Follow this rule!
If the idea isn't your own, and it came from somewhere else...cite it!
You found it from another source, and it isn't yours (PDF's, articles, websites, books etc)
You paraphrased* from someone else or another source.
You quoted someone else or another source.
You used facts/statistics/data that you looked up.
AI generated content (Ensure that it is allowed before using it)
Images that aren't yours.
General knowledge (Ex. The grass is green)
Your own opinion (Ex. I think that...)
*Properly cited quotes/paraphrasing
DEFINITION OF Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing*: Taking the author's words and rewriting them as your own while still giving the author proper credit through citations.
Ex: Author writes: "St. Robert CHS is a high school in Ontario that has a long history...
Paraphrased: "St. Robert CHS is an Ontario secondary school that has been established for many years..."
Quotes: Directly copying the words of the author, but with an indication (normally with "...") and an in-text citation at the end of the sentence.
Ex: Author writes: "St. Robert CHS is a high school in Ontario that has a long history..."
Quoted: According to the author, "St. Robert CHS is a high school in Ontario that has a long history..." (PROPER IN-TEXT CITATION)**
More on in-text citations on Page 4**
3 SECOND TEST on whether you should cite
Is it yours?
Yes - Don't cite it.
No - Cite it.
Did I need to use a source to find this information?
Yes - Cite it.
No - Don't cite it.
Are you unsure?
Yes - Cite it. (There's no such thing as citing too much!)
No - Cite it or don't cite it depending on circumstances listed above.