Plagiarism, Why do you think we need to cite sources???

Documenting our sources provides essential information for your reader. By citing sources, we show our indebtedness to the work of others, and give our reader the chance to seek further information from the sources themselves. Citing sources also supports our own credibility as a writer and researcher. Citations reflect the careful and thorough work you have put into locating and exploring your sources.  They also help readers understand the context of your argument and are a courtesy to the reader, who may share your interest in a particular area of study.  Citations, by illustrating your own learning process, also draw attention to the originality and legitimacy of your own ideas. Plagiarism is a serious issue in the academic community. While plagiarism sometimes does occur intentionally, it also occurs because the writer doesn’t understand or does not know how to avoid it.