Why and When to Cite
While most of your paper should consist of your own thoughts and ideas, it is important to include the research and ideas of others and give them credit for their work. When you do this, you are citing sources. Citing sources helps you because it:
- Demonstrates you have done the necessary research to learn as much as possible about your topic,
- Provides evidence for your arguments,
- Makes your work more credible because you have considered a variety of resources,
- Helps you avoid plagiarism, and
- Allows you (and your audience) to locate the source when conducting further research.
When to Cite:
In-text citations are required for any sentence that contains referenced material. The reference can be as a direct quote, paraphrase, summary, or statistical information.
What Does Not Need to be Cited?
Original thoughts and common knowledge.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (O.W.L.)
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (O.W.L.)
The Purdue O.W.L. provides access to the MLA, APA, and Chicago Style Manuals and Guides
Web Sites
- How to Completely Avoid Plagiarism in Your Academic Research Work
Website defines plagiarism; shows how to avoid it; lists the characteristics of plagiarism; causes and consequences of plagiarism; and how to avoid committing plagiarism.
Library's Quick Style Guides
- APA 7 Quick Style Guide
Quick reference guide for using APA 7 for student papers. - MLA 9 Quick Style Guide
Quick reference guide for formatting student papers using MLA 9. - Chicago Author/Date Quick Style Guide
Quick reference guide for students using the Chicago Author / Date style for their papers. - Chicago Note/Bibliography Quick Style GuideQuick reference guide for students using the Chicago Note/Bibliography style for their papers.