From the earliest years of school to college, all students will be called upon to write at least a handful of essays, research papers, and other such works that require an in-depth search of their subject. Utilizing resources is a preferred and sometimes required task that many teachers will instruct you to include in your papers. This means including the proper citations.
Citations Help You Avoid Plagiarism
The sources used for your work must always be reliable and always be cited properly in order to give the author proper credit. Plagiarism is the act of taking a direct quote or material from a source as your own information. This dishonest act can result in a failing grade or even expulsion from a university for breach of ethics. Citing a source is necessary in order to give the proper credit to the source, and to insure that, as a student, you have performed your own work in an ethical and professional manner.
Citations Give Your Paper Credibility
Citations also add substantial backing to your paper. Before providing the source, the information in your paper is simply words on a page that may or may not be true. Once you have cited the work, it becomes a solid fact that is used to back up your thesis. Don’t falsify the quotations or omit important information in what you decide to include.
It is always important to cite your sources properly as it shows that you have put in the effort and have completed the assignment as instructed. Following the proper procedures will also show integrity that can work in your favor later on in your educational or professional career.