What is a key component of academic writing?

In academic writing, the inclusion of citations and references is essential because it provides credibility to the arguments presented. By properly citing sources, writers demonstrate that their work is grounded in established research and contributes to the ongoing scholarly conversation. This practice also allows readers to verify the information or explore the sources for further understanding, which enhances the work's academic integrity.

Citations and references help to avoid plagiarism, acknowledge the contributions of other researchers, and allow for the traceability of ideas. They signal to readers that the writer has engaged seriously with existing literature and respects the intellectual property of others.

In contrast, using informal language, focusing solely on personal opinion, or utilizing entertaining anecdotes can undermine the seriousness and reliability of academic writing. Academic writing is characterized by a formal tone, a reliance on evidence and reasoning, and a structured approach to presenting information, all of which are supported by appropriate citations and references.