What controls how sources and citations are presented in a document?

The report style you choose is significant because it governs the overall formatting and organization of sources and citations within a document. Different report styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, come with specific guidelines that dictate how references should be presented, including aspects like author order, publication dates, capitalization, and punctuation. By selecting a particular report style, you ensure that all citations are consistent and adhere to the expected academic standards, making it easier for readers to locate and verify sources.

This choice is essential for maintaining clarity and professionalism in writing. While the document font can influence readability, page orientation affects layout, and the type of source may determine what information to include, they do not inherently dictate how citations need to be formatted and presented in accordance with established styles.