Final answer:
Essays lacking citations concern lecturers as they indicate potential plagiarism, insufficient engagement with the literature, and failure to meet disciplinary norms for citation and essay format. Such omissions can lead to a lack of depth, originality, and professionalism in the writing, undermining its quality and the credibility of the student's work.
Step-by-step explanation:
Essays with few or no citations are concerning to lecturers for several reasons. Firstly, skipping readings and relying on inaccurate internet summaries can lead to a lack of depth in students' analyses, as they may not capture the intricacies of the assigned literature. Consequently, their essays may fail to meet the assignment's requirements for in-depth analysis. Secondly, missing in-text citations prevent readers from distinguishing the student's original ideas from those sourced from other authors, potentially leading to issues of plagiarism. Moreover, the lack of engagement strategies such as thought-provoking questions or detailed anecdotes can result in a failure to draw readers into the essay or provoke critical thought.
Each academic discipline has norms for essay format and citation, similar to how professional groups use uniforms. These norms ensure that a writer's message is understood within their field, that sourcing is efficient, and that the essay appears polished and professional. Finally, adhering to the cultural context and genre of the subject is critical, as the expectations for writing quality and style can vary across different fields of study. An essay lacking in these areas may be perceived as underdeveloped and may not effectively communicate the writer's arguments or analysis.