For a paper in review, cite a public preprint or label it as an unpublished manuscript; use “in press” only after acceptance.
Why This Topic Matters
Readers lose trust when they cannot trace a source. That is the risk with a paper in review. Editors want references that a reader can open today, not someday. So the first question is simple: can a reader reach the item you want to cite? If yes, cite that version. If not, choose wording that makes the status plain.
This guide gives practical patterns across styles and clear examples you can paste. You will see where each style draws the line between a public preprint, an accepted article, and a private draft. You will also get short templates for in-text and reference entries.
How To Cite A Paper Under Review — Style Basics
Use the most public version you can cite with a stable link. If a preprint exists, cite the preprint. If the paper is accepted, use the in-press model. If there is no public version and no acceptance, use an unpublished manuscript format. Do not call it in press until acceptance is certain.
Across styles the goal is the same: name the status and avoid false signals. Write the status in brackets or text where the style expects it. Keep the wording short and factual.
Here is a quick map you can scan before picking a format.
| Status Of The Work | What To Cite | Reference List? |
|---|---|---|
| Public preprint (e.g., arXiv, OSF) with DOI or handle | Cite the preprint record with DOI or repository URL | Yes, full entry |
| Accepted article (in press) | Use in-press model for the journal | Yes, full entry |
| Submitted / under review, no public link | Use “manuscript submitted for publication” or similar label | Depends on style; often allowed, sometimes text-only |
| Manuscript in preparation | Use an unpublished manuscript label | Often text-only; check venue rules |
| Conference submission with public preprint | Cite the preprint; add note on submission if needed in text | Yes, full entry |
Core Principle: Public Beats Private
A preprint with a DOI or a stable repository link beats a private file. That option lets readers verify claims and gives credit to authors. When a preprint is not available, say so by using an unpublished label.
Status Terms You Will See
Under review means the journal has the manuscript but has not accepted it. In press means accepted and awaiting issue details. Preprint means a public version posted before acceptance. Manuscript in preparation tells readers the draft is not submitted yet.
APA Style: Paper In Review
APA prefers a citable, public version. So cite the preprint when it exists and supply the DOI or repository link. Use in press only when a journal has accepted the work. For private drafts, use an unpublished manuscript format and include a year. See the official APA preprint guidance for layouts that match this pattern.
In-text, write the author and year. For a private draft that readers cannot retrieve, limit the mention to the text and skip the reference list entry. If a repository link exists, include a full reference entry.
APA Quick Examples
• Preprint:
Smith, J., & Lee, R. (2024). Title of study. Preprint. https://doi.org/xx.xxxx/xxxx
• Under review, private:
Smith, J. (2024). Title of study [Manuscript submitted for publication].
• Accepted:
Smith, J. (in press). Title of study. Journal Name.MLA Style: Paper In Review
MLA builds entries from core elements. For a preprint, treat the repository as the container and include the DOI or handle. For a private draft under review, supply a description such as Unpublished manuscript and the year. When the article is accepted, use the in press wording the journal provides.
MLA Quick Examples
• Preprint:
Smith, Jordan, and Rina Lee. "Title of Study." arXiv, 2024, doi:xx.xxxx/xxxx.
• Under review, private:
Smith, Jordan. "Title of Study." Unpublished manuscript, 2024.
• Accepted:
Smith, Jordan. "Title of Study." Journal Name, in press.Chicago Style: Paper In Review
Chicago offers note-based and author-date systems. Both allow clear status notes. For a preprint, include the repository and DOI. For a private draft, use a description such as manuscript, submitted. For an accepted article, use in press until issue data arrives. The Chicago Quick Guide shows how notes and author-date entries line up.
Chicago Quick Examples
• Footnote model:
1. Jordan Smith, "Title of Study," manuscript, submitted 2024.
• Author-date model:
Smith, Jordan. 2024. "Title of Study." Manuscript, submitted.Second Table: Quick Templates By Style
Use this compact sheet when you need a fast pattern during revisions.
| Style | In-Text Template | Reference Template |
|---|---|---|
| APA | (Author, Year) | Author, A. A. (Year). Title of manuscript [Manuscript submitted for publication]. |
| MLA | (Author Page or Author) | Author, A. A. “Title.” Unpublished manuscript, Year. Repository or none. |
| Chicago | Footnote or (Author Year) | Author, A. A. Year. “Title.” Manuscript, submitted. Repository or none. |
If It Is Your Own Paper Under Review
Post a preprint if your journal allows it. That path gives a stable link to cite and timestamps your work. Check the venue policy before posting. If a preprint is not allowed, keep the wording neutral and do not state a target journal.
If your own draft is private, avoid building claims on it. Signal your idea briefly and anchor the argument in published work.
Ethical And Practical Tips
Match the name on the draft and the citation. If the author list changes after peer review, update your later drafts. Keep titles literal and avoid hype. Always prefer a DOI when one exists and include it in your entry.
When the paper moves to in press, update your manuscript. Replace preprint labels with the accepted form and add the journal. After publication, switch to the final article.
Common Pitfalls To Avoid
Do not cite a private draft as if it were published. Do not write in press unless the editor has sent an acceptance. Do not skip the status tag. Do not delete a preprint link once the article appears; keep the link if your field expects it, or replace it with the final DOI.
Watch tense and year. A long review can cross calendar years. Pick the year that matches the version you cited.
Sample Wording You Can Paste
Below are short snippets you can drop into a sentence when you need to mention a work under review without a reference entry:
• "as described in a manuscript under review by Chen and Patel (2025)"
• "preprint available: Alvarez et al., 2024"
• "our approach extends a submitted study by Nair (2025)"Final Checks Before Submission
Scan your reference list for status terms. Spot preprint, in press, manuscript submitted, and unpublished. Each tag should match the facts. Then open every link and confirm it resolves. If a link breaks, search the repository and update the handle.
Run a single pass for style details: punctuation, italics, initials, and spacing. Keep titles in sentence case for APA and Chicago author-date. Use headline case for MLA titles. Stay consistent within the style your venue requires.