The acknowledgment of a source is referred to as a reference. In an assignment, a reference or citation is usually found at the bottom of the page or as a footnote. Depending on the professor’s rules, writers can also include the reference source as endnotes at the end of the piece.
In any academic assignment, it is critical to provide references. If you pay attention to the Dollar 6 essay writing services, you’ll notice that they always mention the sources. It contributes to the authenticity of the assignments. The use of citations is an indicator of strong academic writing. It distinguishes between ethical and unethical writing.
Do you, however, know how to cite the sources in the assignment? Citation is highly significant since it assumes accountability for what is genuine and what is not. And failing to use the reference could jeopardize your career. So, let’s look at how to cite sources in an essay.
Why do you need to cite your sources?
All you have to do while producing an academic essay, report, paper, or assignment is point out where another author’s ideas are used. It’s significant because:
- The original author is given credit for their own ideas and work when source referencing is used.
- It backs up your claims.
- The use of source citations allows readers to follow up on the original material.
- It allows readers to determine how old the content is.
- Source citing demonstrates that you have thoroughly researched the topic.
- It also allows you to prevent plagiarized content.
So, if you want to make your assignment the greatest and most perfect, you must use source citing.
Things to keep in mind before citing sources in a paper
In assignments, there are numerous ways to cite sources. Different universities, teachers, or departments use different referencing styles in their assignments.
However, there are a few points to keep in mind before citing sources in your writing. You can appropriately recognize the sources if you follow these instructions.
Know why you’re citing or referring something.
First and foremost, you must comprehend the objective of citation or reference. Individual educational universities in the United Kingdom and the United States develop specific referencing formats. These referencing styles are widely used throughout the English-speaking globe. Following a specific citation format establishes a norm. It makes it possible for academics from all around the world to follow the writing.
Select a Referencing Style
After that, you must understand the specific referencing format. Harvard Referring Style, APA Style, MLA Style, and Chicago Manual Style are the four most common referencing styles used by writers.
1. Harvard format
For in-text citations, use an author or date system, followed by a reference list at the conclusion of the document.
2. APA format
In-text citations are followed by this reference style. The reference list must be included at the end of the essay. This referencing style is commonly used by science students.
3. MLA Format
This referencing system is commonly used by students in the humanities and liberal arts. You must insert the author’s name followed by the page number within parenthesis in this reference style.
4. The Chicago Look
The author’s name, book titles, and journal articles appear in the footnotes below each page in this reference format. If you’re citing a journal article’s sources, you’ll need to put the author’s name in single or double quotation marks.
Don’t mix up your citation styles.
After you’ve decided on a specific referencing style, be sure you don’t mix them up. Mixing up the referring forms is a serious violation. If you’re using Harvard citation format, for example, include the author’s name and date in the main body of the text. In Harvard referencing style, the sources should never be mentioned as a footnote. Otherwise, use the bibliography and footnotes if you’re going to follow the Chicago referencing style. For Chicago referencing style, don’t specify in-text citations.
In general, you must cite sources when your present knowledge that you would not have known otherwise before performing your study, as well as when you provide information that the reader cannot be presumed to know. You must cite a source when you do the following:
- Discuss, summaries, or paraphrase an author’s ideas.
- Give a specific quotation.
- Make use of statistics or other information.
- Use photos, graphics, videos, and other forms of media in your presentation.
While conducting research and locating sources, make sure to thoroughly document all materials used, including the author, title, publisher, place of publishing, date, and page numbers. If available, make a note of the DOI number (Digital Object Identifier) for electronic documents. Make a note of the URL of any website you visit; you may need it for a reference depending on the source.
The database name is no longer required for most references in APA style, however it is still required in MLA style. Make a note of it in either scenario in case you need to access it later.
This is common knowledge.
Things that are common knowledge do not need to be cited. Consider the following scenario:
- People may converse quickly regardless of their location thanks to social networking platforms like Facebook. (This does not necessitate a citation)
- The Japanese navy launched an attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. (This does not necessitate a citation)
You must, however, cite the source if someone develops an innovative conclusion from a familiar fact:
- The capacity to share real-time news and video with the rest of the world via social networking sites has given a boost to student movements in nations with limited press freedom. (this necessitates a citation)
- In the otherwise devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan’s failure to sink any US aircraft carriers ensured Japan’s loss. (this necessitates a citation)
It is also unnecessary to reference common proverbs or saying
- First to get the worm gets the worm.” (a widely used idiom with no known etymology)
You may know the famous saying below, but it comes from a poem by Sir Walter Scott. Of course, if you read this in a book, you would reference it. Even if you already heard this phrase, Sir Walter Scott deserves credit because it has a distinct and unmistakable origin.
“When we first learn to deceive, we weave such a complicated web.”
Final Thoughts
You now understand why referencing sources is such a vital aspect of any academic writing project. It always improves the authenticity of your writing. Simply remember to adhere to the citing guidelines. Make sure the referencing styles are consistent and that the writing is of the highest quality.
