What is a citation?
A citation is the way you tell your readers that specific ideas in your work came from another source. It also gives your readers the information to find that source again, including:
- information about the author
- the title of the work
- the name and location of the company that published your copy of the source
- the date your copy was published
- the page numbers of the material you are borrowing
Why should I cite?
Giving credit to the original author by citing sources is the only way to use other people's work without plagiarizing. But there are a number of other reasons to cite sources:
- To help readers learn more about the topic and where your ideas came from
- To show the amount and range of research you’ve done
- To distinguish between your own and others’ ideas and views
How to Paraphrase
WUWritingCenter. (2020, May 8). Paraphrasing Strategies [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx0HCh8mll0
Unsure what style to use?
- Research GuidesIf you aren't sure what style your professor wants, see if your professor has a research guide for your class. Research guides are tools we make any time your professor requests one. In fact, this page itself is a research guide!
If you still aren't sure what style to use, we may be able to recommend the style your professor might use. However, it is always best to check with your professor ahead of time.