Give Credit Where It’s Due: Citing Sources Made Easy

Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026

Have you ever spent hours studying for a test, only to notice the person beside you sneaking a look at your answers? Or poured your energy into a group project and watched someone else take the credit?
Moments like these can be frustrating—and they’re a great reminder of why giving credit where it’s due really matters.

In academic work, citing your sources isn’t just a rule—it’s a way to respect the time, effort, and ideas of others, while also protecting your own work. The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. There are plenty of supports available to make citing sources (and avoiding plagiarism) way less stressful.

Skill-Building Workshops (Free!)

Join one of our workshops to build confidence and practical skills:

  • Cite Right! APA Bootcamp
    Get hands-on practice with APA style—covering in-text citations, paraphrasing, reference lists, and citing different source types.

  • Avoiding Cut & Paste Plagiarism
    Explore how to use quotations properly and integrate sources into your work to avoid plagiarism. Perfect for those starting out with research or learning the ropes of proper citation.
  • Understanding Plagiarism: Protect Your Academic Integrity
    Learn how plagiarism relates to Academic Integrity; discover the importance of correctly citing your sources; gain essential skills to ensure your work is always your own.

  • Finding Peer-Reviewed Articles: The Key to Research Success
    Learn how to identify and find scholarly (peer-reviewed) articles through the library’s tools. You’ll also learn how to differentiate scholarly sources from non-academic ones to ensure your research is top-notch.

📍 Workshops are offered online and on campus (Ottawa).
👉 Check out the full Workshops Schedule to find a session that works for you.

Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism Guide

The Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism Guide is a go-to resource for building strong academic habits. Inside, you’ll learn how to:

  • Cite Your Sources
    Access style manuals, citation examples, and interactive modules—especially helpful if you’re learning APA style.

  • Avoid Plagiarism
    Understand what plagiarism is, how it happens, and what you’re responsible for as a student at Algonquin College.

  • Use and Cite Generative AI Responsibly
    Explore guidance on generative AI tools, including how (and when) to cite them in academic work. Always check with your instructor before using AI to avoid academic misconduct.

Explore the Learning Portal

Another great place to build your skills is the Learning Portal’s How to Cite Module, where you’ll learn about:

  • Why citing matters
    Prevent plagiarism, give credit to original authors, and strengthen your research with evidence.

  • Citation styles
    APA, MLA, and more—each style has its own rules, and your instructor will let you know which one to use.

  • How to build citations
    Learn how to create in-text citations and reference lists so readers can trace your sources.

  • Citation tools
    Citation generators can save time and reduce stress once you know how to use them properly.

Need Extra Help?

If you’d like one-on-one support, we’ve got you covered:

Citing your sources isn’t about jumping through hoops—it’s about fairness, credibility, and owning your academic voice. So next time you submit an assignment, remember: cite with confidence and give credit where credit is due. 💡📚


Comments

Comments are closed.