When do I need to cite something?
Sometimes students think they only need to cite sources when they use a direct quote from some or something else. This is not the case. You also need to provide a citation when you paraphrase, summarize, or reference their ideas or theories. This is true even if you find information or an image online. For a more complete guide, see this handy reference at Boston University. Even if you use AI, you will need to clarify what they created and what you did. (some teachers will also prohibit the use of AI altogether, so ask for guidelines from your instructor before you start!)
What format should my citation be in?
It is important to ask your professor what citation format they prefer, but some of the most common citation formats for American Jewish Studies are Chicago and MLA. (See also MLA Guidelines for AI citation.)
Typically complete citations involve a full citation somewhere in your work. That means if you use MLA parenthetical citations, you will need to include a complete works cited list at the end of your assignment. Likewise if you are using Chicago style and don’t include the full citation in the first footnote where you reference the work, you will want to include a bibliography at the end of your assignment.
For more specifics on how to format individual references see