How do I cite this source?

Not sure when or how to cite this source? Check out the following tips to help keep you organized and consistent:

• Citations aren’t just for the final product. The citation process should actually begin with your notes. As soon as you take notes on a source, write down the citation information. Keeping track of where you found your information is a vital part of the research process, and if you make it a habit early on, you’ll be able to stay organized no matter how many sources you have.
• The building blocks of any citation. The basic parts of a citation are author, title, and date. However, there may be more to it than that, from page numbers to journal title to editor, and so on. Fortunately, most databases make it easy to find that information by providing a “Cite” button. This will give you all the pieces you need to cite each source that you’ve found.
• Style is everything. There are several different citation styles to choose from: MLA, Chicago, APA, and so on. The style that is right for you depends on your class and your teacher. Check your assignment prompt or ask your teacher which citation style you should use.
• When and where to cite. You will need to cite your source every time it’s mentioned in your final paper. Depending on the citation style, that may mean footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical citations. You will also need to add a bibliography or works cited page to the end of your paper that lists all the sources you used. Again, check with your teacher to see which citation style you should use.

You may be wondering if it’s ever okay not to cite a piece of information. The answer is: no. Citation is the number one thing you can do to avoid being accused of plagiarism. To learn more about maintaining your academic integrity, read our tips on how to steer clear of plagiarism.