A citation, often referred to as a quote, is a way to reference the words or ideas of another person or source. It provides credit to the original author and allows readers to locate the source material for further study. Citations are commonly used in academic writing, research papers, and articles to support claims and enhance credibility. Citations can take various forms, including direct quotes, paraphrases, or summaries. They typically include information such as the author's name, publication date, and page number, depending on the citation style used, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. Proper citation helps avoid plagiarism and promotes intellectual honesty.