By: Aaron J Carpenter
11/24/2025
Correctly and fully citing sources when compiling a piece of academic research is essential and mandatory because it allows you to maintain academic integrity, establish credibility for yourself, and can aid future research by showing where your information came from. In my past submissions I have failed to correctly cite my sources because I did not put in the effort to verify that the quotes used were direct or present in the cited material at all. By indulging in these lazy efforts, I have sacrificed the integrity of my work and credibility for myself. I have put forth a bad practice that will not aid me when writing papers in the future. By researching for and compiling this essay, I hope not only to gain respect for source citations, but to prove to you that I am willing to take steps to avoid these mistakes in the future.
The first reason that citing sources is important is because in doing so you establish credibility of your work. In an article published by Grinnell College the author says that by failing to cite a source “you violate that person's ownership of the idea” (Hunter, page 1). This means you are stealing someone else’s idea and passing it off as your own, also known as plagiarism. By plagiarizing other people’s ideas, your work becomes dishonest and worthless. When writing papers for academic purposes you are aiming to engage in an exchange of ideas by adding your own thoughts. In a document from Yale University the author claims that “You cannot participate in this exchange if you are not clear about how other voices have influenced your own” (Principles of Citing Sources). When you cite your sources and give credit to the writers who help you with your work, you can avoid plagiarism and establish a credible name for yourself.
The second way that citations of sources is important is their ability to establish credibility. In the Yale University document the author says, “Incorporating other people’s ideas into your writing allows you to stand on their shoulders as you explore your topic” (Principles of Citing Sources). The idea that citing sources doesn’t dilute your work but instead props it up is a concept that rings true when creating academic papers. You use the sources and citations to back up your claims and verify your ideas. When you cite your sources, it can show appreciation and that you are “indebted to that source” (Hunter, page 1). By respecting other people’s work and ideas it shows that you are willing to follow the rules and engage in the academic community correctly. In Hunter’s article they express that “giving credit to the original source of ideas is the right thing to do, as well as the basis on which academia is built” (Hunter, page 2). By following the rules and respecting people’s academic developments that you piggyback off, you do your part in giving yourself good credibility.
The final important factor of correctly citing sources is in the act of helping the reader get the full picture of your work, as well as in aiding future research of your topic. In the Yale University document, they claim that “One scholar’s sources can therefore be an invaluable contribution to another’s research” (Principles of Citing Sources). When you have your sources cited in a way that is accessible to readers, it helps them when doing their research. One example of this is if your text briefly mentions a niche attribute of the topic that the reader is specifically researching. The reader can then locate where you found that information and read more about it. This way they can not only use your work but also expand their research by using your sources. This is why people say that “keeping track of sources is important because academics value being able to trace the way ideas develop” (Hunter, page 2). The ability of being able to see what went into forming your thought process could lead to another level of topic understanding. The Grinnell College article says that “acknowledging your sources greatly enhances your paper’s value, as it shows readers where they might look to test, explore, and extend your conclusions” (Principles of Citing Sources). It is interesting to see citations as not only giving credit to other people but also adding value to your work as well.
In conclusion, citing sources is an important aspect of academic research because of the integrity and plagiarism avoidance that comes with it, credibility that it establishes, and the help it does to readers and future researchers. When I am in school learning, that is the best place to make mistakes because the damage is minimal, only resulting in a poor grade. It is important that I realize now the power and importance of citing sources in my schoolwork. I clearly need to make an effort to make sure my quotes appear in the text and are directly quoted with the right capitalization and all. I hope to greatly improve my assignment quality in the future, and I hope I have convinced you of my understanding of the importance of properly citing sources.
Works Cited
Hunter, Judy. "The Importance of Citation." Grinnell College, web.grinnell.edu/Dean/Tutorial/EUS/IC.pdf Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.
Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. "Principles of Citing Sources: Why Cite?" Yale University, 2025, poorvucenter.yale.edu/principles-of-citing-sources-why-cite Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.