When you are writing a research paper, a persuasive essay, or maybe doing a science fair project, you might wonder “Why do I have to use in-text citations or create an annotated bibliography when I have already done SO MUCH WORK!”
It is SO IMPORTANT to cite your sources. Researchers do a lot of work in order to give others the information that they need to learn. Being a responsible scholar means that you are giving credit to those researchers. Citing your sources is like saying “THANK YOU” to the researchers who helped you with your assignment!
It is also important to be honest and avoid plagiarism. Anytime you quote a phrase from your sources, YOU MUST CITE IT! Even if you are paraphrasing something that another researcher said, you need to cite it. Any thought that is not your original thought needs to be cited!
Lastly, when you properly cite your sources you are allowing readers to track down those same sources that you used to create your research assignment. They can use your footnotes, bibliography (works cited), or reference list to help them find information. You are helping the world, one citation at a time!
Attribution:
WHY and HOW do we cite sources? | Karlee Genther
- License:OER Commons Open Educational Resources
