Citations give credit to the original authors and ideas, help readers follow up on your research, and can be useful in combatting plagiarism. Citation formatting varies according to citation style, but typically includes at least a few of the following: author or editor name(s), publication date, publisher details, periodical title (name of journal, magazine, newspaper, etc.), and URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier -- a fancy name for URLs used to identify journal articles.
Occasionally, you may have difficulty discerning when (and when not to) cite. If you are describing your own thoughts or impressions, you do not need to cite. Generally, you should cite when quoting a source directly, paraphrasing another work, or using someone else's ideas. When in doubt, it is usually better to cite. If you need assistance, contact the Research Desk.
A citation style dictates the information necessary for a citation and how the information is ordered, as well as punctuation and other formatting. There are several different styles for citation formatting, and the one you use will likely be chosen based on your assignment requirements or the norms of your academic discipline. You've probably heard of or used at least one of the 'big three' major styles: APA, MLA, and Chicago.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a useful resource for writing help and citing sources. The OWL's citation guides provide guidance on citing a wide range of sources across formats and citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.
Citation management can be complicated, especially with larger research projects. Zotero is a free, easy-to-use research support software that can help you organize, annotate, and manage cited sources. Tip: use your Pratt email when registering for Zotero to unlock unlimited storage.