Skip to Main Content

English Research Guide

A research guide to help with all research needs

Citations

What are Citations?

Citations are a way to credit the creator and the work you utilized in your research. These are usually inserted in-text in parentheses, footnotes, or endnotes, and at the end of your paper in a Reference List or Bibliography.  Correctly citing your sources is the number one defense against plagiarism.

When Should I Cite?Flow chart with the header When Do You Cite? Chart begins with question: Did you think of it? If the answer is yes, then do not cite it. If the answer is no, then go to the next question: Is it common knowledge? If the answer is yes, then do not cite it. If the answer is not, then cite it.

In your research, you should cite when:

  • you are directly quoting.
  • you are summarizing and paraphrasing. 
  • you are writing something that is highly debatable. 

 

Why Should I Cite?

As mentioned above, citations are the number one defense against plagiarism but citations serve many roles, these include:

  • Acknowledging other scholars’ original ideas and intellectual property.
  • Adding credibility to your own research with supporting documentation.
  • Engaging in the scholarly conversation by helping other researchers follow your sources
  • Helping your reader find your sources to both verify your information.

 

What are Citation Styles?

Citation styles are consistent formats for citing so that researchers can identify and locate the sources you used in your research. The three most common styles are APA, MLA, and the Chicago Manual of Style. Review your class syllabus or assignment directions to see which citation style your professor wants you to use. See the "Further Help" section below for citation style resources.

 

 

Image Credit: "When Do You Cite?" from UC San Diego licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0, Robert A. Harris’ The Plagiarism Handbook (2001).