Why is it important to cite sources in academic writing?

Citing sources in academic writing is crucial for giving credit to the original thinkers whose ideas, research, and conclusions contribute to your work. By properly attributing these sources, you acknowledge the efforts and intellectual property of others, which is a fundamental aspect of scholarly communication and ethical research practices. This also allows readers to verify the information you present, as they can trace back to the original work for further study or validation. Providing citations not only strengthens your own arguments by grounding them in established research but also upholds the integrity of your own scholarship.

The other options do not accurately capture the significance of citing sources. For instance, making the work seem longer disregards the quality and substance of academic writing, while personal writing styles and aesthetics are secondary considerations in the context of academic integrity and verification.