"Academic writing differs from everyday writing in the fact that it carefully documents its sources through the use of citations, which enables the reader to see what has inspired the writer and to check the validity of their work."

Once you have found sources for your research, you will need to document them giving writers credit for their work and their writings. Any source of intellectual property that contributes to, informs, or inspires your own work needs to be acknowledged. For example, when you paraphrase or summarize someone's ideas, or use someone's exact words by quoting them, you must acknowledge, by documentation with a citation, those works and the author. Taking or using another person's ideas, language, words, etc., as your own is opens new windowplagiarism.

A "citation" is a short note that documents your source(s) of information. It provides the reader with identifying information so that they are able to access the original source.

A proper citation has two components for documentation of sources:

WITHIN THE PAPER— This may be a footnote, endnote or parenthetical reference and is placed next to each quote or paraphrase in order to document its source. When you refer to another's work, cite your source.

AT THE END— This is a comprehensive list of all the works used in the research project. It is often referred to as Works Cited (MLA), Reference List (APA) or Bibliography (Turabian), depending upon the style format that is used.

Format, content, and/or word order for documenting sources within the text differs from that at the end of a paper.

Always follow the guidelines in the appropriate style manual and your professor's instructions.

Refer to the reference print resources for complete citation formats and descriptions. The most current editions of style manuals are on Reserve at the One-Stop Library Services Desk, 4th floor LRC.