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=Citation and plagiarism are big topics that can be confusing when you first start to do research. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and think about why everyone gets so excited about getting citations right.=

__Why cite sources?__

 * ====Citing sources supports your research and validates your thought process. It is good to show that the knowledge you created in your research grew out of other people's work - it tells your reader that you 'did your research.'====


 * ====Citing sources gives explicit credit where credit is due. You don't want anyone to be confused about what you created and what you used to create your work. You also don't want to be held responsible for someone else's bad ideas if they are later discredited! You don't want to take the credit, and you definitely don't want to take the blame.====


 * ====Citing sources tells your readers how to find the information you used, in case they want to check it out for themselves.====

=Bottom line, you are accountable for correct citation and bibliographies in your academic work. At best, your teachers and college professors will take points off for not including these components correctly in your research papers. You could fail - the assignment, or even the course. At worst, some colleges and universities will expell students who plagiarize and do not cite sources.= = = =MLA style is detailed and addresses the format of your paper and how to properly cite all kinds of materials. This wiki is meant to help get you started with some basics.=

=__OK, I'm convinced. Now what?__=
 * ==What to cite==


 * ==How to cite==