Table of Contents
- 1 Do I need to cite something I already know?
- 2 Do you have to cite your own knowledge?
- 3 Do I have to cite sources for every fact I use?
- 4 Why do you think it is necessary to cite the source?
- 5 Can you use yourself as a primary source?
- 6 How do you keep track of your sources when taking notes?
- 7 When do you need to document sources and references?
- 8 Do I need to cite information that is not considered common knowledge?
- 9 How do you cite a previously cited source in an essay?
Do I need to cite something I already know?
The purpose of citation is to acknowledge the source of your information and ideas, to avoid plagiarism, and to allow the reader verify your claims. You do not need to cite common knowledge because it is widely known, undisputed and easily verified, and it generally cannot be attributed to a specific person or paper.
Do you have to cite your own knowledge?
Personal experiences and knowledge generally do not need to be cited in an APA references page or within the body (in-text citation) of your paper. If you use personal knowledge that is unusual or to make a statement that someone might question, however, you will want to find research to back your knowledge up.
Do I have to cite sources for every fact I use?
How much to cite? Remember to include a source citation every time you use the ideas or words of another author, either directly (through quotation) or indirectly (through paraphrase). The only exception is common factual knowledge of the variety found in encyclopedia.
Do you need to cite paraphrasing?
When you use your own words to convey information from an original source, you are paraphrasing. While paraphrases do not require quotation marks, they do require citations. Be sure to change both the words and word order of the original source in order to avoid plagiarism.
Do I need to cite a definition?
Yes. Anything you did not already know for which you consulted a source should be cited. Here is an example from OWL: Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (10th ed.).
Why do you think it is necessary to cite the source?
It’s important to cite sources you used in your research for several reasons: To show your reader you’ve done proper research by listing sources you used to get your information. To be a responsible scholar by giving credit to other researchers and acknowledging their ideas.
Can you use yourself as a primary source?
Anything you directly analyze or use as first-hand evidence can be a primary source, including qualitative or quantitative data that you collected yourself.
How do you keep track of your sources when taking notes?
Use index cards to keep notes and track sources used in your paper….On each note card:
- Use only one side to record a single idea, fact or quote from one source.
- Include a heading or key words at the top of the card.
- Include the Work Cited source card number.
- Include the page number where you found the information.
When I refer to my own papers that I have previously written?
Passing off some of your previous writing as original, without citing the original work, is often called self-plagiarism, or duplication. A writer has the responsibility to indicate whether or not the material has been used before, particularly within scholarly or professional publishing.
Why is it important to cite sources?
Sources of information are cited in order to give the original authors/creators proper credit for their work and to document where an author heard or read the fact or idea that has been incorporated into a new work. The purpose of citations is to let the reader know where you obtained information so sources can easily be located and consulted.
When do you need to document sources and references?
In general, you must document sources when you provide information that you ordinarily would not have known before conducting your research, and when you provide information that it cannot be assumed the reader knows. You must cite a reference when you: Discuss, summarize, or paraphrase the ideas of an author
Do I need to cite information that is not considered common knowledge?
Information like this would not need to be cited. Common knowledge can shift depending on the context of the situation. Information that is considered common knowledge for a specific field or college class may be more in-depth than information that is common knowledge to the general public.
How do you cite a previously cited source in an essay?
Citing previously cited work. Once a secondary source has been fully detailed in a footnote or an endnote, there is no need to repeat the entire note in a subsequent reference. Shorten it. In the case of a book, use the author’s last name and the book’s title, which may itself be shortened, followed by the relevant page number.