Visual Literacy: Cite Images

Citation

Attribution

When do you use a citation?

You must cite any image or visual media that you use when you are writing a more formal paper. Your instructor will let you know if he or she wants you to use citations and which style is required.

What information do you need to cite?

• Artist
• Title of work
• Year
• Medium
• Institution housing the work
• location of the institution

Where do you put a citation?

A citation is inserted in a paper in two places:

1. Within the body of your paper (in-text citations)
2. In a list at the end of your paper (usually called Works Cited, References or Bibliography) 

When do you use an attribution?

An attribution is less formal than a citation. Simpler. It is often used for presentations or papers or other formats that do not require a formal citation style.

What information do you need to attribute?

• Where the image came from (URL)
• Who created it
• If it has a creative commons license

Where do you put an attribution?

Put the attribution right under the image or visual media