Cite your sources

n faster n easier n better

Acknowledging that you have used other people’s words and ideas in your papers increases your own credibility by showing that you know what you’re talking about. Give credit where credit is due.

Know what you need to cite. Basically, that’s anything that didn’t come out of your own head. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a book, an article, a website, a government document, or a clip from YouTube. Cite it. Even if you put the information into your own words. Cite it. And if you are using the original language, don’t forget the quotation marks. Any exceptions? Facts that are considered “common knowledge” (things any reasonably educated person should already know) do not require citations.

Understand the stakes. Failure to cite the work of others in the papers you write is a violation of the University of Maryland’s Code of Academic Integrity. It’s serious business.

HOW WE CAN HELP

It’s up to you to learn the what, when, and how of citing sources. But you’re not in it alone. When in doubt, ask a librarian for help.

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Many library databases offer ready-made citations in a variety of formats, so you don’t have to bother. Just look for the citation button. Make sure to double-check citations using the appropriate style handbook (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).

Borrow style handbooks from the service desk of any branch library, or use our online guides to common citation styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago, to make sure your masterpiece is complete. Search lib.umd.edu for “citing sources.”

For larger research projects, take advantage of technology to manage your sources. Software, some of it web-based, can help you track your research and make it easier to create a bibliography. We provide free access to online subscription services such as EndNote Web, or you might try a free program such as Zotero. Search lib.umd.edu for “citation managers.”