Citation
Citation
A citation is a reference to a source used in your writing. It gives credit to original authors, allows readers to verify claims, and demonstrates research depth.
When to Cite
- Quote directly from a source
- Paraphrase someone else's ideas
- Summarize research or findings
- Use statistics or data
- Reference specific facts that aren't common knowledge
Major Citation Styles
| Style | Used In |
|---|---|
| MLA | Literature, humanities, arts |
| APA | Psychology, social sciences, education |
| Chicago | History, some humanities |
In-Text Examples
MLA: "Social media affects teenagers" (Smith 45).
APA: "Social media affects teenagers" (Smith, 2020, p. 45).
Chicago: Social media affects teenagers.¹
When in doubt, cite. It's better to over-cite than to risk plagiarism.
Quick Tips
- Cite as you write, not after
- Keep track of all your sources
- Use citation management tools (Zotero, EasyBib)
- Follow your instructor's preferred style
- Always verify generated citations against official guidelines