English 101: Composition and Rhetoric I

Did your instructor ask you to write in MLA, Chicago, or APA style?  You should follow the rules for these styles when citing outside sources in your writing.  In an academic setting you are expected to cite when you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or put what someone else said or wrote in your own words.

This is especially important when you use facts or specific theories in your writing.  Even if you rewrite what someone else said, you need to cite where you found the information.

This has a couple different purposes:

• It shows your reader where to find more information
• It gives credit to the work of others
• It shows that any facts you use can be verified or trusted
• It gives weight to your argument
• It shows that you have studied what you are writing about
• It is the responsible thing to do

Use the resources below to cite resources.  If you use DragonSearch or another library database when you research you will see links or buttons to create citations.

More information on annotated bibliographies, including several examples.