Citation and Referencing Basics
1 min read
Why and How to Cite Sources
Citations give credit to original authors, allow readers to find your sources, and demonstrate the depth of your research. Failing to cite properly constitutes plagiarism.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations appear within your text and point to entries in your reference list. The format depends on your citation style:
- APA: (Author, Year) — Example: (Smith, 2024)
- MLA: (Author Page) — Example: (Smith 42)
- Chicago: Footnotes or (Author Year) depending on the system
When to Cite
Cite whenever you use someone else's ideas, data, or words—whether you're quoting directly, paraphrasing, or summarizing. The only exception is common knowledge (facts that are widely known and easily verified).
Building a Reference List
Your reference list (or Works Cited or Bibliography) provides full details for every source cited in your paper. Entries are typically alphabetized by author's last name. Use a citation generator to ensure proper formatting.