When to cite
Students often struggle with knowing when to cite a source in their paper. Over-citing can weaken your paper because there should be room to present your own thoughts and ideas, whereas under-citing can lead to serious academic consequences.
When to Cite
Generally, you need to cite any source you quote or summarize.
DO CITE: Direct Quotations
- In his essay, John Doe states that “student loan debt affects graduates’ abilities to build wealth” (87).
DO CITE: Summaries of Others’ Work
- John Doe argues that student loan debt can affect the long-term financial goals of college students long after they graduate (87).
When NOT to Cite
DON’T CITE: Your Own Ideas
- Whereas Jane Smith argues that the sky is red (Smith 12), John Doe argues that the sky is blue (Doe 18). The only solution to this debate is to accept that the sky is, in fact, purple.
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- Citations are needed for the summarization of others’ arguments (that the sky is red or blue).
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- No citation for your own idea that the sky is purple.
DON’T CITE: Common Knowledge
- George Washington was the first president of the United States of America.
- Many people incorrectly assume that George Washington Carver invented peanut butter.
Let’s Try It!
