Below are some common situations in which you must cite a source. This is not an exhaustive list -- there are many other possible situations in which a citation would be necessary.
Remember: If you’re not sure whether something should be cited, cite it. It never hurts to add an extra citation. Remember: the standard for citation used at CHSS as of 2019 is APA. |
You must cite the source when you...
Paraphrase someone’s ideas.
Mention someone’s ideas.
Summarize a source.
Quote someone’s exact words. (In addition to citing the source, you must also indicate that the words are a quotation, and not your own words.)
Use numerical data, such as statistics.
Use an image, such as a picture or a diagram.
Use multimedia, such as a video, an animation, or an audio recording.
Mention a fact that is not common knowledge. (For more about “common knowledge,” see “What is common knowledge?” in the Questions & Answers section below.)
Why cite? Citing your sources:
Bedford Handbook 8th edition
LEW Reserve and GOR Reference PE 1408 .H277 2010
Publication manual of the American Pyschological Association
LEW Reserve BF 76.7 .P83 2010
Writer's Reference
POR, GOR, LEW Reference PE 1408 .H2778 2007
Bedford Guide for College Writers (with Bedford Handbook) 8th ed.
LEW Reserve PE 1408 .K49 2008
Citation style from the Modern Language Association. For the study of literature and language; used in English, Foreign Languages, Linguistics, American Studies, and related fields in the Humanities.
For more detail and many more examples, we recommend:
APA Formatting and Style Guide. (OWL Purdue website)
APA Style (APA website) Includes tutorials.
Son of Citation Machine APA Format
Use these steps to evaluate your sources:
1. Initial Appraisal
2. Content Analysis