Student standing alone, looking confused
Image by RMIT, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

When you give your opinion without supporting it, it is just your words and ideas

Student standing with shadowy figures behind.
Image by RMIT, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

When you support your ideas by referencing websites and other information that haven’t been verified, the credibility of your work is reduced.

Student standing with supportive professors behind therm.
Image by RMIT, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

When you support your ideas with peer-reviewed and scholarly sources, your argument is strengthened.