To read: Three Ws about Citations
What is a Citation?
A citation is how you let your readers know that you used information from outside sources in your paper. It also describes those sources, and provides information that allows the reader to track them down. This information could be the author’s name, the publication date, or page numbers.
When Should I Make Citations?
You should make a citation for a source whenever you:
- Directly quote a source
- Paraphrase information from a source
- Use an idea that is expressed in another source
- Make a specific reference to the work of another person
Why Do We Have Citations?
There are several important reasons for using citations in your paper.
Citations Give Credit to the Right People: citing your sources makes sure that your reader or professor can differentiate your original thoughts from those of other researchers in your subject area. Not only does this make sure that the sources you use receive proper credit for the author’s work, it ensures that you, the student, receive deserved recognition for your unique contributions to the topic.
Citations Provide Hard Evidence of Your Thesis or Ideas: having many citations from a wide variety of sources related to your paper’s central idea is a sure sign to your professor that you are working on a well-researched and respected subject. Citing sources that back up your claim, otherwise known as your research statement, creates room for fact-checking and further research.
Citations Promote Originality and Prevent Plagiarism: copying or directly referencing a source without proper citations can lead to not only a poor grade, but accusations of academic dishonesty. By backing up your ideas with credible sources, you can easily avoid the trap of plagiarism, and promote further research on the topic.
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