Citing and referencing are essential practices at university. They give credit to the original authors of the ideas and research you use, which is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. Proper citations also allow your reader to verify your sources, enhancing the credibility and reliability of your work. Additionally, referencing demonstrates your engagement with existing scholarship and shows that you have conducted thorough research on your topic. This practice not only strengthens your arguments, but also contributes to the academic conversation by acknowledging the contributions of other scholars. Overall, citing and referencing are fundamental to producing high-quality, ethical, and credible academic work.