What is a container in a citation?

As an expert in the field of academic writing and citation, I would like to elaborate on the concept of a "container" in a citation.
In the world of academic writing, citations are the backbone of our work. They allow us to give credit to the original authors whose work we are building upon. They also provide a roadmap for readers to trace the sources of our information. When it comes to citing sources, there are various elements that make up a complete citation. One such element is the "container."
The term "container" in citation refers to the larger work that holds the source we are citing. It is the overarching structure within which the cited source exists. For instance, if you are citing an article from a journal, the article is the source, and the journal is the container. Similarly, if you are citing a chapter from a book, the chapter is the source, and the book is the container. The container is crucial because it provides context for the source and helps readers locate the original work.
In most citation styles, the container is typically italicized and followed by a comma. This formatting helps to distinguish the container from the other elements of the citation. For example, in APA style, a citation for a journal article might look like this:
> Author, A. A. (Year, Month). Title of article. *Title of Journal, Volume*(Issue), pp–pp.

In this citation, "*Title of Journal*" is the container. It is italicized to set it apart from the other elements of the citation.
The container is not just a formatting requirement; it serves a functional purpose as well. It helps to identify the source more accurately. Without the container, readers might be able to find the article but not the specific journal issue it was published in. This could lead to confusion and misattribution of the source.
Moreover, the container also aids in distinguishing between different versions of a source. For example, if an article is published in multiple journals or if a book has multiple editions, the container helps to specify which version of the source is being cited.
It is important to note that not all sources have a container. For primary sources like original research articles or dissertations, the container is often not necessary. However, for secondary sources like articles in journals, chapters in books, or papers in conference proceedings, the container is an essential part of the citation.
In conclusion, the container in a citation is a critical element that provides context and helps to accurately identify the source. It is part of the larger citation structure and follows specific formatting rules. Understanding the role of the container can greatly enhance the quality and accuracy of our citations, making our academic work more reliable and credible.

Sometimes a source is part of a larger whole. For example, a magazine article is part of a larger whole, the magazine itself. For citation purposes, we call the larger whole, in this case the magazine, a container. When citing sources, the container is generally italicized and is followed by a comma.