How do I cite a preprint in OSCOLA?

To cite a preprint in OSCOLA (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the OSCOLA format for a preprint citation?

The OSCOLA format for a preprint is: Petrov I and Osei A, “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output” (March 2, 2024)

What does the in-text citation look like for a preprint in OSCOLA?

In OSCOLA, the in-text citation for the example above is Ivan Petrov and Akua Osei, “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output” (March 2, 2024) .

How to Cite a Preprint in OSCOLA (4th edition)

Learn how to cite arXiv, bioRxiv, and other preprint server papers in OSCOLA format (4th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

OSCOLA Bibliography Format

Here is the standard OSCOLA format for citing a preprint in your bibliography:

OSCOLA Example for a Preprint

A complete OSCOLA reference for a preprint, formatted by the official OSCOLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Petrov I and Osei A, “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output” (March 2, 2024) <https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234>

Matching in-text citation: Ivan Petrov and Akua Osei, “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output” (March 2, 2024) <https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234>.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your preprint.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the OSCOLA (4th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match OSCOLA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: oscola.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a preprint in OSCOLA?: To cite a preprint in OSCOLA (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the OSCOLA format for a preprint citation?: The OSCOLA format for a preprint is: Petrov I and Osei A, “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output” (March 2, 2024) <https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234>
What does the in-text citation look like for a preprint in OSCOLA?: In OSCOLA, the in-text citation for the example above is Ivan Petrov and Akua Osei, “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output” (March 2, 2024) <https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234>.