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Citing Sources

Understanding and using citation styles appropriately.

In This Guide

What is a Citation?

 A citation...

  • describes a book, journal article, website, or other published item.
  • prevents plagiarism by giving credit to the originator of an idea.
  • enables the reader to locate the item.
  • includes the author, title, publisher and place of publication, DOI or URL, and date.

Why Should I Cite?

You must credit the source of anyone else's ideas that you use or mention in your writing. If you don't, you are plagiarizing -- an offense with serious consequences.

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Guide Owner

This guide is maintained by D'Arcy Hutchings.