Griffiths Library

I.C.E. | Cite Sources Like a Pro

Introduce your quotation

Introducing your expert or sources is important for readers because it shows the source is legitimate. In other words, if you are writing about a medical topic, it would make sense that you would gather information from medical journals, databases and medical professionals. 

• Using a signal phrase helps introduce your expert material into your sentences and paragraphs in a smooth and coherent way.

Cite your quotation

Citing your sources means that you have given credit to the original author or agency that wrote the material.

• Follow this rule of thumb: “If in doubt, cite it.”
• What should be cited?
  • Cite anything that is quoted word for word directly from the original source.
  • Cite anything that is paraphrased from the original source.
  • Cite all tables, figures, maps, and etc.
  • Cite anything from electronic sources off the internet
  • Cite any interviews
• Examples:
  • “By the year 2010, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles in production.” (Williams 20)

Explain your quotation

Tell your reader what the quotation/fact/data means with regard to your topic and how they relate to your thesis statement.

Key thought: Why is this important and what does it have to do with my main point?