Wikipedian Protester (xkcd)
All writing is conversational. No thought, idea or expression exists in a vacuum.
Language, in all its forms, is a bridge between people. Citation is basically just a way to cast a light on the bridges you have walked to arrive at your finished work. It gives credit to the people whose work shaped your thinking, and also serves as a map that a reader can follow back to your sources for further investigation.
This guide offers direction and examples related to the most commonly used citation styles. It also includes some information about academic integrity, intellectual property, copyright, and alternatives to copyright.