In short
- Cite every idea, fact or quote that came from somewhere else, as you write it.
- Most styles use the author’s surname and the year: (Smith, 2020).
- Add a page number for every direct quote: (Smith, 2020, p. 12).
- Every citation must match an entry in your reference list, and the other way round.
A citation is a small thing that does two jobs. It gives credit to the person whose idea you used, and it lets your reader check it. Markers look for both, and a missing citation can turn a good point into plagiarism.
This lesson is part of step 4, reference as you go. Check which style your course uses first: the examples below are Harvard (Cite Them Right) and APA 7, the two most common in the UK.
Two ways to cite
- In brackets, at the end of the point: Screen time before bed can delay sleep (Smith, 2020).
- As part of your sentence: Smith (2020) argues that screen time before bed delays sleep.
Both are correct. Naming the author in your sentence is useful when the person matters to your argument, or when you’re comparing two writers.
Harvard and APA, side by side
| Situation | Harvard (Cite Them Right) | APA 7 |
|---|---|---|
| One author | (Smith, 2020) | (Smith, 2020) |
| A direct quote | (Smith, 2020, p. 12) | (Smith, 2020, p. 12) |
| Two authors | (Smith and Jones, 2020) | (Smith & Jones, 2020) |
| Three authors | (Patel, Ahmed and Brown, 2021) | (Patel et al., 2021) |
| Four or more authors | (Patel et al., 2021) | (Patel et al., 2021) |
| An organisation | (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2019) | (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2019) |
| Author named in your sentence | Smith (2020) argues… | Smith (2020) argued… |
The differences are small but they’re marked: APA uses “&” inside brackets and “et al.” from three authors, Cite Them Right names three authors in full and puts et al. in italics, and APA tends to use the past tense when reporting what a writer said. Full rules and more examples are in the Harvard guide and the APA 7 guide on Peel’s website.
When to cite
- A direct quote: always, with the page number.
- A paraphrase or summary: always. Putting it in your own words doesn’t make it your idea.
- A fact, figure or statistic that isn’t common knowledge: always.
- Common knowledge (London is the capital of the UK): no citation needed. If you’re unsure, cite.
Common mistakes
- Citing only at the end of a paragraph. If three sentences come from a source, make it clear all three are its, by naming the author early or citing again.
- First names or initials in the citation. Harvard and APA use surnames only: (Smith, 2020), not (John Smith, 2020).
- A citation with no match in the list. Check both ways before you hand in: see matching citations to the list.
Cite as you write in KanBananza
- You don’t know which style, or which Harvard. The style belongs to the board: change it with the style chip on the Sources stack, and every citation updates. Harvard (Cite Them Right) is free. Free
- “I’ll add the citation later.” Add the source to the card you’re writing from, type the page, and copy its citation into your draft the moment you use it. The in-text citation is written for you, in your style. Full Bananza
- A citation built from missing details. Each source shows Will paste as and its in-text citation, with anything missing highlighted before you copy. Free
For your level
GCSE and A level
You may only need a bibliography, but citing in the text is good practice for the EPQ and essential at university. Start now and it becomes a habit.
University
Your department sets the style, and sometimes its own version of Harvard. Check the module handbook, and follow it exactly: referencing is often marked.
Dissertations
With dozens of sources, cite the moment you write a sentence. Going back to find a page number in March is much harder than typing it in November.
Questions
What is an in-text citation?
A short pointer in your sentence, usually the author’s surname and the year, that shows where an idea or quote came from. The reader finds the full details in your reference list at the end.
Do I need a page number?
Always for a direct quote. For a paraphrase, many styles say it’s optional but helpful, especially when you use one part of a long book. Check what your course asks for.
When do I use et al.?
It depends on the style. Harvard (Cite Them Right) names every author up to three, and uses the first surname and et al. from four: (Patel et al., 2021). APA 7 uses et al. from three authors. Your reference list may still name every author: check your style guide.
What if there’s no author?
Use the organisation as the author if there is one, like (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2019). If there isn’t, use the title in italics instead of the author. Never invent a name.
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