What should you do if you’re uncertain about citing a source?

When you are uncertain about citing a source, the best course of action is to always remember to cite it. This approach promotes academic integrity and gives proper credit to the original authors whose ideas or research you are using. Citing sources is a fundamental aspect of scholarly writing that allows readers to trace the origins of your information, enables them to explore further if they wish, and helps you avoid plagiarism.

In academic settings, it's often better to err on the side of caution by providing a citation, especially since various fields have specific citation standards and expectations. If there is any doubt about whether a source needs to be cited, acknowledging it is the responsible and ethical choice.

Choosing not to cite at all can lead to unintended plagiarism, which can have serious consequences for academic standing. Paraphrasing without giving credit also violates academic standards, as it misrepresents original content as your own. Additionally, only citing if requested by the teacher ignores the broader responsibilities of academic writing, as it does not emphasize the importance of consistent and appropriate citation practices.