Outside sources: How to cite other people's voices
Citing sources is an essential aspect of academic writing. It not only acknowledges the work
of others but also adds credibility to your own research. There are different ways to cite
sources, and one of the most common methods is through in-text citation and works cited
pages.
In-text citation refers to the use of brief references within the body of your paper that
acknowledge the source of a direct or indirect quotation. It typically includes the author's last
name and the year of publication, such as (Smith, 2019). If you are using a direct quotation,
it is important to include the page number as well, like this: (Smith, 2019, p. 23).
The works cited page, on the other hand, is a list of all the sources you have cited in your
paper. It provides complete bibliographic information for each source, including the author's
name, title of the work, publication date, and publisher. The works cited page should be
organized alphabetically by the author's last name.
When citing online sources, it is important to include the URL or DOI (digital object
identifier) of the source, as well as the date of access. In APA style, the format for online
sources is slightly different from print sources, so it is important to consult a style guide for
specific guidelines.
It is important to note that plagiarism, or the act of using someone else's work without proper
attribution, is a serious offense in academic writing. To avoid plagiarism, make sure to
always cite your sources properly and use quotation marks when necessary.
When using direct quotations, it is important to use them sparingly and only when they add
significant value to your argument. Indirect quotations, or paraphrasing, can often be a more
effective way to incorporate outside sources into your paper while still maintaining your own
voice and ideas.
In conclusion, citing sources is an essential part of academic writing. It helps to acknowledge
the work of others, adds credibility to your own research, and avoids plagiarism. By using
in-text citation and a works cited page, you can ensure that your sources are properly
documented and give credit where credit is due.
