Library Guides: How to Use Turnitin: Citations & APA

What is a Citation?

A citation is a reference to a source of information, such as a book, article, or website, used in academic or research writing. It typically includes the details like the author's name, publication date, title, and source.

(Sourced from The Learning Portal)

Why should I cite sources?

Citing gives credit where it is due: When you cite a source, you are giving credit to the original author or creator of the ideas or content you are using
Citing helps share what you've found: Citing your sources allows others to find them and benefit from what you've learned. Proper citations also allows others to follow the path of your information and verify the sources you've used
Citing strengthens your arguments: Citing other people's work adds credibility and authority to your own work. It demonstrates that your arguments and claims are supported by reputable sources, which can make your writing more persuasive and trustworthy
Citing helps avoid plagiarism: Accurately citing other people's ideas wherever they occur in your research is the best way to avoid plagiarism. This practice distinguishes our own contributions from those of others, allowing readers or evaluators to trace the origins of the content and verify its authenticity

(The Learning Portal and Citation Hub)

Doesn't citing make my work less original?

No, citing helps the reader of your work to distinguish between your ideas and those from other sources. Citing helps to emphasize your original work.

(Plagiarism.org)

Citing shows that you are not simply copying other ideas but are processing and adding to those ideas
Citing lends outside support to the ideas that are completely yours
Citing highlights the originality of your ideas by making clear distinctions between those and ideas you have gotten elsewhere

(Preventing Plagiarism when Wriing - Plagiarism.org)

When do I need to cite?

Citations should be used whenever you borrow words or ideas from other sources. Citations should always be used in the following situations:

when you use quotes
when you paraphrase
when you use an idea that was already expressed by someone else
when you make a specific reference to someone else's work
when someone else's work was critical for developing your ideas

When it doubt, cite! For further questions or information about when to cite, reach out to your instructor.

(Plagiarism.org)

What about GEN AI?

After first checking with your professor to ensure that you are allowed to use generative AI, it is important to not only cite the information you are using from the generative AI tool but to also note the way in which you have use the generative AI tool (e.g., to summarize, format, brainstorm topics, etc.).

More information can be found on the APA Guide for citing AI

What is a Citation?

Why should I cite sources?

Doesn't citing make my work less original?

When do I need to cite?

What about GEN AI?

Why Cite?

APA 7 Guide

Other Citation Styles