Skip to Main Content

Student Success (IVYT) - Valparaiso

Cite Your Sources

While writing your paper you might ask, why should I cite my sources?  Who is going to know anyway? 

Well, for one, you will know, and whether you want to believe it or not, your professor will know.  Citing your sources give credit to the creator of the source materials.  So, If you use any part of a source, whether it is a direct quote, paraphrasing, or just using statistics or ideas from that source, you must cite the original source. 

There are many different styles for citing your sources.  Common styles used at Ivy Tech are MLA (Modern Language Association) style and APA (American Psychological Association) style. It is important to know which style your professor wants you to use for your paper.  Refer to your course syllabus to find out or ask your professor