what does citation mean in an essay

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When starting your first research work, you will find that citations play one of the central roles in building originality, credibility, and respect for both your work and intellectual property in general. Understanding what a citation is and how to use it effectively is fundamental for anyone engaging in scholarly writing.

Definition of a Citation

A citation is a formal reference to a source from which information or ideas have been drawn. I t is a way to credit the original author and to provide the readers with the necessary information to find the source themselves. Citations are vital in academic writing as they lend support and credibility to the writer’s own ideas and arguments, and they can be created via a free citation generator .

The Role of Citations in Scholarly Work

Creating citations is an inseparable part of academic writing, primarily serving as a guard against the unethical practice of plagiarizing. Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s work or ideas without giving them due credit, and it is considered a serious offense in the academic world. Citing sources demonstrates that writers respect the original author’s intellectual property and acknowledge their contribution to the field.

Moreover, citations illustrate that the writer has engaged in extensive research, adding depth and credibility to their work. They act as a roadmap, allowing readers to follow the trail of research and thought processes that led to the conclusions drawn in the paper. This transparency contributes to the audience’s understanding and allows them to verify the data and ideas presented, making sure the integrity and reliability of the scholarly discourse. Therefore, citations are essential to maintaining the honesty and trustworthiness of academic communication.

Types of Citations

Understanding the different types of citations is key to crafting well-researched and credible work. Each citation style, whether it’s APA, MLA, or Chicago, serves a specific purpose and follows distinct guidelines that build clarity and uniformity in academic communication. From in-text citations that subtly acknowledge sources within your narrative, to detailed bibliographies that offer a comprehensive overview of your research, mastering these various forms enhances the integrity and impact of your writing.

In-text Citations

In-text citations are integral to most academic writing formats. An example of an in-text citation in APA style is:

> (Smith, 2020).

This format briefly acknowledges the source within the text, typically featuring the author’s last name and the publication year. The purpose of in-text citations is to point the reader towards the more detailed reference list entry, allowing them to easily locate the full source details without cluttering the main text with extensive information.

Reference List Citations

Reference list citations are found at the end of an academic paper and provide comprehensive details about each source. For instance, a typical APA reference list entry might look like:

> Smith, J. (2020). Title of the Work . Publisher.

This format includes the author’s name, publication year, title of the work, and publisher details. The reference list ensures that every source mentioned in the in-text citations is accounted for, with sufficient information for the reader to find the original work.

Footnotes and Endnotes

Footnotes and endnotes serve as supplemental tools for citations or additional comments. An example of a footnote in Chicago style might appear as a superscript number within the text, with the corresponding note at the bottom of the page:

> ¹Smith, Title of the Work , 45.

Footnotes are found at the bottom of the page where the reference is made, while endnotes appear collectively at the end of the chapter or document. They can include full citation details or additional insights related to the content, providing further depth and context to the main text.

Citation Styles and Formats

Common issues and mistakes in citation.

In the world of academic writing, navigating the intricacies of citation can often be challenging, and it’s all too easy to stumble into common pitfalls. Incorrect citation format is a frequent error, where writers might mix up the requirements of different citation styles, such as confusing APA with MLA. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the source material. Another common issue is missing information in citations, like omitting the publication date or the publisher’s name. This lack of detail can make it difficult for readers to locate the original sources, thereby affecting the paper’s reliability.

Inconsistency in citation styles throughout a document is another area where writers often err. For instance, using APA style in one section and then inadvertently switching to Chicago style in another can create a disjointed reading experience. Such inconsistencies not only disrupt the flow of your writing but also question its scholarly rigor . To maintain the integrity and credibility of your work, it is crucial to be thorough and consistent in your citation practices, carefully adhering to the rules of the chosen citation style. Remember, in the realm of academic writing, precision, and attention to detail in citations are as important as the content itself.

Citations are more than just formalities. They are a testament to a writer’s integrity, attention to detail, and engagement with the scholarly community. Proper citation practices honor the originality of ideas while building a reliable and verifiable body of knowledge. As such, mastering the art of citation is a key skill in academic writing.

What information should be included in a citation?

A citation should typically include the author’s name, the title of the work, publication date, and other relevant details like the publisher’s name, journal title, volume and issue numbers, and page numbers. For digital sources, URLs or DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) are also essential.

Can I use online citation generators?

Yes, online citation generators can be used and are quite helpful in automating the citation process. However, it’s important to double-check the generated citations for accuracy, as these tools can sometimes make errors or be outdated in terms of citation style guidelines.

What are the consequences of not citing sources?

Not citing sources can lead to accusations of plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense. It can result in various consequences ranging from loss of credibility and academic penalties to legal repercussions. Proper citation is essential to maintain the integrity and reliability of your work.

Is there a difference between citing books and websites?

Yes, there is a difference in citing books and websites. Book citations typically require the author’s name, book title, publisher, and publication year. Website citations, however, often include the author’s name, title of the web page or article, the name of the website, the publication date, and the URL or DOI.

When do I need to use in-text citations?

In-text citations are used whenever you quote, paraphrase, or refer to information from a source in the body of your text. These citations provide a brief acknowledgment of the source, typically including the author’s last name and publication year, which correspond to a more detailed entry in the reference list or bibliography.

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• Citing Sources

Citing Sources: What are citations and why should I use them?

What is a citation.

Citations are a way of giving credit when certain material in your work came from another source. It also gives your readers the information necessary to find that source again-- it provides an important roadmap to your research process. Whenever you use sources such as books, journals or websites in your research, you must give credit to the original author by citing the source. 

Why do researchers cite?

Scholarship is a conversation  and scholars use citations not only to  give credit  to original creators and thinkers, but also to  add strength and authority  to their own work.  By citing their sources, scholars are  placing their work in a specific context  to show where they “fit” within the larger conversation.  Citations are also a great way to  leave a trail  intended to help others who may want to explore the conversation or use the sources in their own work.

In short, citations

(1) give credit

(2) add strength and authority to your work

(3) place your work in a specific context

(4) leave a trail for other scholars

"Good citations should reveal your sources, not conceal them. They should honeslty reflect the research you conducted." (Lipson 4)

Lipson, Charles. "Why Cite?"  Cite Right: A Quick Guide to Citation Styles--MLA, APA, Chicago, the Sciences, Professions, and More . Chicago: U of Chicago, 2006. Print.

What does a citation look like?

Different subject disciplines call for citation information to be written in very specific order, capitalization, and punctuation. There are therefore many different style formats. Three popular citation formats are MLA Style (for humanities articles) and APA or Chicago (for social sciences articles).

MLA style (print journal article):  

Whisenant, Warren A. "How Women Have Fared as Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Since the Passage of Title IX." Sex Roles Vol. 49.3 (2003): 179-182.

APA style (print journal article):

Whisenant, W. A. (2003) How Women Have Fared as Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Since the Passage of Title IX. Sex Roles , 49 (3), 179-182.

Chicago style (print journal article):

Whisenant, Warren A. "How Women Have Fared as Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Since the Passage of Title IX." Sex Roles 49, no. 3 (2003): 179-182.

No matter which style you use, all citations require the same basic information:

• Author or Creator
• Container (e.g., Journal or magazine, website, edited book)
• Date of creation or publication
• Publisher 

You are most likely to have easy access to all of your citation information when you find it in the first place. Take note of this information up front, and it will be much easier to cite it effectively later.

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• Last Updated: May 1, 2024 12:48 PM
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Composing with ai, citation – definition – introduction to citation in academic & professional writing.

• © 2023 by Joseph M. Moxley - Founder, Writing Commons

Explore the different ways to cite sources in academic and professional writing, including in-text (Parenthetical), numerical, and note citations.

Table of Contents

What is a Citation?

A “ citation ” refers to the act of integrating ideas or words from another source into your speech or writing , along with adhering to the specific discourse conventions (or standardized ways of acknowledging sources) in a particular academic or professional field . “Citations” are required in academic and professional writing when writers summarize , paraphrase , or quote the words or ideas others. Writers may also cite known experts to enhance the authority of their arguments and observations.

In both academic and professional settings, the practice of citing sources—whether through quotations , paraphrasing , or summarizing —is a fundamental mark of professionalism. Being capable of citing sources correctly and critiquing the citations of others is a basic literacy in a knowledge economy.

Most generally, “citation” refers to the act of crediting a source of information . While “citation” is the formal term, there are several colloquial synonyms that people might use interchangeably, such as “ attribution ,” “reference,” or “mention.” In more casual or conversational settings, phrases like “backing up” one’s claim or providing “proof” might be used. When writers or speakers incorporate information from an external source, they might say they are “citing,” “ attributing ,” or “referencing” that source.

Related Concepts: Academic Dishonesty ; Archive ; Authority in Academic Writing ; Canon ; Copyright ; Discourse ; Hermeneutics ; Information Has Value ; Intellectual Property ; Paraphrase ; Plagiarism ; Quotation ; Scholarship as a Conversation ; Summary

What Are The Three Major Ways of Citing Sources inside a Text?

While there are many different citation styles, as discussed below, there are only three major types of citations:

• In-text Citation (aka Parenthetical Citation)
• Numerical citation
• Note Citations

In-text Citation (aka Parenthetical Citation )

In-text Citation refers to the practice of placing bibliographical information in parentheses when sources/information are first introduced in a quote , paraphrase , or summary . The in-text citation is typically shorter and directs the reader to the full citation in the bibliography or reference list. In essence, all in-text citations are citations, but not all citations are in-text citations.

APA Example

When using APA style, writers place the author’s name, year, and page number (when available) in parentheses.

• “As of 2022, about 12,700 nuclear warheads are still estimated to be in use, of which more than 9,400 are in military stockpiles for use by missiles, aircraft, ships and submarines” (Eagle, 2022).

And then at the end of their text, they list all of the sources they cited in the text, providing all of the bibliographical information users need to track down the source and read it:

• Eagle, J. (2022, March 21). Animated chart: Nuclear warheads by country (1945-2022). Visual Capitalist .

Numerical Citation

Numerical Citation refers to when writers use numbers in brackets or superscript rather than parentheses to indicate to readers when they are quoting , paraphrasing , or summarizing :

IEEE Example

• “As of 2022, about 12,700 nuclear warheads are still estimated to be in use, of which more than 9,400 are in military stockpiles for use by missiles, aircraft, ships and submarines” [1]

Subsequently, in the reference list at the end of their text, writers provided the bibliographic information following the order of the citations in the text:

Chicago (Turabian) Example

• [1]J. Eagle, “Animated Chart: Nuclear Warheads by Country (1945-2022),” Visual Capitalist , Mar. 21, 2022. (accessed Jan. 03, 2023).

[ See Inclusive – Inclusive Language for a full-length example of Numerical Citations ]

Note Citation

Note Citations refers to when writers place citations numbers just as they do with numerical citations AND then provide all of the required bibliographical information in the text–as opposed to providing all that information at the end of the text in a list of references:

• “As of 2022, about 12,700 nuclear warheads are still estimated to be in use, of which more than  9,400  are in military stockpiles for use by missiles, aircraft, ships and submarines” J. Eagle, “Animated Chart: Nuclear Warheads by Country (1945-2022),” Visual Capitalist , Mar. 21, 2022. (accessed Jan. 03, 2023).

What Do All Citations Styles Have in Common?

Regardless of which citation style is used, attributions typically provide four types of bibliographical information :

• Name of Author(s)
• Title of source, whether it’s a book/article/website, etc
• Date of publication, if available
• Publisher information.

What Are the Most Popular Citation Styles?

Professional organizations (communities of practice) have unique ways of formatting citations. (See Wikipedia for a good listing of citation styles .)

Although style guides differ in regard to where the author’s name or publishing source is listed, they are all designed to ensure that proper credit is given to authors. As you know from your experience as a writer, developing insights and conducting original research is difficult and time consuming, so you can understand why people want to receive proper credit for their original ideas.

• MLA Handbook, 9th Edition Modern Language Association style is primarily used in the fields of English and foreign languages.
• Publication Manual of the APA: 7th Edition American Psychological Association’s style guide is used in psychology and education. Education and social science professors commonly ask students to follow the APA style for citing and documenting sources. APA differs from MLA in a number of ways, including the overall structure and format of the essay, but the major distinction between the two is APA’s use of the year of publication, rather than the page on which a particular quotation appears, for the in-text citation. APA requires in-text publication dates because of the particular importance of a study’s currency to research reports in the social sciences.
• Chicago Style is used in many social science fields.
• CSE (Council of Science Editors) is used by the scientific community
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) is used by the engineering community.

What Critical Perspectives Do Readers Use to Assess Your Citations?

Citation in speech and writing serves as a barometer of ethos , especially trustworthiness . When audiences are engaged in critical literacy practices , they are likely to question a source’s

When audiences check the archive and find that authors are making inconsistent quotations , they are likely to question the character or ethos of the author.

In other words, subject matter experts tend to be well versed in the ongoing conversations that characterize the works of other subject matter experts. Experienced researchers tend to engage in strategic searching of the archive . They engage in critical literacy practices , asking questions, such as

• What is the status of knowledge on the topic ?
• What is the ebb and flow of research on the topic –over time?
• What are the canonical texts ?
• Who are the pioneers? How has their work changed the conversation?
• What knowledge claims are currently being debated?

Related Articles

APA - Publication Manual of the APA: 7th Edition

Attribution - What Is The Role of Attribution In Academic & Professional Writing?

Citation Guide - Learn How to Cite Sources in Academic and Professional Writing

Citation Tools

MLA - MLA Handbook, 9th Edition

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Professional Writing – How to Write for the Professional World

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Citation Guide – Learn How to Cite Sources in Academic and Professional Writing

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