Using the Work of Others
There are three ways to incorporate the work of others into your writing - all of which should be cited:
- quoting– using their words exactly
- paraphrasing - using your OWN words to reiterate ideas - not just rephrasing
- summarizing – recapping big ideas, comparing approaches
Be Organized
- keep track of ALL sources you consult (books, articles, web pages, etc.)
- take good notes
- keep track of HOW you will use the sources (quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing)
- do not copy and paste directly into your paper
Why Cite Your Sources
- provide evidence or support for your argument
- let your reader know where you’ve been/show your history with a topic
- acknowledge intellectual property of others
What to Cite
- words or phrases
- ideas or concepts
- images, illustrations, graphs, etc.
What Not to Cite
- common knowledge
- what anyone in your audience can be expected to know
- undisputed information
- personal experiences
- when in doubt, cite!
How to Cite
There are three major documentation forms:
- parenthetical references/in-line citations
- footnotes
- endnotes
And thousands of styles:
- APA (American Psychological Association)
- MLA (Modern Language Association)
- Chicago
- Turabian
Consult your professor about the style preferred for each course/assignment.
For additional information on these topics visit the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)