Citations are essential to writing good papers.  They are important for a number of reasons:

• It gives proper credit to the work's creator.
• It enables the researcher to find the work cited in order to verify the accuracy and interpretation of what is quoted or referred to.
• It is a check on the false attribution and misleading use of information.
• It allows YOUR ideas to stand out clearly in the text.  
• It helps reduce the possibility of plagiarism as you have clearly stated the sources for your information and ideas.

Citation happens at two points in your paper:

1. at the immediate point in the document where you use or reference someone else's work (in-text citation);
2. in the bibliography, reference list or work cited page at the end of your paper.