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Citing Your Sources

This guide is intended to help you cite sources, avoid plagiarism, learn about citation styles and available citation tools, and more.

Why Do We Cite?


It's not required to annoy you, we promise!  Citations are a critical component of proper academic work.  Why?

  • Proper citations give your paper credibility and authority. Show off all that hard work you did!
  • Documenting sources shows an understanding and respect for scholarly communications.  Give credit where credit is due.
  • Citations help readers identify and locate your sources.

Academic Integrity at SNHU


Southern New Hampshire University requires all students to adhere to high standards of academic integrity, as defined in SNHU Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.   All catalogs explicitly state that plagiarism and cheating are not tolerated by the University, and students involved in such activities are subject to disciplinary action. 

Specifically, plagiarism is defined as: "the use, whether by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another without full and clear acknowledgment". 

Cheating is outlined as follows: "the giving or receiving of unauthorized assistance on quizzes, examinations or written assignments from any source not approved by the instructor."  One example of cheating is:

Using someone else’s work without proper citation.

Plagiarism and cheating are serious academic offenses that can be easily avoided with proper understanding of citation guidelines.  This guide will direct you to several resources that will help you create proper citations for all your work.

SNHU Academic Integrity Policies: