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Cite My Sources

In this guide, you will find resources and citation tools to help you master the skill of properly integrating and crediting sources in your writing for academic success.

Citation Standards at ISB

In our high school research program, students are expected to use MLA (Modern Language Association) citation style for all academic writing and research projects.

MLA provides a clear, consistent format for citing sources, ensuring academic integrity, and helping students develop strong research habits. Proper citation not only gives credit to original authors but also strengthens students' arguments by supporting claims with credible evidence. Teachers should guide students in using MLA’s in-text citations and Works Cited pages, emphasizing accuracy and consistency.

This libguide provides resources and citation tools to support students in mastering this essential skill for academic success.

If you have questions, reach out to your librarian.

Why We Cite

We cite sources for several reasons:

  • To give credit to the authors whose ideas or words we have borrowed.
  • To help readers who want to learn more find our sources.
  • To show that our opinions or ideas are well-supported.
  • To prove that we haven’t just made things up, like facts or statistics.
  • To impress our teachers by showcasing the awesome research we've done.
  • To PROTECT ourselves from accusations of plagiarism

Creating citations is a fundamental expectation of academic writing. Just as following traffic laws is required when you get a driver’s license, citing sources is an essential rule in scholarly work. It demonstrates ethical use of information, gives credit to original authors, and upholds academic integrity. In schools and universities, proper citation is not just encouraged—it’s a standard practice that shows you are engaging responsibly with research.

Dos and Don'ts

DO:

  • Keep track of your sources as you go along
  • Add links and titles to a Word doc
  • Create a folder in your browser and bookmark useful websites 
  • Use NoodleTools to create citations and SAVE YOUR WORK!
  • Use MLA consistently (make all your citations looks the same)
  • Export a Bibliography to MS Word (let NoodleTools do the formatting for you!)

DON'T:

  • List a URL as a citation. URLs change all the time. Your reader might not be able to find it.
  • Create citations on your own. There is too much room for error.
  • Copy and paste citations one-at-a-time. You will lose consistency!