Why should you reference?
There are several reasons why you should reference the sources you use and all of them are important. Referencing correctly:
Helps you to avoid plagiarism - this is when you pass off someone else’s work as your own.
Allows the reader of your work to find the sources that you’ve used
Acknowledges, and gives credit to, the writer of the original work
Demonstrates the research and reading that you have done
Provides supporting evidence for your arguments, stance, point of view etc.