How to Cite a Conference Paper in APA, MLA, and Chicago (Proceedings)
Learn how to cite conference papers and published proceedings in APA 7th, MLA 9th, and Chicago style. Complete guide with examples for published and unpublis...
The Pain Point of Citing Conference Proceedings
Citing a paper presented at a conference can be a formatting nightmare. Should you cite it as a published proceeding, an unpublished presentation, or a journal article? The rules shift dramatically based on how the paper was published, leaving many researchers confused and at risk of losing points for incorrect formatting. Figuring out where to place the conference dates, locations, and symposium titles is notoriously difficult.
With Formatly’s Citation & Structure Audit™, the complex logic of conference citations is handled for you in seconds, ensuring your paper meets strict academic standards without the headache.
Conference Proceedings: Format Comparison
| Format | Citation Structure (Published Proceedings) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| APA (7th ed.) | Author(s). (Year). Title of paper. In Editor(s) (Ed. or Eds.), Title of proceedings (pp. xx–xx). Publisher. DOI/URL | Lee, A. (2021). Neural nets in IoT. In B. Park (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2021 Tech Conference (pp. 12–20). IEEE. |
| MLA (9th ed.) | Author(s). “Title of Paper.” Title of Proceedings, edited by Editor(s), Publisher, Year, pp. xx–xx. | Lee, Anna. “Neural Nets in IoT.” Proceedings of the 2021 Tech Conference, edited by Ben Park, IEEE, 2021, pp. 12–20. |
| Chicago (17th ed., Notes & Bib) | Author(s). “Title of Paper.” In Title of Proceedings, edited by Editor(s), xx–xx. City: Publisher, Year. | Lee, Anna. “Neural Nets in IoT.” In Proceedings of the 2021 Tech Conference, edited by Ben Park, 12–20. New York: IEEE, 2021. |
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