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Why do you need to cite your sources?
Why do you need to cite your sources?
To give credit to whoever came up with the idea
To avoid plagiarism
To show that you did academic research and you aren't just making generalizations
So your reader can access the original source to see where your evidence and ideas came from
So your reader can determine what is your own ideas vs. somebody else's
When do you need to cite your sources?
When do you need to cite your sources?
Direct Quotes - When copying information word-for-word, you must use quotation marks and an in-text citation. Direct quotes should be copied EXACTLY as they appear in the text. Double-check that you have spelled and punctuated everything EXACTLY like the source says it. You may have some direct quotes in your investigation, but usually it is better to paraphrase the source. Only include a direct quote if it is essential.
Paraphrasing - This is when you put part of a source in your own words.
Summarizing - This is when you put the main ideas of a text in your own words
Specific Information - If you got the information from a specific source and it is not common knowledge, then you must cite the source of that information.
Please note - It is far better to OVERCITE than to under cite. You will not risk violating the Academic Honesty Policy if you cite something that didn't require a citation, but you will violate it by not citing something that needed to be cited.
General Works Cited Guide
General Works Cited Guide
Keep track of the following information whenever you use a source:
author(s)
title
container
other contributors (translators or editors)
version (edition)
number (vol. and/or no.)
publisher
publication date
location (pages, paragraphs, URL, or DOI)
date of access (if applicable)
In general, here is what should be included in an MLA format citation. If you don't have any of this information, just leave it out. NOTE: If you don't have a lot of this information (including an author), then we suggest that you reconsider using this source.
Author. Title. Title of container (do not list container for standalone books, e.g. novels), Other contributors
(translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publication Date,
Location (pages, paragraphs URL or DOI), Date of Access (if applicable).
Useful Resources and Links
Useful Resources and Links
MLA 8 Citation Style
MLA 8 Citation Style
Watch this video to learn more about how to create an MLA works cited page or add in-text citations.
Double-check any citations from a citation generator! They are NOT 100% accurate.
Library of Congress
Columbia College
Hanging indents in Google Docs
Hanging indents in Google Docs
This step-by-step video shows you how to properly format your Works Cited page the easy way.
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