What is the role of credible sources, and how should you cite them?

• A. Credible sources provide reliable evidence; cite with quotations or paraphrase and include author, title, and publication info.
• B. Credible sources are not necessary; any source is fine.
• C. Citations are optional and not needed for accuracy.
• D. You should only provide URLs in citations.

Answer: (B)

Credible sources are trusted places to get evidence that you can rely on. They help your writing be accurate, fair, and stronger because the information comes from experts or standards of the field. Citing these sources shows you’ve checked facts and gives readers a clear path to verify what you say, which makes your work more trustworthy.

When you cite sources, you give credit to the original authors and allow readers to locate the exact source you used. Use quotations when you want to use the author’s exact words, but for most of your writing you’ll paraphrase—putting the ideas into your own words—while still giving credit with a citation.

A simple way to handle citations is to include brief in-text references and a detailed list at the end. In the text, you usually include the author's last name (and a page number if available) after the idea or quote. At the end, you provide a Works Cited or References entry that gives full details: author, title of the source, the larger container (like the journal or website), publisher, publication date, and the location (page numbers or a URL).

Here’s a basic example in a common style used in 7th grade:

• In-text: (Smith 78)

• Works Cited: Smith, Emma. "Rising Tides and Coastal Habitats." Ocean Science Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, 2020, pp. 74-89. https://www.oceansciencejournal.example

If there’s no author, use the source title in the in-text citation and start the entry with the title. If you’re using an online source, include the URL (and an access date if your teacher or style guide asks for it).

Keep your sources credible by choosing authors who are knowledgeable about the topic, published in reputable outlets, and current enough to be reliable. This practice strengthens your work and helps readers trust what you present.