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FAQ & ANSWERS:CITATIONS

Check your assignment!Check with your instructor! If all else fails…

Modern Language Association: English and some Humanities (Foreign Language and Literatures, Literary Criticism, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, etc.)

American Psychological Association: Sciences, Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Criminology), Business, Nursing

Chicago/Turabian: History

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT STYLE TO USE?

Tradition and discipline expectations Different citation styles have developed over time to

address the specific needs of different disciplines. Citation styles are similar to each other, but each citation

style conforms to what is respected and accepted by the professionals in the field.

Using the discipline-preferred style helps your reader “decipher the code” of your source list Your reader may not be in the same field as you, or may not

have the same knowledge as you. If you use the proper style, your reader will be able to reference the style guidelines without question and be able to locate your sources.

WHY USE THE PROPER STYLE?

Gives credit to the sources of information and ideasHelps your reader to locate the resources you used, if

they’d like to follow upProvides evidence of your researchAssists in avoiding unintentional plagiarism Looks professional

WHY USE CITATIONS?

A well-written paper will have: quotes, paraphrases, & summaries Support and credibility Multiple viewpoints Provide emphasis by using author’s own words

Intermix sources with your own words, analysis, thoughts, & ideas

Be sure your paper is still in your own voice!

HOW SHOULD I INCORPORATE SOURCES?

Direct quote use the exact words of the authorKeep your quotes short!

Only quote what is needed—leave everything else out. You CAN directly quote a part of the passage, but you

cannot change the meaning of the original words. Use quotes when only when neededTry for two lines of analysis per direct quote

HOW OFTEN CAN I QUOTE?

You can remove excess information from direct quotes as long as you DO NOT change the meaning of the quote.

Use brackets [] to make a change such as “he” to the name Original: According to her, Changed: According to [Brittany Dudek],

Use … to indicate where what you’ve omitted part of the quote. George Washington, the first President of the United States,

stated George Washington … stated

CAN I CHANGE A QUOTE?

Rephrase ideas in your own wordsChanging a few words is not suffi cient Cite!

WHAT IS PARAPHRASING?

http://www.writingcenter.pdx.edu/resources/guide/step09.php#detail1

Citations are necessary whenever you… Refer directly to someone else’s work or ideas Use direct quotes Paraphrase Summarize

WHEN DO I NEED TO CITE?

Usually, but not always, common knowledge information consists of facts or dates

You don’t have to cite information that is considered common knowledge

If the fact/date/information can be found undocumented in 5 diff erent sources, it is probably common knowledge

Exception: If you have personal or professional experience that is common knowledge in your particular field (biology, for example), always assume your reader does not have that same knowledge and cite your source.

WHAT ABOUT COMMON KNOWLEDGE?

If you’ve personally lived the experience, had your own observations and thoughts, and made your own conclusions, you do not need to cite yourself.

Exception: If you have personal or professional experience that is common knowledge in your particular field (biology, for example), always assume your reader does not have that same knowledge and cite your source.

DO I HAVE TO CITE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES?

Double-check your source for the missing informationDetermine if the source is credible

Missing information (author, date, etc.) could be a tip that the resource isn’t the most credible source and you should look for a new one.

Check out the CRAP test! If you’ve determined the source is credible, create

your citation using the information available

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW X, Y, OR Z THAT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN MY CITATION?

Use the CRAP test to decide if the website you’d like to use is a credible source.

If it does not pass the CRAP test, you should locate a diff erent website to use.

If you’re not familiar with the CRAP test, please view the next page.

HOW CAN I TELL IF A WEBSITE IS CREDIBLE?

A thesis is an argumentative statement which states the conclusions you’ve made about your topic.

It must be specific enough to be proven within the constraints of your assignment (if your assignment says 5 pages, you must be able to prove your thesis in 5 pages).

You may need to revise your thesis as your locate and use sources, and write your paper. Be ready to revisit your thesis and make revisions when necessary.

WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT?

A thesis statement is usually, but not always, placed at the end of the introductory paragraph.

Your thesis should be in the same font and size as the rest of the body of your paper. Neither MLA or APA style guides require or recommend changing the formatting of your thesis statement to provide emphasis. Your instructor, however, may ask you to use formatting to point out your thesis. Always listen to your instructor.

Thesis statements do not require additional formatting, such as highlighting, underlining, italicizing, quotations marks, font style, or font size are needed.

WHERE DOES MY THESIS STATEMENT GO AND DOES IT NEED

ANY FORMATTING?

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