Cite Your Sources: When and Why to Cite

Cite your sources: when and why to cite. 

This short Library video will help you understand why you have to cite your sources and when to do it. So why do you need to cite your sources? 

When you cite your sources, you are giving credit to those who have created the idea or information. Information created by others that you use to support your own ideas is called evidence. 

Citing also demonstrates that you've done your research and it shows that you’ve consulted existing works to support your arguments. 

If you don't cite your sources, you are committing plagiarism, which is like stealing. At universities, plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct that can result in a failing grade or expulsion. 

When do you have to cite your sources? 

As a general rule, you need to cite your sources anytime you borrow an idea, opinion or finding. Here are some examples of key times you need to remember to cite your sources when providing evidence from them. 

#1 Direct quotations. Reference when you use someone's exact words). 

#2 Paraphrases and summaries. Reference even when you put information into "your own words" by paraphrasing or summarizing ideas, opinions, or interpretations. 

#3 Statistics, Data, Images and other pieces of information originally created by others. You must cite any information created by others. 

Anytime you include and cite information from a source, make sure to explain to your reader how the evidence connects to the claims you are making. 

You don't need to cite information that is common knowledge (information that is widely known). 

If you aren't sure whether you should cite a source, do it. 

Need help? Ask Us. Chat, email, phone, or drop by. 

This concludes the library video on why you have to cite your sources and when to do it. 

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