Question

What is the most important reason to cite evidence in an argumentative essay?

to allow readers to learn more about the variety of research available to the public
to provide writers the opportunity to officially present the data they have gathered
to give credit for the ideas used to the appropriate sources in an organized format
to condense the information in the essay into a more reader-friendly arrangement

Answer 1

to give credit for the ideas used to the appropriate sources in an organized format

This prevents plagiarism, shows you’re using reliable support, and lets readers trace the original sources.