Citations in college writing
A quick guide to citing sources
Remember that it is not OK to copy and paste from the Internet and pass that off as original work. That is plagiarism and can result in an "F" for the course to expulsion from college in some cases. Just listing a work in a bibliography is usually not enough citation in the collegiate setting; such references do not tell the reader the specific source of information. For the purpose of specifically identifying sources of information, in text citations must be used.
Citations by Tom Rathman, e-Learning Advisor @ Eastern Iowa Community College
Question: What style of citation should we use in our online classrooms, MLA or APA?
Answer: College writing has a number of contexts for written work, ranging from casual to the most formal. Different rules exist for the different contexts. A class discussion is going to be less formal, for example, than a term paper.
In an informal setting, a student can be in compliance by simply making a copy of the web address, and placing it in parentheses within the passage based on the website. This is called an in-text citation and it is appropriate for the informal setting. A student might say, "According to our text," . . . and everyone in the will know what book is being cited. Such a citation is okay in an informal setting.
The endnote is a mention of the source at the end of a passage, and it too is quite acceptable when writing informally. You may even see a combination of in-text and endnote citations. Another characteristic of the informal setting is no bibliography or works cited page is necessary.
Skill in handling of reference materials is the definition of being educated, because exposure to the intellectual world is needed to be able to cite effectively. The educated person has appreciable knowledge of the writings of identifiable experts, and can know instinctively if a source is reliable. To be persuasive in your speech and writings is to be able to draw upon a spectrum of respected sources. Know the value of various sources, and what those sources are asserting. Galvanize your own ideas with those of experts.
The fact that a writer has consulted experts is not a weakness, as a beginning student might assume, it is strength. When backed by experts, a writer establishes himself or herself as an expert in his own right. He or she has sifted through existing knowledge on a subject, and then drawn a conclusion. The position the writer is expressing is not mere personal opinion, but is the synthesis of the ideas of authorities on the subject. The writer then appears learned.
When the thoughts of others are interjected, be sure to give them credit. Because scholars draw upon a variety of resources, scholarly writing is always accompanied by an abundance of citations. Scholars know where to find information, and how to integrate it with their work. The scholar must keep track of information and also the sources of information. Knowing the source of an idea becomes as important as the idea itself.
A term paper is formal writing. Formal rules mean a consistent style must be used. A Google search of citation styles identifies three main styles: APA, Chicago, and MLA (Note: this sentence uses an in-text citation). MLA (initials for Modern Language Association, the style favored by language and literary authorities) emphasizes page numbers and in-text citation. APA style (for American Psychological Association) with its emphasis on current data is favored within the behavioral sciences. Chicago style emphasizes dates and footnotes so it is often preferred by historians and lawyers.
The proliferation of styles can be bewildering to a new student. Long story short, the different styles only exist for one purpose: to give credit to outside sources. When using one style be sure to stick with that style throughout the entire work. How do you know what style to use? Ask your instructor if he or she has a preference. Using a style consistently throughout a written work is often more important than the style that is selected. Every student should own a style guide, and consult it regularly.
This article is necessary to help students avoid the serious charge of plagiarism. Avoiding such a charge seems to be a matter of attitude for the student. The student, who has determined in his or her mind not to take credit for the work of others, is the one most likely to avoid plagiarism charges.
One final caveat: Material from outside sources can be used in two ways, paraphrased (put into one's own words), or quoted. Both types must be cited. The rules say quoted material must be handled a bit more delicately than paraphrasing. The name of a person being quoted is generally given. Quoted material must always be offset from the rest of the text. A short quote of four lines or less is set off by quotation marks. Longer quotes must be offset by an extra half inch indentation on both the right and left sides.
When you have questions about citation, contact your instructor. Good luck to each of you, and remember to cite your sources.
Answer: College writing has a number of contexts for written work, ranging from casual to the most formal. Different rules exist for the different contexts. A class discussion is going to be less formal, for example, than a term paper.
In an informal setting, a student can be in compliance by simply making a copy of the web address, and placing it in parentheses within the passage based on the website. This is called an in-text citation and it is appropriate for the informal setting. A student might say, "According to our text," . . . and everyone in the will know what book is being cited. Such a citation is okay in an informal setting.
The endnote is a mention of the source at the end of a passage, and it too is quite acceptable when writing informally. You may even see a combination of in-text and endnote citations. Another characteristic of the informal setting is no bibliography or works cited page is necessary.
Skill in handling of reference materials is the definition of being educated, because exposure to the intellectual world is needed to be able to cite effectively. The educated person has appreciable knowledge of the writings of identifiable experts, and can know instinctively if a source is reliable. To be persuasive in your speech and writings is to be able to draw upon a spectrum of respected sources. Know the value of various sources, and what those sources are asserting. Galvanize your own ideas with those of experts.
The fact that a writer has consulted experts is not a weakness, as a beginning student might assume, it is strength. When backed by experts, a writer establishes himself or herself as an expert in his own right. He or she has sifted through existing knowledge on a subject, and then drawn a conclusion. The position the writer is expressing is not mere personal opinion, but is the synthesis of the ideas of authorities on the subject. The writer then appears learned.
When the thoughts of others are interjected, be sure to give them credit. Because scholars draw upon a variety of resources, scholarly writing is always accompanied by an abundance of citations. Scholars know where to find information, and how to integrate it with their work. The scholar must keep track of information and also the sources of information. Knowing the source of an idea becomes as important as the idea itself.
A term paper is formal writing. Formal rules mean a consistent style must be used. A Google search of citation styles identifies three main styles: APA, Chicago, and MLA (Note: this sentence uses an in-text citation). MLA (initials for Modern Language Association, the style favored by language and literary authorities) emphasizes page numbers and in-text citation. APA style (for American Psychological Association) with its emphasis on current data is favored within the behavioral sciences. Chicago style emphasizes dates and footnotes so it is often preferred by historians and lawyers.
The proliferation of styles can be bewildering to a new student. Long story short, the different styles only exist for one purpose: to give credit to outside sources. When using one style be sure to stick with that style throughout the entire work. How do you know what style to use? Ask your instructor if he or she has a preference. Using a style consistently throughout a written work is often more important than the style that is selected. Every student should own a style guide, and consult it regularly.
This article is necessary to help students avoid the serious charge of plagiarism. Avoiding such a charge seems to be a matter of attitude for the student. The student, who has determined in his or her mind not to take credit for the work of others, is the one most likely to avoid plagiarism charges.
One final caveat: Material from outside sources can be used in two ways, paraphrased (put into one's own words), or quoted. Both types must be cited. The rules say quoted material must be handled a bit more delicately than paraphrasing. The name of a person being quoted is generally given. Quoted material must always be offset from the rest of the text. A short quote of four lines or less is set off by quotation marks. Longer quotes must be offset by an extra half inch indentation on both the right and left sides.
When you have questions about citation, contact your instructor. Good luck to each of you, and remember to cite your sources.
Plagiarism: Avoid Academic Theft for Research Success
Grammar Bytes! Presents :: Plagiarism: Avoid Academic Theft for Research Success
Doug Greene
Director of Distance Education
Southwestern Community College
1501 West Townline Street
Creston, Iowa 50801
Office: 641-782-1324
Fax: 641-782-3312
Cell: 641-344-8266
Southwestern Community College
1501 West Townline Street
Creston, Iowa 50801
Office: 641-782-1324
Fax: 641-782-3312
Cell: 641-344-8266
Email: greene@swcciowa.edu
Website: www.swcciowa.edu
Location: Creston, IA, United States
Phone: 641-782-1324
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swcciowa
Twitter: @DougGGreene