When citing a certain paragraph from an article, how should it be accurately described?

Accurately describing a specific paragraph citation requires precisely identifying the source and the paragraph's location within it. This ensures readers can easily locate the quoted or referenced material. Essential principles include providing the author(s), publication year, and source title, along with a specific locator for the paragraph. Standard options are the paragraph number (if explicitly numbered, prefixed with "para."), the page number followed by an abbreviation like "para." or the paragraph's rough location within the text if pagination is absent. Consistency in the citation style is mandatory. Always verify paragraph numbering in the original source. In research papers, legal documents, and detailed analysis, precise paragraph citation is crucial for verifying interpretations and attributing ideas correctly. Its application significantly enhances scholarly integrity by enabling source verification and supporting arguments with clear, attributable evidence. This practice underpins rigorous academic discourse.