The Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal citation, 10th edition was released in 2023. Access to the library's online resources for McGill Style, 9th edition is still available.
This guide offers a variety of examples for the types of sources commonly used in academic assignments. Examples are based on our interpretation of the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation, 10th Edition. Always check with your professor before starting assignments to ensure that using in this guide is appropriate for your class.
Citing your sources is an important academic and professional skill. Whenever you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or copy content from someone else, you must cite your sources. By including citations, you:
The Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (McGill Guide) is widely used in format, and therefore fits well with many of Sheridan's programs. Using a recognized citation style by a credible organization ensures consistency and makes it easier for your reader to understand what information you have cited, and where you found that information.
You must provide a citation for all sources like cases, legislation, and secondary materials (e.g., books, articles, videos) that you use in your assignments. Citing your sources both provides credit to the original author(s), as well as provides credibility to your argument. If you can imagine your reader asking 'how do you know that?' or 'did you create that?', provide a citation.
There is no limit. You should have as many citations as you need to support your argument or report. Always refer to your assignment guidelines and ask your instructor to clarify the expectations for the assignment. However, your instructor will also want you to provide your own argument and demonstrate your understanding of the content of what you have read. Your citations should be added within your own analysis.
Not necessarily. There are relatively few rules for citations in-text and they are fairly easy to complete manually. However, there are citation generators that can support you. Citation tools are not perfect and students are expected to proofread their assignment. Commonly used citation generators include Mendeley and Zotero.
See Citation Managers for more details.
There are times you will not be able to identify section numbers and other parts of the source. Some parts of the citation template are optional so refer to the McGill Guide for recommendations.
Tutoring and library staff can answer questions about citing your sources, and can help clarify citation rules. Our role is to help students learn how to cite. Students are responsible for proofreading their own citations.
Appointments with English/Writing Tutors or AIR Specialists can be booked through TutorOcean.