Citations

Why do we Cite? (The Basics)

Citing your sources is not just a school rule; it’s a fundamental part of academic honesty. By citing, you:

• Avoid Plagiarism: This is the most serious reason. Plagiarism is using someone else’s words, ideas, or work as your own without giving them credit. It can have serious consequences.
• Strengthen Your Argument: Showing where your information comes from adds credibility and authority to your own work.
• Give Credit to Others: You respect the intellectual property of the authors, artists, and researchers who created the content you’re using.
• Help Your Reader: Citations allow your reader (like your teacher or a classmate) to find the original source if they want to learn more.

There are 2 types of citation styles used by students in high school:

• MLA (Modern Language Association)
• APA (American Psychological Association)