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Citation Machine: Citing References
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Activity Description
In this activity, students learn how to properly credit the information they use in their writing with the online Citation Machine.
Preparation
- Students should be familiar with the reasons for citing references in their writing and know which citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) they are expected to use before learning how to use this tool. For more information on citation styles you may want to try the Citation Styles .
- Spend some time with the site, learning how to use it yourself in whichever style you prefer. Make notes on anything you think might be an issue for your students.
Teacher Tips
- As with many sites of this type, there are MANY ads. Be sure to teach your students what they look like and how to avoid clicking on these ads, which could pose "issues" they would rather not deal with.
- NOTE: You may be offered a free trial as disclosed to you in the subscription offer. If so, and you elect to subscribe, you are enrolling in a free trial, the duration of which will be as disclosed to you at sign-up. If you do not cancel within the trial period, you will automatically be enrolled in a paid monthly subscription at the end of the trial.
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
Levels
- High
Lesson Plan
Activity: "Who Said It?" Quiz
Display 3–5 quotes (famous, academic, or from recent news). Ask students:
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- Who said this?
- If you used this in a paper, would you need to cite it?
- What could happen if you didn’t?
Discussion Prompt:
Why do we need to cite sources? What does it mean to "give credit" in writing?
Objective:
Explain that today’s lesson will show students how to create citations using an online tool called Citation Machine to properly give credit when using information in research or essays.
Learning Goal:
Students will learn how to generate citations in MLA or APA format and understand the importance of avoiding plagiarism.
Modeling:
- Visit https://www.citationmachine.net live or with a pre-recorded screen share.
- Demonstrate:
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- How to choose a citation style (e.g., MLA, APA).
- How to enter source information (book, website, journal, etc.).
- How to review and copy the formatted citation.
3. Highlight how to identify and avoid ads, popups, and misclicks.
Teacher Tips:
- Explain the differences between citation styles.
- Note that citation generators are tools, not perfect—they require human review for accuracy.
Activity: "Cite It Right" Scavenger Hunt
Students are given 3 sources (one book, one website, one article). In pairs or small groups, they will:
- Use Citation Machine to generate citations for each source in a selected format (e.g., MLA).
- Compare results with another group.
- Identify any inconsistencies and discuss why they might occur.
Provide a Citation Checklist to help students evaluate if their citations include all required elements.
Quick Quiz or Exit Ticket:
- Multiple choice: Why is citing important?
- Identify correct vs. incorrect citations.
- Short answer: What should you check when using an online citation generator?
Alternative: Students submit one citation they created using Citation Machine and write 2–3 sentences explaining why proper citation is important.
Assignment: Use Citation Machine in Your Next Writing Task
For their upcoming writing project, students must:
-
- Use Citation Machine to generate at least three citations.
- Submit a reference list with their final draft.
- Highlight at least one in-text citation.
Optional: Students can screen record themselves using Citation Machine as part of a mini digital literacy reflection.
Documents
- Citation Machine.png - Homepage for Citation Machine
Subjects
- English Language Arts
- Journalism
Standards
- Writing
- CCR Anchor 8 - Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
Tags
Creative Commons License
