A citation is the information that identifies an article, book, chapter, or other information resource. Think of a citation as simply telling you what's been published.

Use style guides to write your citations in the style your instructor or publisher wants you to use: MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.

Hint: Write down (cite) your sources as you work with them, rather than coming back to them after your paper is nearly finished and then trying to find and write down the necessary information.