Why Cite Sources?
Avoid Plagiarizing
Cite any direct quotation, summary, or paraphrase
Give credit to the original author
Not citing is plagiarism
Lend Authority
Demonstrates that your research is based on solid, reliable information
Shows that you are capable of critical thinking and synthesizing infomation
Provide a Path
Provides the information that your readers need to locate the same source
Acknowledge Others
Gives credit to other authors for their work
MLA style, developed by the Modern Language Association, is used for English, foreign languages and general topics. MLA requires parenthetical citations within the text and a corresponding bibliography or works cited list at the end of the paper.
APA style, developed by the American Psychological Association, is used for hard sciences and social sciences, including education. APA uses parenthetical citations within the text and a corresponding bibliography or works cited list at the end of the paper.