When writing a manuscript, paper, or report in a given field, it is important to write properly and in the style of that discipline.  Additionally, when using sources including journals, books, and/or web sites in research papers or lab reports it is important and necessary to give credit to the original author by properly citing the sources. Citing sources and references will allow readers of your work to find the sources; the ability to easily access references can further inform and enrich your work.  In every field, there are a variety of different citation and writing styles. The following links provide resources as well as guidelines for a variety of fields with a focus on writing and using citation formats associated with scientific fields--specifically chemistry. 

For additional information about writing in chemistry, please look at the page on "Writing a Research Paper or Lab Report" for general rules on style, format, references and more.  This page also provides a summary on each section typically found a scholarly article or laboratory report under Parts of A Research Paper, each summary also has a link to an open access paper that provides detailed information on style, format, and more.

If you are looking for a formal guide for writing in chemistry, the guide commonly used for style and citation format is the ACS Style Guide:

Access to the ACS Style Guide is available through Washington University in St. Louis Libraries as a print resource

Note: While the resources provided in this writing guide are meant to help, it is always important to follow the guidelines of the publication or course instructor that you are writing for.