Citing sources has become increasingly important in essay writing, as it not only provides evidence for your claims but also gives proper credit to the authors whose work you used. Adding citations to an essay can be a tricky process, but luckily there are a few easy steps you can follow to make sure your essay looks polished and professional.

The first step is to determine which type of citation you need. Depending on the style guide you're using, citations can take many forms. The most common formats are MLA, APA, and Chicago, each of which require a specific format for both in-text citations and bibliographies. It's important to make sure you know which style you should be using before attempting to add any citations.

Once you've chosen a style, you'll need to find out what information you'll need to include in the citation. Every style has different requirements, but typically the author's name, the title of the work, the publication date, and the URL or page number of the source should be included. Take note of all this information as it will be necessary for making the citation.

Now you can begin adding your citations. Depending on the style, there are different ways to cite sources within the body of your essay. Usually this involves putting the author's name and the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence containing the quote or reference. Make sure to use the correct formatting and include all necessary information.

The last step is to create your bibliography or works cited page. This is a list of all of the sources you used in your essay, and should appear at the end. Again, make sure to include all necessary information and follow the proper format for the style you're using.

Following these steps should ensure that your essay looks professional and polished with properly incorporated citations. All that's left is to proofread your essay and turn it in!