What to Cite

What do I Cite?

For your research assignment, you consulted books, journal articles and web sites, viewed a film on your topic, and even interviewed your roommate.  Now, you are ready to write.  Do you really need to cite all these sources? 

Yes.  If you are incorporating an author’s ideas into your paper, or if the work of another has influenced your thinking on a topic, then the source must be cited. 

It doesn’t matter what the source is.  It could be a book, journal article, web site, message from a listserv, television program, speech or government publication.  Just remember, if you are using another’s words or ideas, cite them.

The Basics