Using Citations
Why is Citing Important?
Citing is important because it...
- Shows your readers you've done proper research into your topic
- Allows readers to track down the sources you used
- Shows you are a responsible scholar who gives credit to other researchers and acknowledges their ideas
- Allows you to avoid plagiarism and the associated consequences when you use another's words or ideas
(adapted from Overview - Citing sources - LibGuides at MIT Libraries)
What do I Need to Cite?
| Type of Content/Information | Definition & Examples | Do I Cite it? |
|---|---|---|
| Quotes | When you use exactly the same words used by a source | Yes |
| Paraphrases or Summaries | When you reword or summarize the sentences or ideas presented in a work using your own words | Yes |
| Visual Materials (graphs, images, etc.) | When you reference or include a piece of artwork, diagram, chart or other visual element not created by you in your work | Yes |
| Facts & Statistics | Data collected and/or reported by another agency or person ex.) 24.7% of Bridgeport, CT residents age 25 or older have a Bachelor's degree or higher, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. |
Yes |
| Words or Ideas not your own (regardless of medium - i.e. text, spoken word, computer code, music, interview, etc.) | When you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or otherwise reference any words or ideas not your own, including but not limited to information gathered through an interview, computer codes, and music | Yes |
| Common Knowledge | Basic information that can be found in multiple sources ex.) Historical events (including dates), myths & folklore, "common sense observations" |
No |
| Your own Thoughts, Ideas, or Experiences | When you write about your own lived experiences, form your own conclusions, interpretations, or thoughts about a topic or piece of information, create your own work (artwork, music, writing, etc.) | No |
| "Generally accepted facts" | Facts that are widely accepted to be true globally or within a particular discipline ex.) Exercise is good for your health. |
No |
(adapted from UT Arlington Acknowledging Sources tutorial and with permission from Purdue University Online Writing Lab - Plagiarism FAQs)
Check out Purdue OWL's "Should I Cite This?" flow-chart for help deciding if something should be cited.
When in doubt, cite! It's better to be safe than sorry and give credit where credit is due.
Ask a librarian if you're not sure whether or how to cite something.
Ask a librarian if you're not sure whether or how to cite something.
