Cite vs. Quote — What's the Difference?

Cite means to refer to a source, giving credit to the original author of an idea, statement, or piece of information. This can be done in various formats such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style, depending on the academic or professional context. Quote, on the other hand, involves directly copying and using the exact words from a source. When quoting, the text must be enclosed in quotation marks and properly attributed to the original author.

Citing often involves summarizing or paraphrasing information from a source and then providing a reference to that source. This allows writers to incorporate external information while maintaining their own voice and perspective. Quoting, however, requires verbatim reproduction of the text, preserving the original wording and meaning, which is particularly useful when the specific language of the source is significant.

When you cite a source, you acknowledge its contribution to your work, typically including details like the author’s name, publication year, and page number. This helps readers locate the original source if they wish to explore it further. Quoting also includes these details but focuses on presenting the exact phrasing used by the original author, ensuring accuracy and credibility in the presentation of evidence or arguments.

Citing can be more flexible, allowing you to interpret and integrate the source material into your own narrative. Quoting is more rigid, as it necessitates the precise inclusion of another's words, which can be beneficial for supporting an argument with authoritative evidence.

In academic writing, both citing and quoting are essential for avoiding plagiarism. Citing provides a broader context by acknowledging the influence of various sources, while quoting emphasizes particular statements or passages that are especially relevant or eloquent.