Why & What to Cite

Before we start formatting references and in-text citations, let’s take a step back and talk about why we cite sources in the first place – and what kinds of things actually need a citation.

Why We Cite

When you write a paper, you’re not just sharing your opinion – you’re making an argument. And like any good argument, it needs evidence.

Citing your sources shows that your ideas are supported by research. If your reader wants to check your facts or see where an idea came from, they can follow your citation to the full reference and review the original material themselves. That’s how academic writing works – someone proposes an idea, others review the evidence, and the idea either holds up or it doesn’t.

That’s also exactly what your professor is doing when they grade your paper. You’re putting forward a thesis, supporting it with research, and being evaluated on how well you build your case. Citing your sources makes your ideas stronger by showing that they’re grounded in credible evidence.

What Happens If You Don’t Cite?

When you use someone else’s idea without giving them credit – even accidentally – it’s called plagiarism.

Plagiarism is a big deal in academic settings. Whether you meant to do it or not, failing to cite your sources can lead to serious consequences. The good news? It’s easy to avoid. If you stay organized and make sure to cite any ideas, words, or visuals that aren’t your own, you’ll be in the clear.

What Should You Cite?

Here’s a simple rule: If it’s not your original idea or a widely known fact, you should probably cite it.

That includes:

• Direct quotes
  
  
• Paraphrased or summarized ideas
  
  
• Data or statistics
  
  
• Images, charts, or graphs you didn’t create
  
  

Basically, if it came from another source and it helped shape your thinking or your paper, give credit where it’s due.

And don’t worry – citing other people’s work doesn’t weaken your paper. It actually strengthens it. It shows that you’ve done your research and are building on the work of others. Even if your entire idea is a new combination of things other people have said – that’s still valid and original, and worth sharing.

‍