Students should cite a source any time they use ideas, information, or language that is not their own. Teaching students to cite sources using a consistent format helps them develop ethical research habits and strengthens their academic voice. Citations also serve several instructional purposes:

• Support credibility: Students demonstrate that their claims are grounded in relevant, credible evidence.

• Honor intellectual property: Proper citation distinguishes a student’s original thinking from the ideas of others and prevents

plagiarism.

• Promote transparency: Citations allow readers or listeners to verify information and evaluate how well evidence has been

used.

• Invite further learning: Bibliographic details help audiences locate original sources to deepen understanding.

• Build transferable skills: Consistent practice with citation conventions prepares students for postsecondary expectations and workplace communication.

Students should be expected to cite sources when they:

• Use textual evidence to support or develop a written or spoken claim.

• Integrate information from any source—print, digital, or multimodal—including:

o Summaries

o Paraphrases

o Direct quotations