Citing is a big part of academic writing, so you give credit to the original authors and don’t plagiarise. Many students think citations are only for direct quotes, but in reality, any information or idea that’s not yours must be cited. Not doing so is plagiarism and can have serious academic consequences.
Why Cite?
- Give Credit: By citing you’re acknowledging the work of other researchers and writers in your work.
- Plagiarism: Proper citations show you’ve done your research and aren’t presenting someone else’s work as your own.
- Supporting Research: Citations allow readers to find and verify the sources you used, so they can do further research and discuss.
- Showing Quality: Including good sources makes your paper more credible and better because it shows you know your topic.
When to Cite Sources?
You should cite sources when
·You paraphrase or summarise someone else’s ideas, opinions, or theories.
.You paraphrase or summarise someone else’s ideas, opinions, or theories.
·You use direct quotes from a source, including exact words.
You reproduce graphical elements such as diagrams, illustrations, maps, charts, or pictures.
·You adapt ideas from conversations, interviews, lectures, or other forms of media.
How to Cite
In-text citations: Author’s last name, year, page number(s) if applicable. For subsequent citations of the same source use the same format as the first.
References list: At the end of your paper include a full list of all sources cited. Author(s), title, date, publisher and place of publication (for books), journal name, volume, issue, page numbers (for articles), and any other relevant details.
Bibliographic Citation Elements
Make sure your citations include:
- Who: Author(s) or creator(s) of the source.
- What: Type of material (e.g. book, article, website).
- Where: Where the source was published or accessed
- ·When: Date of publication or access.
Example:
For a book:
- Who: Author’s last name, first initial.
- What: Title of the book.
- Where: Publisher’s location and name.
- When: Year.
For an article
Who: Author’s last name, first initial.
What: Title of the article.
Where: Journal name, volume(issue), page numbers.
When: Year.
Conclusion
In summary, citing gives credit to others and makes your work more credible. By citing you’re showing academic integrity and joining the conversation in your field. Remember, good citation practices are key to academic success and respect in the academic world.
