To cite sources properly, it is essential to include both in-text citations and a reference list or bibliography. In-text citations typically include the author's last name and the year of publication, often within parentheses, for example, (Smith, 2020). If directly quoting, a page number or paragraph number should also be included. The full details of the source—author, title, publication date, publisher, and sometimes a URL or DOI—are provided in the reference list at the end of the work. Key points to consider for citing:
- Always give credit to the original author to avoid plagiarism.
- Use a consistent citation style as required or preferred (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, etc.).
- For direct quotes, use quotation marks and precise source details (author, year, page).
- For paraphrasing, still cite the source but page numbers are optional in some styles.
- Reference lists are alphabetized by author last name or numbered (depending on style).
Common elements in citations include author name(s), year, title (italicized or in quotes depending on type), publisher info, and for online sources, URLs or DOIs. The exact format depends on the chosen citation style. If citing in APA style, for example:
- In-text: (Jones, 1998, p. 15) for direct quotes or (Jones, 1998) for paraphrasing.
- Reference list: Jones, A. (1998). Title of the book. Publisher.
There are many online citation tools like Scribbr or Cite This For Me that can generate citations automatically. This provides a general overview of how to cite sources correctly in academic writing.
