LibGuides: Citation Guides: Citation Overview

Citation Introduction

What is Citation and Why Do It?

Gives credit to the author of your sources
Helps reader/audience find out more about your topic
Shows where to find particular sources which may include the author's name, date, publishing company location, journal title
Helps avoid plagiarism

What is Citation Style?

Determines the necessary information for a citation and how the information is arranged, as well as punctuation and other formatting
MLA (Modern Language Association) format is used for humanities and literature works
APA (American Psychological Association) is used for technical and scientific works

Watch the following video, which discusses the definition, purpose, benefits, and basics of citation:

"Citation: A (Very) Brief Introduction" by NCSU Libraries is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the copying or close imitation of information from a published source

Plagiarism is not allowed at San Jose City College. If a student is caught plagiarizing, he or she could fail the class or even be expelled. To avoid plagiarism you must put quotation marks around information that is directly copied from a source and cite all thoughts, ideas, arguments, research, quotations and obscure facts taken from your sources using a recognized citation format like MLA or APA.

Citation Generators

Use EasyBib, BibMe or KnightCite to help build your MLA or APA citations

The library catalog and many of the library databases will create a citation for you. Look for the quotation symbol to generate a citation. It may look like these icons:

Even if you use a citation generator, double-check your citations for accuracy!

When to cite?

A citation is required when:

Mentioning information or facts that are not common knowledge.
Summarizing and paraphrasing:
- When you put another person's ideas into your own words
Using direct quotations:
- When you use another person's exact words
Inserting images:
- When you use pictures, charts, and graphics from someone else's work
  - For information about citing images visit Finding and Using Image Resources.

Each of these instances requires an in-text citation.

You don't have to cite:

Statements of your own insight
Statements of common knowledge
- Information most educated people know or can find out easily in an encyclopedia or dictionary.

When in doubt, be safe and cite your source!

Types of Citations

At San Jose City College, the most commonly used citation styles are

MLA Guide

APA Guide

For literature, arts, and humanities

For psychology, education, and other social sciences

Citation Guides: Citation Overview