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Citation is important because it is the basis of academics, that is, the pursuit of knowledge. In the academic endeavor, individuals look at evidence and reason about that evidence in their own individual ways. That is, taking what is already known, established, or thought, they use their reasoning power to create new knowledge.

In creating knowledge, scholars must keep track of sources for three important reasons: because ideas are the currency of academia; because failing to do so violates the ownership of the person whose idea is not credited; because academics must be able to trace the genealogy of ideas.

• Reason One
  
• Reason Two
  
• Reason Three

So it is important both to cite sources and to use them well. And neither is easy. You will learn about how to cite, when to cite, and why to cite throughout your college career. This website may help you begin to consider these complicated questions.