There are many reasons why you need to cite and reference. Here are some examples:

1) For your learning to be authentic and to show you have researched your subject.

2) For your teachers and others who read your work to identify, find and check the sources of your information.

3) To enable others to check the accuracy of the evidence presented in your work.

4) To support and establish your arguments and give credibility to the information you present in your assignments.

5) To avoid accusations of plagiarism.

6) To achieve better grade

Citing and referencing your sources of information shows that you have spent time finding, analysing and evaluating information from different sources.

As described by Breivik (1998) "In the next century, the 'educated graduate' will no longer be defined as one who has absorbed a certain body of factual information, but as one who knows how to find, evaluate and apply needed information."

There are three ways to do a citation:

a) You can quote - When you copy material word for word

b) You can paraphrase - When you take the ideas & change the form of the sentences

c) You can summarise - When you take the main ideas & rewrite them in your own words

a) Direct Quote: Is when the actual word used in exactly the same order as in their original word.

Example:

"The ability to present your ideas to other people is a key Lifelong Skill." (Pears and Shields, 2008, p.1)

b) Paraphrasing: Is A restating of someone else's idea in your own words.

Example:

The ability to communicate and present your ideas effectively is the most important of all Lifelong Skills. (Pears and Shields, 2008)

c) Summarising: Is similar to paraphrasing, but covering only the main points without any details

Example:

One of the key Skills for Life is to be able to present your ideas to others in a way that they can understand it. (Pears and Shields, 2008)

Note:

[In all cases you must provide in-text citation in the main body of your writing and a full reference list at the end of your assignment/writing]