Why Citations are Important

When you cite external sources, it tells the reader you’ve done your research while also giving due credit to the experts who took their time to get the information you’re using. Not only is this standard ethical and academic practice, but it also lends authority to your content. Not sure when you need to cite a source? Citations are necessary when referencing:

• Original data; that is, any data which is not common knowledge and can be traced back to a primary source
• Facts or ideas that originate from another person or group, or have been used in other publications
• Any books, articles, magazines, or other physical or electronic publications
• Quotes or excerpts from anyone other than yourself, regardless of the source

Still not sure if you need a bibliography? Use our free e-tool and see if your page is missing any citations.

What is a Citation?

A citation is a way of referencing and identifying work that is not your own. Citations are usually found at the bottom of the page, and link to the source material. All citations must clearly contain all the information necessary to identify where the original ideas, facts, or quotes can be found, such as:

• Author names
• Title of the journal, book, website, or article source
• Date the information was published
• The chapter and page numbers, especially in academic journals or books
• Volume and issue numbers for articles

Avoid Plagiarism

When you use someone else’s data or ideas without citing them, even if it’s on accident, it’s considered intellectual theft. To avoid stealing someone else’s work, it’s extremely important to cite all your sources at the bottom of each page. Visit our Pricing page to see which plan is right for you.