1. Quote the source verbatim. When you directly copy words from a source, enclose them in quotation marks and provide a citation. For example:
> "The sky was a deep blue, and the sun shone brightly" (Smith 2020).
2. Paraphrase the source. If you restate someone else's ideas in your own words, make sure to cite the source. For example:
> Smith (2020) describes the sky as a deep blue and the sun as shining brightly.
3. Summarize the source. If you condense a larger passage into a few sentences, be sure to cite the source. For example:
> Smith (2020) discusses the weather on a particular day. He describes the sky as a deep blue and the sun as shining brightly.
4. Use signal phrases. When you introduce quoted, paraphrased, or summarized evidence, use a signal phrase to indicate the source of the information. For example:
> According to Smith (2020), "the sky was a deep blue, and the sun shone brightly."
Smith (2020) argues that "the sky was a deep blue, and the sun shone brightly."
Smith (2020) concludes that "the sky was a deep blue, and the sun shone brightly."
5. Create a citation list. At the end of your paper, include a list of all the sources you cited in your writing. This list should be formatted according to a specific citation style, such as MLA or APA.
By following these steps, you can avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors of the ideas you use in your writing.