Here's why:
* Avoiding Plagiarism: Even if you're summarizing the main points, the ideas and information still belong to the original author. Failing to cite the source can be considered plagiarism.
* Giving Credit: In-text citations acknowledge the source of your information and give credit to the original author.
* Supporting Your Claims: Citations allow readers to easily locate and verify the information you've summarized, lending credibility to your work.
How to Cite a Summary:
* Use a standard citation style: Follow the style guidelines of your field (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
* Include the author's last name and year of publication: For example: "(Smith, 2023)"
* Include page numbers if you are directly quoting or summarizing a specific part of the text: For example: "(Smith, 2023, p. 15)."
Example:
Original Text: "The most important aspect of effective communication is active listening." (Smith, 2023, p. 10).
Summary with Citation: Smith (2023) argues that active listening is the most crucial element of successful communication.
Note: The specific format of your in-text citation will depend on the citation style you are using.