Why Cite?

When you use citations (the pieces of information necessary for finding a resource), you help your readers track ideas and wording back to those original authors you used to write a paper, create a PowerPoint, etc. Using citations also helps you follow the Academic Honesty Policy of Olympic College by avoiding plagiarism. The Purdue OWL website defines plagiarism as "the uncredited use (both intentional and unintentional) of somebody else's words or ideas." 

Here is a close captioned video from the Lehman Library about why we cite.

How to Cite

Instructors usually specify their citation requirements for papers and other assignments. Most instructors at OC require you to use either MLA or APA citation style. 

Purdue OWL citation style guides as well as the OC Libraries guides for MLA 9th Edition and APA 7th Edition should provide you with most of the information you will ever need to create citations. 

MLA 8th/9th Edition

• Purdue OWL MLA 9 Resources
• OC Libraries MLA 9 Guide
• MLA Style help from the MLA

APA 7th Edition

• OWL APA 7 Resources
• OC Libraries APA 7 Guide
• APA Style Handouts and Guides from the APA

Many of OC's library databases will generate citations in MLA or APA for you.

This is a great reason to use library resources! Although these citations are typically more accurate than the citations generated by free online tools, you should still check they are correct. Here are citation features to look for in OneSearch:

You have successfully finished Level One!

Remember...you can always get help with citations in our 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat. You can also get online writing help through Olympic College eTutoring. And Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) offers a variety of research databases, eBooks, audiobooks, and online tutoring from 1:00 pm-10:00 pm via BrainFuse (get a KRL library card online).

Happy Researching!

Please proceed to the next page, What Do You Know, to revisit the questions you answered at the beginning of Level 1.