The correct answer is C) A Quotation, and I will explain in detail why this is the correct answer, as well as why the other options (A) Thesis Statement, (B) An Anecdotal Experience, and (D) A Humorous Statement do not always require citations in a research paper.

A Quotation (Correct Answer):

Quotations must always be cited in a research paper. When you directly quote someone else’s words, whether from a book, article, interview, or any other source, it is crucial to give credit to the original author or speaker.

This serves multiple purposes, including acknowledging the source of your information, providing evidence for your argument, and avoiding plagiarism. Citations for quotations typically include the author’s name, publication date, and page number (if applicable) or a paragraph number (for online sources) to allow readers to locate the original source.

For instance, if you include a direct quote from a scientific study in your research paper, you should cite the study to demonstrate the source of your information and give readers the ability to refer back to the original work for more details.

Thesis Statement (Not Correct):

A thesis statement is an essential element of a research paper, but it does not require a citation within the paper itself. A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main argument or purpose of the paper, and it is typically located in the introduction. The purpose of a thesis statement is to guide the reader by providing an overview of the paper’s focus.

It represents your own original idea, so it doesn’t need to be cited within the paper. However, if your thesis statement is based on someone else’s work or is influenced by a particular source, you should acknowledge that source in your paper’s citations and references.

An Anecdotal Experience (Not Correct):

Anecdotal experiences, which are personal stories or examples, are often used to illustrate or support a point in a research paper. While it is essential to provide context and explanation for these anecdotes, they do not typically require citations unless you are drawing from someone else’s personal experience or a published anecdote.

If the anecdote is your own or is widely known and considered common knowledge, a citation may not be necessary. However, it’s always a good practice to provide references or citations for clarity and transparency.

A Humorous Statement (Not Correct):

Humorous statements or jokes are not typically subject to citations in research papers, as they are often the product of the writer’s creativity or intended for rhetorical effect.

However, if you are quoting a humorous statement from a specific source, like a book or a stand-up comedy routine, it should be cited to give proper credit. In most cases, the humor used in a research paper is original to the writer and not drawn from external sources.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C) A Quotation, which always requires a citation in a research paper to give credit to the original source and avoid plagiarism. Other elements, such as a thesis statement, anecdotal experiences, and humorous statements, may not always require citations, as they are often the writer’s original content or general knowledge.

However, if these elements are based on external sources or require attribution, they should be properly cited in accordance with the citation style and guidelines used in the paper.