically by author/editor last name.  If no author/editor is present, alphabetize by title of the work, omitting initial A, An, or The.
• Double space citations [in Word, highlight text, right click, select Paragraph, and choose “Double” under Spacing: ]
• Double space between each reference listed.